The Washington times., 1906-08-26
MUST ENTER ARMY
WITH CLEAN HAND
New Rules of Identification
Prescribe Ordeal for
Recruit.
WILL HAVE THREE DEGREES
Maps of Hand Will Determine Infalli-
bly, Identity of a Soldier,
Living or Dead.

no one can enlist in the Army OF the
United States, unless he comes with
clean hands. This requirement is en-
bodied IN circular No. IA. issued by or
der OF the Secretary OF War, over the
signature of the Chief OF Staff, and
certified by the Military Secretary.
The order. however. is but an incident
in connection with the course OF pro-
cedure for. securing an infallible sys-
tenn of identification for Uncle Sam
soldiers. The circular enters into every
detail or the process.
The finger print system Of Identified
ton in the army Is TO go into effect
as soon after September / as the medi-
cal Officers OF the service can be sup
piled with the necessary apparatus.
Given the First Degree.
After the recruit has been accepted
by the recruiting officer. examined by
a surgeon, and sent 10 a general re
cruiting depot he Will enter upon the
first degree OF his course. He is frst
conducted into q room. where his hands
are subjected 10 searching examina-
ZION as TO their cleanliness. Especial
care is taken To see the bulbs OF his
fingers are clean and dry.
If he passes this test he is led around
The room and stationed before a large
table. on which is fastened a holder of
metal and a blank form. Beside the
holder is a plate. upon which is spread
a black substance. In response TO a
command he will stretch forth his
hand. and placing his fingers upon the
plate. md that they are no longer clean
His hand is then taken by an attend
ant and one by one his fingers are
rolled" across the record slip beneath
the holder. securing a perfect impress
sion OF each Of the little ridges that
appear upon the balls OF the fingers
The plain impression of all the fingers
is then taken and the experiment re-
peated with the other hand. If the
record is blurred or found TO be in
any way defective II Is destroyed and
the process repeated until a perfect
record or map Of the hand IS secured.
A Double Photograph.
After he has signed the record and
sealed Il with the impression Of the
index finger OF the right hand, he is
conducted TO the dark room. Here he
IS placed in a chair, and has barely set
tied himself when a binding dash
startles him. and he is whiTled around
so that the second nash Will secure his
profile. The negative will be sent 10
Washington for permanent pre5erva-
ton Flash light Will be used for Sc
curing photographs. because the results
are more uniform.
Before the first flash, however, a
slate, twelve by six inches, is hung
pendant from the recruits neck, after
his name has been written with chalk,
IN large letters. thereon. The photo
graphs arc 10 be by 3 u iOches.
The finaI or third, degree involves
the removal OF the clothing. and a
careful recording Of every little blem-
ish or mark that appears upon the body
OF the recruit, the location OF each be-
ing given with scientific accuracy.
This portion OF the method OF identif-
cation has been in vogue in the army
for some years. and. with limitations,
has proven a great aid.
With the combination OF the three
methods. finger-prints, photographs,
and bodily description. II Is the belief
OF those who have formulated the pres
ent plan that the Identification Of the
soldiers OF the United States Army Will
be absolutely accurate, in life as well
as IN death.