The Washington times., 1919-10-26


raid on Griffin & Son, of Boston From five to
fifty persons were engaged in each of these raids
on stores. Most of these were WORKERS sucn
as We received our instructions from some
agent of athe CHIEF higher up In the organiza-
ton than we, and all we had to do was to follow
out our instructions and steal goods so cieyeriy
that we were not caught. When an especially
profitable raid was completed l sometimes re
ceived as much as $500 at time.
Once in while one of the workers" was
caught and arrested. What to do In such an
emergency was well understood by all Of us
The prisoner simply kept silent. She, or he
freely confessed to stealing whatever was found
In her possession, IL anything was found on her.
but denied ever having stolen anything else
After week or so, when the authorities had
failed to find anything about her associates or
accomplices, and they realized that all they
could do would be to send her for some short
term to the peniten.iary, the ban bonds would be
fixed at some reasonable amount. $1,000 or
$4,000 generally, and an attorney would appear
with bondsman.
After being arrested and released under
bonds a worker or "staller' promptly skipped"
her BAIL but never joined the same company of
workers again. She always was sent to differ
ent city where she found other units Of the or
ganization working under the same system OF
instructions.
It was only few weeks ago, acting upon
tip which I gave, the authorities, that they
swooped down upon house in East Seventy
eighth street. New York City, where they found
Mrs Margaret Cooley, one Of the most valuable
agents OF "the Chief conducting what virtually
was school for shoplifters, finishing college,
where the art OF circumventing the watchful
ness OF store detectives and clerks was thor
oughly taught novices In the organization.
One of the most proficient pupils this school
was a young woman Of excellent family and pa
Clark. who, was told, fell into the hands of II
one of its agents who won her confidence by NAL
The case Of this young girl Is typical Of m
somethfne of her history With fhe orxanfzafjop he
Of those who helped conduct the school In the
, street house while she was studying there.
At first those Of Us who were experts occas
with into the big stores and allowed her to Il
took small things-handkerchiefs bits Of jewelry
She really was fascinated by the game and beca
be clever shoplifter herself.
In one of the rooms on the upper floors of Mrs
there was a counter stocked with various kinds
in imitation of the usual sales counter In the d,
In front of the counter were placed the REGULATE
for the convenience of shoppers. An aisle was
mirrors were placed about as they usually are in
Of store
It was over this counter the pupils in Il
taught their lessons. First the different grad
laces were explained to them. Department st
mingle the very finest Of laces with the imitation
also, of silks Cheap laces are not marketable
They want only the rare kinds-hand made and
terms. Marian. with the other pupils was taugl
at a glance, or by the feel. between good silk a
poorer grades. Costly waists also we're display
cheaper kinds. and the pupils we're cautioned
with a waist unless 1t were dress waist of
valued at SIS or more
To-day there Is little shop on a street in
20 the Wall Street district, which handles linge
and linens, flmy negligees and dressing robes
nearly all its stock from fences" who dispose
the shoplifters' labors. The keeper of the store
the organization He was put In charge Of tn