The
Pinkerton Labor Spy
by
Morris Friedman

CHAPTER II.

THE METHODS OF PINKERTON'S

NATIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY.

The executive department in charge at one office or grand division of the Agency is the exact counterpart of the administrative personnel at any other branch and is admirably constructed to handle, supervise and develop the business.

The executive staff of an office consists of a superintendent, and as many assistant superintendents as are required to manage the volume of business transacted.

It is one of the principal duties of the executive officials to revise the reports of the operatives preparatory to their being typewritten and forwarded to the different clients, as many reports, particularly those received from secret operatives, are, owing to the neglected or limited education of the writers, almost unintelligible. An office which employs about thirty operatives is usually equipped with an executive staff of five persons; one superintendent and four assistants. Thus, each executive official has charge of five operatives whose reports he must revise.

While it is certainly necessary to correct and rearrange an ungrammatical, mis-spelled report, yet, as it is hardly possible that five officials are employed to do work which is purely clerical, and which can easily be performed by one well-educated person, we must surmise that there is something deeper in the revision of a report than is superficially apparent, and our inference is correct as we shall see presently.

The daily report of a secret operative costs a client at least ten dollars, and it is but natural for the client to insist on getting such information as will warrant the continuance of the operative's services.

The secret operative who is but a novice, and even the veteran, is essentially a workingman, and retains all the characteristics of one. The new operative may make mistakes by being officious, over-zealous or lazy, while the veteran is likely to commit a blunder by being careless or over-confident. Both are apt to say or do something, at any time, which might endanger the success of the operation, and entail the loss of a valuable client.

A secret operative must be on terms of friendship and confidence with his fellow-employees, in order to obtain the information desired. He must act naturally in all things, so that his comrades will see in him a fellow-workingman with common likes and dislikes, and a trustworthy brother whose hopes and interests are identical with their own.

Occasionally the Agency is fortunate enough to secure the services of a secret operative who is a model; but the average operative is a positive trial from the day he enters the service until he resigns or is discharged. He is always doing something foolish or imprudent, and is a constant source of anxiety to the Agency.

The chief trouble with the secret operative is, his disinclination to work at his trade, although his doing so is of paramount importance to the success of the operation, and wards off the danger of arousing suspicion as to his real identity. The operative's propensity to loaf is mainly due to the fact that he is not permitted to retain the fruit of his labor, which is credited to the client, but must be content with the salary he receives from the Agency and the extra allowance from the client to cover his living and other expenses.

It also happens that a secret operative, in his fear of detection, particularly while working against a union, impersonates the union agitator and trouble-breeder so very naturally that the client becomes alarmed and threatens to discontinue the work.

It should also be borne in mind that as a general rule the secret operative is located in some railroad town or mining camp, often at a great distance from the Agency, where he cannot be safely visited and instructed by an assistant superintendent except in a case of extreme necessity.

Yet, on the whole, the Agency experiences but little difficulty in overcoming these seemingly serious obstacles. The operative himself furnishes the Agency with the means that enable the official in charge to rule him with an iron hand, and to guide him intelligently and safely along the dangerous path of treason and dishonor. The means in question is simply the operative's daily report.

The assistant superintendent does more than merely revise the operative's daily report. He analyzes and studies it. The report tells him when the operative rose in the morning, whether he worked at the client's plant during the day, what time he quit work, when he had his supper, whether he spent the evening trying to obtain information, what time he retired, how much money he spent, and what for. The report further tells how the client's employees worked during the day, gives the name of every man whom the operative spoke with during the evening, the nature of the talk, and its exact time and place. If a union meeting occurred, the report must contain a complete and detailed account of the meeting.

The assistant superintendent records the names of the operative's friends and fellow-workingmen, and studies their characteristics. He studies the conditions which prevail at the scene of the operation, and in a short while is as thoroughly familiar with everything transpiring in the town or camp as is the operative himself.

If the assistant superintendent receives an unsatisfactory report, he at once writes the operative a sharp note pointing out the omission or the nature of the mistake, and warns him against a repetition of the offense. If the official notices that the operative is inclined to loaf, he promptly calls him to account; and if the operative's reports show that in his fear of detection he is overdoing his part—speaking and acting too radically —a soothing letter is at once sent him, showing him that his fears of detection are groundless and more apt to be realized by playing an extreme part than by acting naturally. Letters of criticism and instruction are sent almost daily to the operative.

