New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-04-18
INSPECTOR STEERS TALKS on THIETEs.

THEY ARE no BoLDER THAN OTHER MEN-lOw
THE INSPECTOR ONCE JUMPED OFF HOUSE.
@Nanv peOple have an idea," said Inspector
steers recently "that burglars thieves and other law
breakers whose line Of business is attended Win per-
sonal danger are built on different pattern from the
average human being They are supposed 10 no without
fear and TO carry their natures large amount OF ter
flying material ready to he set OF at moments hotce
Thoy are supposed be rough gruf and careless OF
human lifo. This true in some Instances, hut In the
great majority OF cases thieves dnor little in these re-
spects from the ordinary citizen They don't nke 10
work. are lazy and their organ OF not
regulated by cultivated conscience. 1t is difficult to
understand why q man with a wife and family, who
moves In good society," has an income largo enough to
live in comparative luxury and is respected by every
one, becomes a thief. He has everything to make lie
happy yet will give 1t all up to have little more
money 1t looks good deal like disease which comes
over man. he cannot help giving up to It's iniu-
ence. Prisons full of just such people
"Thieves when committing crime always have In mind
q way to escape il detected They do not want to be
caught or killed They will take desperate chances 10
get away II lie stands in their way OF escape they
will take it. not as matter of hatred Pleasure bnt as
part OF their education and trade But this IN every
case only last resort, and no thief will add murder to
his crime unless certain he get away As rule they
are not to be feared show OF will always I'M
balance them This applies particularly to the police
man though they know that they have an advan-
tape over a man who wakes up suddenly In the night
and finds stranger prowng around. they will respect
and him. he doesn't show sign OF fright Scared
people help along their business But policeman Is
on an equal footing with thief In regard to being awake
and armed he possessed OF the real genuine nerve
the case settled and the thief Will usually sur
render without trouble Bluff will not do. A thief can
see lurking sense fear in officers heart and will
make things lively II be finds It, quiet deter innation
on tae officers part that indicates supreme confidence
in his own ability to take his men into custody as
il IT vas an every day affair is wha takes the starch out
OF the Doidest rascais. ~
Policemen frequently got into tight place. When
they get out OF them alive, and think what they have
cone Through have seen the most stout hearted OF
them shake little. good man will never know his
danger until 1t is over II he should stop TO think when
there are many chances against him. he would be likely
to lose his grit. lie must think and act Ike HASH
limiting for n S Of race hsre BEEN in at
tiues during long experience as an ohoer VIII prng
chill OF fright well remember mTely nafg gar
and had HIM located in the second story OF hgh
ne was calmly pfEns %. "a" s lie was
tall snewy and slippery fellow and at tue rst soun9
stairs he few Ike Streak, and went after hr
evidently knew the building did not and hit every
half way up the stairs leading to the scuttle and when
got there could just his figure 10 the darkness going
when lie got the side of house he stood second
and then umied was going so fast that went rignt
seemed the confusion II went Down fifty feet be-
fore struck anything. Then landed square on my
thought for a moment that had fallen between two
houses right on the thiers heels and before he
fa and did not put tender grip the fellow. He
hid not struggle and took him quietly The next day
went around TO look al the hOuses FUND that had
in nned fIom roof TO another. distance Of from
rfeen TO twenty feet never got over the sheck from
that lump My ankle severely sprsLed. and though
many wears have since passed the ankle st baromet
rica-indicates an approaching storm and Is exceed
ingly painful at times in damp weather.