The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1906-06-07
LONDON JEWEL THIEVES |
Precautions Taken by Dealers
to Prevent Robbery.
WOMEN KLEPTOMANIACS.


Thefts-As Safeguards Many Pro-
prietors Employ System OF Con
slant Stock Taking.
Wiser in the selection of their as
sistants than in some other details
connected with their business, London
jewelers. are seldom troubled with
thefts-though an occasional robbery
may occur, owing in great measure to
the inadequate police measures which
kave for so long disgraced London.
Fortunately for proprietors of jewelry
establishments, they are not wholly
dependent on the police, consequently
they are in position to safeguard
themselves against thefts by their Gus
toners and assistants.
When vacancy occurs on a jewel
ers staff, he either advertises for an
| assistant or selects one from among
his acquaintances. But before the
new hand is engaged his anJecedents
undergo searching examination ,anu
numerous confidential inquiries are set
on foot concerning his character.
Should 40 be known to have frequent
ed race courses or to have played any
game Of chance, he will not be employ
ed, for the proprietor of the business
argues that gambling may lead to
theft. In fact, the man whose mode
of life suggests that he lives beyond
his means has no hope of employment
IN leading establishment. Though
his record for honesty is without blem-
ish, scarcely single jeweler will risk
employing him. 1t is, indeed, aston
lshing to what extent these inqu1-
ries are carried. Some managers-es-
pecially those who have been "Iet In
almost have the would-be assistant
Swallowed before they engage him.
And even after the contract is signed,
the man is carefully watched.
The proprietor's chief check on his
employees is constant stock taking
The assistant in charge of a certain
showcase is required without warning
to show that his stock tallies with
the managers stock book. This is done
to prevent any member OF the star
who is financially embarrassed pawn
ing an article Of jewelry in the hope
of redeeming it before tho regular
stock taking day. The system GER
/ tainly has it advantages. though it ls
| resented in certain cases.
1t is seldom that the proprietor or
a jewelry store rebs himself-to de-
fraud the assurance oompany-but .
London ieweler latelx enlisted public
sympathy by causing himself to be
bopnd, gagged and tied to heavy
| table in his Office. His modus oper-
andi was as follows: His first step
was to select a public holiday, know
! ing that no customers would come
| anu that visitor would naturally
| turn away from q closed shop. lie
then arranged with his partner to Sc
| cure him to the table and to SO ar
unnecessarily Inconvenience The
| obliging partner carried out these in
| structions to the letter and after
| spending the night feasting and drink
| ing with his accomplice left him about
! . o'clock in the morning, first TAX
| ing the precaution to leave the safe
| door open and to give the room the
| appearance of having been ransack-
| ed Shortly after the departure OF
| thief number one, the victim (?) began
believing for the police and upon their
arrival piteous sight awaited them
| Tightly tied to the leg OF the table, the
| Jeweler appeared to be ct his last gasp.
| His clothes were disordered, his neck
! tie was pulled out, button had been
torn from his waistcoat, and his hair
stood on end! Indeed, no detail had
been omitted--the play was admirably,
! acted.
| for the loss which he had sustained.
But here he was at fault, for the sa-
gacious manager Of the !. assurance
-company--to adopt the vulgar tongue
.smelled RI, and limited that the
sjeweler could throw more light upon
the subject. The last-nameds profess
ed injured innocence and thfeatened
the company with an action for libel
and the manager advised the police
to prosecute the jeweler for fraud.
Acting upon this hint. detectives set
to work and had It not been for the
| timely disappearance Of the jewelers.
partner the twain would probably have
been made to- suffer the penalties OF
the law.
OF late years London jewellers have
mad to face the wiles of the female
| kleptomaniac. Formerly a gentlewo-
/ man was above theft-she simply owed
for what she could not pay; nowadays
| il she steals she is said to suffer from
| kleptomania. Sometimes she is prose-
cuted, and if she issa titled person the
! -.