The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-12-07
IEs Put ON
LM N, eREeoRY
I TELLS CONGRESS
Attorney general Makes An
nual Report of His Work

WASHINGTON. Dee 7,--Only the
cold figures showing the results of the
work Of the depattpent Of justice in
coping with German plotters In this
country are given in Attorney General
Crssosy's annual report submitted to-
day to congress- None Of the details
Of the operations Of the secret service
Of that department touching almost
every condition from the romantic to
the sordid are disclosed Most of those
must necessarily remain untold until
the end OF the war, when a set Of vol
umes rivaling the most exciting tales
Of fiction might be written from them.
The attorney generals report merely
tells Tho story OF the results in the
figures Of prison sentences which the
agents OF German intrigue now are
serving in federal pcnitentarics,
New Laws Protective.
In dealing with the enemies within.
the department. has found that the es-
picuagc law, the trading with the
enemy act and the prosecution OF Sc
di,ious conspiracy have been fruitful
Of results.
The governments hands have been
materially strengthened so that 1t now
has power TO deal with disturbing NAL.
contents" says the attorney generals
report
Nv. W, Cited as Proof.
"The prosecution OF William d. Hay
wood and other leaders OF the So-cAllcd
Industrial Workers VI the World 10 the
number OF more than $50 in the north
em district OF Illinois is an instance
OF how these laws may be employed
for the public protection in this time OF
stress. The effect OF these prosecutions
b already having far reaching and
highly beneficial influence towards the
maintenance OF order and obedience to
law throughout the country"
After dealing with the war activities
sf ne department the attorney general
passes on to Recommendations concern
inG the civil laws OF the nation.
Would Shelvs Judges.
Also the attorney general renews his
Recommendations for provision OF
law attended to benefit the federal
courts, 1t would provide that when a
federal Judge reaches the age OF 20
years and refuses to avail himself Of
She retirement already provided by Lawn
the president shall be authorized to ap-
pciat another Judge fot the SAME dis
!, trict to take precedence over the older
ono.
Under existing law there is no legal
penalty for sending threatening letters
through the mails unless 10 accomp'
plish extortion or as part of mesn'
to defraud. Mr.. Gregory recommend
legislation to make Il crime The
statute Of limitations for criminal pros
ecufion in bankruptcy cases, now one
year, the attorney general regards as
having defeated justice in some cases
and Ne recommends that II be extended
to three years.
8 Sslfishssss Net Punishable
In the enforcement Of the antitrust
laws the attorney general says, the de-
partment has been confronted by pc
cuiiar conditions brought OUT by the
var. There were two broad limitations
on the power Of the department
Increases OF price. br0ight about not
BY agreement, conspiracy or monopoly
but by the common selfish impulse oI
traders to take advantage of the extra
ordinary condition Of the times, are moi
punishable under the antitrust laws
the ryport says, no maNer how. com
pletely lacking they may be OF economic
Justification or how extortionate.
Sales Of commodities by retailers Il
consumers generally fall outside Of in
terstste commerce and therefore arc no
within the purview Of the federal laws
Within such limitations, Attorne'
General Gregory says, the department
of Justice has utilized lis full energy