The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-01
.SELF-MADE HUNTERS
OF SPIES BARRED
Official Sanction Refused to
Volunteer Bodies by
Palmer.
Special Despatch 10 TEE Sun.

WASHINGTON, March 3I.-Attorney-
General Palmer in an ofiieial statement
to-day made it plain that the Depart
ment Of Justice in the future would not
become involved with any private or
ganization. volunteer or otherwise, for
the enforcement of the law.
Though IL is not mentioned in the
statement, difficulties over Stacker raids
last fall are regarded as a swaytng in
huence in decision which is directed al
o new body OF volunteers organized to
AID the Government In law enforcement
The Department. the Attorney General
says, will welcome all outside aid and
will act upon all tips. but no oflcial
status will be given any outside body or
its representatives.
Oners OF Assistance.
During the last two months my De.
partment has received communications
from a number OF private organizations
calling attention to the fact that they
have been formed for the purpose OF sys-
tematically detecting violations of the
Law. and of courteously offering to sup
ply the Department Of Justice with in
formation OF this character gathered by
partment to have any connection. ON.
cial or semi-official. with these orgsniza-
tons This Department welcomes at all
times information which Is germane to
It's work from whatever source it may
come.
at has been the traditional policy or
this department, however, grounded on
sound reasons. not to confer its sanction
upon private organizations and rot 10
afah Itch Nhn,,
Official or seml-official character. The
only exception to this long established
policy, IL 1t can be called an exception,
was the formation during the war Of the
American Protective League, which was
organized with the approval OF the AZ
torney- General and operated under the
direct supervision OF the bureau OF in
vestigation OF this Department.
During the war there was need for
such an organization auxiliary to this
Department. and the members OF the
American Protective League rendered
service Of the greatest value. Neverthe-
less my predecessor, Attorney-Gene-a
Gregory, requested that this organize ton
be dtsbanded, and in confornance to
his wishes II went out OF existence on
February /.
Blow at L. s. Theories.
1T was this view, in which I heartily
concur, that no organization even OF this
type should receive official recognition
rom this Department in tines Of peace.
Espionage conducted by private ird-
viduals or organizations Is entirely at
variance with our theories OF govern
nent and its operation in any commu-
nifty constitutes a grave menace to that
feeling of public confidence. which is ire
chief force making for the maintenance
of good order Furthermore on renec-
ton 1t must be obvious to every one that
for Government agency to maintain
any relationship whatever with privateN
bodies engaged in this work would in
the end result in impairing the CON
ndence OF the public In the dis.nterest-
edness and impartiality Of Government
Investigations.
Il fully realize the patriotic and high
minded motives with which these or
ganizations have been formed and which
have animated them in making proffers
of assistance to this department. but
am constrained to say frankly that I
fear the work OF these private orsaniza-
tions may produce harmful results
therefore feel compelled TO instruct the
various officials % this Department rot
to enter into any relationship with them