The Washington times., 1902-05-19
GOSSIP over PLUMS IN
new POLICE BUREAU
National Bureau of Criminal
Identification.
Fact That No Such Organization Tech
nically Exists May Cause
Complications.

While the bill to establish a nationa
bureau of criminal identification hangs ii
the balance in the Committee on Judi
ciary of the House of Representatives
there is much gossip about prospective
appointments should the measure finally
become law. AS now framed the bill
provides that the Attorney General of
the United States shall appoint superin-
tendent of the bureau at an annual salary
of $4,000. This official. however. must re-
ccive the Endorsement of the Board of
Directors of the National Association OF
Chiefs of Police of the United States in
order to assume and carry out the duties
of his Office.
On account of mistake in title there
bids fair to arise a technicaiity which
may cause trouble. unless in some manner
avoided Although the bill now before
Congress provides that the superintendent
must receive the Endorsement of the
Board of Governors of the National AS
sociation of Chiefs of Police of the United
States. it is pointed out that in reality
there is no such association. The proper
name q the association evidently referred
to by the bill is THE National Associa-
lion of Chiefs OF Police of the United
States and Canada" While this variance
is bat teehnicality. 1t may lead to fu-
ture embarrassment If the measure is
finally passed Incorporating the national
buI eau of criminal Identification. 1t would
then remain for the chiefs of police to
curtail the name of their association IL
they should wish to profit by the features
of the new bill
Places Provided For.
The measure, as now being considered
in committee, provides for the appoint
ment of four operators at an annual sal
ary of S1.5O0; stenographer at 81 200;
three clerks. one of whom shall be a
stenographer, each to receive $1,000 an
nually, and messenger at $500 per year
These employees provided for by the bill
are to receive their appointment from the
superintendent. Thus he is placed prac-
tically in control of the bureau. so far
as its actual work Is concerned.
All Of the big cities are anticipating
the passage Of the measure. although
doubt exists whether it will be adopted at
the present session of Congress. During
the past month this uncertainty has
crystallized. because of the seeming
letha-gy displayed by the House Com
nlittee on Judiciary in relation to the
There has been some talk that Major
Sylvester local Chief of Police. and presi-
dent Of the National Association of Chiefs
Ct Police of the United States and Can
ada. was already slated for superinten-
dent Of the National Bureau of Criminal
should the bill providing
for the latter be adopted. This talk has
only a vague foundation, but 1t is
hardly relished by Major Sylvester. him
self, who can be said to have scarcely
given the matter serious consideration. |
His view Of the matter seems to be that |
here will be plenty of time to consider |
Iiiicers of the Identification bureau af- |
er the bill for its establishment has be- |
ONE law. Major Sylvester SAYS he |
las plenty to do with his present duties.
md he has had little or no time to
peculate as TO the officials to take charge
II the proposed new organization.
Viewed With Doubt.
Chiefs Of police Of the big cities view
Nth some doubt appointment under the
lew bill. mainly because of the lack of
'rovislon for pensions for retired Off
ials. Nearly all the big police depart
nents have pension feature, and this
means much to such men as are grow
ng old in the service The matter of
olitics, also. will likely figure not a lit
!e in the prospective appointments for
he new bureau. So it is that at the