Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-27
TO CHEAT THE ROAD.
Detectives Unearth q widespread Plan
of Defrauding Vanderbilt Lines-Mer-
chants are Implicated

Detectives Unearth q widespread Plan
of Defrauding Vanderbilt Lines-Mer-
chants are Implicated
New YORK, March 26.-Thirteen con-
ductors have been already discharged
as result Of the labors OF the detec-
tives OF the Vanderbilt railway system
In unearthing the conspiracy to defrsud
the company on the New York Central,
the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg
and West Shore lines, centring st SYRIA
cuse.
How many more of the trainmen are
involved the officials of the company
decline to tell, but they intimate that
the ramiflcations Of the conspiracy ex-
tend in several directions, and that be-
fore the investigations ere ended not
only railroad men, but saloon keepers,
merchants and travelling statesmen may
find themselves in the meshes OF the
law.
The first intimation that the system
Of roads was being systematically robbed
was received last May, when it was dis
covered that the conductors on the
West Shore line had combined with sew
eral people at Newburg, n. Y, to issue
and recognize bogus tickets.
The investigation at that time re-
suited in the arrest Of Michael Horton,
a saloon keeper, Thomas Gilooley, a
news agent, and J. j. Pendee, lawyer.
all of Newburg. Four conductors were
implicated snd summarily dismissed.
1t was very neat plan the detectives
adopted to secure evidence in this SYRIA
cuse conspiracy. They pretended TO
be travelling sclesmen for business
houses In New York. Backed by the
enormous capital of the company they
were able to carry out their assumed
characters in a style that deceived even
the old hands in the drumners' line.
They carried complete outfits OF sam
pies, and actually sold goods which were
delivered on time.
Il was not long until they were hale
fellow-well- met with all the other
drummers in that section, AID soon they
were all let into all the secrets OF the
profession.
Then certain old timers opened their
hearts still further and took the detec-
tiyes to saloons and other places where
they could obtain half fare rates on the
railroad. All that was necessary was a
proper introduction to the men who
''stood in" with the conductors and
trainmen.
II was explained to them that certain
saloon keepers and others had formed =
combination with the conductors
whereby all that was required to secure
half fare rates was to present card
bearing a word agreed upon or some
hieoroglyphics on its back to the con-
ductor, who would thereupOn accept
half fare.
After awhile the detectives learned it
was not even necessary to have the card
and the hieroglyphics. They could
travel "on their faces" at half fare, and
they found that merchants and others
lad been let into the secret.
The detectives secured cards from
saloon-keepers, business men and 9TH
ers, which have the evidence on the re-
verse sides, with the printed names OF
the bushes houses on the other. They
also obtained the names OF the conduct
nrs and trainmen who were in the COM
bination, and the full tale OF their ex-
ploits and experiences, which is expect
ed to reach the companys ONCE mere
next week, will make very interesting
reading for the company.
j. f. Fairlamb, auditor OF passenger
accounts OF the New York Central Com
pany, said yesterday:
1--WE are not yet in position to give
you the names Of the conspiratorS, but
we have evidence In our hands which
shows that the company has been de-
| frauded out Of large sum of money.
Last year at Newburg it was estimated
that the company was robbed OF about
500 a day in fares, but it is impossible
for me to estimate the amount stolen
by the conductors involved in this
latest discovery.
THE conductors combined with
saloon keepers and others TO pass for
half fare all who presented cards with
certain words or symbols on their backs.
The company never saw cent OF the
money. The conductors took charge Of
all the money they collected in this
way and divided it with their fellow
consplrators.
Quite q number OF the conductors i'm
plicated have been discharged and in
many cases prosecutions In the courts
will follow.