Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-24

ately be determined of any persons
deemed to require attention.
One of the bureaus heaviest tasks is
that of winnowing out "tips" received
from private informants. In 1888 it re-
ceived only $50 complaints which rose
to 1851 in 1889. During this year it has
been swamped under as many as 1000 in
one day. j. Edgar Hoover estimated re-
Gently that by December 81 the total for
the year would amount to $4,000 COM
plants. The aid of private tipsters is
encouraged by the bureau
GMen Advise Factories.
While its limited staff does not permit
policing of industrial plants by Omen,
the bureau undertakes to advise fac
tories engaged in war orders as to means
of defense. 1t has made studies of 800
such establishments out of possible H.
600. These counsels are embodied in
plant protection manual, which until
recently was one of the Governments
most secret documents. Its circulation
was confined to F. B. 1. agents and Of
ficers of Army and Navy Intelligence
Now it is being impaired, under seal of
confidence, to the arrangements of key
industries and to police officials active
in defense work
Like all secret documents, the Plant
Protection Manual has given occasion
for widespread speculation. 'Rumor has
it that employers are advised to finger
print employees and spy on their activi-
ties and associates by means of private
operatives. Spokesman for the Depart
ment of Justice deny that it contains
any dynamite for labor unions or civil
rights. Hints gathered from testimony
before congressional committees and ad-
dresses by responsible officials seem to
establish that, among other things, the
manual suggests methods of fire protec-
ton and for safeguarding documents and
plans: urges that visitors to war indus
trial plants be closely scrutinized and
secrets of production entrusted only to
those whose Americanism is thoroughly
established; and directs that in a few
essential plants no aliens may be en-
ployed.
Would Curb Undue Zeal
The Department of Justice last April
vested in it sole power to authorize ar
rests and prosecutions under statutes re-
lating to neutrality, foreign enlistments,
treason, sedition, espionage, sabotage and
kindred offenSes. The unit is also de-
signed to act as curb on United States
district attorneys. many of whom during
the World War displayed undue zeal in
rushing before grand juries with de-
mands for indictments. This balance
of power in the Department should in
sure under its present organization that
the Department of Justice is in little
danger of becoming Gestapo or Ogpu,
which at once investigates, prosecutes
judges and executes. The chief of the
Neutrality Laws Unit is Lawrence N. C.
Smith, formerly associated with the
Philadelphia law firm of Roberts &
Montgomery, the senior partner of which
was Associate Justice Owen D. Roberts.
Until last May Mr.. Smith was associate
counsel of the investment studies of the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
One subject of agreement throughout
the Department of Justice is that there
must be no repetition of the American
Protective League of World War days.
This was semi-oficial organization of
private shoppers. rising to membership
Of about 25o,000. which was formed by
the Department of Justice. They were
unframed and undisciplined, and only
too eager to punish even the mildest acts
of conformity, including utterance
in foreign accents.
Defense cannot be handled by possess"
Director j. Edgar Hoover has said, cor
by citizen groups operating as vigilantes.
It is task for constituted law enforce
ment, not a matter to be taken into the
hands Of private citizens. OF course, we
need all the help citizens can give us.
But there is wide difference between
private assistance and private action.
One is Of great aid, the other tremen-
dous hindrance."