Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-03-07
In TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT
BY PAUL y. COLLINS

Judging from the way in which
serious-minded statesmen and scien-
fists have turned to detective stories
for relaxation, it is not surprising
that the public generally is prone to
surround the work Of the secret serv-
ice with highly colored romance and
mystery Of the most thrilling nature.
Detective work in actual life re-
sembles the detective stories about as
closely as a stage reporter with pen
Gil and notebook in hand button
holing a statesman, a society lady
and a murderer in promiscuous and
undiscriminating succession resem-
bIes the hardworking newsgatherer
in actual Journalism. What Is the
secret service Of the Department OF
Justice?
Until 1908 the only federal secret
service was connected with the
Treasury Department. It's operators
were often borrowed by the Depart
ment of Justice. but the main work
was to look after counterfeiters and
protect the person of the President.
That continues to be the work Of the
Treasury's secret service.
In 1908 there were members OF Con-
gress who could see behind every
tree In the parks g. spy OF the gov
eminent watching and prying into
their goings and comings. Condi-
lions were compared to those OF the
French revolutionary days. when
spies were everywhere. A new Ma
POLICEMAN American relative OF the
Little Corporal-Attorney General
Bonaparte. inspired the establish
ment Of the secret service OF the De-
partment of Justice. when, in his an
nual report Of 1907, he pointed out
the necessity Of looking into facts OF
crime other than monetary. He was
vigorously supported by the First
Consul" Of his day, President Roose-
Welt, and the result was the inclusion
in the sundry civil appropriation act.
May Is, 1908. Of the first specific ap-
preparation to organize and maintain
the secret service Of the Department
Of Justice. A paragraph in Attor-
ney General Wickersham's report Tor
1909 was as follows:
"A few days before July /, 1908,
under the direction of my predeces-
sor, the first active steps were taken
toward the organization in this de-
partment Of q comprehensive investi.-
cation service, for the purpose OF
collecting evidence for the use or the
government in cases pending or
about to be commenced in the fed
efa ms1 a aea aig anr sna sna
as the business Of the
might require"
The personnel of the bureau or In
vestigation," as 1t was officially desig-
mated, consisted of twenty-five agents
and twelve examiners. The number
has increased. year after year, until
today there Is an agent covering
every community throughout the
United States, and reporting to dis
trict chief in each Of some fifty dis
tricts. How many such investigators
there are is one of the secrets"
There are not enough, in view OF the
rapid increase Of crime, particularly
of communism and radicalism, but the
several hundred at work are thor
ough1y organized and used most eff
flcient1y. Each operator reports daily
not only to his district chief. but,
through the chief, to headquarters In
Washington. His report Is scrutinized
In both aof{ices- and his work checked
for thoroughness and intelligence.
~A ~ ,krk -
The once Of the service receives
d.ily many letters regarding alleged
crimes. None b overlooked. not even
anonymous letterz. 50
In cases of white slavery" from
June. 1910, to Judy 1. 1928. there have
been 3,912 convictions. with fines