New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-01

relaIes her grip her wallet not even when It is
empty.
In many other ways the railroad offers unusual
opportunities for the thief. Its loaded freight
travelling through wild and sparsely inhabited
regions furnish him the chance TO rip open a door
slyy and throw out the loot Lonely stations invite
the safebowsr who shrinks from a city Job" In
tho freight yards the brass thief jacks up empty
box cars and robs the wheels OF their bearings.
To ferret out and capture the railroad criminal
is the business Of the railroad detective. At the
terminal Of every railroad running out OF this city
there are stationed few keen eyed, cool headed
men who scan the faces of the passenger crowds
increasingly. One would never perceive their Office
from their looks. Frequently they carry a dress
suit case. as If starting out on a journey. The
railroad seuth will also be found among the ware
houses Of the company perchance at the dead OF
hlght on the tran Of barn burglars" On
lines like those OF the Lackawanna Railroad the
railroad detective has many other duties besides
preventing or apprehendlng crime He Is known
as Special agent" He untangles a mix-up in
train orders He insures the prompt return OF
empty freight He pickets the coal mines
with watchmen to guard against theft or injury
The special agents department Of the L.acka-
wanna Railroad is In charge OF the chief special
agent. whose office is at Scranton. Penn and I'M
der whom employed men IN charge Of the diff
ferent operating divisions. The total force num-
beers between one hundred and two hundred men,
and there are few happenings about the company's
premises OF which this department is not cog
infant.
Aside from the duty Of guarding freight and the
companys property. these special service men are
watchful OF the travelling public and concerned
with It's safety. comfort and convenience 1t is to
the chief special agent that a telegraphic report
IL sent when some forgetful or absent minded pas
senEer leaves pocketbook. umbrella overcoat
wrap small piece OF baggage or valuable package
in the waiting of some station AS soon as
the message is received the local officer ia advised
oy telephone, or a man from the division office
starts out on the first traIn-passenger freight or
COAL II matters not which-n order to get on the
ground as quickly possible In nine cases our
Oh ten recovery Is made and the property returned
to its owner.
Only the other night a telegram reacb.d -.
special agent at Hoboken. in charge of the New
York division Of the Lackawanna Railroad n
denver telegram to a passenger. No Dissertation
OF the man was given, but only his destination
Cro"ds OF passengers were pouring through tbo
station from the ferries. and to pick out the man
would have emed an impossible task for the IN
tuIOreo- Two detectives were at once stationed
at either sido OF the man at the door however
VINO called out In loud voice:
Passengers will please show all tickets"
AS each ticket was presented the detectives
glanced at 1t sharply over the doormans shoulders
third detective walked up and down the train
the man was likely to take Finally one OF the
sIeuthG at the door tipped his hat At the serpa
moment an old man slipped through the door and
walked slowly down a platform. AS he neared
his train he shut up the mileage book he had lust
eAhloltea' and showed it into inside pocket He
was just about to board his train when the third
sleuth accosted him by saying:
Mr.. Blank. believer
That's my name. sir"
Then this telegram is for you" said the de-
tective handing a yellow envelope The old
man glanced at it and exclaimed before he had
recovered from his surprise:
"eh' I'm much obliged. If I hadn't got that
telegram Id have lost 900 contract"
"heh passenger has an attack of sickness. the
Invalid Is met by special agent. who assists him
70 his home or to a hotel. or If necessary to the
hospital leaving him only when in good hands and
properly cared for In cases Of serious illness the
friends OF the patient are promptly advised and
required are brought TO the bedside
In the summer season. when the railroad is
handling large numbers Of passengers on special
excursions. such as the Lackawanna runs to Gran
Derry Lake or to the St Louis fair special officers
guard each train to protect the crowds from pick
pockets and swindlers. II they find any passenger
VINO becomes offensive to the rest from intoxication
or any other cause. It also falls to the duty Of
.lese special Officers to dispose Of him quietly
as possible.
When arrangements are made for the transpOrta-