New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-21
s. P. ACCUSED OF SPYING
Said to Have Bought Informa.
ton from Rival Lines.
DETECTIVE LAYS TRAP
Philadelphia Steamship Man
Says He Has Contract In
His Possession.

~ l"ieCfiN1 70 TITO rIpn0e.
Philadelphia. Sept. 20-Evidence that, II 10
alleged, will show that the Southern Pacific
Railroad Company has sought to ruin In
dependent steamship lines along the At
iantic coast by brb!ng employees Of these
companies to supply inside information
Is declared to be In the possession OF +.
5. Groves. president Of the Philadelphia
ard Gulf Steamship Company. according
to statement made BY the latter to-day
Mr.. Groves stated that he had In his
possession a contract entered into be-
tween r. J. Smith, an agent for the
Southern Pacific. With Charles Wagner.
Il local detective. whereby the latter vas
to receive 81 for every duplicate mani
Test 81 shipments made by the Philadel-
phit & Gulf Steamship Company that he
could secure. Mr.. Groves said that this
MS instance, to catch Smith.
Mr.. Groves declared that this was only
part OF campaign that has teen waged
FOR some time ty the Southern Pacific to
crush independent steamship lines along
the coast. He said that in order TO embar-
rass his company the Southern Pacific
recently organized the Gulf Steamship
Company He asserted that the entire
matter would be thrashed out before the
Committee on Marines and Fisheries at
Washington now investigating the opera
tons OF certain steamship companies.
Inc alleged manner IN which the con-
tract vas made with Smith to secure
copies o. manifest5 vas related to-day by
Wagner. the detective. He said:
X. J. Smith. an agent OF the Southern
Pacihc Railroad Company, called at my
Once on September 80 aud told me he
wanted TO get hold Of copies OF mani
tests and bills Of lading of shipments
steamship Company. He said If would
consent TO take up the work, his com
pany would pay Is TO 80 q month 10
any man | might get into the employ
OF the steamship company With that end
In view.
Smith told me that he had brlbed the
nIght watchman at the Philadelphia and
Gulf Steamship Company's office TO sup
ply copies OF nanifests and bills OF ladins.
but that his work was not satisfactory
told Smith that would consider the
matter and let him know definitely IN
few days.
! Immediately communicated with F.
s. Groves president Of the Philadelphia
and Gulf Steamship Company. and In
formed him Of What the Southern Pacific
was attempting 10 do. ] offered my
services 10 get absolute proof Mr.. Groves
accepted the offer and Instructed me 10
proceed at once TO lay a trap for Smith
and get evidence OF actual payments made
by him for such copies.
In consequence OF this. entered into
contract with Smith 10 supply. the de-
sired copieg FOR 3, for each manifest OF a
steamer Fictitious copics Of such mani
tests and bills OF lading we're drawn w
BY me, for which Smith paid me ~
each. ] learned that Smith Was acting
under orders from J. l. Spence, general
gent OF The Southern Pacific Railroad II
New York. ! subsequently vent 70 Ne"
York and told Spence that ] could not
furnish any more copies at 81 each. tut
must have more money. lie agreed TO
pay $40 each.
On october s. Smith demanded that I
return 10 him the contrac. between Us;
Iie said that he was afraid thatit would
Fan into outside HANDS. He thought that
the safest way would be 70 have nothing
but verbal agreement between GS.
refused To return she contract, and Ict
long afterward he notified me that ny
seryices were no longer required.
A. one time smith told me hat i.
was successful In getting the required IN
formation from the Philadelphia and Guf
steamship Company. I Dou! | le enTsStd
10 get similar data from the Sou hern
Steamship COMPANY. another independent
concern