The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-10-26

Cern of Moire * Co, whole
sale dealers in silks, velvets
n and dress goods, was one Of
q the largest and best rated
III houses in the trade. In a
successful career of many
years It had established II
high reputation for probity and liberal
dealing and for an admirable system
of conducting it's business.
Notwithstanding the immense stock
and the large number of the employees,
errors were rare and always trifinR.
A perfected method of Keeping the
stock quickly exposed any Irregular
tiles.
Great, then, was the surprise when IT
was whispered among the older en-
ployes that a series of petty errors,
which indicated theft, had been hap.
pening for some weeks. This state of
affairs excited great concern among
the members of the firm. After twelve
years of active service / had been for
two years past the Junior partner. As
general manager of the stock it de-
volved upon me to put a stop to the
Irregularities and discover their source
If possible. Investigation had already
demonstrated that thefts, not errors,
We're the cause. Apparently, also, these
thefts We're committed by somebody
connected with the establishment.
AS the losses were comparatively
petty suspicion fell at first upon the
boys who were first at the store after
the porter who carried the keys, had
opened in the morning. Twenty years
of answering honesty in our service
placed the porter beyond suspicion.
The head bookkeeper, Mills who was
also a partner, and myself were the
only others who had a set of keys.
All ordinary precautions had already
been taken The night watch was
warned, and the police department was
furnished with descriptive list of the
missing goods for identification in
pawnshops or in hauls of stolen goods
they might make from time to time
close study of the outside habits Oi
some Of our Young men was also made
by Il chosen detective
Scarcely had we taken these steps
when the trouble ceased for some
weeks and a feeling of relief was fell
by all.
Suddenly we discovered that, within a
period of twenty-fOur hours, five piece:
of superfine black velvet had beer
taken. This broke up all our past the.
ores. Here was no irregular sneal
thieving. 1t was planned, systematic
robbery. Upon the theory that some
one might have obtained false keys /
was decided to change all the lock!
and have only one set of keys, one o
which would be kept by Mills. VIII,
~. a I'll
special work, and the other was to b
in my charge. This would necessitat,
my being the first at the store in thu
morning and the last at night. TIL,
porter and all our employees We're thus
relieved of all suspicion of entering the
store after closing hours.
The change went into immediate op
GRAFTON. Confidence w95 rapidly re-
stored, though traces of the theft wer,
still zealously sought.
Our confidence was short lived. With
in a week another robbery was made
This again was in the silk department
and such discrimination was shown il
selecting the goods that we We're salts
fled the thief was a Judge Of the fab
RIGS and was also apparently posted
on our stock. This was beWilderin,
and made me almost frantic, although
Kept an outward appearance of calm
y night watch was now set within
the store. This was done without tn
knowledge of any of the employees.
was thus compelled to rise very earl
in order to release the watchman be
fore the porter and the boys arrived.
Again all was quiet for a time.
The system worked; but it was un
satisfactory that We alone of all tn
trade, We're obliged TO take such ex
traOrdinary prccaution.
I did not therefore feeI at all salts