Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 December 1896 — "Accident" Swindlers. [ARTICLE]

"Accident" Swindlers.

The extension of electric traction has,brouglit upon the scene a particularly, dangerous and.offensive swarm of cals who prey, upon the street railroad,! companies by bogus claims for personal injuries received in real or imaginary accidents. They are fostered by a tribeof disreputable attorneys, who make, iv practice of communicating with all per" sons whom they can identify as concerned in any: street railway mishap,, and often without instructions issue process against the companies. Some Df these legal, sharks have a regular Staff of detectives, who prowl about the depots and termini of the lines on the lookout for-cases. False witnesses are easily procured, and juries are. usually, liberal in the matter of damages, the greater portion of which is swallowed 1 up in the attorneys’ “costs.” The ovil has become-so great that the street , railway press is. suggesting the formation, of a mutual protection society of some kind. It' is< proposed to keep a register of the names of claimants, and interchange information as to persons who, it, is-mere than suspected, make a, trade of; tihe business aud ; travel, from city to.city for the purpose,—St: Louis Globe-Democrat.