davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1922-12-24
lCk BIG IN crime DETECTION SLEUTH NSS7

The flights Of genius and miracles
Of science which DIV most OF the
science in detective stories have no
real part IN Sir Basil Thompson.
former head Of criminal Investigation
at Scotland Yard and Director OF the
British Intelligence Service during the
war
Except for thu f~ingerprizt system
and work in the chemical laboratory
on stains. scientific reserch has fur.
nished little assistance TO orims de-
lection. Murder mysteries and other
difficult CT minai cases are solved by
intelligence. hard work and luck. ac-
cording to Sir Basil. In an interview
with a New York Newspaper. with
little help frtm h delicate scientific
devices which play % large a part in
detective work on a typewriter.
Take the dictaphone. for instance"
said Sir Basil. "I do not know Of a
singie case where II has been Of the
slightest value. II has been repeated
ly placed SO as 10 reproduee the con-
v~ersation Of suspects without succers.
They do not guess It's pre-ence and
talk away among themselves. Some
times scraps of sentences are heard
over the device. out never In my ex-
perience have the police had any real
help from IT,"
Sir Basil was asked what no con-
sidered the greatest piece OF detective
work within his knowledge.
Il cannot answer tha because of
the great part played by luck" he
said. "Most criminal cases are solved
by equal proportions of hard work
intelligence and luck. A little more
luck makes some cases stand out. and
very intelligent work may not be sue.
~ceasfui.
Ward. methodical work has played
the main part In unraveiing most dif.
f;cult cases, such as the Cnppen case.
The first information we had In that
case came when we learned that a
woman treasurer OF a music hall fund
had disappeared. There was to be a
meeting next day and she should have
been on hand with the funds. but her
associates found h a she was not at
home. They went TO ask Dr.. Crippen
about II and he told them she had
gone TO America to visit friends.
"crippen also informed the dstec.
tives that she had gone TO America.
but they ware not satisfied and de-
termined to search the house more
thoroughly. The next day Crppen
dropped out OF sight with Miss Ethel
lie Neve. his secretary. OF course,
hat was very suspicious. When the
floor of the cellar was taken up the
searchers found Mrs. crippen's body.
A bit Of q pajama Jacket was found
, 1922-12-24

learned that a pGvnNoker IN P-ees-
any had received a watch which an
swersd the description Of the sample.
In the meantime I had s0t held OF the
other OF the two watches and they
were compared with the third. All
were Identical. The p1-nbroker re
ported that his customer had prom.
ised TO return We we're on tenter.
hooks for hours. but lie aid return and
w.s captured.
vtv~s on Dcc-ftve stsriss
Murders are not Necessarily the
most interesting crimes. Some Of tho
minor ones are more remarkable. ana
I have often been surprised tnst
dramatists and fiction writers insist
on basinE their piots upon murders.
I new have ssen criminals or detec.
tives treated In fiction az they are in
real life. I read a good deal OF detec.
tive fiction. II amusss me. but there
Is nothing for a detective to learn
from II usually. II IL from successful
dstset've methods Of today. I have
often wondered why detectivs. with
much experience. ne-rr went IN for
writing fiction. The only exception
I know OF Is s1-supsrintendent Frank
Froest Of Scotland lard. who eoliab-
GRATED In some detective stories. 1
was muse by his repetition all the
why through of the fact tina, the de-
, 1922-12-24

He was caught n ssnt TO prison for
i've years He was proud Of his
achievement When I was governor
Of Dartmouth prison he would at
every chance tap himself on the chest
and say. You know. I'm the fellow
that stole the row Of houses
Sir Basil said hat brutality was
never used in England to extract
confessions. He added thar he did no.
believe It was much used In this
NtD.
"A man Is never questioned after
HE arrest. unless he asks for the
chance" said s = Basil EMO attempt
would inture our position seriously In
h prosecution OF a case II II could
be shown that we had extorted infor-
nation by cruelty or threats.
The reputation for being brutal
would create public continent against
the police and in favor Of the accused
and make conviction more difficult.
II It was d ought that we beat Grim
inais or treated them unfairly. thu
whole department would lose the
prestige which II has carefully built
up for 90 long. Poieemea in England
are looked upon as the friends and
champions Of the public. They ara
seen helping women and children.
They are not armed. They have n
reputation for fair play and a jury
gives great weight to Their testimony.
Quicker results might be obtained
now and then by brutality and in
limitation. but II would Be at tho cost
Of prestige and public favor and would
hinder the administration of Justice in
the long run"
Sir Basil said that newspaper treat
ment Of crime in England differed
from that here. As soon rs a man
was arrested and the case became
''~subjudiee' the newspapers were bar
red from printing anything further
about the matter which might pro.
judice the chances ether of the pris-
oner or OF the proseetion. Reporters
and editors have s)ent considerable
time IN jail in England for contempt
Of court In violating this rule.
He said that tho publication OF pho
toEraphs indiscrimlnatciy in the press
interferred with police work by de-
stroying the value CT i-dentifications.
although on h other hand the pubii-
cation OF a picture sometimes brough.
about tho capture OF a fugitive.
when counsel for the defense asks
an Identifying witnesa for the prose-
cut on. did you see his picture in The
Daily Mirror and the witness an.
rivers, Yes tho value OF his testi.
mony is greatly reduced" added Sir
Basil.
, 1922-12-24

