The
Pinkerton Labor Spy
by
Morris Friedman

CHAPTER I.

THE MISSION OF PINKERTON'S

NATIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY.

The detective is a very interesting personality, both because of the secret nature of his calling and the mystery surrounding his movements. However, stripped of all the glamour which fiction has so skilfully woven around his profession, he becomes another character.

It is commonly believed that it is the meritorious object of the detective to arrest those who commit crime and also to gather evidence that will help the State secure a conviction, But a proper analysis and study of the subject will demonstrate that this impression is not based upon ALL the facts in the case, and has been very profitably exploited by clever private individuals who were quick to take advantage of a public which trusted, and still trusts, them so blindly.

Allan Pinkerton, who in 1850 founded Pinkerton's National Detective Agency, was undoubtedly a very talented detective, and far above the ordinary person in foresight and intelligence. His personal exploits as a detective won fame and reputation for his agency, and shortly after the close of the Civil War, during which he served as Chief of the United States Secret Service, his superior intelligence and intimate knowledge of human nature enabled him to discover an inexhaustible gold mine in man's jealousy and suspicion of his fellow-man.

It was Allan Pinkerton who first drew the attention of employers of labor to the benefit they would derive from having detectives among their employees who would keep the firm posted as to the manner in which their employees performed their work, what the men thought and said of the management, and also whether there was any danger of a strike.

The Agency first won national fame through the operations of James McParland, one of their detectives, among the Molly Maguires in the anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania, many of whom were hanged or sentenced to the penitentiary. This operation which the Agency concluded so successfully for their clients, and which will subsequently receive further attention, paved a truly royal road to wealth and power for the Pinkerton family, a power which now extends across the entire length and breadth of the land.

But it remained for the sons to complete the noble work begun by the father. William A. and Robert A. Pinkerton, the sons and successors of Allan Pinkerton, who died in 1884, were fully equal to the task, and under their able leadership Pinkerton's National Detective Agency has become renowned for something it might have been once upon a time, but is not now, and never can be, namely, the greatest thiefcatching institution in the world.

Under the impenetrable cover of a reputation gained by a skilful and systematic misrepresentation of facts, the Agency meanwhile established and up to the time of the writing of this work has perfected a system of espionage, calumny and persecution of labor of all crafts and classes which is, if possible, even more intolerable and pernicious than the universally detested and infamous Secret Police of Russia.

Most people remember the great wave of excitement which swept the country at the time of the Homestead riots in July, 1892, where several hundred Pinkerton watchmen clashed in deadly conflict with the striking employees of the Carnegie Steel Company, there being a number of persons killed and wounded on both sides. It will also be remembered that Congress took cognizance of these disturbances, and that the Judiciary Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives were instructed to investigate the nature and methods of the Pinkerton Agency's business.

A great number of witnesses were examined, including William A. and Robert A. Pinkerton; but it is almost needless to say that nothing of the least importance was elicited from either the Messrs. Pinkerton or anybody else which shed any new light on the secret business of the Agency. This has been the only investigation ever made of the Pinkertons, and it was absolutely barren of results.

Since 1892 the principals of the Agency have prudently refrained from furnishing watchmen for strikes, which measure had the hoped for effect of diverting an undesirable public attention from them.

After the Homestead excitement had died out, the Pinkertons sank into comparative obscurity until the Spring of 1906, when they again came prominently before the public with sensational and hair-raising charges of felonious conspiracy, murder and dynamiting against Charles H. Moyer, William D. Haywood and George A. Pettibone, respectively president, secretary and ex-member of the executive board of the Western Federation of Miners.

The fact that James McParland, the famous Molly Maguire detective, made these charges, and his bold public announcement that he had personally worked on the case and had evidence sufficient to hang these men, aroused unprecedented interest throughout the country. Organized labor, in particular, became furiously indignant at what they termed the kidnapping of the labor leaders on trumped-up charges and false confessions. In a different place we shall deal with this matter; but a description of the Agency's construction and system of operation is essential to an understanding of the history and narrative which follows.

At the death of the founder of Pinkerton's National Detective Agency in 1884, he was succeeded by his two sons, who continued the business as a co-partnership, Robert A. Pinkerton residing in New York City, and William A. Pinkerton in Chicago, each of them known by the title of "Principal."

