Evening star., 1901-01-08
CRIMINAL IDENTIFICATION
MOVEMENT FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF
A NATIONAL BUREAU.
Police Chiefs OF United states Support
Bill Introduced in Senate
by Mr.. Vest.

Major Sylvester left here yesterday az
ternoon for Chicago, where he will attend
the annual meeting of the board of gov
ernors of the national bureau of criminal
Identification This years meeting will be
an important one, for, besides the election
Of officers and the transaction Of other
business, the question OF removing the bu-
reau to this city will be discussed. AS at
present organized there are about 200 sub
scribers. and the expense Is met by these
members.
In order to make the institution OF uni
versal benefit Congress will be asked to
make provision for the creation OF such a
bureau as was heretofore described in The
Star.
Senator Vest introduced bill in the Sem
ate in December last, and the police Off
cials in all parts Of the country are anX-
ious that that bill shall become law.
Under the provisions of the bill a division
known as the national bureau of criminal
identification of the Department of Justice
is to be established and maintained. Inc
measure provides for the taxing OF photo-
graphs descriptions and measurements OF
civil and military prisoners, and informa-
ton is to be furnished to any United States,
state or municipal official duly authorized
to receive it,
Supcrfntendent Provided For.
In order to make the provisions of the
bill effective it is stated that the superin-
tendent who shall be experienced in GRIM
inology and have a general knowledge OF
professional criminals, shall receive a SAL
airy of s.. 800 per annum and shall have two
clerks, each to receive sl,O0. Ine super
fntendent is to be appointed by the Attor-
ney General, and he is to have the lndorse-
ment of the National Association of Chiefs
Of Police of the United States
Senator Vest introduced the Dill IN tne
of a
ACCOMMODATING the copy of the bill was a
letter Of explanation written, by Major Syi-
vester as follows:
..The leading police officials OF the United
States maintain what is known as the Ma
tional Association of Chiefs of Police. and
as a director of the institution ana IN ac-
cordance with the action of the association
a its last meeting, held in Cincinnati, ONO,
i'm Nav last | was selected, with the presi-
dent and secretary of the association, TO
have "a bill introduced in congress looking
to the organization in Washington clty OF d
bureau to be known as the national bureau
of criminal Identification
Purpose of the Bureau
..The idea of such bureau is to have
recorded therein War and Navy Depart
ment descriptions of deserterS from those
two branches of the service, photographs
and descriptions of persons in penitentia-
rics photographs, descriptions and records
of prisoners and criminals that may be at
large throughout the country so that their
apprehension may be aided in the endeavors
which police officers, sheriffs and others
may have occasion to make to that end.
AT This time various cities of the United
contribute to the support of such an insti-
ton on small scale. and it has proven an
invaluable adjunct toward the capturing
of prisoners.
The idea of a national bureau is that all
peace officers, from constables to prison
keepers, may be enabled not only to con-
tribute to such an institution, but to apply
to it for assistance in the identification of
persons who may be apprehended for dis
honest work.
1.-The association would appreciate it very
much if you would have the kindness to
introduce this bill for US in the Senate, and
when 1t comes up for consideration men,
bers of the association from various parts
of the country will be very glad to appear
in It's behalf :;
Every member OF the National Associa-
ton of Chiefs of Police Of the United States
and Canada has received a letter from the
officers of the association urging them to
use their influence and assist in getting
favorable action on the pending bin.