words. II was great nonsense. but
sentences with the tventy.thres
they wrote IL when I had dictated a
little while. I stopped and told the
between maid n girl OF abou, Is. that
l wanted to talk TO her. she owned
up It ones 10 the whole thing. and
said she had written the letter. BE-
cause she I'D not ike the ex.lady's
maid. In whose name she had cent
them"
Sir Basil said that the Crime Indez
adopted IN Now YORK under the name
of the ~modus operandf" SYSTEM wa
OF great assistance to the police In
England. especially In runnInE Gown
criminals who hal speeiai;les. As an
example. he told OF a "stethoseope
worker" who piundered by unique
methods. After one term he wAs n
marked man and eAsiiy caught when
he tried similar methods again.
This man. with q s-tethoseope stick.
ing out Of his pocket. would call at
private houses at night and sunda,
mornings n ask for Mr.. Smith. -'
aid Sir Bash.
HE does nos live here would be
the reply.
I'm sure he lives IN the neiEhsor.
hood. perhaps you can direct me to
him. the visitor would say.
sNw~A- "
, 1922-12-24

The man would Usually turn a
little pale. but say that he felt quite
well
"Ah. yes. no doubt you thir.x so.
but your heart n bad. I disiiks to In.
truds In this manner. but I haven't
got IL IN my hart TO go away and
leave . man as SICK a. you are. 1 do
not want TO friEhtsn you. but you
have phantAsmagor!a.'
AFTER pausins to lot the man &c.
tho FULL effect OF this. the visitor
would 20 on:
II could not cave you IN this way
n VIII try to saw you. We must
act At once This will not coat you a
penny. Don't let your wife know. II
would alarm her H~~~dlsssly. just
step into o "a parior hsrs and I viii
give you an examination right now.
free OF charge,
Tho specialist would then maks
the man strip and round him over
the back with a ~stethoseope. exeiaim.
Ing:
"Nfan you're much worse off than
1 thought. You have only a few min.
utes to live. unless I Fan do some.
thing for you. There's not a moment
to be lost. l must run TO my Off CO.
just around the corner where have
he medicine that will save you. A.
you yaius your life don't stir n,,..
Gle TN I return
Then he would gather UP the
mans clothes and disappear. He did
this many times, but was caught
when ono patient ran out In the Earb
OF Adam ana chased him through the
streets.
Stealing q Row Of H1uscs
The Index has ono unique case. a
man who stole a row OF houses. This
was a row OF five drspidated houses.
1850 years old. on the verge OF being
condemned. None Of thom was rent.
cd. A man went to III owner and said
that he might NJ tenants. Tho own.
er h 9 let the volunteer broker have
the kegs.
several days later n friend cropped
in TO call on the owner and said. I
SEQ you're pulling Town your houses
Investigation showed that the build
inGs had besn pulled down 10 the bot
tom floors. The broker a sold the
lead. tiles. walls n other materials
, 1922-12-24

II know Erandmothers are sup
posed to want mufflers arc Eandksr-
chiefs. but I already have enough
mufflsrs TO stuff n mattress. and n
my collection OF handksrchiefs was
placed corner TO corner they'd make
"a trail nom Casper TO Yellowstone
park. A new mauvs canton crepe to
replace my ancient black silk. or a
nice fur coat wouldn't some amiss.
I'm eighty nov Inc a great grand
dad: but II ! live to be n hundred and
, 1922-12-24

Dear Uncle Hiram: II was good of
you 20 send me a years subscription
to the Christian Herald; but why the
deuce couldn't o have made q,
Naughty Stories or the Police Ga.
Eeite."a
, 1922-12-24

eighty I won't run out OF bedroom
slippers. Ny idea OF a Christmas pres
ent ,s q coupe OF piuss OF Toothle-s
Delight and n bottle or so of-er -
grape Juice to make a little todty on
cold days"
, 1922-12-24

