Evening star., 1941-01-08
$4,000 Local Police
Use F. B. !. Tactics
To Curb Spies
They Help Federal Agents
Handle Flood Of Tips
From Citizens
BY EDWARD e. WILCOX.

BY EDWARD Z. WILCOX.
One day last May the Federal Bu-
reau of Investigation received 2871
complaints having to do with sus-
pected espionage, sabotage or ma
tional defense in general.
They came from disturbed citi-
zens, honest and loyal, who thought
the man around the corner was a
Nazi; who feared there was a ne
farious foreign society meeting in
a neighborhood cellar or that some
body was going to blow up a ship
yard.
This particular day is taken to
show the increase in tips OF this
sort. During the fiscal year 1899
the F. B. l. had only 1851 such
cases, and during the previous year
there were only $50.
For obvious reasons, not too much
can be told about what happens
after an F. B, I. phone jangles or
letter comes in and information
Is placed in the hands of Uncle
Sam. But plenty happens.
Facts discussed herein were
gathered from John Edgar Hoover,
director of the F. E. 1.-The inves-
tigating arm of the Department
Of Justice-from other authorized
agents and from records Of the
bureau.
New Approach to Problem.
First, the Government approach
to the spy-saboteur problem is diff
ferent from the approach Of the
first World War. Between 1914
and 1917 no fewer than 20 investi-
eating agencies Of the Government
were struggling with the menace Of
spies, saboteurs and foreign agents.
But on September 6, 1899, Presi-
dent Roosevelt called for a co-ordi-
mated system on a national scale,
with its heart beating in the F. B.
is busy Office building in WASH
ington.
At that time. Mr.. Hoover said, he
had only $50 agents and in his opin-
ion they already were carrying a
heavier case load than any other
investigating force in the country.
1--WE had to have more help" the
director related I'VE were en-
barking on a campaign of titanic
proportions, but at the same time
We couldn't afford to let any of our
regular work get out of hand. AS
always, the President and the At
torney General and Congress were
extremely helpful. We were given
an emergency authorization to effect
an immediate increase in our field
forces"
Force Numbers Over 1880.
Today there is a force of more
than 1900 men working in the field
or in Washington. The training
period for rookie agents has been
telescoped from Is to 6 weeks, with
the F. B. I. Training School oper-
ating from 9 am. to 9 pm. so the
same course can be given in the
shorter time.
There are SO field divisions scat
tered from coast to coast and III
Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico,
These include new divisions in
Juneau. Alaska; San Juan, Puerto
Rico, and Honolulu. and also in
Albany, Baltimore, Grand Rapids.
Houston, New Haven, Phoenix, San
Diego and Savannah.
Not only do all these operatives
cooperate with other agencies of
the Federal Government and with
the various States and territories.
but local police authorities have been
modified to weave into the F. B. I.
protective system.
AS early as 1885 Director Hoover
got the idea of founding a national
police academy to give F. B. I.
training to picked men in police de-
partments all over the country.
Since then SIS men have taken the
academy courses and have gone back
to their communities to act as in
structorS. AS result. it is esti-
mated that F. B. I. methods have
been unfolded to some $4,000 local
peace officers.
Refresher Courses Given.
more immediate step in pro-
tecting the country against espio-
mage and sabotage was taken when
1t was decided to recall agents to
Washington on rotating system
to refrain them in national defense
work. These men attend refresher
classes to study the methods of
spies and saboteurs and to study up
on chemistry, bacteriology, explo-
sives, document examination and
codes.
Another important improvement
has been the tightening of statutes
under which the investigators and
prosecuting authorities work.
Now in recent months there have
been many reports of suspected
sabotage or espionage. Most serious
industrial accidents are accom-
panied by rumors of that sort. And
patriotic citizens, whose motives are
above question, often wonder at the
lew arrests. In view of the complex
ana far-fiung system for protecting
the country against spies and mis-
.chlef-makers, they ask, why don't
we near more about prosecutions
and the imposition of penalties pro-
vlded in the law?
According to Mr.. Hoover. there is
no foundation for stories of fan
taStlc plots to cripple Americas in
oustrlal plants. The F. B. I. director
says that not one case has proved
10 be the work Of foreign agent
thus Tar.