Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1913-08-01


Vice department. Of the Atchlson. Too
peku and Santa We railway, under "a.
a. Oermain, chief special agent. is
one of the most energetic. efficient
and we'll known railway police and
detective departments IN the world.
The plans aud workings OF this or
fanixati0n have been taken az pat.
tern and a model on many railway
lines and the management Of the
headquarters office In Topeka u
looked upon ~ authority for matters
along this line. OH over the country.
q was only a few years ago that
the railway police Feany reached "a
general standing and established
concentrated fear among criminals.
Previous To- that time the railway de-
partments could hold Influence only
locally. Then came the organization
ot international agents. From that
time until today when the combined
departments have boosted law
through congress giving them nu-
thority Ca bring eases IN the federal
court with the power Uf subpoena
ing Witnesses from amy part OF the
United States. the railway special
agents have been gigantic power
IN cooperation with the city police,
county sheriffs and FEDERAL officers.
Seventeen years ago members ON
eight American raiiroadR decided that
there was necessity for co-oporu.
tion among the departments Of all the
rail- lines OF the country. They call.
I'd meeting In Kansas city and
founded what " known the world
over today. as the international As
sociation of Railway Special agents
81 WAS organized under the name Of
Association OF Railway Special
Agents"
The association began with mem
hership of mine special agents. Inn
mcdiately following the organization.
81. n. German. OF the Santa Fe in
Topeka Joined. Now the association
numbers 500 chief special agents and
their assistants The organisation 81
fclt ON rs railways an over the world.
ln 1893 Chief Special Agent Ger
muin nf Topeka was elected president
Of the International Association 81
Railway Special agents. The next
year al the annual meeting he was
reelected. The third year he refused
the office. u was during the Ger
main administration that the foreign
railroads were asked to Join the as
ISOLATION and every official VINO re-
ceived an invitation from President
Germain promised loyal supper, and
co-operation with the Americans IN
the service.
when a wreck or other accident oc-
ours the special agent usually II
either first on the scene or arrives
with the wreck-train. tie helps Ia
care for the personal property be-
longing "a those who have been main.
ed or killed lie h on guard. Also 20
see that the properiv of the passen-
gers ana me c0mphng II not dam
aged or stolen BY the crowds that
flock 10 the scene
The special agent travels over the
fine day after day % protect the trav-
cling public from the depredations Of
card sharps pickpockets. and conf
dence men. This requires ability Of
the highest order The man who Is
first called 20 protect the railways
property and the lives OF It's men IN
the event Of riot or other disorder
Is the special agent Many agents
have sacrificed their iivcs In doing
their duty.
II train has been robbed by hold
MP men. ar " II has been wrecked
by them for the same purpose. as
happens now and then. the special
agent buckles on his gun, mounts
horse. and plunges into an unknown
country In pursuit OF the desperadoes.
He does not wait for the sheriffs
posse: he does not delay until he has
q companion hy h,J side~-he rides
alone. if necessary. and follows the
trail unmindful of ambush or Of a
battle slnglehanded with dozen
desperate men,
Less spectacular, but no less dan
gerous, is the special agents work In
guarding the company's properly
against the car thieves who prowl hv
night In tho yards Of the great freight
terminals. They are towards, hut
when cornered or cnught. they VIII
exchange shot for shot in trying TO