i6 The Pinkerton Labor Spy.
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. Tlie 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 ever)rthing 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 mis-