Evening star., 1916-01-02

NN or violence in his plans,
walks down the gangway in
New York an American shadow is
waiting the wharf to track him to
his hotel or follow him across the con-
tfnent
1t has been so ever since the Euro
pean war began. The American "shad-
ow''-invisible. intelligent. persistent
and patients without an equal in the
world. Seemingly, he is compound
of the Indian and the white man at
their best. Vanishing, a ready sub
stitute takes his place.
Perhaps the daily reports of the
Shadows in the service of the ma
tional government. as they bear upon
the transactions of alien and natural
ized plotters and disturbers, will never
be known. even in their essence, to
the public. They are locked in the
secret archives of Washington. Few
are the eyes which have seen them.
Published. they might dangerously
arouse or enrage the nation.
But the names are there. in ink and
on paper that are lasting-unneutral
supposedly Americanized and openly
HoStiie ne HOle TeCOTu mas
been written out by American detec-
tives while events shaped themselves
and occurred. AS the days go by the
record will be continued. The "shad-
ow" d2es not sleep. He never grows
weary. His feet are forever on the
trail. Moreover. his pen each night Is
active.
The egotism of the persons who have
vainly attempted to fool and use the
United States is. after all. unwit-
ting acknowledgment of their vanity
and stupidity. If they had never heard
of William J. Flynn and the secret
service they should have been prudent
and informed themselves of possible
men and probable hazards before set
ting sail for this country.
They would have learned. also. once
they began to inquire, of A. Bruce Bic
laski and his wonderful company of
star performers. whose official habitat
is the Department of Justice. Detec-
tives of the first quality are every
where at their tasks in America.
1t may be bad-mannered and i'm
polite. when found out. to keep un-
seen at the heels of a diplomatist, but
the movements of aliens, high and low
uniformed and medaled. or self-effaced
IN oVeralls and jumpers. have been
watched ever since Europe drew it's
sword and tried to whet it on the rest
of the universe
Flynn unfortunately does not dare
TO say a word; nor can Bielaski even
drop hint as to what has been DONE
An unbreasted revelation of either
would make tremendous sensation.
Besides. Flynn. although his father
was born in Ireland. is not talker,
while Rielaski. whose name sounds
Polish and is also suggestive of the
steppes of Russia. is not naturally
a conversationalist. even il his ances-
tors were Methodist preachers
Breaking up gangs and groups-tbe
distinction being that a gang does not
wear as good clothes as a groups
Chief Flynn's eScelling speciality. He
picks EN- one at a time" Is common
phrase in the secret service wSen
reference is made to his work To
pick them up. first of an requires
comes perseverance. in which quality.
man and beast included Chief Flynn.
is unsurpassed
Readers of newspapers know that
Chief Flynn is picking them up-for-
gers of passports. fomenters of strikes,
burners of munition factories and SO
on all of whom might have under
stood that he would. had they looked
into the matter before they began.
He will be getting them, if any escape,
ten years from now That is one of
his habits and professional character
istics. He never forgets and he never
gives up" is another proverb about
Chief Flynn. To top it all. he is an
absolutely honest man." to quote the
words, spoken to me, of John Elbert
Wilkie, his predecessor as chief Of the
secret service.
Long ago. by his adventures in other
lands, Chief Flynn became an inter-
national detective. In this country
much of his work has been among
foreigners. He toiled seven years
steadily hamm<ring." as he laconi-
cally explained his methods-with
a wonderfully organized band of Ital-
ian blackmailers, counterfeiters and
assassns. He got them, one after
the other. the small fry first and at
last the two leaders, and his evidence
and testimony gave them prison terms
ranging from fifteen to thirty years.
1t is always battle of wits is the
condensed description he once gave of