The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-20
POLICE CHIEFS TO CONFER
Important Results Expected at
Their Coming Congress.

syIvcSter-Ide1s VIII BE Present
ed for Better Protection of Ctti-
zcns-To Suppress Criminal Work.
Important matters are expected to come
mp for consideration before the annual
meeting Of the Association of Police
Chiefs of the United States and Canada,
To he held next month in New York City.
Major sylvester viii represent this city at
the meeting. while high police officials
from every. section Of the country are
expected to attend Various methods for
the suppression Of crime Will be presented.
including the interchange Of photographs
and measurements, together with other
data gathered by departments from all
over the country
It is understood that about fifty cities
will be represented at the meeting of the
association. Should the suggestion respect
ing the interchange of photographs be
adopted, advantages not before enjoyed
by the various departments will immedi-
ately be apparent Faces of criminals
now shown in the local rogues' gallery
at Headquarters will be copied and sent
to New York, Chicago, and other cities
and towns in the circuit, that thieves
known TO the police here will likewise be-
come familiar TO outside detectives and
police. Besides the belief is held that
BertiIoR system can be circulated with
ease about the country. and even abroad
So much Importance is attached to these
suggestions that several members of the
Association OF Police Chiefs have already
been approached about the matter though
unoficiaiIy. vet with the idea of further
ing the scheme of cooperation prior to
the meeting of the general body. BY in
teresting the leaders as much as possible
il is thought the idea Of interchanging
data Of every description between cities
may be successfully urged when the con
vention of chiefs convenes-
Police officials all agree that criminals
are constantly on the move from one city
to another. An illustration of this is
shown during the Inauguration of a Pres
ident or some similar great gathering
when hundreds Of pickpockets and thieves
OF every description make their way to
ward Washington The same is true on
the occasion of the gathering of crowds
elsewhere At such times It becomes nee
essary for the city invaded to call on
other places for help. and detectives from
all over the country are sent to assist
in taking care OF the crooks who follow
the crowds. Previously detectives from
distant cities have been compelled 10
spend much time studying faces Of Grim
inals from various localities. III order that
they might aid materially in making ar
rests while detailed away from their
home town Under the scheme suggested
of a general and systematic exchange Of
data, however. il is urged that wider
knowledge Of rdscaIs. their ways anu rec
Ords, viii inevitably result
Major Sylvester is known TO favor tx
pansIve methods ia police work, particu-
larry when progressive ideas are urged
for the better protection OF the public.
II is not at all certain, but he may him
self suggest improvements along the
lines mentioned While IL is recognized
that only the large cities are now using
The BeTTillOu system of measurements.
because Of the additional expense in
VOlved- there are those who assert that
after the coming convention the neces-
sity Of cooperation in police work viii
bring about greatly improved conditions
Frequently. II is said. photographs alone
1aI snort IN the positive i0entlTsCauon OF
criminals, because of changes made, both
in their personal appearance and attire
There Is some talk about an attempt to
interest officials Of Scotland Yard Eng
land. IN the annual meeting of the asso-
citation " hile II IS not probable that
representative Of the Yard" viii attend
the convention this year. the feeling ap-
pears 70 oe general that some adequate
arrangement with the English authorities
Tor the interchange OF police data besides
a closer understanding and consequent
cooperation. should be reached. Tenta-
i've plans seem to be on foot TO ultI
mately bring the Scotland Yard detec-
lives into the association, by securing as
members one OF more Of the heads of the
frequently come to this country. where
but few officials know them Therefore
they are 1parativeIy free from moies-
IatioB, un-eSS Caught ret1-nanded. ana
then much time and expense may be in
vOlved in learning their true identity and
records
Another idea suggested, which will like
" be considered next month. has IN view
the leSsening of migratory tactics by
criminals of every class. 1t has been said
that railroad officials and employees may
assist materially IN the capture and ideu-
tificatiOn of thieves Already this Is the
case, but ID a small degree, compared
with the coming Of improved conditions.
When a crime is committed. the railroad
deDotS are always guarded prevent
the escape of the criminal by train if pos
Sible- Ticket sellers and gatemen and
trainmen are all questioned and fire.
quently il IS learned that the fugitive has
made MS escape prior TO the arrival of
news Of the crime at the depot To les
sen such escapes il has been suggested
that every railroad ticket Office. particu-
larry IN cities and large towns be fur
HIShed with a r0gueS' gallery, containing
photographs Of the noted criminals from
az over the country Such idea Is said
10 be already IN vogue, for description
OF every counterfeit bill discovered by the
Treasury Department is sent by Secret
Service officials TO railroads, well as
70 large financial Institutions IL Is urged
by those interested that a like scheme
touid De adopted by police departments.
thus giving railroad employees a chance
10 become familiar with faces OF criminals
VINO might apply to them for tickets or
A uniform standard Of circulars appears
70 De as important uniform system
OF photographs and discussion OF both
may occupy time at the coming cCnven-
Ton II the exchange Of photographs be-
tween cities receives favorable action
Ihere Is likely to be an understanding as
70 Inc size and quality OF such pictures
y - evident that u standard must be
HAti 50 tIlaI every gallery in the circuit
may be properly arranged for the recaT,-
ton OF the photographs It would he
uanitestly uubusinessifke TO have a large
photograph sent out from Chicago a
small one from New York and sin a
third size from St Louis. because such a
collection OF pictures could NOT he rIacEd
IN any gallery 70 advantage likewise
with circulars, although not to sfIch =
marked degree. because Of additional dir
ucuities and ideas in various sections of
the country as TO the complexion of most
ers advertising criminals
The perfection Of the BertfIIon system
"f measurements will doubtless coTlsf,r-4s
time OF the convention. because of IacI,
% q perfect understanding in certain Sec
lions Of the land TO the need and ad-
NaHtaSes OF such work Even in large
cities. mistakes in taking measurements
nave been recorded. principally b+.gs4 use
those engaged an the work did not fully
understand The system Discussiot, ~
lNis subject may assume the form OF in
StNIctOn. II there appears TO be extensive
WssS Tor The fUrtherance Of the system
Navy other ideas will be brought he
fore Ike convention. 1t is yet impossible
TO say 10 what extent a betterrnent Of
the PRESENT service viii be secured f,7lf