In 1903 the Agency consisted of twelve offices located in the following cities: Montreal, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, St. Paul, Denver, Portland (Oregon), Seattle and San Francisco. Within the last three years crime must have been fearfully on the increase, for the Agency opened new offices in Buffalo, Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Omaha, Spokane and Los Angeles.

Each office is divided into four distinct sections known respectively as the clerical, criminal, operating and executive departments.

The clerical department usually consists of a private janitor or janitress, office boy, cashier, bookkeeper and a variable force of stenographers, all of whom are under the direct charge of a chief clerk, who is responsible to the superintendent of the office for the proper management of his department and the work of every employee under him. It is this department which keeps the accounts, typewrites the reports of the detectives, and assists the other departments in getting out the correspondence, of which there is always a great volume.

The criminal department is composed of a "Rogues' Gallery," a card index file and a number of correspondence files, all of which are usually in charge of one assistant superintendent, who handles all the criminal work and correspondence of the office in addition to considerable other work. The Rogues' Gallery contains as many photographs of criminals as can be obtained; and while no office, with the possible exception of Chicago and New York, does much criminal work, yet on the whole the Rogues' Gallery serves a useful end when a criminal operation does come up and looks well for exhibition purposes when visiting police or detective officials call. Even though criminal work is but an insignificant percentage of its business, it is but just and fair that a detective agency should at least have the semblance of a thief-catching institution; and what will lend a truer color to this fiction than a Rogues' Gallery?

The operating division is the most interesting department of the office, for it is composed wholly of detectives, or operatives.

The government of this department, and the military discipline which prevails therein at all times, as well as the secret manner of recruiting the force, are illustrative of a thoroughness and attention to detail on the part of the Agency which can scarcely be paralleled in any other business institution.

There are three kinds of operatives; namely, special, general and secret.

It frequently happens that the Agency secures a small case where a detective is required to do shadow work or make an investigation, and there is no idle operative available to take up the work. The Agency, in such an emergency, hires a man for this particular operation only, and when the work is concluded this special operative's services are at once dispensed with.

The general operative is selected with the greatest care. He must be an all-round able man, bright, intelligent, and capable of assuming any role, or impersonating any kind of character. He must be a man who can be relied upon to do the right thing, even in the absence of instructions from the executive department, and who will at all times act in a cool, discreet and level-headed manner.

Good general operatives are highly prized by the Agency, and when they succeed in securing one, they do their very best to retain him in their employ. Indeed, the rules of the Agency require every office to have at least two or three general operatives on the staff at all times, whether there is work for them or not.

The following incident will illustrate the work which a good general operative can perform.

About three years ago the Amalgamated Copper Company was engaged in a battle royal with F. Augustus Heinze over the possession of the Minnie Healey Mine. As the issue of the contest was very doubtful, the Amalgamated Copper Company through Capt. D. Gay Stivers, its general attorney, appealed to the Pinkerton Agency for expert assistance.

The Portland and Seattle offices of the Agency, in whose territory Butte, Montana, is located, did not have a single experienced general operative in their employ at that time. Division Manager James McParland instructed the Denver office to loan one of its general operatives to the Portland office. In compliance with these instructions, Supt. J. C. Fraser, of the Denver Agency, sent general operative J. N. Londoner.

Mr. Londoner proceeded to Butte, registered in the finest hotel in the city, and assumed the role of an Eastern capitalist. As he spent money lavishly, his story was credited, and in a short time the operative became a familiar and popular figure in the highest mining circles of Butte.

The operative was careful to circulate the story that he was hostile to the Amalgamated Copper Company, and in an incredibly short time he succeeded in worming himself into the confidence of Mr. Heinze's lieutenants, who thereafter did not hesitate to confide to him the nature of every move contemplated by Mr. Heinze against the Amalgamated Copper Company.

All information gained by the operative in this manner was as promptly reported by him to a secret post office box, and within less than twenty-four hours the executive officials of the Amalgamated Copper Company would be studying operative Londoner's report, and planning how to defeat the intended moves of Mr. Heinze.

While Mr. Heinze adroitly outgeneralled and defeated the Amalgamated Copper Company in this litigation, nevertheless the work of operative Londoner was very satisfactory both to the officials of the Amalgamated Copper Company and the officials of the Agency.

Since then Mr. Londoner has been promoted, and is at the present time an assistant superintendent at the Denver office of the Agency.

