The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-02
What They Dream.

vas ever better than being a hero. Just
imagine something like this in the
newspapers:
What They Dream.
Bill Smith, one of our leading citi-
Nens, who has been acting as a special
cop during inauguration week, followed
= trail Of blood seven times around the
Washington Monument. chased it
several times around the Speedway, and
finally located a mysterious and battling
murder mystery under the HIGHWAY
bridge. Mr. Smiths work in connec-
ton with this case will undoubtedly
result in his appointment as chief of
police; or, rather, major and superin-
tendent Of the Metropolitan Police De-
partment of the District Of Columbia,
which would be his full title"
But the hero and "Sleuth" ideas soon
vanish when the psychological moment
comes The dreams of days and nights
are shattered in less time than il takes
TO tell about It, 1t isn't so easy to be
a hero or a SUmshoe artist as one might
think.
In the chill gray dawn this morning
two of Major Sylvester's special officers
walked up Columbia road northwest.
proudly displaying their badges, and
wishing that they had been assigned 20
some part of the city that wasn't within
The mile limit OF the Soldiers Home,
which means the liquid refreshment in
that neighborhoOd must be carried on
the hip.
Great Chance Comes.
Just as they were in front OF the
house at 1919 Columbia road there was
a loud report that closely resembIed
a revolver shot. Windows in all near
by houses flew UP, persons poked their
heads out to inquire what was the
trouble, but the two specials con-
tinUed up the street
L say, Bill, did YOU hear something"
Il thought I did" said Bill.
Say, amt you all policemen a
woman shouted from a third-story win
dow, and all eyes were on the two
There was nothing TO do but run or
stay and face the music; The prospect
Of going into a house where there had
been a shooting affair did not appeal
70 either of the inaugural Officers They
thought il over few minutes, ana
finally got as far as the front steps OF
the house
i don't want TO be hero" said one.
I'm no detective the other said.
Just at this moment a window on the
third floor was opened, and small 1IS,i.5 Po y
pOked his head out He was asked IL
the shot had been fired in the house
Il Just shot off a toy cannon, SAID
the yOungster. Il didn't know II would
make all that noise
Detectives Imported
The large number of detectives from
All cities in the country who have been
arriving in Washington for the last few
DAYS have found the National Capital TO
be practically free from professional
crooks
Not a single robbery OF Importance
has been reported this week. There
seems even TO be a dropping Oft of the
usual petty thieving.
There are about q, hundred detectives
from out of town who are on regular
DUTY here now They were selected be-
cause of their familiarity with the faces
of nearly all the professionals IN tn'
United States
The police are inclined 10 the opinion
that the thieves have received wore
about what preventive measures have
been taken and that they have decided
that u viii be best for them TO pas;
washington UP this inauguration
Every entrance 70 the city Is belni
carefully guarded and any suspicious
characters will not find II an easy mat
ter 10 get in.
Thirty Borrowed Men.
About thirty extra detectives arrived
in the city this morning and reported
for roll call at headquarters with tn
Central Office men. All Of the visit
ing sleuths will be expected TO repor
for roll call twice a day, the same a
the regular men and will be unde
direct orders Of Inspector BOardman
chief Of detectives