About three years ago the New York Tribune wrote, asking if it would be possible to get a story of the State Police. As a result of the correspondence which followed Mr. F. F. Van de Water called upon me in Albany, and after talk ing with him it occurred to me that if he would don the uniform of a trooper, live at one of our barracks, and ride about on patrol he could get the spirit of the organization, study its personnel, and be able to write understandingly of it. Since then he has spent his vacations with us, for he was so popular with the men that I made him an Honorary Trooper, he being the only man holding such a warrant. He has passed a good deal of time with the members of this com mand and probably knows more about this department than anyone who is not a salaried member.