Evening star., 1909-09-03
ADDRESS IN NEW YORK
Speaks at Annual Meeting of State
Association.
SYSTEM IN DETECTING CRIME
Value of Bertillon and Finger-Print
Methods Pointed Out-Rights
of the Policeman.

/
| ington. delivered an address at the
annual meeting of the New York Po
lice Chiefs Association. The meeting was
held in The building of the Erie Railroad
Company and was presided over by Will
liam Bell, chief of police of Auburn, y
Y. y. the close of the session the mem
bers OF the association and guests were
taken on boat ride, passing under eleven
bridges and given a good view of the
metropolis
Durin. the course of his address Maj
Sylvester discussed the question of the
Bertillon ard finser-print systems OF
identification. He told .he members OF
the association that both systems have
been adcoted in fifty-siN cities in the
United States. the Bertillon system only
in siXty-one cities and the finger print
system only in fifteen cities. The Bertil-
Ion system is in use in twenty-e:ght pani-
tentaries and the finger-print system in
twenty, and they are also used in num-
ber Of reformatories.
There has been an encouraging growth
in the adoption of means by various de-
partmentS for the Identification of crimi-
nails said Mai. Sylvester. THE efforts
made by the international Association
and the departments of the larger cities
have resulted in the existence of an eN-
tended and valuable system and the main
tenance of a bureau of criminal identifi-
cation in Washington by cooperative sup.
port.
Differences of Opinion.
There is and will continue to be a diff
ference of opinion as to the work of the
two prevailing means Of Identification now
i'll use, but all will agree that two are
better than one. The photograph consid-
finger-print method should not be dis
pensed with. as it is of all others a ready
process of recognition if the details are
not too antiquated or produced other
wise than under natural posture and in
known attire. The hat on or off in a pic
ture may be misleading.
The measurements. experience shows,
may vary in some respects, but that does
not detract from the finding Of data for
identificatiOnS even when the picture NAV
be faulty. Discrepancies occur through
carelessneSS or insufficient training OF
operators. Accuracy in every particular
is obtained by measuring recording and
noting under the same set rules and ac-
ton. As whole. the method is good and
effectual.
THE finger print process serves as an
important adjunct. 1t is cheap easy of
application, capable of ready subdivi-
sion and classification and requires no
expert, but competent officer. except at
a general bureau of exchange Where the
cost of the Bertillon method would ex-
clude Its being adopted. the finger print
should be had by all means.
Before closing / desire to invite your
attention to an important feature which
has claimed my attention. For number
of years departments have been issuing
annual reports, but many of them are
printed without comment or reference TO
police administration. / am of the
opinion that if the heads of departments
would. in measure. go into details ex-
planatory of their operation it would add
materially to the interest Of all.
Uniform Reports Urged.
1T is also important that these reports
should give the title and rank Of all Of
ficers employed in any establishment,
with statement Of compensation: and
that leads up to another matter which
concerns our welfare, and that is the
adoption. as near possible, of uni
form tabulated reports summaries of
work accomplished during the year. While
different laws prevail in different COM
munities this association should be au-
thorized to provide a general form for
report of arrests for greater crimes in
order that all may be consolidated, and
a statement of the number of policemen
killed or injured would naturally aid the
system at large"
Continuing. Maj. Sylvester said in
part:
When the risk. the exposure TO in
jury and disease that pertains to the
life of the police officer, who must ap-
ply himself 50 earnestly and dssidu :
ously to his labor in this age. is taken
into consideration, sense of justice
and fairness prompts that there should
be provided for him every encourage
mnt for a faithful performance Of duty
ample compensation, tenure of office
during good behavior and relief in case
of injury or disease contracted in line
of duty and for his family in case of
his death
1T should not be forgotten that good
work on the part of the private in the
force reflects credit upon his superior
To secure that it is incumbent on the
latter to have the support of those
under him. 1t behOoves him to study
their interests well AS his own and
to possess their confidence and respect.
Honest sober. discreet. firm but kind
leadership begets the same kind of as
sistance. The member of the force
should not fail to understand that his
profession is an honorable one if he
Greet practice and procedure will sooner
or later elevate the standing of police
forces generally.
The Policeman's Duty.
'.There prevails an impression in many
is always seeking trouble. While he is
but human. he should not allow his per-
sonal disappointments or grievances to
enter into his police work. At least those
comprising properly conducted institu-
ton discourage such practice. Tne po-
liceman's position is that of the repre-
sentative of the law, wearing the insignia
which stands for peace and good order,
and, as such, he should be respected.
In line with proper administration. the
member of the force should be instructed
SO as to have this thought uppermost in
his mind at all times, as should the good
citizen.
"Friendly contests between police and
civilian teams. the Identification Of po-
licemen with civil organizations. of So
| cial and charitable nature, all tend to bring
about better understanding and more
| thorough cooperation between the police
man and citizen. The relationship should
be such that when the work Is we'll done
the officer will receive encouragement
| from the public, and when badly done its
criticism. not failing, however. to take
| into consideration many of the diSadvan-
tages which enter into the lot of the po-
! licemen. To succeed. the relationship be-
tween the officer of the law and the good
citizen must be cordial. the former must
have the support of the latter.
Secret Criminal Organization.
There are those who are apt to close
their eyes against painful truth, who
are loath to believe that within our gates
exist organizations of secret character.
whose purpose and acts are inimical to
the welfare and existence of the state.
Those who compose them are not gener-
! ally to the manner born,s but are the
! product of foreign clmes. They teach