The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-06-03
MANY THINGS LOST IN CARS
They Cover n Wide Range, From
PocketbOOIxs to Old Stovepipe.
From the Chicago Chronicle.

From the Chicago Chronicle.
The lost and found bureau of the Chi
cago surface, elevated and suburban rail-
ways is department the public knows
little about. A surprisingly large number
about 17,000-of parcels and packages is
left in the cars each month by passen-
gers. Sdll the average is only one pack
age or parcel to every 1880 passengers
1t is surprising, too, that only OCCASION
ally is a package of much value found.
This is accounted for by the fact that
large percentage of merchandise pur-
chases are delivered direct by stores
leaving only a comparatively few articles
to be carried home by purchasers. Occa-
sionally, however, a valuable dress pat
tern is found and quite often a costly UNI
brella is picked up. The monthly reports
of the custodians state THAI not more
than one-half of the found articles are
called for.
Umbrellas and pocketbooks lead in num-
bers in the list of found articles. More
of these than of any other articles are
not called for. That is because many of
the umbrellas are not worth the trouble
and many of the pocketbooks contain but
a few pennies or nickels, though usually
stuffed to their utmost capacity with sam
pies of goods. receipts. addresses and
other odds and ends.
The found articles include nearly every
thing known to the merchandise mar
kets. but they are generally of cheap
grades, and ii is not to be wondered at
that a majority of the POUNDS" are left
in the cars by women.
Fishing tackle is often left on the seats
The custodians of the lost and found bu-
reaus can find some reason for people
leaving the general run of articles behind
them. but how fisherman can get him
self into frame of mind that should
cause him to forget his tackle is past
finding out. They have been known to
take the bait and leave the pole, or to
carry away the pole and leave the bait.
There is no record in any of the bureaus
of hunter forgetting any of his outfit.
Occasionally an absent-minded doctor
will leave his medicine and instrument
grip, but invariably he soon returns for
II. The record of messenger boys leav-
ing articles in the cars is almost blank
page.
ID is considered surprising by the bu-
reau men that mechanics going out in the
morning should be SO unmindful of what
they are going for as to leave some Of
their tools behind. And yet II is no I'M
common thing TO find mechanics tools.
There is an accumulation Of such articles
every month that Is never called for The
explanation is said 20 be that the man
forgetting to take the tool with him from
the car knows tnat IL Will make n good
deal of difference in his standing with
the boss IL the tool is reported as having
been stolen instead of having been care
lessly left in the car.
Among articles left in cars are large tin
pans, single-burner gas stoves and Joints
Of stovepipe On this other hand. new
shoes, corsets and bonnets are almost
| strangers in the custodian's sforeroom.
There is a small accumulation of articles
| each month never called for because they
| are OF a character that owners do not
| care to have themselves identified with.
A woman when alone rarely forgets her
packages, nor does she when in the CON-
| pany of a gentleman. If she has female
| friends with her she is quite likely 20 be
| forgetful.
1t Is noticeable that country folk rarely
| forget to take their belongings with them.
| One would suppose they would. as they
| are always absorbed in the sights, but an
| observer will note that they seldom relax
| their hold on grip or parcels.
| The rule with the Chicago roads Is when
| a package is found for the conductor TO
| take II 60 the station designated for the
= purpose and give it 10 the custodian, to-