Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-05
MARKS OF IDENTITY,
DIFFICULTIES THE POLICE MEET
WITH IN FINDING THEM.
new PLAN COMING INTO VOGUE
The BertiIIon System of Measure
ment Makes II Impossible for
Searching Eye OF the Law.

1t is very likely that the majority OF
the people have never thought Of 1t at
all, but one Of the most difficult problems
the police and penitentiary authorities In
the country have ever had to confront
and solve is how to find those marks
which Mother Nature has set upon every
man that will prove his identity as long
as he lives.
About three weeks ago the chiefs or
police of the United States and Canada
held their annual meeting at Milwaukee.
There are $50 members of this associa-
ton. and at this years meeting ninety
five chiefs from all over this country and
the Dominion were present. AT each OF
these meetings the chiefs have good
time socially, and chief Of a Colorado
town becomes the warm friend of the
chief OF a Georgia town. But, also, there
Is always discussed some great problem
of interest to themselves, which VIII not
down, but keeps bobbing up for solution
This May the subject they were all talk
ing about was the Identification OF
Criminals"
MAJOR HOWARD THERE.
or course. Rchmonds Chief, Major
BENJAMIN +. Howard. was there. lie
came back very much elated about the
new system of identihcation-that Is, new
for this country, but already used In
France and England. 1t is the BertllIon
method of measurement.
"Wen, Major, glad to SEQ you back"
said the Dispatch scribe to the ChleI,
and at the same time appropriated dig
armchair to himself. Did you have a
good timer
yes" returned the Major; Il had a
fine time; enjoyed my trip going ana
coming, too"
say, Major, that's what you all meet
for any way, isn't it? You don't do any
work: lust sit around, smoke, talk, and
have banquets? suggested the reporter.
well, we have the banquet all right,
reckon, but we do great deal OF hArd
work. too, and accomplish much TOWARDS
greater efficiency in the operation Oh our
police systems. We talk business and
sweat over It, II it's hot weather. JUST
like other working folks" The Major
scratched the top Of his head hItie at
this.
criminals this time, did your
The Chief wheeled about in his chair
with q smile and an air which said: |
well II I've got TO tell all l know
about this thing, and the worry or my
trin IS not over yet, had just as well
be doing 1t and let it be over"
CRIME WILL BE LESSENED.
Then he went on: This system Of
Identification will do marvellous things |
to lessen the spread of crime, and con-
seouenty the spread of criminals. 1t has
been in operation in France and England
for several years, but not till very re- /
comfy an America. However, that is |
proof Of its value, for American chiefs
are very conservative, and have waited
III II was tried and its worth proven
before adopting it.
"The situation which the police have al
ways had to face is just this: a man is
arrested for burglary, and sent TO the
for five years. a photograph
il taken of him when he leaves, and the
likeness. very good when taken, is added
to the Rogues' Gallery He was ar
rested under the name OF John Smith,
and his conviction is the conviction of
John Smith. -Four years after being turn
ed from the penitentiary, a man is ara
rested 300 miles from the locality Of this
prison. and says he is John Jones. The
charge is burglary and the evidence quite
strong. but the lawyer Of the defence
begs the Jury for lenlency. This man.
he says, has always borne good charac-
ter; this is his first offence; but even
This Is not by any means clear. The jury
listen and lean 10 the man, whose life. so
FAR as known, has been spotless. and he
S acquitted The prosecution can do no
thing. The Commemorative Attorney
and the police authorities believe firmly
he IS guilty, but this improved good
character saves him for more pillage and
outrage against society. Before the court
s through with the case. the prosecuting
attorney, earnest to do his duty only,
goes TO the 'Rogues' Gallery thinking
ne may find the picture OF this man.
A HOPELESS CLASS.
in ALL there are 10000 photographs pre-
;enting every conceivable form OF face
md feature. Several men are employed
or hours and hours going over carefully
hese pictures. They are all something
alike, and yet so different from each
,ther. Not one is found very much like
he man whom the honest lawyer IS pro-
and he gives the case up. The
nan is acquitted, and again starts out
or a renewed life of crime and ravage.
rhe fact u.s. this man was John Smith,
Who four years ago served a sentence OF
i've years for burglary at r., and not
ohm Jones. the innocent one. His photo
-raph was in the gallery, but was taken
When four years younger. and when he
vore no beard or moustache. and his hair
vas long. Besides. the task OF looking
yer 1000 pictures not classified, but only
Is so tedious that II could not
Il done with sure effects in seasOnable
ime. His identity was not shown.
This is Just an illustration OF course,
ut 1t tells the story OF hundreds OF cases
n record. To improve such a condition