The Washington times., 1936-02-08
Small Force
Feared By
Criminals

every 0ay-IuU h1gnly CC&An0o
operatives Of the Secret Serv-
ice are waging q ceaseless un-
dercover war against the enc
mics Of the United States
Government.
Despite their relatively lin
tied number, these Federal
sleuths established their right
to the title Nemesis Of the
Underworld" two generations
before the term Oman"
struck terror into violators Of
Federal statutes.
Under command Of quiet-man-
nered william H. Moran, silver
haired veteran Of SO years In the
service which he was chosen to
lead in 1918, and from which he
As soon to retire at his own re-
quest, the operatives, scattered
through the leading cities Of
the country, trace through every
clue emanating from their head
quarters in the Treasury Depart
1nent.
CoInterfeiters are the chief
quarry of these SuperSleuthS, but
their activities are necessarily en-
twined with o host Of other duties.
Guard President
OF equal importance Is the role
played by the Secret Service in
safeguarding the Chief Executive
of the United States. A squad
picked for diplomatic qualities as
well as police efficiency and vary
ing in number from q dozen to q
score, work in eighthour shirts
to insure the President from un-
welcome or dangerous contacts.
Until almost q year ago, the
White House squad was led by
Richard Jervis, who was known
as Dick" to every occupant OF the
Executive Mansion since President
Taft's time. "Dick" JerviS volun-
tarily concluded his quarter cen
tury in the white House in March,
1895, accepting an appointment as
Q field officer.
He was succeeded by Col. Ed
ward Starting, his genial assist
ant, who first went with the
White House Secret Service de-
tachment in 1918.
Colonel Startling has made his
broad-brimmed StetSon hat fam1-
lar to most Of the police forces
throughout the land. It Is his
particular duty to insure protec-
ton for the Presidents on their
numerous journeys.
For weeks prior to these execu-
tive excursions, the colonel (whose
title came from o governor Of
Kentucky, his native STATED inter
views police officials and ar
ranges for special forces Of plain
clothes and uniformed officers to
be on hand at each point Of the
trip.
McKinIey'S Death
It was not always that the
Secret Service men chung like
veritable shadows to the PreSi:
dents. In fact, 1t wasn't until
President Mckinley was fatally
shot that an act OF Congress
placed the well-being Of the Presi-
dents in the hands Of Chief Mo-
rams men.
Previously, the guardians Of
Presidents were. one or two men
drafted from Army or police
sources.
Then, as now, this special pro-
lection frequently irked presiden-
tial tempers. President Teddy
Roosevelt found his guardians par
ticularly tiresome.
Two loiterers annoyed the
Roosevelt party when Teddy
was leaving convention hall in
Philadelphia after being nomi-
mated Vice President under Nc
Kinley. A hurley guard moved
on the men only to be thrust
aside by Teddy" who jerked the
men from their feet and flung
them to the ground. The guard,
creStfallen, calculated:
II don't see what you need
me for"
Theatergoers Of that period
will recall the jest Of Weber and
Fields Of vaudeville fame. Ap-
parently aloft in q balloon, the
two comedians focused spy
glasses far below. An open car
riage was described proceeding
along Pennsylvania Avenue. It's
occupant was recognized as
President Teddy" Roosevelt. The
proof? A pistol could be seen
outlined in a hip pocket.
But the idea Of q presidential
bodyguard originated long before
T. r.
LincOIn's BOdyguard
A young member Of Simon Cam
eron'S Scotch Kits" regiment,
well known in Washington in civil
war days, was drafted into the
service Of President Lincoln as
personal bodyguard. He was '"Tom''
Britt, father Of Don Brit, local
business man and SpaniSh-Amer-
ican war veteran, who later was
pressed into similar service on one
occasion for President Harding.
The elder Britt, a familiar figure
astride a horse either before or