The record-union., 1895-01-25
SCOTLAND YARD MEN.
Sketch of the Greatest Detective
System on Earth.
Interesting Museum Connected With
the Yard-The Celebrated "Sow-
Street Runners,

the ard-Ihe Celebrated sSow-
Street Runners
The Hawkshaws of the dime novel. as
we'll as their counterparts in medieval
and modern drama, have ever attracted
admirers. What is at the bottom of the
magnetism the mere suggestion OF the
word detective invokes? Undoubtedly.
that halo that surrounds the detective is
chiefly supplied by the plant fancy of
his admirers. In ordinary life he is a
very simple individual. Some few of the
force have deservedly gained the encomi-
ums bestowed; others, especially those
VINO who are self-appointed and self
advertised ''private detectivesn - are gener-
ally, we'll, let us call them "advertisers.'
Wheresoever the English tongueis spoken
the public is more or less familiar with
the words Scotland Yard" Firstly,
Scotland Yard is location, and is to be
found almost directly opposite the Horse
Guards, Whitehall, London. People who
are acquainted with that great city have
passed, maybe unconsciously, the cele-
brated spot in walking from Trafalgar
Square westward toward W Westminster
Abbey and the House of Commons.
Well, what is Scotland Yard? 1t Is, ex-
plains the Washington Post, the head
quarters Of the greatest detective system
without question In the world. Imagine
for moment what city London, with
its upward of five million citizens, re-
qulres; not only that, but the British
Empire at large, in emergencies, calls
upon the services of Scotland Yard 10 un-
raVel mysteries, arrest criminals and pro-
tect It's interests over an empire upon
which the sun never sets. What a task
for body OF men to perform. Yet, when
one examines the component parts of the
body corporate, we find in the Scotland
Y ard officials highly capable, intelli-
gent, well-educated and absolutely fear
less body OF men, that not only compare
favorably but emphatically Outstrip the
records of any other secret service or
ganization in the world.
SCOTLAND YARD IS SUPREME.
Now Scotland Yard, or, to speak offici-
ally, the criminal investigation depart
ment, is distinct service in itself, and
has no actual connection with the metro
politan police force. The Scotland Yard
officers, many OF them at all events, are
drafted from the regular police service.
Here 1t may be stated that the London
police force is arranged divisionally and
in alphabetical order: Thus the 4 divis-
ion is the foremost and principal of all.
The duties of the \ division police are
relegated to the entire west end OF Lon
don, including close inspection OF all
the Government buildings, the House of
Lords and Commons, Westminster Alb
bey, and, in fact, every place of impor-
tance. 1t naturally follows that the men,
bers Of the crack 4 division are eXcep-
tionally fine men, both physically and
morally; as rule IN hight they are
six-footers, and their moral characteris-
al foI. foy, ,f,f
them, however, in possession of some
spare moments are above consulting the
delicacIes of the area kitchen, and their
ardent admirers, the housemaids, con-
trlve ever and anon to surreptitiously ad-
minister To the requirements of the
force with such tidbits as the cold roast
beef of England, washed down with un-
rivaled and unlimited Bass ale. The
pollteness, in fact, one might say, gall
lantry, Of the British policeman is pro-
verbal. Take Piccadilly Circus any after
noon at the hight of the season, and What
chance has the ordinary pedestrian to
effect crossing? None; yet let him ap-
peal to one of the popular A policemen,
and in an instant an upraised arm causes
the immediate cessation of the entire
traffic, and passage as safe as that en-
Joyed by the children of Israel in crossing
the ReI Sea is at the disposal of the dis
tracted traveller.
HOW PARLIAMENT IS PROTECTED,
The value of the a division imen in the
House OF Commons is beyond ordinary
description; especially since the ATTEMPTED
dynalnlte outrages have the energies OF
the a men been particularly demanded
Unless one knows the ropes admit
tance 10 the House Of Commons is com
pletely impossible. At the outside pates
the guardian of the law in the form of a
stalwart "A' policeman blocks the way.
IVY no do you wish to see ?'' or what do
you wantY' are the questions Let the
stranger but keep coorand calmly INQUIRE
is such and such mem ber in the House
whether he is acquainted with him or
not is lmmaterial-and the gate is at once
unlocked. Care is tax en- in ali cases by
the police officers that no gripsacks or
parcels OF any kind are permitted to be
taken inside the House without a close
examination. In order to gain admis-
sion to the House of Commons one has
only to send in-which means filling up
caro- provided by the authorities-for
one OF the members. II you are known.
or II the member is good-natured, he ac-
cedes TO the request on your card, which
is usually 1or admission for self and
friend to the House, and brings it out TO
you. AS ne approaches the brightness of
the polce officer is shown. "Who called
Tor Mr.. --, or Lord -?" is echoed
through the outside lobby. close ac-
qualntanceship with the six hundred odd
politicians who legislate for the British
nation can only enable the policeman to
recognize the various members. You
step forward and are handed the magic
admlttance card, which is now always
lndorsed by the Speaker, and forthwith
proceed TO your seat In the strangers gal
lery. If you are well-known stranger
the chances are in favor of your obtaining
a seat In the Speakers gallery, one Of the
II ~ hn
or habltual frequenter of the lobbies of
Inc house OF Commons has little difficulty
In placing the Scotland Yard men who
have haunted the historic pile ever since
the days Of Guy Fawkes. Without any
eXaggeratlon, on an ordinary debate
night, ilfty, at least, of these bright
HaWkshaws might be counted within the
House of Commons itself An Irish
night refer to nine or ten years ago
they might have been numbered by the
hundred. Those were in the dramatic
dynamite days.
EVOLUTION OF A DETECTIVE.
AS already stated. the Scotland Yard
men are distinct force in themselves. In
all OF the divisions of the London police
force there is distinctive branch COM
posed OF the bralnest men, who reach the
position OF detective entirely on merit.
An ordinary, everyday policeman shows
his Sergeant some cleverness in connec-
ton, it may be, with some exceptional
case either OF murder, burglary, dyna-
mltlsm, socialism or any of the ''isms''
that have rendered our language famous,
and that policeman is marked for pro-
motion. He reaches in short time the
position OF plan ciothes' officer. This
is distinctly hybrid or halfway loca-
tlon between an ordinary membe OF the
Iorce and "tec." as they are dubbed in
London, but in time, all going well, the
clOth6S'' ia ory