Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-15
THE POLICE CHIEFS
Major Sylvester's Part in the Nation
al Convention.
BUREAU OF CRIMINAL IDENTIFICATION
Tribute to the Memory Of Colonel
VIM. G. Moore.
THEMES OF ADDRESSES

Major Richard Sylvester. superintendent
of police, as heretofore stated in The Star,
returned Friday night from the annual con-
vention of chiefs of police of tfs United
States. at Chattanooga. held last week
Owing to pressure work at home, he ar
rived there a day late, but in season to meet
each and all of thu members of the union,
most of whom he had met when the annual
meeting was held in this city several years
ago. Chief Hill, the young gentleman who
is at the head of the Chattanooga force. thu
major had known for a long time and his
attentions were most fattering. he ard
those associated with him being untiring,
he said. in their efforts to make his stay
pleasant and profitable. Another young
man, and Major Sylvester's acquaintance
of former years, Leslie of Pittsburg was
elected president of the union for the en-
suing year.
As representative of the board of trade,
Major Sylvester was authorized to invoke
the aid of the chiefs toward securing fer
this city the convention of charities and
corrections for the year 1900. and the body
unanimously resolved to use its efforts To
that end Most of the chiefs are me nbers
of that organization, and their united action
should, and will no doubt. have great
weight toward securing the convention for
Washington.
The major drafted the resolution. submit
ted and passed, in respect to thu memory
of the late Col. Moore. and the occasion af-
forded him an opportunity. he said, to pay
tribute, in a small way. to his late friend
and associate. The resolution and remarks
OF Major Sylvester will be printed at the
request of the aSsocia ton in the foTthcom-
ing annual report.
Bureau of Identification.
Major Sylvester advocated the proposition
to have the national bureau of criminal
Identification established in this city by
Congress, his remarks that suhject be-
ing, in part, as follows:
''iO gu meet in annual session you the
ones who direct: and, if | have a proper
appreciation of your purpose first one is
to indulge in such exchange of ideas
will rebound to better equipment of all. To
devise means whereby crime may be pre-
vented and criminals apprehended has for
years prompted suggestions by the police
and the press. The success of photographs
and merits of the measurement as an aid
to that end are acknowledged The ben
efltS arising through their agency are of
primary Importance TO the public. 1t is for
the protection of the public that such de
vices are prompted and maintained. De-
that the cost of such should he borne by
the benedciaries. In d measure il Is. but
not generally. The good effect is general;
why should the cost of maintenance not he
so? When criminal IS apprehended and
convicted through the assistance of the bu-
reau of Identification every individual mem
Der of the society is less liable TO be muir
dered or robbed. Every village city rail-
road and cemetery (for we do have ghouls)
is better of. If true, why should the ex-
pense fall TO the few and not to the many?
Should Be National.
The bureau of criminal Identification,
which has its focus upon the growing crop
of malefactors. having in It's archives the
past generation, should he national in It's
character. 1t should be accessible TO every
constable every sheriff, every police officer
in the land. to lend him its possessions for
the purpose OF relieving the country Of
those who will not abide by it's laws
whether local or general.
The United States government officers
are working in the same field with your
selves. They receive your assistance and
you theirs. which furnishes an additional
agency to the end which / am proposing
These being undsputed facts, why should
this association delay longer to inaugurate
move whereby the bureau might become
bureau Of the general government?
Il nave talked with the chief of the Sc
cret service and other officials who indorse
my suggestion to establish a national bu-
leau of identification at the seat of gov
eminent, to be appropriated for as are
other branches of the national service that
1t may be consulted by all officials of good
standing who are engaged In your line of
work II would afford me pleasure to lend
helping hand 10 secure legislation looking
toward the establishment of such bureau
4 nope my views will be given consider
alton, and that they may meet with your
Endorsement, If they should it will be but
necessary That committee draft such a
bill as will meet the situation when l feel
conhdcnt that your influence with your re-
spectiVe congressional representatives, will
make 1t IL most acceptable proposition In
their sight and bring about its early estab-
hshment as fact"
Major Sylvester was appointed a member
OF the committee to carry out this PROPOSE
OF the union TO prepare and read a paper
at the next annual gathering
Suggestions by Others
The whipping post as a means of prevent
ing and Furnishing crime was a subject pre-
sented by Chief Dolan Of Wilmington. Del
The possession of burglars tools was the
text of Chief Campbells resolution to the
effect that every jurisdiction should provide
severe law against it, and the Bertillon
system received lengthy consideration.
Mount Lookout was visited by the MEM
oers, who were taken over a dizzy inclined
ROAD 10 that point, and the battlefield of
Chtckamauga was also gone over and the
important features lectuped upon for the
benefit Of the visitors.
Death of Col. Moore.
The convention at the suggestion of
Major Sylvesters resolutions In reference
10 the death of Colonel William G. Moore
late superintendent of police of this city
adopted the following:
1t pleased Almighty God.. in Hissinti-
mite wisdom, to take from among US Major
William q. Moore for many years superin-
tendent of police of the District of Column
bia. Be il
Resolved That In his death the members
of the National Police Union sustained the
loss or an earnest and intelligent co-opera-
tor and loving and generous friend and the
fraternity at large official who by his
integrity, courtesy and promptness had
builded for himself name worthy of emu
lation. BE 1t
Resolved. That these sentiments be duly
recorded and an engrOssed copy of the
same be forwarded to the family of the
deceased"
Personal Tribute.
In submitting the resolution Major Syl-
yester said. IN substance:
col. Moore was. in many respects re-