PERMIT TO PICK POCKETS

The New York Times
April 26, 1914

Sought by New Yorker at Detroit, Saying It Was Customary.

Special to The New York Times.

DETROIT, April 25.—A man, who said he was Abraham Cohen of New York City, and who later was identified as a notorious pickpocket, called at the Highland Park Police Station to-day and in a businesslike manner asked if it would be possible to get a license to pick the pockets of Ford employes.  He said to Capt. Worden:

"In several of the cities of the country permits to operate are issued to pickpockets, and I thought that in a progressive community like Highland Park it certainly would be possible.  Of course," the man hastened to explain, as a black look passed over the face of Capt. Worden, "I do not expect to carry on operations and ask for your protection without coming in once in a while and dividing on the boodle."

The man explained how easy it would be to make a snug little fortune for all hands within a few months.  He was suddenly interrupted by Capt. Worden.

"We will give you exactly five minutes to get out of Highland Park," said the officer, "and then we will call the City Department.  I think the best thing you can do is to leave Detroit as fast as possible."

The fellow left precipitately.  He did not say in what cities he had divided loot with the police.