The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-07
SOCIETY EMPLOYS
ARMY OF WATCHERS
FOR OWN PURPOSES
More Than 1000 Detectives
in LOndon-They Are
Used at Large
Functions

London, July Especial )-Never were
the guarding eyes of society more vigil
liant than they are today. The world of
wealth and fashion at all times employs
an army of watchers, whose duty it is to
protect it from the stealthy hand who
would rob it of it's treasures the desper-
ate individual that would wreak upon it
vengeance for imaginary wrong, the
'crank," and the person who intrudes
himself or herself upon ii unbidden. The
number of secret detectives employed in
London has been estimated at between
5000 and 1000. but the ranks have been
greatly added to in recent years. Tho po-
lice and Scotland Yard have their public
duties to perform, and the private in
dividual, millionaire though he may be,
is unable to count upon them in endless
cases in which he fears Something might
happen" He has to provide his own pri-
vate protectors, and events have recently
occurred to make him particularly ner-
vous During the last London season
there was a demand for private detec-
tives for society functions that had never
before been known.
Strangers Who Steal In Unexpected
My wife is giving a dance on Thurs
day week. Can you send me down three
or four men to see that all is right?' is
becoming quite a common request re-
ceived by the head of the private agency
The dance will be given in a palatial
mansion full of costly treasures; the la
dies will come glittering in precious jew
elry, and the uninvited guest-the strang-
er who introduces himself undetected-
may seize the opportunity to be there II
the guarding eye is not vigilant, evil
may come of his presence. Society host
esses today send out invitations to such
numbers and to so many persons with
whom they have only the slightest ae-
quaintance, that the stranger who has i'm
pudence can easily pass himself off in the
throng. During the past season the num-
ber of mysterious intruders shown out
at parties in the West End was greater
than had ever before been known. The
poor host and hostess vainly scan the
faces of the stream of persons passing
before them in the attempt to recognize
them all. The stranger may be there
merely for curiosity, or for a joke, or he
may have some sinister object in view.
Society, in despair, calls in the private
detective with his vigilant eye to see that
things go off all right"
Suffragettes and Lady Detect0rs
The suffragette has cast a dark shadow
over innumerable dances, receptions and
other society functions. During the COM
ing season the dread of her will haunt
the hostesses at garden parties. Last
year the lady detective was kept busy :
the coming season she will be busier still.
for it is rumored that 1t is part of the
suffragette programme to play a prom
inent and very unNelcome part in soce-
ty functions during the summer. Society's 8
lady detectives have ordered their cos
tunes ready to play their part as guests
at scores of great persons assemblies 1t
is the duty OF these secret, keen-eyed
watchers to spot the suffragette, IL
possible, to convey a timely hint of dam
ger to persons socially appointed to deal
with them, and to have assistance at
hand in case of disturbances. Last sea-
son several lady detectives distinguished
themselves by their acumen In scenting
prospective disturbers, and the lady who
had come to propagate the cause found
herself, in many cases. pounced on and
compelled to retire before her opportuni-
ty presented itself.
Royal "Watchdogs"
British ROYALTIES are fortunately SO pom
ular that their protectors have an easy
task compared with that of the guardians
of continental royalties. All the same.
the task of watching over members of the
British royal family is an anxious one.
For 10 years Chief Inspector Spencer, the
head of King Edwards private detective
force, showed himself a genius in foiling
what might have been disagreeable and
annoying incidents, and with his accession
TO the throne King George continued his
appointment. Queen Mary has her own
special guardians, and the queen mother
safety Is watched over by similar force.
Vigilant eyes surround the Prince OF
Wales. The head OF his special private
detective force is Inspector Alderman,
who succeeded in command at Marlbor-
ough house upon the retirement of In
spector Cox. the celebrated Marlborough,
house watch dog" The royal guardian Z
most anxious time is when his charge il
travelling. He goes ahead to prepare
things, makes arrangements for safety
while travelling, carefully surveys the pal
aces or mansions in which a stay is pro-
posed. and accompanies the royal lady OF
gentleman everywhere.
Tresspassers in Royal Preserves
The uninyited guest is well guarded
against at royal functions, and expert
ence proves that the keenest vigilance is
necessary. There are persons who will
pay big sums for the privilege of OBJ
tanning admission into company honored
by the royal presence. and fashionable
folks have occasionally been willing to
pass on their coveted cards of admission
for a consideration" Offenders have
generally been visitors from over the
seas fired with consuming desire to
bask for awhile in the sunshine of the
roval presence A short time ago II was
discovered. that there was something like
a regular traffic in the vouchers admit
ting persons TO the royal enclosure at AS
cot. and upon one occasion a daring in
dividua1 actually presumed to imperson-
ate an invited guest at royal ball The
gentleman who had received the honor of
invitation, finding himself unable to at
tend, thought there would be no partic-
ular harm In allowing another to imper-