New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-02
ADOPTED BY CHIEF FLYNN.

,,biof William J. Flynn Of the United
safes Secret Service has decided to ADOPT
this veapon for use in the service. IN
roupdino ND hands Of counterfeiters ana
other offenders against the federal laws
n,a cb;.f believes the chemical gun Will
rroye lust as effective and at the same
time more humane than the ordinary
woapon. which frequently kills the pils-
oner Oyerpowered by the fumes Of this
new gun. any criminal. however dangerous
NAV be readily captured, and by the time
the effects Of the vapor have worn OIL the
prisoner is safely manacled.
At the laboratories of Bendiner & Sch.es-
inger,-at Third avenue and 10th street, New
York. one Of the cartridges used with the
chemical gun was thoroughly analysed. II
was found 10 comprise pasteboard holder
with a Illuminating cap at one end similar
10 that used in the ordinary bullet car
fridge. Immediately next 10 the cap was
small charge Of coarse grain gunpowder
Then followed a large charge OF capsIcum
or red pepper, mixed with lycopodium, an
infammable yellow powder consisting OF
the spores Of club moss. and slight trace
Of saltpetre. The remainder Of the holder
was filled with lycopodium.
With the pulling Of the trigger the cay
oxrlodes the gunpowder, and the force Of
the explosion unites the red pepper and
Iycopodium and produces the binding. suf-
floating vapor upon which the principle of
the weapon depends.
To test the effect Of this cartridge Mr.
Schlesinger produced a guinea pig from his
laboratory and discharged it al the animal
1t a range Of some three feet. The guinea
mig seemed TO suffer no pain. but was un-
ahle 10 open its eyes for the space OF
minute. and seemed 10 have some difficulty
in breathing, as the fumes penetrated its
rose and throat.
The test, however hardly did Justice 10
the weapon. for, naturally enough, the
guinea pig was not in the least alarmed a.
the sudden sight OF the gun. as human
beng would be, and kept his moth shut and
lis ewes nearly 50. With a human being
If course. the surprise and shock would
ororate to open the victims eyes and mouth
and give the fumes d better chance 10 work.
WHY CHIEF FLYNN LIKES 1T.
several times in my experience" said
Chief Flynn, Il have wished for Just such
q weapon as this chemical gun. in dealing
with Black Handlers, counterfeiters and
other criminals. who usually operate in
bands it is almost always necessary TO
round them up at the point Of gun.
This chemical gun, l believe. solves the
difficulty If a prisoner shows fight he
finds himself suddenly confronted with
What he imagines a loaded revolver In
nine cases out Of ten II is sufficient 10 take
all the fight out Of him. in the tenth case,
perhaps he is either too frightened 10
take a chance, and he springs at the officer
right in the muzzle Of the gun.
Then, OF course, there Is only one thing
for the officer 10 do. He must shoot, or the
criminal may possibly get the better Of
him. Armed with a real gun, such situa-
ton would usually mean the death Of the
criminal, but with the chemical gun the
overpowering fumes released with the ex-
plcsr>,is the cartridge right in the face
Of the advancing crook would place him
entirely a the mercy Of the officer. who
would then put the handouts on him and
march him Of
For this reason. after l have given the
new gun thorough test, | shall insist upon
vi OF my men carrying il when engaged
IN work not apt TO require a regular re-
Nolver. For the ordinary policeman, how
ever. l hardly think that the gun would be
sufficient. for in the majority OF cases in
which the police officer is called upon TO
use gun at all he shoots TO bring down q
Fugitive, and obviously the chemical gun
would not do that."-Cleveland Plain
Dealer