Evening star., 1937-01-17
ShOwnan's Art Found
In Records of Crime
Department of Justice Discloses Reasons
Why It's Activities Bring Profits for People
Who Are Served in Many Directions
Bv Bernard K0hn.

"ENSE drama Of Uncle Sans
Triumphant war against crime
thrills thousands OF tourists TO
Il the Department Of Justices
specta cular crime does not pay
show here In Washington. Ever since
its inception two years ago this unique
exhibition has been expanded and
improved until today visitors acclaim
It a masterpiece of the showmans
art. During this time nearly 100000
peorle, from all over the world, have
been guests OF the G-men.
Throughout the year mighty pro-
cessions pour into the magnincent
Department OF Justice edifice to view
the dramatic presentation. Here visit
crs see the worlds largest collection
cf criminal records and the greatest
sc1entific crime laboratories. From
distant and widely varied sources the
Government has gathered the au-
thentic exhibits-death-dealing guns
bulletproof vests. f1ngerprints, news
cartoons, colorful maps and intricate
Instruments.
PEOPLE from all walks Of life show
vital interest in the tour sponsored by
the Federal Bureau Of Investigation
known by every one as the F. B. l.
This trip through the F. B. 1. head
quarters have proved 80 engrossing to
Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt that sne
recently visited the exhibition = sec
ond time. Many foreign officials come
here to study Uncle Sans modern
methods Of combating crime. Con-
ecientious citizens marvel at the phe-
nomenal success won by the G-men
In the past few years. and here small
boys realize their ambition Ito see
real Oman"
In the spacious reception room on
the fifth floor OF the Department OF
Justice courteous, efficient young men
the r. B. rs official hosts-greet
the sight-seers. In this room are ex-
hibited the rifles and bulletproof vest
once used by John Dillinger, while his
death mask recalls the downfall OF
this notorious gangster.
In sharp contrast to this grim dis
plsy Is the collection Of hundreds Of
news cartoons which graphically
depict the activities of the G-men.
By glancing through these original
drawings the citizens follow the story
OF Uncle Sans relentless battle
against the crime wave that swept the
country and his ultimate victory.
These sketches, autographed and pre-
sented by the Nations leading artists,
form the greatest cartoon collection
Of its kind in the world.
r EAvING the soft-carpeted recep-
ton room. the party proceeds to
the next exhibit Here the guide
points to q huge map Of the United
States, which is divided into 81 dis
tricts. Each district has a strategically
located field office with special agent
In charge. The work Of all the offices
Is co-ordinated by Director j. Edgar
Hoover in Washington.
Contrary to popular belief, individ-
ual agents do not trail criminals all
over the country. The 625 special
agents who cover the United States
are assigned to certain districts. When
q pursued outlaw escapes from one
district to another the supervising
agent forwards all clues to the next
Office. which, in turn. takes up the
chase Any of the field offices scat
tered throughout the land can COM
municate with each other within IL
minutes by means of teletype.
Tourists are surprised to learn that
only per cent OF the G-men's duties
involve physical danger. Although
the Federal agent has gained unpar-
slleled fame for his ability to outwit
and outshoot public enemies, most OF
the investigative work is Of . less
spectacular nature.
F. B. L agents are rigidly trained
to investigate over so varied types OF
law violations. Applicants who aspire
to represent Uncle Sam as special
agents are required to have law or ac-
countancy degrees. In this fact lies
the secret Of the G-men's proficiency
They readily recognize worthwhile
evidence and present 1t to juries In
convincing fashion. Ninety-seven pei
cent Of all F. B. I. prosecutions have
resulted in convictions, much to the
dismay OF the criminal population Of
the Nation. This record Is one which
is unequaled by any other law-en.
forcement agency. not only in the
United States, but anywhere in the
whole world.
International cooperation between
law-enforcement agencies is strikingly
presented by the display of the identi-
fcation unit of the bureau. Upon
the wall two brightly colored maps
representing the world mark the To-
cation of all agencies contributing
fingerprints to the F. B. I. Seventy
eight foreign countries exchange
criminals records with Uncle Sam
thus making life more dif1icult for
international crooks. In all, 10000
law enforcement agencies forward
prints to the Federal Bureau Of In
vestigation.
A steadily flashing light in this ex-
hibit represents the rate fingerprint
records from all over the earth pour
into the Department Of Justice. Daily
approximately $500 finger impress
sions are added to Uncle Sans ever
expandinz treasure house Of crime in