The Topeka state journal., 1913-07-19

Without a doubt, the special service
department of the Atchison, Topeka &
Santa Fe railway, under H. H. Ger
main, chief special agent, is one of the
most energetic, efficient and well
known railway police and detective de-
partments in the world. The plans
and workings of this organization have
been taken as a pattern and a model
on many railway lines and the man
agement of the headquarters office in
Topeka is looked upon as authority for
matters along this line, all over the
country.
1t was only a few years ago that the
railway police really reached a general
standing and established a concentrat-
ed fear among criminals. Previous to
that time the railway departments
could hold influence only locally. Then
came the organization of international
agents. From that time until today
when the combined departments have
boosted a law through congress CIV
ing them authority to bring cases in
the federal court with the power of
subpoenaing witnesses from any part
of the United States, the railway
special agents have been a gigantic
power in cooperation with the city
police, county sheriffs and federal of
ficers.
Organized Seventeen Years Ago.
Seventeen years ago the members of
the railroad special service on eight
American railroads decided that there
was necessity for cooperation among
the departments of all the rail lines
of the country. They called a meet
ing in Kansas City and founded what
is known the world over today as the
International Association of Railway
Special agents. 1t was organized under
the name of Association of Railway
Special agents.
The association began with a mem
n Inn
diately following the organization, H.
H. German, of the Santa Fe in Topeka,
joined Now the association numbers
500 chief special agents and their as
sistants. The organization is felt on
9S railways all over the world.
In 1909 Chief Special Agent Germain
of Topeka was elected president of the
International Association of Railway
Special Agents. The next year at the
annual meeting he was reelected. The
third year he refused the Office 1t
was during the Germain administra-
ton that the foreign railroads were
asked to join the association and every
official who received an invitation from
President Germain promised loyal sup
port and cooperation with the Ameri-
cans in the service.
The association has an official list
of president, first, second, third vice
presidents, secretary-treaSurer and
board of managers. There are stand
ing committees on constitution and
bylaws, criminal laws, seals and fas-
Jennings, crimes against railroad pro-
perty, overs, shorts and damages, aud
iting, applications and arrangements.
Topekan Is an Officer.
Glenn NJ. Bryan, for the last few
years chief clerk to H. H. Germain
in the headquarters of the Santa Fe
special department in Topeka has been
elected special vice president of the
International Association of Railway
Special Agents for the state of Kan
sas. Byan is a man of recognized
ability and has been an enthusiastic
worker in the organization.
Railway special service men over
the country are greatly interested this
month in an article appearing in the
Railroad and Current Mechanics
magazine written by H A. Roach On
the first page of the article appears
a photograph of H. H. German of
Topeka as one of the authorities of
the country in these matters
The article in discussing the senti-
mental side of the service and a few