Your tiresome Christmas letter In
differently received. n fact I don't
know why I continue the acauaint-
ance with such an old bore. You
haven't advanced a mental Inch IN
She last twenty years, and no self.
respecting ~tsn-year-old would listen
to your drivel two minutes"
, 1922-12-24

I'll admit. Matilda. that a hos.wa.
ter bottle is a useful article to have
In the home. and so would come with
In the scope outlined by William
Morris. but somehow I had a fancy
for a box Of good cigars or u carton
OF Cameis."
, 1922-12-24
ALTA Q DUNE

suit; but Ecshi = a felsr wants a
bike ard a sled and ice skais. ana
d ne7 ball an bat snd-and a mouth
oresnr'
, 1922-12-24

"rne ivory and gold volume of the
Lives of the Saints is indeed chaste
and beautiful; hut really l prefer
something on the order Of THE
shIek."
, 1922-12-24

Dear Hortense This is. a hand.
some silk dressing gown. but with
my Rcarlet hair / look like the devil
in crimson"
, 1922-12-24

"of course. II ia nice IND refined
to have a new plano and learn to
play the Fifth Nocturne: but I did
hope Sanity would bring me n pair
Of roller skates. n new coll buggy and
a cute ht;le Shetland to ride to
school"
, 1922-12-24

hat Ia eid not know the man. IN.
profssson.i-iOOhing caller would sx.
claim;
Exeuss me. but you are ~.ry IN.
oood gracious. how well I know those
symp,ona- Do you fen IN. all Of a
sudden
, 1922-12-24

"Dcarest Aisernon: This lovely son.
net IL poeticai. but lingerie Is more
sstheticai."
, 1922-12-24

Employs who has contributed 81
toward a Chriatmas offering Cor the
, 1922-12-24

'Giaee fruits are expensive bu; I
loathe them, and chocolates arc too
fpttening: my choice Is peanut brittle
or gumdrops."
, 1922-12-24

The Old Man, souriy contemplating
the near gold headed cane presented
by bis employees on Christmas eve:
THE employer who expects a decent
expression OF gratitude from his help
Is a fool" ?
, 1922-12-24
Good Will

his the season. good will a time when the harsngsa and purse strings vbMe
in unison
Some onfnet the expnsdono heir good will sentiment to this particulars period But
this rgmatonh mt gUened by hee seasons Good will building a year rounds effort
with u.s.
Good will dominates this company Its relations with its customers It is reflected in
our service whnhM povded tn bwtp possible rate compatible with 1.-THE cost oprovdng
P1rYp this arce %@@%#
HSSxP mtn we want Wr good will &#@t
1G The best way to dMn good will to merit it. #4
80 So We are striving to merit yours
, 1922-12-24

ross, giving his stock GIT the once,
over; Now ain, hat a he'll OF a pres.
cnt for the smackers.'.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-02-09
FREE SPEECH.

A well-meaning man occupying
position Of considerable influence re-
marked In his impassioned way the
other day that any newspaper ques-
the wisdom Of the Eighteenth
ought TO be suppressed.
No doubt he would extend the remark
to apply to any individual opposing
the principle OF that amendment in
the course of the conversation. He
said with complacent self-deception
that this is not a question of prohi-
bition but of respect for the Consti-
tuition. We wonder how he would
square his attitude with the first
amendment, which has stood since
Dec. Is, 1871. and which declares that
the freedom of speech and Of the press
shall not be abridged.
We suppose he could get around
il in some way. for such persons al
ways can get around things to theii
own satisfaction, but we should like
10 see him do 1t and to write an edi-
torial about 1t afterwards. We trus
no good reformer will call us a tool
paid or otherwise, OF the liquor inter
ests for vent0ring to say this. for WI
are rather weary OF that sort OF argu
nent. This paper threw out tn,
liquor advertisements, which all news
pa pers used TO accept without ques
ton, years and years before thrr
seemed TO be much probability tina
either the State or the nation woul,
ever adopt prohibition as a policy
4 In the State campaigns for prohi
bition We were on the dry side, as W
still are, and we stood for nationa
prohibition when the effort was on I
4nske it a reality, a We still do.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-02-09
"GROUP 81

