Evening star., 1902-05-08
LETTERS FROM CHIEFS
Read by Maj. Sylvester at
Louisville.
COL.DEITSCH REELECTED
PRESIDENT OF THE BUREAU OF
IDENTIFICATION.
Major Sylvester Delivers an Address
to the Chiefs on Police
Topics.
COL.DEITSCH REELECTED

LOUISVILLE. KY. May Sat today's
session of the Association of Police Chiefs
President Richard Sylvester read letters
from numerous prominent police officials
In foreign countries and the English, Chi
nese and Spanish ministers at Washington
indorsing the work of the association. All
the European police officers are heartily in
favor of an international bureau of identi-
ficatfon.
AT the meeting of the board Of directors
Col. Phil Deitsch of Cincinnati was re-
elected president and Ed. A. Evans of Chi
cago superintendent. Col. Deitsch read his
annual report showing the good results
which are being secured by the use of the
Bertillon system.
1t was decided that the Bertilon clerks
of the various police departments should
meet in Washington, D. c., to agree on a
uniform method of measuring criminals.
Major Sylvester's Address.
In an address before the convention Maj.
Sylvester said, in part:
This may well be regarded one of the
most reassuring commandments Of any
convention held during the existence of
the national association. 1t Is all the
more so when you give thought to the
IdCI INdC IOr the nrSt time IN the history
OF police affairs you have congregated un-
der one roof a joint meeting of skilled d.
rectors of public safety from the prln-
cfpal municipalities Of the United States
and far-away foreign jurisdictions. 1 de-
sire to emphasize that declaration In or
der that the Importance Of the occasion
may not be underestimated.
While many Of the leading cities abroad
are not represented here personally, their
heads Of police have manifested in no
certain terms an unprecedented interest In
the occasion. which will be clearly apparent
to you after you have heard read their
communications of regret
This unison of action and expression
should go far toward convincing that
there is an awakening at hand which
should result in establishing that interna-
tional police relationship which has not
heretofore prevailed, but which is so much
desired.
Those representatives who are here and
those who are sorry they are not here do
not hesitate to intimate that the world Is
reaching out to effect an alliance which
will prove a decisive agency in the work
of officials charged with the suppression
and detection of crime.
Welcome to the Delegates.
AS your president l extend hearty well
come to those who are with us. and beg
to assure them that their presence is the
source of much qualification to us all, and
l urge that they Join in our deliberations
and participate in our proceedings without
undue formality, forgetting for the time
being that they belong to any one else than
to us and to any other country than Ken
lucky in the United States of America.
There now prevails a more enthusiastic
cooperation between those charged with
the protection Of life and property than
ever before. personal acquaintanceship
has been brought about by these meetings
hac t1H lot
makes us feel akin professionally. In the
business transactions which have followed
there has been manifested an expeditions
and reliable disposition of affairs, which,
through the intelligent eradication of those
evils which beset society, has redounded
to its welfare. This being true, efforts
along those lines should be encouraged by
those who so oft are wont to decry them.
No great reform can be accomplished IN a
day; new Ideas and principles cannot be IN
culcated at a single sitting.
We who have had experience advocate the
elimination of politics from policing; the
selection and continuance of honest and
conservative men in the public service; a
tenure of office for chiefs and superntend-
entS so long the laws and regulations
carefully enforced a pension for the
widows and children of those who give up
their lives in the cause, and for those who
become disabled therein. This we contend
for because we know it will be better for
all interests. Municipal control should real
ize it and shape legislation to that end.
No matter how small the force, the best
results will follow. making it permanent
under proper restrictions. The official who
appreciates that merit has it's reward
should be made to feel that his calling is
an honorable one.
The cause thus sustained by us In unison
also creates and fosters closer personal
friendship, which prompted me to suggest
to you during the year the creation Of
plan Of relief and insurance which 1 trust
the committee which has the matter in
charge may find feasible. AS you are
aware, temporary support is proposed for
members in good standing who may be en-
barrassed. and for the widows and families
of such members in case of death. 1 shall
submit the suggestion In a tentative form
for your consideration.
Bureau of Identification Bill.
Pursuant to action had at our meeting in
New York, bill was drafted and
introduced in Congress having for It's
object the establishment Of a nation
al bureau of criminal identification in
connection with the Department Of
Justice. The measure was referred to
the judiciary committee of the House ard
two hearings were accorded those interest
ed. The full committee gave earnest atten-
ton to the subject, and the chairman, Rep
resentative Ray of New York, recommend
ed that Representative Jenkins of Wiscon-
sin, make unanimous and favorable re-
port to the House. The measure is now on
the calendar, and its passage by that body
may be expected most any day.
1t it predicted that the Judiciary commit
tee of the Senate, Of which Senator Hoar
is chairman, will then take up the matter,
and announce a favorable conclusion.
In these days when the public Is on the
alert and anxious to adopt modern facilities,
some of you may desire to note another ad-
vantage which has come into practice that
of maintaining permanent roping devices,
to be used on occasions Of parades. l have
put into effect contrlvance which yields