Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-10
RULES FOR ACTION
A DETECTIVE MAKES SOME SUG-
GESTIONS.
II You See Burglar in Your House
Shoot at Once and Shoot
to Kill.

T notice that The Star from time to time
has advocated the infection of the death
penalty upon conviction of the crime of
housebreaking, holding that the burglar is
at heart at all times a murderer" said
headquarters detective this morning. and
none more heartily concur in this recon-
mendation than the police of Washington
and of the other large cities
The recent cold biooded murder by
burglar of a citizen of Brooklyn i'm the
presence of his wife calls the point to mind.
1t brings up suggestion or two regarding
these distressing casualties which l recon-
mend TO the citizens of Washington as what
to do when you find burglar in the house.
In view of the fact that the legislatures
OF the different states do not appear to be
Wiling to impose the death penalty upon
new offenses. it is probable that it will be
years before the first state may be won
over to the plan advocated by The Star and
other progressive papers. so / suggest these
rules:
First. the best burglar alarm in the
world is a small dog. kept in the house at
night Whether mOngrel or thoroughbred,
he soon becomes accustomed to the Ordin-
airy noises about the premises and in the
neighborhood and familiar with the foot
steps of the oCcupantsOf the house. lodge
where there is a pug, a breed of dog not
considered over bright but / will give any
man of peaceful intent or otherwise, a new
suit of clothes if he cap enter my house.
and entering ii. move about that Pups will
not detect his presence at once. Though
she is a little coward she will bark the
steepie off church. and raise enough fuss
TO float full rugged ship at the slightest
untoward noise. however faint, though l
may enter the house at any time of the
night morning and be greeted with af-
fectiOnate shifts and grunts. The house is
not the place for big dogs which, if kept
on the outside. likely to bark al
cats as at burglars. and their usefulness
neutraliZed. Nevertheless, a large we'll
trained dog in the house is better than no
dog at all.
Always Shoot to Kill.
Second. if you see a stranger in your
room and your revolver is close at hand.
always shoot at him to kill; take good aim
at his body. and not at his head. a
larger target is presented and your bullet
is more likely to reach home. You are in
all probability not a good shot or if you
are. you Will more likely miss his head than
his body. Always fire twice. and thrice if
necessary, before you stop. Ask questions
as to his presence in Your room at that
hour afterward. Have no more compunc
ton about killing a burg ar than you would
a mad dog; in fact. favor the dog. Always
remember that he is in your house unlaW
fully for two purposeS-tO rob you and to
kill you if necessary; therefore. whether eX-
pert or novice with gun, never shoot to
wound; plant your bullets thick and fast
into his body.
keep il in the bureau drawer. but under
your pillow or within easy reach by the
side OF your bed SO that you can get your
fingers around the trigger with the least
possible movement and without getting up.
If a man ever needs revolver under these
circumstances he needs it right away. and
he should not have to go and hunt it Lie
still in bed and shoot your would be-mur-
derer full Of holes; if You get up he may
make sieve of YOU. never forgetting that
he is about the viIest carrion on earth, and
is nev-- willing to give YOU even a lighting
chance for your life. 1t is always dead men
tell no tales with the burglar. and You
should apply the axiom Oblig'ngly to him.
Be Cautious About Lights.
Fourth if you hear a noise in the
house or your wife hears 1t and wants yoU
to go down in the cellar with light. don't
go. Don't light the gas. either. to see
what the noise is about The darkness
makes a perfect shelter for the burglar,
while the light makes Of you perfect tar
get for his bullet. Many men have been
shot TO death or wounded because they fol-
lowed the natural impulse to get up and
strike a light. Get Your revolver wen
grtpped, lie still and await developments,
which are sure 10 come if the noise is
caused by burglar. If he comes into your
room, fire at him as soon as you can dis
VIZ ms " i'44ii
" u 90, me ~ '!'e ~ ,.'t
truder does rot. You place the boot on the
other foot when You follow this. the
usual plan. for you are in the dark. and if
he is kindly packing up your silver ware
from your dining room sideboard to save
your hired girl the trouble of keeping 1t
clean You can Kill him easily if you have
the requisite nerve. If you haven't. lock
your door, stick your head out Of the Win
dow. call for the police. and fire off your
GUN Won will h4 he fol s.K-aI
at least.
Fifth, If you have neither revolver nor
nerve. and you hear a burglar in the house,
or think You do. just lie still and scream
good and loud If you are a woman, and
give ComarChe yeu if you are a man.
The chances of your being shot are thus
iessensd than if YOU got up and raised the
roof with your voice. He Will take the mint
and get out quick If you happen to wake
up and find him in your room and You are
tirnid let him have your vaIuahles and YOU
lie very still. You may replace YOUR
yaIuabIes but not the life he will take if
you are fooIhardy enough to tackle MIN