The Washington times., 1902-03-19

Which Do Not Prevent Entrance OF
Burglars-Saving in Cost by Proposed
system.
Tie Treasury Department has long been
OF the opinion that some better protcc-
tion should be given to the Government
funds kept in the various public buildings
throughout the country than can be af-
fordcd BY safes and vaults. Ii is well
known that by the use of electricity and
certain secret compounds known to expert
burgl7rs any vault or safe can be opened
in short time Assistant Secretary Tay-
lor. who has direction OF the office of Su-
pervising Architect, which constructs and
provides all vaults and safes, has given
the matter special attention within the
past few months. and after consultation
with the Supervising Architect and the
experts in his bureau and with eX-Secre-
tary Gage and Secretary Shaw, has de-
eidvd 10 take some active steps toward
providing better security for the public
funds The expense of constructing heavy
vaults and OF purchasing the most I'M
proved safes is enormous. The vaults in
the new Mint at Philadelphia and those
now being constructed for the Sub-Treas-
ury in New York are very expensive, and
it is not believed that the additional Sc
curity which they afford warrants their
extra cost.
Electrical Alarm System.
The solution of this question appears to
be in installing electrical alarm systems,
whereby it will be impossible for burglars
to enter or even make an attempt to dis
turb vaults without an alarm being given
that will instantly call police or other
protection. Devices have already been in
vented and put in use which demonstrate
the entire practicability Of electrical pro-
lection. Not cnly do they give instan-
taneous alarm whenever the safes or
vaults are tampered with, but they report
automatically every minute or two that
everything is all right. Even ii communi-
cation were interrupted so that an alarm
could not be given, the fact that the reg
ular automatic report is not received
would cause the sending Of men instantly
TO ascertain if there were any trouble.
Various Devices Examined.
few days ago, after consultation with
Secretary Shaw. Assistant Secretary Tay-
lor appointed MIR. ]. E. Powell. the chief
mechanical and electrical engineer of the
Treasury Department and John p. Bergin,
vault. safe. and lock expert, to go to Chi
cago and examine the various devices that
arc being employed for furnishing electri-
cal protection They not only visited Chi
cago, but several other cities where these
burglar alarm systems are in operation,
and examined thoroughly into their work
ing. Wherever used they are highly COM
mended. Messrs Powell and Bergin. af-
ter exhaustively reporting the results of
their examinations. submitted the follow
ing conclusions and recommendations:
i. That the best types of safes or
vaults are not invulnerable to the attack
of the expert burglar.
''2. That the ordinary or obsolete types
of safes or vaults constructed relatively
few years ago are not invulnerable to the
attacks Of the tyro or amateur burglar.
%. That should, by any combination of
circumstances, sufficient opportunity be
afforded expert cracksmen, any safe or
vault can be opened.
a. That a satisfactory form OF electri-
cal protection is both obtainable and de-
sirable for all vaults and safes wherever
applicable. and constitutes form of pro-
lection superior to that afforded by the
construction Of the vaults or safes them
selves
'5. That that system-all other things
being equal-which gives. in addition to
the security obtained by the operation Of
its devices, some form of police or patrol
protection is superior 10 others.
f6. That whore both electrical and pa
troll or police protection can be secured il
is unwise and unnecessary TO construct
vaults more expensive than is required
to protect their contents from fire. and
that said protection is superior to that
Of the isolated alarm system.
i'''7. That suitable electrical protection
of the isolated type is valuable and de-
sirable as additional security In all m
stances where central station service sup
plemented by police or patrol service
cannot be obtained.
"S. The selection of the appropriate
protective system for each particular
point must be the result of special
study OF the best service available at the
locality where protection is desired"
Improvements Recommended.
They make the following recommenda-
tions:
Il. That vault construction in public
buildings under the control of this office.
in cities where satisfactory electric
burglar alarm protection can be secured,
be confined TO what is known as fire.
proof construction, supplemented by an
electric burglar alarm system of standard
character and recognized reputation
'2 That il is desirable TO protect all
existing vaults and safes containing
money or negotiable stamps the property
of the Government by electric burglar
alarm protection.
IS. That in view of the large number
of said vaults and safes for which such
protection is desired, and the fact that
the current appropriation vaults, safes
and locks for public buildings from
which the cost of electric protection may
be payable. would be Inadequate to permit
OF the expenditure of any considerable
amount for this purpose, il is deemed
advisable that consideration be first given
TO the electric protection of the vaults
and safes where the deposits of public
moneys or stamps are the largest; those
IN the smaller cities to receive subse-
Quent attention as the facilities at the
disposal of the department may permit.
Il. That a careful enquiry be instituted
To determine the number and location Of
the vaults and safes il Is desired to pro-
tect: that estimates be prepared OF the
cost OF the same, and that Congress be
requested to increase the annual appro-