The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1940-07-18

issued September 6, 1889, with
reference TO the investigation
of charges OF violations OF fed
eral laws relating to neutrality,
espionage, sabotage, subversive
activities and kindred OffenSeS.
The attorney general has been
requested by me to instruct the
federal bureau of investigation of
the department of justice to take
charge of investigative work in mat
tiers relating to espionage, sabotage,
and violations of the neutrality reg
ulations.
This task must be conducted in
a comprehensive and effective man
I ner on a national basis, and all in
formation must be carefully sifted
out and correlated in order to avoid
confusion and responsibility.
ITO this end | request all police
Officers, sheriffs, and all other law
enforcement officers in the United
States promptly to turn over to the
nearest representative of the federal
bureau of investigation any informa-
ton obtained by them relating to
espionage, counter-espionage, sabo-
tage, subversive activities, and vio-
lations of the neutrality laws
Noting that in connection with
the existing international situation,
United States attorneys and mar
shalls would doubtless receive con-
siderable information from individ-
uals and groups concerning espion-
age, sabotage, subversive and sim
liar activities in the United States,
its territories and possessions, u. S.
Attorney General Jackson pointed
out that a definite procedure has
been established under which the
citizens and the various law enforce
ment agencies each play an appro-
pirate part. In this respect the
instructions stated.
Duties OF Citizens
THE duty and functions of the
citizen is to report to local repre-
sentatives of the federal bureau Of
investigation all information relat-
ing to violations of the character
and not to engage in investigative
activity Relative thereto, United
States attorneys and marshals are
likewise requested to refer reports
information and any persons hav-
ing or claiming to have Information
of violations in this category to the
nearest representative or field Of
flee of the said bureau.
Instructions of Enforcement Officers
While the cooperation of every
citizen in turning over useful in.
formation to the federal bureau o.
investigation was welcomed, fed
eral law enforcement agencies were
instructed to discourage as for a!
possible individuals or groups from
. engaging in counter-espionage O.
activities of an investigative nature
Protection of Civil Liberties
The protection of the civil liber
ties of loyal and innocent citizen
and aliens, as well as the mainten
ance of sound public attitude, wa
emphasized, the instructions stat
. ing:
"While it is important that thos
engaged in illegal acts hostile to tn
!, best interests and welfare Of tn
American people be promptly de
tected and the country protected
. against their activities, it is equal.
important that the civil Liberties Q
!. loyal and innocent individuals b
not invaded. Care should b
taken to assure aliens of complet
and friendly protection under tn
law The law enforcement officer
of the federal government have i'm
portant responsibilities in helpin
to maintain a reasonable and heal
thy attitude on the part of citizen
of this country and in the turnin
of their energies and patriotism int
; useful and efficient channels
t The procedure contained in tn
; instructions in brief contemplate
! that the citizens function is to turl
| over all information relating to tn
existance of improper activities i
, this field to the federal bureau 0
investigation, whose Montana OF
flee is located in the federal build
ing at Butte. The federal burea
of investigation will collect and &C
as clearing house of information
I respecting violations, make neces
sary Investigations and Wheneve
! it appears that a violation of fed
! eral law may have been committee
will bring the circumstances to tn
attention of the United States al
torney in the district for the pun
pose of taking action.