The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-03-05


their life study. who can tell to a nice
ty what possibilities for crime lie be-
hind the mask on which natures cum
ming hand has limned the story of
dark thoughts and base desires, will
be. presently discounted by the most
amazing obliteration of all vicious
signs and symbols that ever translated
vice into outward semblance of respec-
liability. Heads of detective bu-
reaus, not only at the police head
quarters of various cities, but in those
private detective agencies which reap
annual harvests from the rich, whose
remarkable memory for known GRIM
inals and perspicuity in the reco"ni-
ton of guilt under the parade of in
nocence have made them the dread of
all offenders, old and new. will find
themselves baffled by a strange met
amorphosis.
The next chapter in criminology
will be one of lost identities. For the
up-to- date malefactor, the crook who
takes a genuine pride in his profession,
and considers himself an artist therein
no longer takes elaborate care to
cover his tracks. He simply changes
his face. He does not resort to mani
fold DISCUSSES to evade the police. He
goes to a specialist and has his feat
ures made over, and secure against de-
lection, clothed in a new personality,
he walks about the streets, his OppOr-
tunities for evil doing multiplied a
thousandfold.
New Criminals MAIDS Out of the Old.
So steadily and quietly has this
work been carried on, so quickly has
tonish the authorities, to learn to what
extent the famous rogues' gallery has
been cleverly tempered with. Some of
it's celebrities have completely faded
in that puzzling half-likeness which is
often more deceiving than the change
entire. The manufacture of new GRIM
mails out of the old has, in fact, be-
4
trade, and here in New York, in a well
known establishment in the very heart
of the city, where fashionable woman
goes to be identifie' and malforma-
tons or defects are removed by the
skillful hand of science, many a local
reputation for housebreaking and pick
ing pockets has been wiped out in half
an hours seance with a lancet and a
syringe
The doctor sees in the patient only
his case and asks no questions. The
delicate nature of the operations in
sures the striCtest privacy. The thief
or the badger-game notable has only
to assume well-fitting garments and
exhibit a sufficiency of bank notes to
be "treated.'' In luxurious quarters,
with only the white-capped nurse who
assists the surgeons to note the disapr
pearance of one facial trait and the
birth of another, the man or woman
whose photograph down in Mulberry
street is damning evidence of guilt is
literally given another chance.
Petty Criminals Doctors Best Patients
Curiously enough it is the petty
criminal who has so far been most
alive to the gain to be hoped for in
this exchange of physical character
;stics. Those who work in crowds, or
reason or anther much in the public
eye-viz that of the police-have proved
the most anxious to lose their looks
The man who blows up safe or holds
up a train has less need, or thinks he
has.
Some of them are well aware that
the surgeon who rearranges their feat
ures is cOgnizant of their calling.
though the subject is never mentioned
between them. He has been able to
follow the careers of a few, and has
learned interesting details in the lives
of his clients. One thief, who had done
time" at various intervals since his
boyhood, in his moments of liberty
was a sport" of dashing appearance
who frequented the race tracks. In d
perior of affluence he decided to retire.
His first investment in a new life was
$3.50 for the face of virtue, armed with
which he went out to seek his fortune
in other fields.
Another. like the lesser hero in "a
Social Highwayman," has become a
gentlemans man." And these serve
to bolster up the doctors theory of ma
lures revenge for this interference
with her rights.
Criminal Face Made to Look Honest.
HithereO the pendulous nose, the low
set ear, the acquisitive eye, the loose
mouth the lowering forehead. the re-
treating chin have been relied on as
an index to the man within. Now,
what happens? A slit, an incision and
a few dexterOuS stitches and the nose
becomes mannerly and non committal. |
A piece of skin above the low-set ear
is removed, a tiny gusset taken in its |
place and the ear swings into normal |
contour. The acquisitive eye is wild |