New Article on the Swanson Marginalia in Ripperologist 128

[Casebook Wiki Editor]

What would you class as 'exceptional circumstances'?

Oh, say if there was a homicidal maniac running around the East End....

Other than that Swanson was a glorified clerical assistant.

[Chris]

We have a memo and draft article from the News of the World that ‘strangely and inexplicably’ turn up at the Scotland Yard Museum 30 years after they were written.

Perhaps it would help if you could explain why you find that 'strange and inexplicable'.

I agree it would have been strange and inexplicable if there had been a draft newspaper article on Tongan postage stamps in the Crime Museum. Or a draft newspaper article on Jack the Ripper in a philatelical museum. As it is, it's scarcely the most baffling occurrence I've ever heard of.

[Monty]

As I stated, it would have been more a collective decision, whatever that descision was.

The choice of a senior ranked Inspector is clear. Swanson wasn't put in place to conduct mere clerks work. He was placed because of his experience, reputation and rank. Experince to assess the information, reputation to ensure that assessment is sound and rank to make descisons upon liasion with both his lower and senior Constables.

I'm sure Colin will agree, rank is rank. To state Swanson had no seniority over Abberline and Reid is wrong.

What would you class as 'exceptional circumstances'?

Monty

[Lechmere]

Do we know that Reid and Abberline were told to work under Swanson's instructions? Mere seniority of rank is not enough.

Acting in an instance of extreme urgency does not imply that Swanson was in operational control of the investigation. It implies that in exceptional circumstances he could take action.

[Monty]

"On the other hand he should consult Mr Williamson, you, or myself on every important particular before any action unless there is some extreme urgency."

Unless there was some extreme urgency.

Edward has a valid point, it is clear Swanson was put into place as a link between H Div on the ground and Central Office/HQ. However it is equally clear he was given authority to act in emergency.

It is also clear that the Reid, Abberline and Swanson worked in unity and is assessment of the situation.

His rank gave him the authority also.

Monty

[Lechmere]

Chris
We have a memo and draft article from the News of the World that ‘strangely and inexplicably’ turn up at the Scotland Yard Museum 30 years after they were written.
These are used to validate certain documents written on News of the World headed paper.
I am suggesting that the correct way to proceed is to refer to the News of the World to see if they can validate them. There will be a problem as all the people involved in this at the News of the World now seem to be dead.

I am suggesting that all in all this is an unsatisfactory state of affairs when attempting to validate the authenticity of documents.
I am well aware that this raises uncomfortable issues.
This is quite unlike the situation when various original documents were voluntarily and anonymously returned in the 1980s. They are available for inspection and testing.

Sir Robert
If a Van Gogh is displayed for several years in the National Gallery as a Van Gogh, and then it comes up for sale, then its authenticity, its provenance, will not be seriously questioned. The National Gallery will be deemed to be a scrupulous and expert body in determining the authenticity of paintings.

[Lechmere]

Here we go... the full text of Warren’s note to Bruce about Swanson...

I am convinced that the Whitechapel Murder case is one which can be successfully grappled with if it is systematically taken in hand. I go so far as to say that I could myself in a few days unravel the mystery provided I could spare the time and give individual attention to it. I feel therefore the utmost importance to be attached to putting the whole Central Office work in this case in the hands of one man who will have nothing else to concern himself with. Neither you or I or Mr Williamson can do this, I therefore put it in the hands of Chief Inspector Swanson who must be acquainted with every detail. I look upon him for the time being as the eyes and ears of the Commissioner in this particular case.
He must have a room to himself, and every paper, every document, every report, every telegram must pass through his hands. He must be consulted on every subject. I would not send any directions anywhere on the subject of the murder without consulting him. I give him the whole responsibility. On the other hand he should consult Mr Williamson, you, or myself on every important particular before any action unless there is some extreme urgency.
I find that a most important letter was sent to Division yesterday without his seeing it. This is quite an error and should not occur again. All the papers in Central Office on the subject of the murder must be kept in his room and plans of the positions etc.
I must have this matter at once put on a proper footing so as to be a guide for the future in cases of importance.
Everything depends upon a careful compliance with these directions.
Every document, letter received or telegram on the subject should go to his room before being directed and he should be responsible for its being directed where necessary. This is to avoid the possibility of documents being delayed or action retarded.

There is nothing here about Swanson making any executive decisions or being in operational control of anything. His office is a clearing house through which documents come in to Scotland Yard and go out to the Divisions. He does not initiate the directives although as he is in a position to know more about what’s going on he should be consulted for the benefit of his specific specialised knowledge.
Someone who is the ‘eyes and ears’ is not in charge.
The ‘whole responsibility’ that Swanson has according to this document is for collating and directing paperwork – incoming and outgoing. The aim was to improve the efficiency with which the case was being dealt.

[Chris]

There’s the letter from R Warren dated 16th April 1981.
A remittance advice dated 14th May 1981.
And another letter dated 1st October 1987 also from Robert Warren
All these documents were provided to you by the Swanson family, so no I do not think you photoshopped them.
s I said before it is a great pity that all these documents were not released at an earlier date.

If all the known Van Gogh (I knew he had a connection somewhere along the line) paintings came from one source, and new ones kept appearing every so often, then it would be sensible for the art world to proceed with extreme caution and to examine these paintings in minute detail to ensure they are genuine.