In addition to acting as a check upon the operative, the latter's daily report serves as an excellent excuse for the Agency to interfere in the management of the client's business to a far greater and more harmful extent than has ever been dared by any labor union. And this baleful interference is so shrewdly accomplished that the client, far from resenting it, actually considers himself under great obligations to the Agency.

And he surely has reason to be grateful; for, in addition to the regular reports of the operative, he receives about once a week a neatly arranged summary of the operative's reports, which embodies suggestions and recommendations from the Agency.

The summary is compiled by the assistant superintendent, and as a rule is an interesting document. It is often a choice bit of realistic art. It gives, first of all, the names of those men whom the operative has reported as "Dangerous Union Agitators," and suggests in what manner they should be discharged, so that their dismissal cannot be laid at the door of the operative. In the second place, the summary impresses upon the client the necessity of continuing the services of the operative if he would safeguard his interests from the aggressions of a union and protect his person and property from criminal conspiracies.

At times the assistant superintendent does a truly meritorious and charitable act by recommending improved ventilation, or the purchase of new tools and machinery. However, when suggesting improvements of this kind, the Agency endeavors to prove to the client that the benefits accruing would more than compensate for the expense. The summary concludes by advising the client to wage an unrelenting war against unions and unionism, and assuring him of the Agency's hearty support in this worthy cause.

And many a client has such faith in the Pinkerton Agency that in time he does not discharge an employee or install an improvement until advised to do so by the operative or the assistant superintendent.

Were this the extent of the Agency's encroachments, it is possible that some excuse might be advanced; but it is guilty of sin for which no apology may be offered. This is the Agency's constant endeavor to prevent the settlement of industrial conflicts by arbitration, by urging its clients to stand firm in their hostile attitude toward labor, and assuring them that ultimately they will be the victors. The justice or injustice of Labor's demands does not appeal to them; the immense losses of their clients do not worry them; and the suffering of the public does not interest them.

It is doubtful whether the Agency would have ever acquired the power it now possesses were it not for its peculiar system of canvassing for new business. And the Agency, it should be clearly understood, does not believe in waiting with folded hands for crimes to occur in order to get busy; instead, it hustles for business much the same as does any other progressive commercial institution. The only difference is, that the Pinkerton Agency does not hire special canvassers, but compels its talented assistant superintendents, superintendents and division managers, in addition to their other work, to go out and hunt for new business. So stringent is this rule, that an official, if he would retain his position, must do some canvassing each week; and that official who secures the most new work, is the one who ranks highest in the estimation of the general management of the Agency.

The Agency's system of canvassing is a striking refutation of its arrogant claims to leadership in the detective fraternity; and the closer we examine into its methods of obtaining business, the more repulsive does the institution appear to us.

While the methods employed at any one office of the Agency are identical with those at any other office, yet, in order to get down to specific facts, we will use the Denver office as a particular example of the Agency's manner of handling and developing the business.

Denver is the capital of Colorado, the metropolis of the entire Rocky Mountain region, and, besides, is famed as a wonderful health resort. The various activities and industries of the Rocky Mountain States are clearly reflected in the rapid growth in size, wealth and power of this remarkable inland city.

The main industry of Colorado is mining. This industry is divided into two different classes, namely, metalliferous mining and coal mining; and while the State has been principally famous for its vast gold output, nevertheless untold wealth has already been extracted from the almost inexhaustible coal deposits.

The Cripple Creek district, situated in Teller County, ranks first among the gold-producing camps of the State and the country, and is also one of the greatest gold-yielding camps in the world. The following are some of the biggest gold mines in the Cripple Creek district: The Portland, Stratton's Independence, Gold Coin, Last Dollar, Strong, Gold King, Golden Cycle, El Paso, Vindicator, Ajax, Mary McKinney, Isabella, Elkton, Gold Sovereign, Findley, Anaconda, Theresa, Modoc and Wild Horse.

The two chief cities in the district are Victor and Cripple Creek, the latter city also being the county seat of Teller County.

The Telluride District, located in San Miguel County, is also an important gold camp; the Tom Boy, Smuggler Union, and Liberty Bell being the biggest mines in this district. Telluride, the county seat and largest city in San Miguel County, also plays an interesting part in the study of the "only and real Inner Circle."

The immense production of ore has been the means of building up the great mill and smelting industry, so that at the present time Colorado has some of the finest ore-reduction plants in the world. The largest of these plants are located in Leadville, Denver, Pueblo, Florence and Colorado City. However, these mills and smelters do not treat all the ore that is broken in Colorado, as some of the largest properties are equipped with private reduction plants.

