Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-25

basis. This, however, can hardly be done
without government aid 1t is the idea of
those connected with the bureau that with
the proper backing on the part of the gov
eminent it could be made valuable inSti-
tuition in the matter of tracing anarchists.
With the bureau under government control,
it is thought, it would be but few months
before a book could be issued giving the
names of people of the dangerous class, and
also telling Of their abode. The bureau
could keep in close touch with this dan
gerous class of criminals, and, it is thought
might be able to save the life of some per-
son who had been selected for ASA ssina-
ton.
Objects of the Bureau.
The objects of the bureau are fully set
out in the bill which was prepared by
Major Sylvester. This provides that the
work shall be done under the direction of
the Department of Justice. and shall be
division to be known as the national bu-
reau of criminal identification, where shall
be collected and filed, far may be
practicable, for record and report, plates,
photographs, outline pictures. descriptions
and measurements of all persons who have
been or may be convicted and imprisoned
for violating any of the military, naval or
iriminal laws of the United States, includ-
ing the laws in force in any of the terri
tories or possessions of the United States,
violations of which are punishable by the
United States courts.
The bill also explains that there shall
also be collected and filed for record and
report so far may be practicable, such
plates, photographs. pictures, measure
ments and descriptions of persons who may
have been or may be convicted and i'm
prsoned for crimes committed in any state
or territory: provided, That the author
tiles of the several states and territories
or municipalities thereof, shall provide the
same for such purpose. And provided, That
all such plates, photographs, outlines
ytapn C1rr ant and iY.fJh hall hf.
transmitted to the superintendent of said
national bureau of criminal identification,
with duly prepared certificate from an
authorized officer or officers of the law hav-
ing In charge such convicted person or
persons And provided, The plate. photo
graph. outline, measurement or description
of any person wanted by the United States
or state authorities for violation of any
military, naval or criminal law of the
United States or any state may also be
filed in said bureau as aforesaid
Finger Print Method.
1t is more than likely that the associa-
ton will adopt the finger print method Of
identification to be used In conjunction
with the Bertilon system. The finger
print system was adopted by the British
government in 1896, and they now have
on file over $4,000 descriptions of criminals
taken under this system 1t has also been
established by the French government and
they are operating 1t in conjunction
with the Bertillon system. The Austrian
and Japanese governments are also en-
ploying this system as means of Identify
ing criminals. The superintendent of state
prisons of New York, Mr.. c. V. Collins,
has recently adopted the finger-print sys-
tenn in conjunction with the Bertillon
method.
1t is claimed that this method simplifes
the matter of taking descriptions and can
be done without any great expenditure.
An outfit, 1t is stated, costs less than one
dollar.
The Bertillon system is one with which
most police officials in the United States
are familiar. 1t includes measurements of
parts of the body follows Head two
measurements, length and width; foot,
length of left foot only; ear, length of right
ear only; forearm, length of left forearm
only (elbow to large finger end; fingers,
length of large finger and small finger left
hand only; arms, outstretched Cor reach),
height in bare feet; trunk, length of body
from seat to top of head; cheek bones,
width.
"Bv securing these measurements of an
individual together with an accurate de-
scription of the features, nose. forehead,
chin, ETC., color of the hair and eyes, and
the exact location. size and description of
marks and scars, criminals record can be
filed in such a manner that he cannot es-
cape Identification at any future time,
wrote George M. Porteous, former super
intendent of the bureau.
He continued: This is possible in a col
lection of thousands of descriptions as
quickly as in collection of hundred. His
measurements or his various sizes lead in a
few moments to where his description will
be found the complete description recorded
making his identity a certainty. This can
be done without the assistance of name
or photograph. The side and front photo