The Washington times., 1906-06-09
DETECTIVES DELIGHTED
WITH TENTH CONVENTION
Railway Secret Service Men Talk of Their Work Before
Leaving City-Gve Highest Praise to Wash
ington Police Force.

figure during the sessions of the COnVen-
ton. She is known throughout the
country as an expert on the finger
prints system. as a means of identihca-
tion. In her opinion. the ''finger-print"
system. as scientifically applied and
used in police and detective work. is
far superior to that of any other
method
w. G. Baldwin an Interesting Figure.
One of the most interesting men at
the annual gathering was w. G. Bald
win, chief special agent Of four large
railway systems, and the head of a de-
tective agency whose reputation has
now become worldwide. Personally he
is a genial. whole-souled gentleman But
he is most fearless officer. and per-
haps has had more narrow escapes in
gun fights with desperadoes than any
other man IN a similar line of work in
the country.
For the past four years Mr.. Baldwin
has been president of the National AS
sociation Of Railway Special Agents and
Is a prominent member Of the Associa-
ton OF International Police Chiefs
Canada's Severe Laws.
I'VE do not have in Canada the large
number Of robberies that you do in the
United States. because Of the severity
Of Canada's laws said w. B. Thomp-
son, who Is chief inspector of the Ca
madam Pacific. located at winnepeg.
Manitoba. The criminal code of Can
ada is chock-fuH of special punishments
provided for offenses committed on raj
roads. An ordinary theft. which you
treat n slight Offense in the States
IS punishable BY fourteen years i'm
prisOnment in Canada To obtain pas
sage on railway train by means OF a
false ticket means six months tmpris-
onment- Neglect Of duty on the part Of
an employe which might endanger the
safety Of a passenger makes the Of
fender liable 10 two years imprison-
either the conductor or engineer is one
of the most serious offenses under the
railway act. II either one is found to
be drunk while on duty he is liable TO
ten years imprisonment"
Requirements for Detective Work.
Viewed from a casual standpoint the
word policeman carries with Il moth
ing but the image OF A blue-unIformed
mortal with a large club and a silver
star. a peripatetic emissary Of some
.ng known as law" observed H. S.
| Harrod. captain OF police Of the Penn
| sylvania railroad This Is what the
| public thinks. but how false such no
/ tions prove TO be The man who Will
\ Gus. both morally and physically. hav-
| ing the strength Of his convictions and
| the conviction Of his strength He must
1 also have plenty of moral stamina and
be temperate Inc raIIwdy special
/ agent must be soldier and sailor, too,
policeman. railrOader. freight expert
/ lawyer, representative OF operating de-
partment. and must have some knowl-
| edge on every subject that may apply
| TO the construction or operation OF rail-
| roads"
Charmed With Washington.
I'VE have been charmed with Wash
/ ington. its people. and their generous
| hospitality" declared c II Dawson,
| special agent OF the Cincinnati, BurlinE-
| ton and Quincy railroad. and secretary
and treasurer OF the association OF spe-
| cial agents. 'Our convention here has
been one Of the most notable held since
We were organized over ten years age
| In Kansas City.
| washington has many things to 7
proud OF, but 10 our mind its chief claim
| TO distinction as a city lies in its finely
| equipped police department under the
Leadership OF Major Sylvester. Out West
| we are for the Major for anything. any
| where. anytime. and his recent re-elec-
| ton as president of the international AS
| sociation Of Police Chiefs was particJl-
larly gratifying TO Western police organ
izaticns-"