Evening star., 1942-10-18

cations have yet to be completed, and q
few new complaints are still being re-
ceived. Congress appropriated 100000
last year for the investigation of Federal
employees who are members of sub
versive organizations or advocate the
overthrow of the Federal Government"
and for the current fiscal year has ear
marked 100000 for this purpose.
Washington "Angles"
A good part Of the time of agents In
the Washington Field Division is devoted
TO gathering information needed by FBI
offices in other cities. A case in Cali
fornia or Maine often has Washington
'angle," and before an arrest can be
made the agent working on case in
other cities will often require docnmen-
tary material from the capital. Highly
important, this phase of the work of the
Washington office is nevertheless little
known to the public.
The FBI Washington office maintains
close liaison with the Metropolitan
Police Department. A typical illustra-
tration of collaboration was the Joint
investigation made by local FBI agents
and Metropolitan police officers follow
ing the robbery of the Prince Georges
County Bank g. Trust Co. at Hyatts-
vile in September, 1941. The bulk of
the investigative work which led to the
arrest of the robbers was conducted in
the District. Since the jurisdiction of
the Washington Offices does not extend
beyond the limits of the District, the ac-
tual arrests We're made by agents as
signed to other Offices. The trial of the
robbers was held in Baltimore.
visitor to the five-story building that
houses the Washington Field Division
will probably see only dozen or 30
agents at their desks, unless big case
Is breaking. For most of the agents.
like reporters in a newspaper office will
be carrying on their work away from
headquarters, keeping an eye on persons
suspected OF subversive activities, finding
Violators Of the Selective Service Act. or
checking the history and background of
an applicant for employment by a war
agency.
Once assigned to a case, an agent
usually stays with that case until its
final disposition. Not infrequently, an
investigation will require the services of
several or more G-men.
Ready for EMERGENCIES
The FBI is a highly mobile force. and
the personnel assigned to the Washing
ton Field Division varies in size from
month to month, depending on the
amount Of work currently on hand. Of
f1cials in charge of the Washington ONCE
say that all of the agents, If their serv-
ices are needed, could be modified in an
hour or two. For every agent, when he
checks out OF the building, leaves his
telephone number, so that he may be
quickly reached in an emergency. The
local force could be reinforced in few
minutes by scores Of agents from FBI
headquarters in the Justice Department.
The Washington ofice maintains
regular messenger service to and from
FBI headquarters, and the FBI scientific
laboratory and other facilities for the
detection Of crime are readily available
for use by its personnel. The local office,
however, maintains its own records and
archives, covering the Investigations con-
Quoted by its agents.
Don't be surprised, If you pass 1897
K street late at night, to find the lights
still burning brightly. For the Washing
ton Office operates around the clock, and
aightfall brings with it no curfew.
With the country fighting q war for
survival, against bold and resourceful
enemies, protection against espionage,
sabotage and subversive attacks depends
n considerable degree on the alertness
If the ordinary citizen. So District resi-
tents would do well to jot down the
telephone number Of the Washington
Field Division. II you have information
to pass on to the FBI. or uncover some
thing that seems to demand investisa-
tive attention. call Republic 5226.