The appellation "secret operative" is but another name for "labor operative" or "labor spy," and the only merit attaching to the word "secret" is that it is more refined, sounds better, and looks prettier in public print.

The motto of Pinkerton's National Detective Agency is, "We Never Sleep," and the secret operative is the apple of that ever-wakeful eye, for it is the secret operative who is the main source of revenue and profit at every branch of the Agency.

No talent or skill whatever is necessary in order to become an operative of this class, and a workingman of average intelligence, who is willing to obey orders, is the one who, as an operative, gives the Agency the best satisfaction.

The reports of the secret operative as to the competency and industry of his fellow-workmen are of interest and importance to the client, as this information, which he would find it difficult to obtain otherwise, enables him to weed out such of his employees as are either incompetent or inclined to shirk.

It is the dominating policy of Pinkerton's National Detective Agency, and, consequently, the chief aim of the secret operative to prevent, if possible, the formation of a union at the plant of the client, or, if he finds a union already flourishing, to keep it in

check, and to do everything in his power to disrupt it.

It is a simple matter to prevent the formation of a union; but to destroy one after it has gained a foothold is a hard and complicated proposition. Yet, the Agency's phenomenal growth in fame and power since 1892, and more particularly within the last three years, is almost entirely due to the successful accomplishment of this kind of work, and it is their boast that they have no rival or competitor who can parallel their achievements in this field.

Infinite care is exercised at all times by the officials of the Agency to preserve the incognito of the secret operative, first, because of the possible danger attendant upon discovery, and, second, because the operative is therea er a marked man, and his usefulness to the Agency is ended.

Within a few days after his employment, the secret operative is given a number by the superintendent, and told to use that number as a substitute for his regular signature on all reports, letters and expense bills.

The superintendent of the office and his assistant superintendents are the only ones aware of the operative's name. To the clerical department which handles his accounts and typewrites his reports, and even to the client who pays for his services, the operative is known merely as a certain number.

As a further precaution, each branch of the Agency keeps a number of post office boxes rented under assumed names, and when the secret operative is ready to leave for his field of action, he is given the number of one of these secret Agency boxes, and told to address all reports to fictitious persons in care of this box.

The operative on arriving at his destination rents a post office box under his own name, and promptly sends the number to the Agency. The superintendent or assistant superintendent in charge of the operative sends instructions, salary and expense money to this box, using plain stationery and envelopes. All letters of instruction to secret operatives are written with lead pencil, but the envelope may be addressed with pen. It is a strict rule of the Agency that neither the one nor the other may be typewritten, for fear it might attract attention.

Robt. A. Pinkerton

The operative is also required to have a room exclusively for himself, which makes it possible for him to write his reports and letters in strict privacy.

In this manner the secret operative holds daily communication with the Agency without attracting suspicion, and without anyone being the wiser as to the contents of the mail he sends or receives.

After the operative has secured a room and safely opened communications with the Agency, he at once applies for work at the client's plant, as a bona fide craftsman, and does his best to secure work through his own efforts. However, if after a reasonable length of time he is unable to get employment, the Agency makes a virtue of necessity, and confidentially discloses the operative's identity to the client. He is put to work without further delay.

The operative works as hard and as steadily as anyone else about the plant, and oftentimes harder, so as to set a good example. If he notices any of his comrades killing time or violating any of the firm's rules, he is sure to mention the names of the offenders in his report that same evening; or if he discovers an incompetent employee, he is likewise sure to mention the fact. It is also the duty of the operative to suggest changes or improvements in the plant that might benefit the client.

After the operative is through with his work for the day, he must make it his business to meet his fellowemployees, talk with them, "treat them to the drinks," and cultivate their friendship. By being around with the men evenings, he soon learns their attitude toward the client, and whether they are contented with conditions. If no union exists, but there are strong advocates of one, the operative reports the names of these men as "Dangerous Union Agitators," and within a few days they are discharged on some pretext.

However, if the operative finds that a union is in existence, and that many of the client's employees belong to it, his instructions are to assume the role of an ardent union man, join the union, and report to the client the nature of the proceedings of every meeting, and the names of all members. The client then begins to discharge his union employees on different excuses, and fills their places with non-union men. It frequently happens that the union notices the discrimination practiced and orders a strike as a last resort to save the organization.