With the exception of these private and independent smelters, the rest of the smelting and ore-refining industry is in the firm grip of as vicious a trust as any that distress and plague our country; and it is to this mill and smelter trust that Colorado is to a great extent indebted for the many woes and trials it has suffered since 1903. But, as the doings of this trust will be fully aired in another place, we will continue with the description of things of more immediate concern.

Colorado's coal industry is next in importance to the production of gold and silver. The coal mined is chiefly bituminous, and almost the entire output is controlled by three great companies. The northern coal fields, in Boulder County, are owned and operated by The Northern Coal & Coke Company; and the great mines situated in the southern part of the State in Las Animas County, are owned by The Victor Fuel Company and The Colorado Fuel & Iron Company; the latter company also operating great smelters, steel works and foundries in the City of Pueblo, Colorado.

While there are any number of labor organizations in Colorado, nevertheless, as may readily be imagined, those of importance are the miners' unions.

The quartz miners and smelter employees, as a general rule, are members of local unions affiliated with the Western Federation of Miners, while the coal miners, or rather, those coal miners who dare to belong to a union, are members of locals under the jurisdiction of the United Mine Workers of America.

The Western Federation of Miners is by far the more aggressive of these two great unions, and is recognized as the leading labor organization in the West. Its energetic aggressiveness has resulted in greatly improved working conditions, shorter hours and increased pay to every quartz miner, mill and smelter employee in the West.

The United Mine Workers of America, as an organization, is as a whole larger than the Western Federation, but its ultra-conservatism borders on the torpor born of extreme timidity, and in no way does it resemble its sister union in vigor, energy and indomitable courage.

The readiness of the Western Federation to resent the smallest encroachments on the rights of its humblest members, the generalship displayed by the organization in its struggles with different mine owners, and the fearless and vigorous campaigns of organization carried on by the Federation, have naturally aroused the fear and apprehension of mine owners; and these fears have been studiously fanned into flames of blind and furious hatred by Pinkerton's National Detective Agency, in the endeavor of the latter institution to obtain business. At the present time in many parts of the West we find Capital openly or secretly engaged in a bitter struggle with the Western Federation of Miners, to the satisfaction and immense profit of the Pinkerton Agency.

The Agency was the first to notice the activity of the Federation, and the great financial possibilities which might be realized by engaging in a prolonged struggle with it.

But it is perhaps a mistake to say the Agency, for it was, more properly speaking, James McParland, of Mollie Maguire notoriety, whose sharp glance first took jealous note of the rapid growth of this labor union; and he it is who, from the inception of the organization to the present day, backed by all the invisible might of the Agency, has directed a war of extermination against the Western Federation of Miners, and in doing so is even more responsible than the mill and smelter trust for the shame, disgrace and troubles which for three years have been the burden of Colorado.

Mr. McParland, while still only superintendent of the Denver office, must have found by personal experience on his canvassing trips, that the mine owners of Colorado were not over-enthusiastic about employing Pinkerton operatives, as they were contented with the work of their men, and did not care the snap of their fingers whether the men belonged to a union. The mine owners were making millions, and cheerfully acquiesced in the payment of the wage scale demanded by the union.

Finding that the ordinary arguments did not avail, Mr. McParland began to cast about for some means whereby he might influence the mine owners into giving the Agency work; and as Mr. McParland is a resourceful man, he soon found a means which suited the Agency's purpose so well that it is still being used by him and all other Pinkerton officials in the West as an invincible argument in canvassing for business.

The means in question was the placing of the murderer's mark of Cain upon the forehead of every member of the Western Federation of Miners, and then demonstrating that this band of cut-throats was directed by a secret INNER CIRCLE composed of the head officers of the Federation, by laying every case of theft, accident, arson, murder, and mine explosion in any and every mining camp in the West at the door of the Western Federation of Miners in general, and of this Inner Circle in particular.

Charges of this kind, made by a famous detective like James McParland and by other officials of the Pinkerton Detective Agency, naturally threw a great number of mine owners into a frenzy of fear and anger at the thought that they might have such a dangerous class of outlaws in their employ, and that their lives and property were constantly menaced by a mysterious, blood-thirsty Inner Circle, at the head of a band of ruffians and dynamiters, parading before the community as an innocent labor union.

Every prominent labor union in Colorado has likewise been maligned, vilified and persecuted by the Agency to a degree scarcely credible. Suffice it to say at this time that the Denver office has within the last three years done as much, and at times even more business than five other offices of the Agency combined.

Manager McParland, the inventor of the world-famous Inner Circle, doubtless in time actually deceived himself into believing the product of his fancy to be a substantial reality.

