Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-24
BICYCLE SQUAD EXHIBITION.
Skill Displayed for Entertainment of
Visiting Chiefs

More than fifty of Washingtons finest
bicycle policemen gave the visiting police
chiefs an exhibition of their skill this
morning on the broad plaza in front of the
Arlington Hotel. The men We're maneu-
vered under the direct supervision of Maj
Richard Sylvester, who was highly COM
plimented on the proficiency Of his bicycle
brigade by the police chieftans, who
heartily applauded the several movements.
The bicycle men were in immediate
charge of Sergts Bode, Headley, Plem-
mons and Wilson, and their several move
ments were clock-like in their regularity.
At signal from Maj. Sylvester the BIZ
cyclists in blue and brass came along the
plaza in single file in front of the chiefs
and their ladies, who lined the sidewalks
Then they came along by tWos, and when
at the command they changed from twoS
to tours the movement was so cleverly ex-
ecuted that the hundreds of spectators
broke forth in an outburst of applause.
While still in motion the column changed
to Fights front, and then to platoons OF
SiXteenS each movement being greeted
with rounds of applause.
That is the finest police exhibition or
any kind / have ever seen, remarked an
enthusiastic southern police chief, and 1T
reflects the highest credit on Chief Syl-
vester and the municipality of the Capital
city"
The Flying Wedge.
Another movement that caused much
favorable comment was the flying wedge,
which would prove a powerful factor In a
street riot it is said, but which is usually
employed to clear the roadways in front OF
an advancing parade
After the wedge came the exciting event
of the drill program. Red Devil au-
tomobie in which We're seated Mr.. NuSs-
baum of an electrical supply company ana
another man dashed along the plaza at a
rate Of speed exceeding twenty miles an
hour.
Suddenly from a side street appeared two
bicycle policemen, Sepgeants Bode and
Clements. Taking on burst of speed the
mounted officers quickly overlook the fly
ing car, each side, and registered
it's speed on their speedometers, besides
taking the number of the car and identi-
flying it's occupants. This feat was also
greeted with hearty applause.
The bicycle brigade then dismounted and
lined up in front of the Arlington and the
police chiefs inspected its bicycles, the
mounted officers explaining the workings of
the machines and the speedometers.
The order Break ranks" was then given,
and the most successful police bicycle drill
ever given in Washington came to Il close.
Detective Baldwin.
Mr. William c. Baldwin, the noted de-
tective whose headquarters are at Roam
oke, Va, is one of the interesting figures
the convention. Mr.. Baldwin, who has
been termed the Pinkerton of the south,
TODAY presented to Chief of Police Foster of
Camden, N. j., some valuable photographs
u be used in important police cases. MIR.
Baldwin would not trust the pictures to the
mails, but had his bring them to this
city from Roanoke
Chief Baldwin and his seuths worked up
the evidence which sent Mayor Samuel Nc
Cue of Charlottesville Va, to his death on
the scaffold for the murder of his wife.
Another big job which was successfully
by the Baldwin detectives, I'M
der the leadership OF their shrewd and dip
lon-atic chief, was the apprehension of
Henry Williams, the black rape fiend at
Roanoke, Va, who was sent to the gallows
by the evidence procured by the Baldwin
men.
During the past year Chief William G.
Baldwin and his detectives were instru-
mental in having executed by the law six
murderers while during the same period
nine persons were sent to the penitentiary
for life for murder or mansaughter Three
were sent over the road" for eighteen
years for similar offenses, while eight cul-
prits are in prison awaiting trial for muir
der. all the work of Baldwin and his men.
These Virginia detectives have also had
many thrilling adventures with the bad
men" and feudists of the mountains of Vir-
gnia, West Virginia and Tennessee and are
feared by evil doors throughout those sec
lions.
Chief Benjamin Murphy.
Chief of Police Benjamin Murphy OF Jer-
Sey Sity, ~. ., 10 iecuSliZeI as one or TIE
leaders in police matters of the United
States. He has given much of his time to
the study of criminals and criminology and
is regarded as a safe authority in these
matters. He is the author of little vol
ume known as Murrhys Police Manual"
which. it is said. VIII be adopted by the po-
lice departments of some Of the PRINCIPAL
cities. The book is, in fact a police cite
chism and each member of the Jersey City
force is required to have a copy always in
his pocket.
Some OF the questions are: When is a
policeman justified in firing his revolver at
a culpritI When should tie club be
used?' For what offenses and under what
circumstances can arrests he made without
a warrant? and many other similar ques-
lions which prospective natrolmen are re-
quired TO answer.
1t gives me a cold chill" said Chief