Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-11
UNDUE ACTIVITY ALLEGED
Attorney General Decides Upon
Thorough Investigation.
MAY COME BEFORE CONGRESS
Charges of Persecution Brought by
United States Attorneys and
Other Officials.

Attorney General Wickersham has de-
cided upon shake-up in the bureau of
investigation of his department, and be-
cause of his known intentions there is no
small amount of uneasiness in that bu-
reau. Not only is Mr.. Wickersham to
make Investigations of the work of the
bureau to ascertain whether or not its
officers and employees have been devoting
themselves properly to their duties, but
it is said to be the purpose of the dem
ocrats of the House, when Congress again
reassembles, to dig into the situation.
Complaints about the operations of the
bureau have been made to Senator
Borah of the third degree committee
of the Senate. and he has also indicated
that he may summon witnesses and learn
just what the bureau has been doing.
This bureau of Investigation of the De-
partment of Justice has within few
years developed into an important and
far-reaching establishment. Without any
particular authority of law, 1t is claimed,
1t has assumed powers and duties which
Whether the contemplated shake-up is
to extend to the personnel of the bureau
or cutting of it's powers or both, Off
cials of the Department of Justice would
not say. All they admitted today was
that Attorney General Wickersham has
already called in Stanley w. Finch, chief
of the bureau, and Bruce Bielaski, as
sistant chief, and discussed some fea-
lures of the situation with them.
Persecution Alleged. Il
1t is said to have been the intention
of the Attorney General for some time
to take up the bureau and it's affairs,
owing to complaints made to him from
various directions. but as he was en-
gagged on other matters he deferred ac-
tion until yesterday when there was
brought before him the case of Warren
middle district of Alabama.
Mr.. Reese is said to have had some pc
culiar experiences with the examiners and
special agents of this bureau, and the
such as to make him feel that more or
less persecution had been indulged In
against this official. After going over a
report placed before him by Assistant At
torney General Harr Mr.. Wickersham
exonerated Mr.. Reese of all charges filed
against him by the bureau and directed
that In the future he bureau refrain
from making Investigations of United
States marshals and district attorneys
unless directed in each particular case
by him.
This allegation against Mr.. Reese was
the third filed against him since he has
been district attorney of the middle dis
trict Of Alabama, and in each case he has
been exonerated when submitting the
matter directly to the Attorney General.
The principal charge against Mr. Reese,
brought by examiners of the bureau, was
using his official position for private gain
in his private law practice. Certain fam
lily affairs, relating to lawsuit pending.
were also dragged into the matter.
Other Gases Similar.
Mr.. Reese's case is said to be parallel
to that of a number of other United
States attorneys. especially in the
south. Examiners are charged with
voluntarily beginning Investigations
against officials upon the slightest
hearsay reports brought against them. |
The result has been that Mr.. Wicker
sham has been kept busy for months
hearing charges against officials, most
of them being dismissed Examiners
of the bureau. it is said have arro-
gated authority to themselves to a de- |
gree that has interfered in the prosecu-
tion of cases directly under the United
States attorneys. When they have not
succeeded in having their way in dictat-
ing the course to pursue it is claimed. |
they have later shown animosity and
their reports to the bureau have been
unpleasant.
The bureau is said to have developed
a regular detective establishment, and it's
conduct based upon the theory that every
United States attorney or marshal is a
crook until his record Is shown to be per-
fectly clear. The interference with the
work of United States attorneys has gone
to the point of dictation as to what grand
jurors should or should not sit on certain
cases. and great dissatisfaction has been
shown where cases did not turn out to
suit the examiners
In some Instances, it is claimed, United
States attorneys have been doubtful how
to proceed to keep from offending the ex-
aminers and the bureau, and they have
been compelled to show much Difference
s-l-~-
tions to the department. and otherwise.
Previous Practice Changed.
Eight years ago. before the trusts began
to be handled with such vigor by the
government, the bureau # investigation
was regarded as a rather small affair,
devoted entirely to routine examinations
Of United States attorneys, marshals,
clerks, etc, connected with the Depart
ment of Justice. 1t was rare that in
vestigations of charges against officials
were conducted by the bureau. Where
these charges were against presidential
appointees, like attorneys and marshals,
the investigations were conducted by as
sstant attorneys general and the So
licitor. When the pursuit of the trusts
was begun and Congress began to make
these concerns the bureau developed into
big concern. Unearthing facts about
trusts brought into employment more
than 100 men, all under Mr.. Finch. The
regular work of the bureau was also con-
| tinued.
1t is often the case, 1t is said, that
| United States attorney wants an ex-
| aminer to hunt up facts in criminal
case the government has, and he must
| call upon the bureau of investigation for
| a man. This detective work has grown
| until 1t has come to be one of wide di-
mensions. Attorneys and marshals con-
cir Object f9
being turned upon them without substan-
| tial reason, and merely to bring charges
| TO get an official out OF office.
There is said to be an instance where
| an examiner sought to make a United
States attorneys stenographer a spy upon
him, and false to her trust, promises be-
ing made. Ii is alleged, that If she would
assist in getting 1.-The goods" on the Off
ciai she would be cared for in Washing
ton by a fine civil service position.
Post Office Safe Looted.