The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-08-10

y
cured today, is likely soon to sup
plant the antiquated term, John
Smith; his mark"
Officials of the paymasters' depart.
ment of steel and iron companies and
other large industries in Chicago,
where many foreigners are employed,
Instead of making his mark on the
pay roll the employee, if he cannot
sign his name, leaves an impression of
his right thumb as his receipt. Fred
Neimeyer, paying teller of the Union
Trust company, is also investigating
the method as a substitute for "X''
signatures of depositors who cannot
write.
The Illinois Steel Corporation, it is
understood, was the first large Chi
Icago concern to investigate the new
methods, after the forgery of several
thousand dollars worth of pay checks
several months ago. When the en-
|ploye's thumb mark Is required on
each pay check forgery, it is claimed,
will be made impossible.
'The means of Identification of de-
positors by their thumb marks will
certainly prove to be conclusive" said
r. F. Chaplin, Secretary of the Union
Trust company, land as the marks
of no two persons thumbs are alike,
loss from check forgeries will be
greatly reduced. In fact, any one
could use his thumb mark as his sig
nature to a check with safety.
"The finger prints will be the best
Identification we could have of a de-
positor." declared Mr.. Neimeyer, of
the same institution. Under the sys-
tenn now in use, when depositor who
cannot write wishes to make a depos-
it we can identify him only by his APP
pearance and description we take
We also ask him questions regarding
his family. But by the finger-mark
test there is little chance for a mis-
take. Persons may be changed in APP
pearance by sickness or other causes;
the lines of the thumb do not change"
''The system is being investigated,
said paymaster of one of the large
iron companies, "and as far as we
have gone it has proved satisfactory.
Many of our employees report that
they have never received their pay.
They are so nearly alike in appear
ance that the wrong man is frequent
ly paid wages belonging to another
and in some cases we have cashed
pay checks that have been stolen or
forged"
f. D. Raymond, Treasurer of the
Chicago, Lake Shore and Eastern Rail-
way, says that the railways will find
the finger-mark method of advantage
in paying track gangs where the men
are illiterate.
While our road has not adopted
the new method" he said, yet it
seems to be practical It surely gives
a means of Identification that cannot
be surpassed"
While thumb marks as a means of
are in use in the police
of almost every city, here
tofore there has been no attempt to
use the scheme in commercial circles
in this country as far as is known.
In cases where employees are paid by
it each man when he goes to work
leaves an impression of his right
thumb on card with his name. The
card is filed away in the paymasters
office. Receipts for the pay checks
are furnished and when the employee
Is paid he also makes an impression
on the receipt, where formerly he
make his mark.
In use In banks, a card containing
the finger imprint is filed instead of
one with the description. When the
1epositor who cannot write applies
Tor payment, a check is filled out and
the depositor afixes his thumb mark,
which, of course, If the check is gem