The Japanese delegation must per-
nit us to enjoy to the full the re-
markable subtlety OF their humor.
Chinese in regard to the "2i de-
p,ands" are a rare case in point. Here
Is No. 8:
"3. Japan is further ready to with
draw the reservation which she made.
in proceeding to the signature of the
Sino-Japanese treaties and notes of
1915, TO the effect that groups 8 OF the
original proposals of the japanese
government would be postponed for
future negotiations
When those originalN proposals,
known as the 81 demands. were made
In 1915, their publication by China re-
suited in a strong protest by the
United States government, especially
against group 5. Group 5, consequently
was never pressed by the japanese
government. For 1t virtually contem-
independent state.
| But the japanese never throw away
anything. Group was stored away
Under a diplomatic reservation foi
future negotiations" Such splendit
thrift and foresight were fully vindi.
Gated Thursday at Washington wher
Baron Shidehara magnanimously of.
tsred 10 withdraw the reservation
as special concession of China. A,
we say in America. Can you bea
it?" 1t is necessary TO take OF one.
hat to Japanese diplomacy.--Spring
| field Republican.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-02-09
CONCERT FOR THE
PRISONERS AID SOCIETY

a concert fr the benefit of the
Prisoners Aid Society. which has as
its object the general betterment OF
criminals. will be held in the New
Century Club at 8 o'clock tonight,
Songs viii. be sung by the Workhouse
Glee Club. and the Arden Players
will present an interesting play. Prom
inent musicians will also contribute
to the program.
One of the purposes of the concert
Is to raise funds for the legal aid
department which the society is organ
lzing, and which will provide legal
advice for those unable to secure coun-
sci. The main object. however. is 10
raise money for helping discharged
prisoners to get a new start in life,
Recently the society found posi-
ton for a young ex-soldier who had
Just served a term in the workhouSe
and was unable TO find werk. He Was
half starved when he applied for aid
to the society. Another eS-soldier, who
had also served a workhouse tern
for a minor offence. was aided by tho
society to fnd work.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-02-09
LEADING TO BETTER TINES.

Soon the Pussy & Jones establish
ment. in this city, will be engaged on
a contract for the construction Of two
large Baltimore and Bay Lane steam
ers. providing profitable employment
for about a thousand men.
Before long work will be actively
under way in tho construction OF a
refinery unit for the Wilmington
Sugar Refinery Co. The building of
this company's plant VIII involve an
expenditure OF about 100000, and this
means much more profitable employ
ment.
The Pennsylvania Railroad shops in
this city are now working under full
time and with a fairly large force.
Other industries are showing signs Of
picking up" and there is improve
ment IN the general building outlook
In our city.
All these incidents are indicative OF
returning prosperity, and that Is wha.
the community wants, what the coun-
try wants. what the world wants. The
great need is for work TO keep mer
and women employed. Once we are
down to a solid basis Of productiv,
and profitable industry. all the grav,
and perplexing problems that hav,
sprung up as an aftermath OF the dis
organizing World War will become IA,
more amenable to satisfactory settle
ment.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-02-09
TANGLED IN PRECEDExT.

ITO havo millions Of men and wo-
men idle and In want. and agriculture
In greater distress than ever before,
In this the richest farm country In
the worid"-a world that has fnllen
into international anarchy" to be In
danger OF seeking to live in that world
without the friendship OF other ma
tions;" to be lat tho beginning Of an
experiment Of conductinUA representa-
tive government with IN electorate
very much larger than has ever sue
cessfully governed itself In the past
under that form OF political organiza-
tion'---an electorate whose mere size
requires such large political expendi-
lures that "therc will necessarily be
brought into conspicuous operation
the oldest and worst foe of froe gov
ernment. unless somc new method OF
informing citizens can be devised; i"
to face all these untoward conditions
when. by the Eighteenth Amend
mcnt. respect not only for that law
but for oil law has been put TO an
so defining thesconditions in which
we live. Justice Clark OF the United
States Supreme Court asks the New
York Law school alumni- whether the
legal profession Is rising to tho situa :
ton.
The new world we live in brings
Opportunities for pioneer and con-
structive thinking snd action and SER
vice equal to II not greater than thn,
OF which the lawyer-framers Of the
Constitution made 90 much for us and
for all men," How some lawyers use
that chance Justice Clark tells us n.
one who, on the bench Of high court
has been astonished at the trivial caseI
lpresented there. Without such ex
lperienco one can hardly realize tn.
extent 60, which misapplied ingenuit,
is converting lawyers into "casuisti
rivalling the middle age schoolmen II
snbtlety of distinction and futiiity o
argument"
By such words Will laymen b
strengthened In the thought that W
are becoming so entangled In prece
dent and enmeshed In niceties OF pro
cedure as TO obscure justice and dan
gerously delay political decision,
Hypothetical questions ten times a
long rs the Constitution, yast volume
Of argument wasted on cases wher
: heavy financial interests would We
, the simplicity of the legal issues, re
trials frequently granted for trivia
cause, with more anxious regard fo
; precedent than for judicial duty--on
I need not apologize for finding In sue
tendencies a danger TO the Republi
u New York World
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-02-09
SENATOR KENYoN.s CASE.

