Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-10-23

from Richmond the tran OF the Dhfs'
lar would be so cold that the best
dog IN the world could do nothing
with IT,
As long as the barefoot" man con-
tinues to dispose of his stolen goods
in distant cities or In some way that
makes Il impossible for the anthori-
ties of this or neighboring communi-
ties to find the slightest trace of IT,.
the police are not likely TO nab the
burglar unless Il Is done by accident
or by the use of bioodhounds. Per-
haps an offcor will catch the thief In
the act Of entering or leaving a house
some night. but regardless OF the
vigilance OF the officers this would
be more or Tess of an accident IN
less there were enough patrolmen 10
have a couple skirmishing around
each block in the city all through the
night. Again, II Is possible that some
citizen will shoot the burglar or. find
ing the man at work In his home, will
start a row that will bring officers to
the scene in time TO make the capture
Experience has proven. however. that
the chances are against either OF
these things happening. The burglar
does his work quietly and usually has
been gone for several hours before
his victims inform the police of his
visit Therefore, II seems safe to say
that only bloodhounds OF accident can
land the burglar II he continues to
dispose of his loot in such a way as
to deprive the police of any clue upon
which TO use the ordinary methods
employed by officers in running down
robbers and thieves.
In order 10 use bloodhounds effec- |
lively. II would be necessary for the |
Authorities to have Thorn here in the |
city available at moments notice |
lay and night And it will not do
o depend upon puppies waiting to be |
trained. II bloodhounds are to be
lsed. and tho necessity of using |
hem seems only too apparent.
,ouple of grown, well trained animals
must be purchased and kept at the
expense of the city. The council
should appropriate such sum as may
,e probably two hundred
lollars. would cover the expense-and
provide the hounds al once. The
mere presence of bloodhounds in the
,ity could have a reassurlng effect.
md might result in keeping the
barefoot gentleman away from
hese parts permanently.
In addition TO what the council may
10. It would he an excellent thing II
he suggestion that 4 reward by pop
liar subscription be carried out. One
,itizen who has been called upon by
he burglar has said that he would
i've 800 toward a sum for this pur-
,ose. Probably there are several who
would be willing to contribute similar
mounts, and many would give small
II sums. In this way substantial re-
ward could be offered The reward
.ardly weld spur cur own police de-
are officers on the
cree who would give months salary
o fall in with the man who is giving
hem so much trouble-but a circular
'ffering a substantial sum for the ar
est and conviction of the robber
would interest outside police depart
nents as well as the big detective
agencies. and these people would be
IN the alert for stolen goods coming
rom this section.
Whatever is doEe ought 10 be done
II once. Otherwise when a few weeks
lave passed away without a visit
rom the bare foot" thief the public
win forget the necessity for taking
precautions and II will take another
4