New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-17
r Ohm WILLIAMS. B. D., Harvard

~ We may possibly read a line
like this in the list of alumni, Harvard
catalogue, at some future day. 1t will
mean that John Williams is a Bachelor Of
Detectives. having passed all the studies
in the prescribed courses, comprising
burglary. house breaking. pocket picking,
scientific robbery. forgery. Jewel theft and
homicide. and is we'll qualified TO go out
into the world and round up criminals Of
a high and low degree
The above is only a prophecy, but 1t
may become a reality l. the opinion OF
men like Judge Ben Lindsey. of Denver.
and prominent detectives Of to-day is
given serious consideration by our lead
ing colleges and universities. While de-
livering a lecture in this city few
months ago Judge Lindsey said that there
ought TO be a school for police officers
and detectives, in which they could be
thoroughly trained in the art of running
down criminals.
Among those who are much in favor OF
a school tor detectives as a special de-
partment OF our leading educational inst-
tutions can be mentioned Raymond I.
SCHNEIDER, former manager of the Burns
Detective Agency in this city. and now
the head of the SCHNEIDER National De-
tective Agency, of New York.
Discussing the necessity of a school Tor
detectives, Mr.. SCHNEIDER said: lone OF
the great needs OF to-day is school in
which young men can be trained for
the calling of detectives. I consider this
Of the physician, the teacher and the
lawyer, because the man who has 10
ferret out crime shoulders many respon-
sibilities He must not only be able TO
catch a crock, which sometimes is a
difficult task, but at times he holds the
reputation Of prominent men in the hoi-
low Of his hand. II an amateur sleuth,
not qualified for his work and placed IN
charge Of an important case, should IAN
in his duty, some very damaging conse-
quences might be expected
THE PARIS POLICE.
The Paris Police Department has al
ready put into practice some Of the sug-
gestions OF Judge Lindsey and Detective
SCHNEIDER and our American municipali-
portance from the foreign detectives.
Louis Jean Baptiste Lepine, the Pre-
feet of the Paris police, felt keenly the
check suffered by the police during the
memorable days of Bonnot's gang Of au-
tomobile bandits, and he resolved TO
spare neither trouble nor expense TO
bring the criminal investigation depart
ment 10 such perfection that other coun-
tries would be envious. After month
careful study and the formation of
special corps of detectives. he came TO
the conclusion that detectives are made
by systematic training, followed by
practical experience. With Characters
tic promptness and decision he created
a special school for criminal detectives,
which he believes to be the most scien-
tifc and modern in existence.
SCHOOL OF DETECTIVES.
The new school has been placed un-
der the direction of NJ. Bertillon. the
inventor of the anthropometric system Of
identification, and he is assisted by sew
eral of the most brilliant detectives in
the French service Each teacher lect-
ures on the subject In which he has
achieved special skill and success. In
this detective school the million and one
items OF knowledge relating TO the de-
tective's art, which have hitherto been
merely a floating mass of tradition, scat
tered among the heads Of the force, are
now being carefully codihed on syste-
matte principles into an exact science.
One OF the important subjects of study
is how to recognize criminals. however
well disguised. of whom the detectives
have once seen a photograph. and the
pupils are instructed in how TO provide
material for keeping up a date book
marked I'D. X. "" at the prefecture,
which contains portraits and particulars
OF suspects and criminals who are for
hidden TO enter Paris
Among other subjects which member
Of the technical police" is expected TO
master is an exact knowledge OF the con-
struction OF locks. enabling him 10 say at
a IIance how a given lock has been tam
pered with: the art OF collecting and pre-
serving burned documents, cryptography
and methods and processes OF forgery
Then there IL q course In the psychology
OF the criminal mind included in the cur
riculum Of the new detective school winch
is hailed on ali sides as one OF the most
important steps in the progress OF the
Paris police system that has been mace
by Project Lepine in his whole career
we have much 10 learn from countries
like France and Germany when II comes
TO dealing with crime. and there Is law