During the progress of the strike, the services of the secret operative are more valuable than ever, for he keeps the client posted as to the strength, doings and intentions of the strikers, and this information, in nine cases out of ten, decides the victory in favor of the client, and forces the men to sue for peace on any terms.

After things quiet down and conditions again become normal, it is but good business policy for the client to retain the secret operative in his employ indefinitely, as he considers him a necessary tool in the conduct of his business.

There are some secret operatives who have been in the employ of the Agency many years, and who have become wonderfully proficient as union-breakers. In the succeeding chapters some of the actual doings of veteran secret operatives will be faithfully recounted.

The Pinkerton Agency never advertises for nor hires real detectives, for the simple reason, astonishing as it may seem, that it is never in need of such persons; and if the best detective of London, Paris or New York were to apply for a position at any office of the Agency he would be informed there was really no opening at the present time. A polite, meaningless promise might be handed out.

Whenever a criminal case comes up, it is turned over to a general operative, or if no general operative is at liberty, the superintendent or one of his assistants handles it. This arrangement therefore obviates the necessity of employing tried and experienced detectives.

Though the Agency's system of hiring new operatives insures secrecy, yet it is very simple. Let us assume that an office is in need of a new general operative. As this class of operatives is principally recruited from the ranks of salesmen, the office in question will insert an advertisement similar to the following, in every newspaper in the city:

WANTED—A bright, experienced salesman to handle good line; salary and commission. Excellent opportunity for right man to connect with first-class house. State age, experience and references. W-276-Post.

This ad is allowed to run several days, after which one of the clerks makes a round of the newspaper offices, collects all the answers and turns them over to the superintendent. This official carefully examines each application, noting particularly the age, experience and language of every applicant. He then grades the papers on their merits as skilfully and conscientiously as any professor, after which he commissions one of his assistants to interview the applicants, and if he discovers among them one whom he thinks intelligent enough to make a competent general operative, to sound him as to his willingness to enter the service of the Agency.

As there are many salesmen who are overworked, underpaid and on the lookout for a change, the assistant superintendent's only task is to single out that applicant whose appearance and intelligence impress him most favorably; and if his selection develops into a good general operative, it is a matter of congratulation to the office.

However, to begin with, the new employee is ranked as a special operative, and it is only after he has been tried and given satisfaction on a number of operations ranging from ordinary shadow work to the most complicated investigation, that he is styled a general operative and placed in line for promotion to the Executive Department.

The secret operative is hired in the same manner as the general operative, excepting that the form of the advertisement varies so as to accord with the nature of the work. Thus, if a secret operative is wanted, who is a practical coal miner, the ad is changed to read as follows:

WANTED at once several competent and experienced coal miners. Top wages and steady employment to good, able men. State age and experience. Z-415-Herald.

The ad, calling for several miners instead of one, appears quite natural, and precludes the barest possibility of arousing suspicion in the most watchful quarter.

The assistant superintendent detailed to "sound" a prospective secret operative, until morally certain of his man, exercises the utmost discretion. At the best it is a difficult mission to propose perjury and treason to a man, yet this is exactly the nature of the proposition which the Pinkerton representative offers the coal miner, the mechanic or any other prospective secret operative, for he asks him in carefully chosen, honeyed words to swear allegiance to an industrial union of his trade, and to violate his oath by betraying the union's secrets and doing his best to destroy it.

It often happens that four out of five men interviewed reject the Agency's offer, and the fifth who is willing to accept is either illiterate or otherwise undesirable, so that it takes days, and sometimes weeks, before the Agency succeeds in getting a man.

Contrary to popular belief, the Agency does not pay high salaries to any class of operatives. The special and general operative gets a salary rarely if ever exceeding fifteen dollars a week when working in the city where the office is located; and when detailed on work outside the city, he is allowed, besides, his living and travelling expenses.

The secret operative necessarily receives a better salary, as he can earn more than fifteen dollars a week, by simply working at his trade. The Agency therefore pays him the sum of eighteen dollars a week, and in addition compels the client to pay all his living and incidental expenses. In this way the secret operative can, if he is economical, save his entire salary. But all of the money which the operative earns as a result of his work at the client's plant, is credited to the account of the client, the operative not being permitted to keep any of it for himself.

In short, the secret operative sells his honor and the interests of his brothers for eighteen dollars a week, net.

Chapter II. The Methods Of The Agency.