New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-26
Its Latest Methods Of Probing
Corruption,

The reader vino has spent most Of his time for
the last three years in following the reports of in
surance, railroad. gas. car. pipe line and
few dozen other investigating committees has
doubtless often wondered just now the probers
do their probing. Only the bare results OF their de-
tective work usually into print but interesting
these they would be far more If the
methods Of securing them were known 1t would
be a long story recount all the tricks OF the in
vesgigating trade; let Us therefore. look only at
of the strictly up-to-date devices whereby the
inside secrets Of men are laid bare.
The old fashioned investigator ignorant
chap who harbored the absurd fancy that he could
best compel men to confess their knaveries by
ushering his victims into a finely appointed torture
chamber wher. while their ears were being run
through clotheswringer, they would give to
The invesJiga tors desire wiring a confession from
them Then, too. the 'sWeatboK' and the third
elegTee' were equal favorites with the odtime in
Quisitor. But neither Of these have any consider
aole value nowadays: the -'sweatbox' proves Hnser
ably Ineffective among a race of people to whom
the Turkish bath is daily luxury, while the third
degree" fails utterly TO impress a generation dis
tngIisheG for its eglty-tWo degree societies
a-d lodge goats Such a spirit Of charity and low
:1s kindness * abroad in these milennial days
nights that barbarc crueities of ancient times
longer appeal men. making them open up their
hearts. This has forced Investigating committees
70 cast about for new methods
With characteristic American ingenuity the
l,robers have hit upon plan striking in its sim
2lpon the discovery that charity uncovers
multitude Of sins.
Charity, it is now known. is a double back
action affair. affecting giver and givee most re-
markedly Ancient observers. noting only its
effect upon the giver, formulated the rule that
charity covers the eiver's shortcomings. To-day
we know that this is only half or less than half
the truth. Charity works like fve-foot blanket
over a six-foot sleeper; ii covers some sins only
by uncoverfng others. The recipient Of charity
HE tolls he sad
tale Of his wicked past. promises to reform-and
there you are! The investigating committee has
here the key that unlocks the secret chambers Of
the stock tuggler, the insurance swindler ana
all other sinners whose rascaites eagerly
sought for nowadays that, if they should really all
cease 10 be sinners. the masses would rise up in
rebellion against them for depriving the world of
yellow news. The method Of procedure must now
be obvious TO the simplest mind. The sinner
under the probe must be treated with great kind
ness; fayors must be showered upon him and
those dear to him that finally. overcome by
the goodness OF the charitable inquisitors, he
6des all TO the latter
The first noteworthy Of the method
was made the other day in Chicago. Like all
other great scientific tests which have to be made
with human beings. this one was first tried with
the humblest variety Of citizen. the hobo porta-
Ole bum The hobo is peculiarly adapted TO the
needs Of the experimenter. being the charity
worker what the guinea pig is to the bacterioI-
and care for, and not much concerned about him
self The investigating committee making this
first crucial test desired 10 obtain inside nforma-
ton about the business methods of the Tramps
Union. there being good grounds for suspecting
that the grossest forms of Relating pipe lines and
general discrimination against shippers in re-
strant Of trade being practised by the union
Well substantiated rumors had reached the ears OF
the investigators that the hoboes patronize certain
railways exclusively, in compensation for which
vestibule transportation on Pullman cars at
bumper rates is secretly granted them. Freight
car companies have complained that this has Sc
rously endangered their interests inasmuch as
the number OF freight train wrecks has been
greatly Increased since this secret agreement be
tween the palace car companies and the Tramps.
Chioh LOOK effect The of this disastrous
result is said to be found n the fact that the
"i'clnens unions. also in secret agreement with
tne Ira1nps Union, give all their attention IN the
orss2ization one Trans bearing members the latter
Va @ This fact. 1t is alleged also explains
~ Ssrsn express trains Similar conSIsnts 90 oSs
with unfair discrimiSa1Ieat5s charging the hoboes
in he bere sEiaGle cakes ana Sleeping Quarters
gone Up tlat the union violates tbe We cry mas
s ~ sooa alcohol aad benzne in its SS;s, law
oSsniy ny the research Committee e''sa'eo NOR
gators surprising ease st by the nvesti
4 bsaaei W eaaEs to the new charity method o.
Ieoa1Is IN ne case Ninety covers osHh de-
Sab "sts lalo az the Windsor Clifton H.. pte
IN suspects sat down TO dinnee ana
ing through Tlne courses from Ma Inner rang
- cigars and cigarettes, with an egtra cocktails
Deer lbEcWn. N between the boiled T.SEopurse OF
PRIME TIPS OK neef au Jus Ten members OF and
a'5S SIilttee were strewn througho11t ~
me Slnage De bIIe pouces applied to the bet by
SO rapidly. however that the nyesf,oatinne forth
unable 10 record accurately than y r,an, were
them; hence the large number of naccIirta Of
made by unsiilled auditors publis5e6 iepofts
papers IT is not true, for instance that en- IN the
Bum. who was down for a speech on W. req The
around Barrel Houses, fell asleep under tI tfalng
before his turn 10 ''elocute' came and cH t1oie
- prevailed upon TO wake up The truth Is tb bot
areo maze spirited address which fairly in,oyi
49, WIN 40 wealth oil expression