Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-18

odd police departments in this country.
will continue the work of identification.
which It has succeeded in bringing to
high standard of efficiency. Its most re-
cent effort in connection with its primary
purpose has been to secure from the war
dens of the various penitentfaries the names
and dates Of the discharge Of prisoners. to-
eether with a brief memorandum IN each
case, stating the general conduct and de-
meanor of the individuals during their
prison terms If there has been obedience
to the prison rules an evidence of reform.
disposition to industry and manhood on
the part Of any of these, the bureau will
be- prepared to enlighten the police authori-
ties to the end
As Clearing House.
sThe central bureau, which aims to be the
clearing house for all the local bureaus, and
the head of which has been schooled in the
finger print system, Is conducted on these
principles:
"To establish the identity Of criminals
who would conceal 1t; to afford the courts
Information as to the character OF cr I'm
inals, the fact Of first offense or mind dis
eased. that the degree of penalty may be
measured; to better acquaint the police with
the criminal classes. that they may dlstin-
nnvice: to prevent crime through the knowl-
edge the criminal will have that he Is
known: to enable the police to drive away
the criminals before crime Is committed; to
| inaJ laws: to lessen the disposition to COM
NIT crime: to acquaint the community with
the fact Of criminals presence therein;
to aid. in the apprehension or criminals; 70
aid prison wardens in securing the conf
denee of prisoners, which must be had to
secure reform; to assist in the classification
of prisoners, and to prevent concealment OF
the identification of prisoners VINO may De De
confined for a minor ofrense, while guilty OF
| crime Of greater magnitude.
s'This is in the line with humanitarian ad-
! yances made by the police In other direc-
| tons in recent years, among them the
bonse Of detention for women and children
| that they may be restrained without con-
| tamination through contact with the more
| hardened characters In stations; the hearing
| and disposition Of cases of arrest by mag
| istrates within station houses at all hours,
| day and night, thus avoiding the 1ncarcerat-
| ing of the weak and innocent In cells, and
obvYating delays which cause unjust humil-
| iation.
Inadequate Police Force.
at IS evident that most cities are made
ouately pollced. and it is hoped that In time
| YOU may all be bettered in this regard. The
time is at hand when full and adequate
| forces should be provided in the cities OF
| this great country, in order that active, duty
| should be eight hours, and departments be
| equipped with reserve contingent to alter
| nate in the performance of their duty
| Physical and mental rest is necessary fol
| the representative pOLC0 OmCeT, anu IL ne
is such. he will properly obtain It in the al
| lotted time to do SO.
| Next to the blessings which a community
| derives from excellent laws. ably admins
| tered are those advantages which result
| from well-regulated and energetic police
| department conducted with purity, activity.
vigilance and discretion. Upon this the COM
| fort happiness and security Of the people
| depend to such degree that too much labor
| and attention cannot be bestowed in making
| the system complete
| Cruelty in punishment for slight offenses
| often induces offenders to pass from the
| trif1ing to more atrocious crime. Thus are
| fellow mortals made desperate while the
| laws which ought to soften the ferocity of
obdurate minds tend to corrupt and harden
| them"
arrangements have been made for a trip
| to Ocean View this evening, where vaude-
Vile performance is to be given. Tomorrow
| night the chiefs and their families will en-
/ JOY trolley rides to Virginia Beach and Cape
| Henry The program includes trips to Old
| Point, Hampton and Newport News.
T. H. B.