Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-02
POLICE CHIEFS MEET
Four Days Session Begins in
Detroit.
MAJ. SYLVESTER SPEAKS
Discusses Accomplishments Of the
International Association.
OUTLINES FIELD OF ENDEAVOR
Study Of Criminology With View to
Prevent, Suppress and Correct
Wrongdoing.

DETROIT, Mich. June 2.-Many police
officials from all parts of the United
States and Canada are here to attend the
annual convention of the international
Association Of Chiefs of Police.
Mai. Richard Sylvester, chief OF police
of Washington. and Eugene Van Buskirk.
| superintendent of the national bureau OF
identification in that city. arrived mere
yesterday. John ]. Downey, chief OF the
Detroit force, welcomed the visitors and
has prepared an interesting program for
their entertainment during the time they
remain here.
The meeting will last four days. The
feature of the opening session of the con-
vention this morning was the address OF
Maj. Sylvester. president of the organiza-
ton. During the course of his address
he told of the work that has been accom-
plished and of the improvements made In
the matter of protecting life and property
If the methods and facilities of a score
of years ago had to be followed at this
time, he said, crime would prevail where
people are now law abiding: police heads
came to the front, recommended and
the adoption of new ways to meet the
changes that time had made: the task of
ma king the changes fell upon the chiefs.
Maj. sylvester's Address.
Continuing. Maj. Sylvester said in part:
The urgencies and exigences of the sit
uation prompted the forming Of the asso-
citation of which we are honored members
In the city Of Chicago in the spring of
1893, when flfty-one individuals enrolled
themselves under the banner of Chief w.
S. Seavey of Omaha, with Carr. Harrigan
and o Mara as associate officials. In the
period intervening the membership has
HOY adyt,yN 1hd I,n
were such having given away to the turn
in the balance. while others passed on to
the great beyond. OF the original volun-
teers less than dozen are enrolled upon
our roster at this time.
Upon their own motion the chiefs be-
gan campaign of intelligence. There
followed yearly gatherings where. ex-
change of courtesies. suggestions, discus
sions and exhibits were had and present
ed. Every important question which con-
Germs the welfare Of the public and which
might tend to the elevation of the police
collectively and individually has been
taken up and deliberated upon.
Improvement of Conditions.
This great agency is more than all
others responsible for the humane treat
ment of prisoners Covered wagons have
been introduced to hide prisoners from
the gaze Of the curious. Houses of de-
tention for juveniles and women. that they
may avoid the communicating influences of
the jail and station cell where the unfor-
tunate drunk and unmastered criminal
are held, have been established.
Treatment Of Juveniles.
Public interest in these affairs has in
creased and juvenile criminality has as
sumed an Independent place. The youth
full should be segregated from their Sc
niors from the hour Of their detention
until the hour of their release. When
placed in a reformatory there should be
physical. mental and moral classification,
discharge to be obtained through meri-
torious service, and the instruction re-
ceived should insure their capacity for
work.
There is an increase of juvenile of
tenders. a glance at the homes of the
poor in large cities indicating the origin
of the influences that create the stu
alton. Destitution. broken family rela-
tons, illegitimacy. intoxicants at an early
age. want of Industrial or other educa-
ton. pernicious literature and plays are
the sources that contribute to the con-
dition.
From the police viewpoint. the impo-
sition of fines. admontions. suspended
sentences, short imprisonments are of no
avail In dealing with the youngster as
against the training Of the hand heart
and head. Hold out incentives. don't in
timidate: train. don't punish Habit will
bring about character
Through the application of identified
ton appliances the police are informed as
to the older criminals. but they must
study and strive to learn the appearances
and characteristics of the new generation
Of offenders
IN my experience warnings of short
comings of children to the parents by the
police have in most instances been pro-
ductive OF good: in many others they have
gone unappreciated. On one occasion
member of my force. believing he was
exercising a kindly part, requested a
negro nurse girl to turn the baby car
rage about so as to relieve the infant of
the hot rays of the sun. The fatherly or
motherly cop made a mistake. For the
next day he was complained of by the
irate mother of the child for having in
terfered with the business Of the nurse
girl" The complainant was quieted the
u Inst Tod