Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-04-13

pollce department since the Bertillon
and hnger print systems were adopted
Detective lbach used several of the
delegates as subjects for the measure
ments and finger prints. Colonel Hut
Gibson said in part:
Policemen Protect Society
Laws and policemen are for the
protection OF society and without them
the world would not be a safe place
for anyone. There are such people
who are confirmed criminals and il is
the duty of every police department
to Keep track of such. So the need
Tor identification system is positively,
without any argument against.
Were every criminal caught imme-
diately upon the commission of his
hrst oTfense and every offense punish
able with death or imprisonment for
LIE, there would be small need Tor
identification; but every criminal is not
caught and the majority that are, get
Tree again alter serving time and most
OF them commence at once to ply their
crooked trade again on the public.
a great many people think that
the day is coming when the finger
print Will be the only system used but
1 want to say that will never happen
TO have complete identification bu-
reau yon must have photo, Bertillon
and finger print.
For example, a criminal is arrested
measured and photographed in ac-
cordance with the Bertillon system
and his record placed on file. At some
later time this man regains his liberty
and commits another crime. You look
up your record and photo and send
copies of record and duplicate photo-
all over the country, and not only the
police of the different cities are en-
abled to aid in the search, but the pub
llc as well. because general descrip-
ton of the man and his photo can be
printed in the newspapers. So you car
see that If you only had the finger
prints of this man you could not get
much help in apprehending him.
Memory OF Officers Poor System
Thirteen years ago the city of Har-
risburg had no record of criminals
except the memory of old officers and
that is not at all reliable. 1 com
menced with the measuring tools for
the Bertillon and cards. first outlay of
$50, and added to that the next year
a gallery cabinet for SIS. The cards
could keep in any kind of a drawer
until / had a hundred or more rec
ords then l got the nine drawer cabi-
net at cost of about SIS, after that
another gallery cabinet and finger
print outfit, card index, until by the
present time we have a bureau of
identification second to none, except in
numbers, and the money value to the
city now could hardly be estimated
1t is an interesting study and to give
You an idea how our records of man
are kept and how he can be found.
10 matter what name or alias he may
use, | will introduce Detective j. w
lbach, who has charge of our bureau
who will give you demonstration of
the system"
A paper explaining the operations
and benefits of the police pension fund
of Philadelphia, was read by James
Robinson, superintendent of public
safety, Philadelphia. This fund has
been in existence twenty-four years.
Following this paper the delegates dis
cussed the proposed bill before the
Legislature permitting police depart
ments to conduct pension funds.
The annual banquet will be held to-
night President James Y. Tillard will
be toastmaster. Mayor John X. ROYAL
and other city officials will attend and
respond to toasts.
Reading of papers, discussions and
election of officers is on the program
for tomorrow.