South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-08-11

career is but five years. There are
a few who double that, but not many,
because their identity becomes
known. If the story OF a dozen wO-
men l could name in European cap
itals were told the best sellers Of
the present day would never have
that title"
Uncle Sans department of state
does not go in for the woman de-
tectiveS. for that is what they really
are, to the extent that their activities
are employed abroad. But in the Sc
cret service. in the treasury depart
ment, which has to do with the SNUG
Cling problems, and also in the state
department. the work done by women
would make very interesting reading.
AS an investigator" said an Off
cial of the department of justice,
there are many lines in which a wO-
man not only is far better than a
man, but in which her employment
is necessary. Women detectives are
not so open to suspicion as are their
brothers.
For the Love OF IL.
And these women who go into the
game" he continued, do So not sole
~ FOR the pecuniary gain but also FOR
the love or the game, tor the excite
ment there il in il. Working with
that spirit, they seldom score fail
ure. And, what is ito their advantage,
they seldom figure in the pubnc
print. If Miss Jones works out a case
and an arrest follows, Mr.. Jones
makes the arrest and gets the news
paper credit. Not because the de-
partment doesn't appreciate the abil-
ity of Miss Jones. Not at all. But we
want TO keep her under cover. Pub
hcity ana her picture would destroy
her usefulness.
The big private detective agencies
have long employed women oper-
atives ana are using more today than
ever before. according to the local
superintendent of one of the largest
agencies in the country. We couldn't
get along without them. he saio.
And what is more, they are more
Trustworthy than the average male
operative. That is, they either sue
coed or they don't. and if they don't
they SO report. They do not lake.
Generally Find CIew.
And even when they fail they
generally unearth a clew which Is
valuable. The woman operative is
clever intelligent and able. While
cautious. she is as a rule. more dar-
ing than the man. and because she is
IL. she
is in a tight place or makes a blum
der. The most desperate criminal
will hesitate to harm a woman, even
If he knows she is after him, whereas
a maxwell, a mans man. He
wouldn't have chance in a thousand
where woman would escape un-
harmed.
furthermore. and / do not know
why it is 80. criminal or any per
son can come face TO face with a wo-
man today and week hence he
would never recognize her. A change
in dress, in the hat. in the way she
combs her hair-that's ali, the dis
guise the clever female operator
needs"
To the average person the term
woman detective means the sharp
eyed young woman who is employed
by the department stores To look
after the evasive shoplifter who
costs the store thousands a var de-
spite tie vigilance of the store de-
tectives, who are rs a rule. women.
There is not a department store in
New York city who does not employ
one or more OF these watChful tactful
women, who more than earn the sal
airy they receive. Youngest of these
women detectives in department
stores-she is barely turned 21-and
tAAN oA the LloSN tltNtl. Win nun
dreds OF arrests ar please come with
me. madam" eases TO her credit. is
Miss Amelia +. De Saints. chief OF the
secret service at Gimbel Brothers
ON job for Four Years.
Miss De Sanis has held her present
position for four years graduating
from the cashiers desk She is the
last person in the world that one
would suspect OF being "a COW" She
doesn't lack the part at all. Pretty.
vivacious charming in manner, she
is the last person in the world a
shoplifter. roaming about the store.
would take for a detective. Miss De
Saints is the busiest little shopper
the most prOdigal shopper that enters
the store. and not nine out of 10 OF
the employees know her But the
shOplifters do. They know her and
they fear her. She has a card in
deX system in her office. many OF the
names recorded in which would
startle YOU. They represent the high
I the low and the middle classes and
/ include every profession from a cler
gyman TO a street sweeper. The pub
/ lie has come 20 look upon the shop.
/ litter as a woman. Miss De Santi.
! exploded this idea as she did Other
/ generally accepted views.
There are five men shoplifters ans
sneak thieves-'moll buzzers.' tn
police call them" she said. ito ever,
| woman. The woman shoplif,er Is no
taking the chances today that she q