Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1903-02-05

o very imperfect system of criminal
identification, we being far below the
average European country and even In
dla In that respect.
The movement being taken in this
direction was inspired directly by the
anarchist activity which led to the
death of Mr.. Mckinley.
At the present time there are strong
efforts being made by members to have
Congress pass bill establishing Fed
eral Police Bureau, which we do not at
present possess. The only organization
we have at present is that maintained
by subscriptions of the police depart
ments of our leading cities which pro
vide for central bureau Of criminal
Identification at which are kept meas
urements, photographs, descriptions
and records OF such criminals only as
may have come under notice Of the po-
lice OF the various cities contributing to
the bureau.
About so municipalities contribute
$4,000 annually for the purpose. OF
course the bureau is entirely made
quate to the needs Of the country at
large and Its incompleteness initiates
severely against the prompt apprehen-
sion Of habitual criminals.
The bill which Is before Congress has
excellent backing and is very likely to
be passed.
The purpose Of the measure is to
place the regularly constituted United
States government and police officer in
every city, village and town Of various
states and territories in touch with a
central source of criminal information,
to which he will be expected to give
photographs, descriptions or informa-
ton concerning criminals or crime
and for which he will be known gener-
ally by the authorities for the benefit
OF society or with that concerning any
one criminal. which may be Of special
interest to his local city.
The scope OF operations contemplates
the establishment of place where
there shall be concentrated descrip-
lions, measurements and pictures Of
criminals and information concerning
them, gathered at home and abroad
and for the proper dissemination Of
such information, either generally oil
specially, as may be warranted
With the photographs or information
concerning persons who may have plot
ted against the state abroad in posses
sion, such having been sent to the bu-
reau, say, from the Paris bureau Of
police, should such persons have come
to this country, the authorities would
be enabled to know them wherever
they might located and the character Of
their work.
When a subject deserts from thu
army or navy Of the United States the
police authorities, to a limited mum
Der, are furnished with descriptions Of
such deserters. Through bureau sucl
information would not be limited, as il
now Is necessarily, but would be general.
ly distributed.
The chief OF the Secret Service, CHIEF
Of the postofilce inspectors and war
dens OF the government penitentiarie'
have all given 1t their favorable and un
qualified Endorsement. The former will
be placed in closer touch with the 20
lice authorities, and a thorough coop
Grafton follow. Should the Chief OF the
Secret Service require immediate In
formation he would not be required tC
write to a police department and b
compelled to await an investigation ant
reply, for the same could be had with
in an hours time by consulting thu
bureau.
The measurements Of those who plo
against the state in foreign countries
would be possessed by the bureau. anC
when such person came into the coun
try no question could exist about theil
identity.
The hoboes and others who hav'
robbed postofices throughout the LIANT