The New York herald., 1921-06-26

men. 1t Is hard and fast rule Of the de-
partment that all entering the service shall
first assume the position of a patrolman,
advancement depending on ability and
seniority.
During the last ten months of 1920 the
records Of the New Haven railroad police
department show a total Of 2,244 arrests.
including 800 burglary and grand larceny
cases; SO receivers of stolen goods 500 petty
larceny cases. "a conspiracy, 23 pickpockets
robbery with violence and the balance
varying from train wrecking to vagrancy
Further records show convictions in SO per
cent. of the cases. with 3A per cent. pending
and 3% per cent. released. Property to the
amount of s90,722 was recovered during
this time. In May of this year the depart
ment made 396 arrests for all causes.
These figures. according to Chief Nc
Mahon, do not show the full extent of the
work. as many of the arrests are for Of
fences outside the railroad property, OF which
no records are kept.
Most of the Stolen Goods Find
Their Way Eventually to New York
ION account of the rich manufacturing
district through which the New Haven
Railroad passes" Chief Mcmahon explained,
land the consequent enormous value of the
property carried and the necessity for vigil
lance to avoid heavy losses. the manage
ment Of the company issued instructions
for the railroad police department to CO.
operate in every way with manufacturers
and shippers, with the local police depart
ments and State and Government officials.
These plans for cooperation have resulted
in the arrest and conviction of gang after
gang of organized thieves and receivers Of
stolen goods. The organization of these
gangs is remarkable. Their means Of COM
munication and the rapidity with which the
stolen goods are handled make it a matter
of quick work IL success is to be obtained
by the police. 1t also seems that irrespec-
tive of where the /robberes occur the goods
eventually land in the hands Of New York
receivers of stolen goods
1.-The automobile has proved a boon to
the organized gang of freight thieves. The
ease with which long distances can be
negotiated and heavy loads transported
without attracting undue attention made 1t
necessary to organize flying squads to cope
with the situation"
But Chief Mcmahon feels that his organ
ization is keeping well ahead of the thieves
and that conditions in this country will not
approach the deplorable state that followed
the war In other countries.
Since the advent of the ship by truck"
movement many of the bigger robberies have
shifted from freight holdups to stealing
motor trucks loaded with costly silks, furs.
woollens and other commodities. Recently
band of outlaws held up a truck near New
ton, N. j., murdered one man and made of
with a load OF silk valued at $4,000. Insur-
ance men state that s50.000,000 worth OF
merchandise has been stolen from trucks
during the last year within radius of 200
miles of New York city. In Manhattan and
vicinity alone the stolen commodities have
amounted to s6.000,000.
Anyway. to get back to the original con-
tention. whatever ones qualifications may
be, robbing a freight car is not a simple
matter. At least not while the railroad cop
is on the job.