An assistant in the Department of
Justice has given an opinion that Sem
ator Kenyon is constitutionally eligi-
bic to appointment ms a United States
Circuit Judge. This is to hold that
when the Constitution says during
the time for which he was elected II
meant the "tcrm"--that II, the six
years for which Mr.. Kenyon was re-
elected in 1915, II is admitted a. the
Department OF Justice that thero are
no legal decisions. no precedents, sus-
te ming this Interpretation. 1t may or
may not be good law.
Whatever the correct technical,
lcgalistic view, there remains the argu-
ment from propriety, from the gen.
eral intent of that provision OF the
CONSTITUTION which declares that no
Senator shall be appointed to an Office
which has been created. or the salary
OF which has been increased, during
'he time for which he was elected"
The salaries of Circuit Judges were in
creased in February, 1919. II. this
had been done a month later. Senator
| Kenyon would have been indisputably
ineligible. But what moral difference
can be made by the mere difference
between February and March? The
aim of the Constitution was &c remove
! temptation from a Senator. This
would be TO vote to create a new
office. or 10 enlarge the emoluments
OF an old one, in the hope or possible
expectation that he would later be
appointed to it. Now that constiui-
tional safeguard is, in effect. broker
down in the case Of Senator Kenyon.
This Is said without intending ths
slightest reflection upon him. Hii
personality does not enter into the rea
question. This Is whether dangerou;
, pre cendent should be set; whether th'
ricer ethics of public service shoul,
be disregarded. The constitutional pro
yiso was plainly intended to compel ;
Senator to vote In the matter Of office
with an eye single to the good Of tn
nation, and with no thought of pos
sible ultimate advantage to himself
Strictly construed. It may be that thi
clause does not make Senator Ken
yon's appointment as Judge legal
Objectionable; but there is obviousl
an objection to 1t on the ground G
good taste, legislative propriety an
wholesome public morals.-New Yor
Times.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-02-09
THE OBVIOUS TRUTH.

The Journal always has discounted
the wet argument that Plohibition
was put through while the young
men were away. But when those
youngsters taking treatment at the
Public Health Service hospital vote
206 to IS in favor OF the retuyn of
light wine and beer. as they did yes
terday. one begins to wonder whether
there is something TO be said for John
Barleycorn's view of 1t. after all.
The more one digs into the matter
the more he feels that there is littls
chance OF settling the liquor question
On present lines. The opposition is too
great. No matter how zealots may ex-
hort, no matter how newspapers. like
the Journal, urge citizens to obey the
law until it is modified. the average
man refuses to regard the purchase
or. sale of glass of beer as a crime.
What can be gained by ignoring that
obvious Truth much longer?--Chicago
Journal.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-02-09
JUST FOLKS
By Edgar A. Guest.
THE BOY AFRAID OF HIS DAD.

Bill Jones. who goes TO school with me.
Is the saddest boy l ever see.
He's just so fraid he runs away.
When all of US fellows want to play
An says he dassent stay about
Coz If his father found 1t out
He'd wallop him. An he can't go
With us to see a picture show
On Saturdays. an it's too bad,
But he's afriad to ask his dad.
When he gets his report card, he
Is just as scared as scared can be,
An once 1 saw him when he cried
Becoz although he'd tried an tried
His best. The teacher didn't care
An only marked his spelling fair,
An he told me there'd be a fight.
When his dad saw his card that night.
II seems to me It's awful bad
To be SO frightened of your dad.
My Dad amt that way-I can go
An tell him everything l know,
An ask him things, an when he comes
Back home at night he says We're
chums
An we go an take O. walk,
An all the time he let's me tx.
amt scared to tell him what
I've done today that / should not,
When j get home I'm always glad
To stay around and play with Dad
Bill Jones. he says, he wishes he
4 Could have a father just like me,
I But his dad hasn't time TO play
An so he chases him away
An scolds him when he makes b noss,
An licks him when he breaks his toys
Sometimes Bill Gays he's got TO lie
Or else get whipped, an that is why
It seems TO me it's awful bad
To be frightened OF your dad.