But in this case we have two sets of documents from separate sources which back each other up 100%. We have the correspondence from the Swanson family and the memo and draft article from the Crime Museum.

So what exactly are you trying to suggest?

[Casebook Wiki Editor]

In answer to an earlier point – it is blatantly and manifestly obvious that having the Marginalia version of ‘The Lighter Side of My Official Life’ in the Scotland Yard Museum massively increases its provenance as does its appearance on ‘Jack the Ripper – the Definitive Story’. Both testified to its historical importance and significance, and that it was genuine.

I have no idea how you came to that conclusion.

Please elaborate as to how its exhibition enhances provenance.

[Lechmere]

Adam

There’s the letter from R Warren dated 16th April 1981.
A remittance advice dated 14th May 1981.
And another letter dated 1st October 1987 also from Robert Warren
All these documents were provided to you by the Swanson family, so no I do not think you photoshopped them.
Mr Warren died in January 2009.
As I said before it is a great pity that all these documents were not released at an earlier date.

If all the known Van Gogh (I knew he had a connection somewhere along the line) paintings came from one source, and new ones kept appearing every so often, then it would be sensible for the art world to proceed with extreme caution and to examine these paintings in minute detail to ensure they are genuine.
Using documents that come from the same source to validate other documents is not sound.

In the scheme of things ‘Ripperology’ is not of world-wide importance but I guess it is important to people in this field of study. Hence it is important that all loose ends are cleared up. It is not my purpose to point the finger at anyone – contrary to earlier claims.
However if a load of documents are suddenly released it is important that they are scrupulously validated if they are to be taken seriously.
I think I have demonstrated that these documents have not been scrupulously validated – they have been taken on trust, which actually isn’t good for all sides involved.

We are all human and I can see how it can be difficult to press the point without seeming rude and accordingly act as if treading on egg shells. Hence the following telling passage:

“The use of different pencils is in the address book is reminiscent of Stewart Evans’s thoughts on viewing the Marginalia at his July 2000 meeting with Jim:
“Sitting on the sofa with Keith I then inspected the marginalia with a powerful magnifying glass. I was immediately struck by the fact that the writing in the bottom margin, patently very old in appearance, was in grey pencil but with a sort of purple tinge and was clearly indented. This was in stark contrast with the writing on the rear endpaper which was in a different pencil entirely – a pale hue, larger writing and not impressed on the page as was the other writing. I said, “Take a look at this Keith, the writing at the rear of the book is in a different pencil.” Immediately thinking that Mr Swanson may have interpreted this as a suggestion that it was a later addition in someone else’s hand, I added, rather obviously, “Perhaps he used a different pencil when he wrote that.” Keith looked at it and agreed with me that I was correct. In fact it was not even necessary to use the glass to see the difference. Mr Swanson made no comment.”

This is not conducive to the rigorous testing of documents.

In answer to an earlier point – it is blatantly and manifestly obvious that having the Marginalia version of ‘The Lighter Side of My Official Life’ in the Scotland Yard Museum massively increases its provenance as does its appearance on ‘Jack the Ripper – the Definitive Story’. Both testified to its historical importance and significance, and that it was genuine.

[Simon Wood]

Hi Bridewell,

Go here -

http://forum.casebook.org/showthread.php?p=226432

Post #101 details Swanson's duties and working hours during the Whitechapel murders investigation.

Regards,

Simon

[Bridewell]

Swanson

Hunter
That doesn't sound like being put in operational charge - which is the usual claim.
It means his seniors will consult him as he has the information. It does not mean he will operationally control the investigation on the ground. That is what it would mean if Swanson was in operational control.

"It does not mean he will operationally control the investigation on the ground."

On the contrary, that's exactly what it means.

Warren was in overall charge of the Metropolitan Police. Anderson was in overall charge of the CID. Swanson was placed in overall charge of the Whitechapel Murder enquiry (on the written instructions of Sir Charles Warren). Anderson could be seen as the titular head, but he played no active part in the investigation.

Regards, Bridewell.

[AdamNeilWood]

Hmmm - just about possible as an explanation but not likely.

Well, I can only suggest possibilities. Whether it's likely or not is your opinion.

May I ask if anyone has obtained any independent corroboration from the news of the world themselves that any of the news of the world related documents actually came from them in the first place.

I would have said that letters on a News of the World letterhead, bearing the signature of the News Editor Robert Warren, is pretty clear evidence, unless you think I Photoshopped it and forged his signature.

Regarding the unused article, Charles Sandell died in 1987, otherwise I'd have made contact with him. As I said in the Ripperologist article, it's unknown how and why Sandell's piece ended up in the Crime Museum. If I had any strong idea I'd have published it.

What size paper were the 'jack' pages typed on - it doesn't look like foolscap or a4 - which one might expect for a draft article.

The pages found by Keith were a photocopied version, with the original page edges visible. On some the top-left corner is folded, indicating this article was stapled when the copying was done. It looks as if they were copied at a reduced size. I reduced them further to fit on the A4 Ripperologist page and into the framed image box.

Adam

[Chris]

Hmmm - just about possible as an explanation but not likely.

Why do you think it's not likely?

[Lechmere]

Hmmm - just about possible as an explanation but not likely.
May I ask if anyone has obtained any independent corroboration from the news of the world themselves that any of the news of the world related documents actually came from them in the first place.

What size paper were the 'jack' pages typed on - it doesn't look like foolscap or a4 - which one might expect for a draft article.