The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-15
A NATIONAL POLICE FORCE.
Captain Bars Suggestion to Worlds
Fair Commissioners.


Captain II. W. Barr, of the Seattle force, did
GOOD deal OF original thinking on Worlds fair
matters while he patroled his beat last month
The result Is an idea that the officer has nur-
tured carefully into full bloom, and which he
will submit to the directors of the fair as soon
- an suspicious opportunity presents itself.
His scheme has matured slowly, and has been
carefully irrigated with practical experience at
fairs OF national character and twenty-five
years OF duty on the police force of four great
cities. Yesterday he gave n reporter for the
PosT-1NrELLIGEscER an inkling OF the plan he
has In mind.
"Fifteen years ago was at the Centennial at
philadelphia" he SAID, az he toyed retrospect
lively with one OF his brass buttons "There
was one feature OF the great show that impresses
me strongly even now, although many years
have passed great army Of policemen was
found necessary to preserve the peace and keep
the crooks from everywhere from taking the
town away with them. Then there was big
force OF deputy sheriffs kept up at the county's
expense, aud private detectives and watehmen
without number. All these were necessary but
expensive luxuriea The people couldn't get
along without them and they couldn't very well
ahord to pay their salaries, but the latter was
done, and the taxpayers felt the weight of the
boad when the assessment for county and
municipal purposes was made. l think the
Nhole order OF things could be changed without
much trouble, aud the expense could be divided
20 that IL would not be felt b. any one, and be
otoned for by the benefits that would accrue
nom one OF the most effective advertisements
can think OF. My idea is 20 have each city In the
United states send representative policeman
20 Chicago In 1898. These officers could renort
10 chief appointed for the purpose and do duty
turing the fair. They would draw their sala-
lies from the cities that sent them there and
the directors of the fair could supply aecom,no-
dations for them at the expense of the institu-
3ion. Oh course each officer would be decked
out In the full uniform of the city he came
rom. He would be selected. too, because of his
Especial fitness for duty, and every time ne dis.
finguished himself by signal act of bravery or
nhrewdness, his city would be brought 10 the
notice of the public. He should be a sort of
walking encyclopedia of information about his
city. He could be selected because he was as
versatile writer of boom editorials and as
reliable rs Swiss clock.
a0f course the name Of his city would be en-.
graved on his star. This would attract the
attention of people who were in search of in
formation. 1t would be part of his duty To
direct them 20 the exhibit of his state and IN the
officers in charge of IL, and he could dispense
bits of useful information In a casual way that
would have more effect than an illustrated
board OF trade pamphlet or an hours lecture nv
4 man with a stereopticon. Courtesy would no
q one of his chief virtues, ard he would make
friends for his city by treating everybody no
Il HtelF. lneSe uTe uhts lew VI the ADVANTAGES
4 Of the plan have mentioned.
"This pet scheme of mine is not fixed as n
efcp.iadder for me To climb up on myself" Cam
tain Barr continued. 'Don't think that for n mo-
ment i shall be at the fair myself, but as a CIV
flian only. l want all my time TO look around
In and take care of my family. II had an
opportunity to go as the representative of the
Seattle force, should most certainly decline
i That is not my ambition at all. l merely men.
4 zion my plan as ono that | hope will suggest
ITSELF TO some of the people in authority and go
4 Through with boom, without any assistance
from anyone"
The author of the plan for cooperative
notice force for the Worlds fair is a veteran
4 policeman. Immediately after the close of the
4 war he was appointed captain of the military
4 police at Nashville, and 10y strange coincidence
a the man who appointed him was John I. Miller
q m uncle of the present prosecuting attorney OF
King county OF the same name. Later he served
q IN Louisville. and afterward on the Denver
a force. His experience as member OF the Seat
Il tle force completes a quarter of a eentury's
i active experience as a maiptainer of the peace
ar at1u n N iffiHS