The evening times., 1896-04-18

IT would seem that out of all the thou
sands and thousands OF pieces of baggage
handled daily by the two .reat railroad
| systems entering Washington, there would
be great quantity OF it missent and un-
claimed. Such not the case. So carefully
and thoroughly are the methods of baggage
| transportation perfected that at the end
| or Il year not over 100 valises and trunks
remain in the depots uncalled for.
If a valisc or trunk is tagged or marked
| and most all or them are these days, the
| baggage master traces the owner by such
| indications. A reporter had a conversation
| with Baggage Master Phillips of the Penn
| sylvania on the subject.
| Rarely, if ever said Mr.. Phillips, is
valuable piec. of baggage uncalled for.
The travelling public cherish valuable lug
gage and always claim it,
RECLAIMING AFTER DEATH.
Mr.. Phillips said the only Instance 10 the
! contrary that lie had met with in his
many years OF experience was that of an
Old Southern gentleman, Judge from
Georgia, going South from New York.
The venerable 4urist had three trunks, iuil
OF costly cio,hing ami other effects, check
ed TO Washington.
lie had a failing memory because of his
great age, and neglected TO call for them.
-
the depot for a year, were sent TO tie gen.
eral office, at Philadelphia.
In the interim the Judge died suddenly,
sitting at the breakfast table alone, for he
, was Il bachelor. In his pocket were iound
the checks for the three trunks. The eN-
ecutors of the estate opened correspond
cpce with the railroad people, and after
an absence of nearly three years the. trunks
were returned to the home OF the DEAD
owner.
Mr. Phillips said his road had on hand
in the Washington office at the end OF a
wear possibly hundred valises and trunks,
almost all of them worthless.
LEFT HIS SAMPLE CASE.
Baggage Master Williams OF the b. X o.,
said he sent to the division office IN
Baltimore every six months twenty or
! thirty uucalled-for bags and trunks. The
! onIv case in Mr.. williams memory of
a valuable article being left on hahd
| was the jewelry samples OF New YORK
| drummer who went on a Wild, cavorting
| jag.
The drummer had his sample case chec ked
| rom New York to Washington. When he
! he reached the latter place he forgot, III
| his dissipation. all about business ana
| boarded a train for Chicago, leaving the
| yalise full of Jewels and other things be-
! hind. He kept the jag up until he reached
| Frisco, where he got the Jigs, ana was
! confined in a hospital for nearly three
| months. -
All this time the firm employing him
| had been tclegraphing TO every hlg city
! in the country for news OF their missing
agent. Through some neglect they fahed
to wire Washington. Mr. Wlilanis' alIer
holding the valise six months, was about
! TO send il to Baltimore, when one DAY
a pale. emaciated man came In ana pre-
| sen,ed a check for it. He was the missing
drummer Just getting himself together
after a terrible debauch OF hair year
| He got the vaiise, but lost his JOB.
| Mr.. williams said lots OF people dehp-
erateIy leave baggage at the depot because
II is not worth the trouble of being sent
! home. ,,-o,,
The slightest revenues of a railroad
corporation said Mr.. Wliliams' Is 'ne
money accrung from sale OF unclaimed
baggage