Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-01
CONFIDENCE IN EMPLOYEES
Methods Followed in Financial Institutions
and Mercantile Concerns
Honesty IL the Rule, Yet Precautfon.
Are Adopted to Lessen Temptn-
ton and to Avoid Loss.

p!oyes were naturally very much Interested
In the disposition of the case of Robert H.
Martin. who yesterday was taken to Tren-
ton, N. j.. where he is to serve a term of
f1Ve years in the penitentiary at hard labor
1t is we'll known that Martin. while treas.
urer of the Columbian University stole
money belonging to the university which
had been intrusted to him in his official
capacity AS is generally understood. the
stealings of Martin extended over n longer
period Of time before being detected than
would otherwise have been the case except
for the confidence which was naturally re-
posed in him by the officials of the uni
vcrsity
1t Is generally recognized by all those en-
gagged in carrying on mercantile or financial
businesses or any enterprise which requires
the assistance of others that confidence in
the honesty of employees is a necessary ele-
ment.
In fact. 1t is said by experienced men that
modern business, involving as 1t does such
multiplicity of details and such a large
amount OF capital, makes 1t necessary that
employees should occupy responsible posi-
tons and be intrusted with many import
ant duties and the custody of a good deal
of money.
Large Percentage of Honesty.
1t is also said that in view of the large
number of people who hold such positions
city and upon whose integrity employers
are accustomed to almost implicitly rely
the percentage of cases of wrongdongs and
violations of trust is remarkably small. In
the opinion of men who are familiar with
business as it is done in this city this
dftion OF affairs serves striking illus
tration of the truth that rogues are in a
small minority.
However. in spite of the faithfulness to
trust displayed by the average nan and
woman business men in this city, well
as elsewhere. as rule adopt precautions
to insure the honesty of their employees,
not only as means of protection to them
selves. but in order to lessen, as far as
possible, the temptations to which people
| liz such positions are inevitably exposed.
In Financial Institutions.
1t has become the custom elsewhere, and
| 1t is generally true in this city, that the
employees in financial institutions are re-
CURED to give bond. the amounts varying
with the degree of responsibility of the
duties which they perform. In addition to
this. however a supervision varying I'm
method is maintained over each employe.
1t is believed that the cultivation of eX
pensivc habits. the contraction of debts
which indicate that employees living
beyond their salaries, ami the association
with undesirable characters, all may be
looked upon as furnishing ground for sus-
picion that if the employe has not actually
a fair way to meet temptation which
may prove too much for him.
1t is, therefore. not unusual for an en-
ploye in such institution to receive a
summons to appear before the controlling
official, and kindly, but firmly. given the
option to Change his course of life or 10
leave the institution.
Impair Public Confi,,cnce.
1t is also felt by those who are interested
| in the management of such enterprises that
the confidence of the public is apt to be inn
paired when they know that men of bad
habits and those keeping improper COM
pany are employed in that concern. 1t is.
| therefore. on this ground. as we'll as for
the better security of the funds which arr
| intrusted to their keeping. that financial
| institutions are in the habit of keeping
| such a clos" watch over the daily ives CT
their employees.
| In the case of mercantile establishments
| both large and small, in this city. il is not
the custom to require bonds of employees,
| except in the cases of few. Neverthe-
less, the proprietorS of such establishments
find 1t necessary to guard against the dan
ger of the dishonesty of employees, and ii
| Is stated that one of the best methods
| known to modern business men is that of
| noting the habits and the way of living CT
the employees.
Habits of Employer.
| In all large establishments there are a
confidential positions They are supposed
| to keep the members of the firm posted in
| regard to what is going on among the force
| of employees. and they in turn are inspected
| by the members of the firm. 1t Is matter
| of everyday occurrence that the head OF
| large establishment is notified that some
emplcye has made some purchase ac-
quired som. article perhaps as of small
Importance IS wearing apparel which
seems to be an indication of extravaganza.
Such a hint is very apt to lead to An in
vestiSation and the head of the house Is
soon put in possession of facts which show
how the suspected employe spends his time
outside of business hours, who are his as
sociates and other facts of a similar char
acter. If what is learned seems 10 warrant
it. the employe is warned that he must
change his mode of life. 1t is believed that
By following such methods the beginnings
of wrongdoing are checked. and employees
having Knowledge of the requirements
of the firm in this particular. they are in a
meas fortified to resist temptation to
fall in evil ways.