Almost 150 yrs ago, President Lincoln found it necessary to hire a private investigator - Mr. Alan Pinkerton.

The function that Pinkerton established actually was the beginning of the Secret Service.

Since that time federal police authority has grown to a large number of three-letter agencies - FBI, CIA, INS, IRS, DEA. Now comes a proposal for another agency: The "Airport Security Service."

Can't you see it now, the new service in their black outfits with their initials in large white letters across their backs?