However, irrespective of the exact state of Mr. McParland's mind, and regardless of the outcome of his struggle with the Western Federation of Miners, the undisputed fact remains that there is a body of men employed by the Pinkerton Agency who, for hire, have plotted, and still conspire against the public welfare and peace; who have assisted and still aid and abet the tyrannical corporations in their attempts to rob the laborer of his rights as an American citizen; who are ever inciting employer and employee to warfare when both are anxious for peace; who are a public menace while masquerading as a public necessity ; who know no shame, honor, nor pity.

This body of men comprises the assistant superintendents, superintendents, general superintendents, division managers, assistant general manager, general manager and principals; in short, the entire executive personnel of Pinkerton's National Detective Agency.

The assistant superintendents come together each afternoon between the hours of five and six in the superintendent's office, where, presided over by the superintendent, they go through the formality of taking "time." In its simplest sense, taking time would merely mean charging each client with the regular per diem of the operative in his employ; but taken in its broader sense, and as understood at the Agency offices, taking time has a deeper import.

In addition to charging each client with the time of the operative working for him, each assistant reports to the superintendent how the operatives in his charge are getting along, and whether or not their work is satisfactory. In this way the superintendent is kept posted daily on the doings of every operative working out of his office.

Besides this daily system of reporting verbally to the superintendent, each assistant, once every two weeks, dictates to a stenographer a summary of the work of each operative under him for the period, together with a full account of what canvassing he did during the time covered by the report. The superintendent, likewise, dictates an account of his canvassing, and also reports fully on the work of each and every operative under his especial charge.

This report, which is commonly known as the General Business Letter, contains between sixty to sixty-five closely typewritten pages. Appended to this report is a typewritten financial statement of the bookkeeper, giving a complete account of the income, expense, profit or loss for the period, and also stating the amount of cash on hand in the bank. Three copies are made of the General Business Letter. The original goes to the manager of the division, one carbon copy to the general manager at New York, and the last copy is kept on file at the office making the report.

The division manager, on receiving a General Business Letter, studies it carefully, and in a day or two dictates what is known as his "Comments" on it. He refers to each operation, commends or criticizes the work of the operative and the official in charge, as each case demands. Here and there he offers suggestions, and gives instructions.

After the division manager has studied and commented on the General Business Letter of every office in his division, he draws up a division business letter, wherein he shows the financial standing of each office under his charge. The financial summary is followed by a careful synopsis of the most important operations in progress at the different offices, accompanied by a critical review of the work of the various operatives and the assistant superintendent or superintendent in charge. Operations against the Western Federation of Miners or any other large and powerful labor union receive particular attention, and are the subjects of special remarks, plans and suggestions by the division manager in his business letter, which is sent personally to the general manager.

George D. Bangs, the general manager, is the practical head of the Agency, as the Messrs. Pinkerton have great confidence and faith in him, and very seldom, if ever, alter a ruling or decision made by him.

The reading of the voluminous general business letters, including the comments of the division managers and their semi-monthly personal reports, is but a part of the work and responsibility of the general manager, who, it is true, is helped in his work by a staff of assistants. The general manager, after reading over the different reports and business letters, either approves or disapproves of the plans and suggestions of the division managers; but ordinarily the recommendations of the managers are so well calculated to consummate the ends desired by the Agency that the general manager endorses everything they have to offer.

Every operation directed against prominent labor unions receives his particular attention, and in common with the division managers his chief aim and endeavor is to devise ways and means whereby the operatives can most effectively handicap, paralyze and destroy those labor organizations against whom the Agency has been hired to battle.

The general manager conveys his ideas and instructions to the division managers by means of personal letters. The division officials, on receipt of the general manager's letter of advice, immediately transmit instructions to the various superintendents. These officials communicate the will of the division and general managers to the different assistant superintendents, and the latter officials hasten to instruct the individual operatives.

Messrs. Wm. A. and Robert A. Pinkerton, the principals, are kept posted by General Manager Bangs as to everything of note transpiring in the Agency; and in case a matter of extreme importance turns up, the principals are consulted in advance of any action being taken. No increase in salary becomes effective, no appointment to an executive position is valid, nor can any executive official of the Agency be discharged without the written orders of the principals.

The Messrs. Pinkerton spend much of their time visiting the different offices on tours of inspection.

In this way the wheels of the Agency keep smoothly revolving, gain additional force and momentum with the lapse of time, and harmoniously co-operate one with the other in the work of fighting labor and amassing a fortune for the Pinkerton family.

Chapter III. Operative No. 5, A. H. Crane.