The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-29


 was for some years member, are enlisted. It Is an organization of which little is heard. Composed of a number of officers holding the rank and receiving the pay of principal warders, the duty of these men Is to resume for the time being the role of convict in any prison where the author ities are baffled by some mystery
 As a rule, the governor is aware of the mans presence. but on special occasions he comes and goes without soul in the prison suspecting his visit. He has to put up with the same fare, do the same labor and undergo the same punishment as the other men, for any indulgence shown would in- fa1libly raise suspicion.
 Joining the Secret Service
 This Is how I joined the secret serv- ice staff. After leaving the army with good character I applied for post as assistant prison warden. filled up T form answering a lot of questions and inclosed copies of my testimonials. As I only received a formal acknowledg- ment called at the office of the prison commissioners, and being told that l would be written to when my services were required, was retiring very unhappy. Just then. however. keen faced man, with a bundle of papers tn his hands, recalled me into private
  take the duties of one of the secret service staff for a time.
 Having been idle for months, l agreed gladly. And then the official told me something of the arduous, dan gerous and difficult work which was to fall to my lot.
 In accordance with his first instructions I reported myself on the following day at p. m. at a certain convict prison, prepared for a three weeks stay. I was ushered into a private room. my clothes were taken away, my hair cropped, and a convict's suit was given to me. A few moments later I stood in the presence of the governor, and only then was the exact nature of my mission detailed to me.
 The story was that the officials had been baffled by an extensive secret cor respondenoe which was being carried on The secret service staff had been sent down twice, and on each occasion their efforts had failed to detect the offenders. It was accordingly resolved to employ a perfectly green hand. Hence my selec- ton.
 Lived as a Convict
 The governor gave me an address in Stepney where my supposed friends were residing, my number which would at any time disclose my identity, and some good advice. Then, touching a bell he sum- moned warder, who conducted me through a long passage, opened cell door and motioned me to enter. I tried to speak, but he angrily forbade me to do so.
 The next day commenced my cam paign by sounding the warder who had charge of me to see if he were "amena- ble to reason" A stern reproof was my only reward. A day or two afterward, while at work outside. I got reported for atf tt~-<r ..~s- 4r-
 versation," and received a caution from the deputy governor. Later on, when a principal warden remarked on the blis- principal warder remarked on the bls- had plenty of money outside to keep me from working if could get at 1t. He did not swallow the bait. Instead he Iran me in," and I lost my supper
 For over a week I discovered nothing but by dint of patience and perseverance and not a little deduction, found the warder who was willing for s25 to carry message to my friends in Stepney. All the details were arranged, and. securing leave. the man departed. But when he arrived at his destinatio he found the governor and other officials awaiting hirn. and. confessing that he was the man who had acted as intermediary in the case which had been puzzling the authorities, he was dismissed from the service
 Making Discoveries
 My success led to the offer of per- manency with good pay and three months holiday a year. had to study prisons and prisoners very hard. and during the time that followed I discov- cred many strange things about convict establishments. Let me cite one or two examples.
 If, for instance, a convict with money and good friends outside gets hold of a crooked screw the slang term for dis honest warder. he need not suffer all those hardships to which his fellows are sub- iect. Five dollars week will insure small supplies of tobacco for chewing or smoking. A similar amount brings let ter from outside. which the convict tears up and swallows Another will convey message from one lag to a chum. Choc- olate. sandwiches. pencil and paper, | and other things find their way into the small cell in return for further S5 sent from outside. and whispered conversation, | or the use of lip language-in which prac- tically every convict becomes an expert Is permitted by well-bribed warder. For his own sake the convict acts discreetly, | and if he Is possessed of any article which | he must keep in the cell he removes a | brick hollows out the interior inserts | what he wants to hide and deftly re- places the brick.
 Higher services command higher pay, | IT as much as s250 for performing some act of importance from the friends of a rich l convict. One warden I exposed actually | smuggled into prison several leases which l it was necessary shoul bear certain signature before an accomplice could benefit. He obtained the pen and 1 ink and witnessed the signature, putting | on his private address. He pocketed $500 for the deal.
 Once I was summoned by wire to a western prison where the governor told me that serious plot was being matched and that an alarming outbreak was ex- pected. He had heard rumors of the plot, but had failed to discover details.
 Worked in Quarries
 In my disguise as a convict l worked in | the digging, stone-breaking and bone- | squads, but, discovering that the | trouble lay in the quarry party, was sent l there. It did not take me long to as- | certain the details of the plot and the | cause of the delay in carrying it out. | The party while at work, had only cer- tain number of 'junipers." crowbars, and | other tools served out to them. the re- being locked in a shed under the care of an armed warden
 Managing to convey to the .convicts that I was an expert maker of ''twirls,' or keys, and could pick an ordinary look with ease. volunteered to exhibit my skill to them And. to their amazement. succeeded in opening the door of the shed where the tools were kept. They were not to know that the warden had 1ad orders to leave the door open. But 1t served to win me the confidence of the 
 In all the quarry party numbered 50 4R v,rtn orr1o n1l