The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-23
FBI Obtains 1924
Convictions In Year
Director j. Edgar Hoover Reviews Activities Achieve.
ments; Great Increase in Many Types of Crime

The accomplishments Of the Fed
eral Bureau Of Investigation for the
fiscal year 1913, which ended June
30th, exceeded those of any previ-
GUS year.
Director j. Edgar Hoover stated
that during the year 10,294 convic-
lions resulted from FBI investiga-
tons as compared with total OF
7,448 convictions in the previous
year. Total sentences imposed ag-
gregated 24624 years, months and 6
days, 3 life and 7 death, while last
year the sentences totaled 1873
years, 6 months and 4 days, 8 life,
and / death. Convictions resulted
during the year in 95.8 per cent OF
the cases investigated by the FBI
which were brought to trial. The
keynote OF FBI war work has been
the safeguarding of the American
home front against the spy, saboteur,
and other foreign agents. Spy rings
have been broken up and efforts OF
foreign directed saboteurs have
been thus far ineffective.
Despite the fact that the major
portion OF the Bureaus work In the
fiscal years just ended was devoted
to investigations directly connected
with the war effort, the report re-
veals that the F'BI continued to give
vigorous attention to the usual Grim
NAL violations within its jurisdic-
ton such as White Slave Traffic Act,
National Motor Vehicle Theft Act
and Bank Robbery.
The excellent cooperation received
from local law enforcement organ
izations throughout the country was
cited, as we'll as the splendid sup
port of private citizens in reporting
un-American activities to the FBI
throughout the year. This cooper
alton and support must continue,
1t was pointed out, If the war on
the home front is to succeed.
Alien Enemies
The FBI vigorously pursued Its
program of rounding up enemy
aliens during the fiscal year just
ended. BY June 30, total of 14,432
alien enemies had been taken into
custody by the FBI and cooperating
local officers. OF these, $685. were
Germans; 1924, Japanese; $3.50,
Italians; and % were Hungarians,
Rumanians and Bulgarians. Many
of those arrested have been released
or paroled by Alien Enemy Hearing
Boards upon furnishing evidence Of
their loyalty to the United States,
and in other instances were re-
leased following their arrest after
they had satisfactorily explained the
suspicious circumstances.
"Spot'' searches for contraband
material prohibited by Presidential
Proclamation were conducted of the
premises of alien enemies during the
period. Among the items seized were
1922 guns of all descriptions. 260, 900
rounds OF ammunition, 2,340 sticks
Of dynamite, $500 cameras Of all
types, 2,625 short-wave radio receiv-
ing sets, and over 10000 swords,
bayonets and similar weapons.
Espionage
L ~Cl5llu ENAoSAio WSAS WA
victed OF espionage or for failure
to register as foreign agents during
the fiscal year 1913, with the impo-
sition OF sentences totaling 255 years.
Other cases are currently under In
vestigation and several prosecutions
were pending as the year ended. 1t
wa sstressed that the reports furn-
ished by American citizens have as
sisted UNNECESSARILY in the appre-
hension of those engaged in espion-
age activities.
Illegal Wearing Of Uniform
The violation of illegal wearing OF
the uniform of the armed forces was
described as being particularly dan
gerous to the country's security.
There were 429 convictions in 1912.
Private citizens were warned against
making any information pertaining
to the war program available TO a
person in uniform unless he carries
with him other positive Identified
ton.
May Act
Enforcement of the May Act,
which was designed to protect the
health, welfare, and efficiency Of
men in the armed forces by elm
mating prostitution near Army and
Navy establishments, resulted in 553
convictions and sentences totaling
GIG years, 2 months and % days.
The Act has been invoked by the
War Department in areas surround