Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-01-08

A8AO Az ACAAANAAAo q AAAJ ONOAJ Va 6SAAA-
even though its activities are ir
civil rights and the security of
the Nation.
Few know how the FBI oper-
ates. Few realize that in the
protection Of the country the
FBI also maintains rigid
around-the-clock system Of
checks and controls over its own
agents and their activities.
Checks Progress
Director j. Edgar Hoover can
and does pick up his telephone
and within a matter Of minutes
learn where an agent is at any
given time, the case on which
he is working and the progress
being made.
The control system works
in this fashion. The special
agents in charge Of the FBI's
So field divisions are considered
to be Mr.: Hoover's personal rep
resentatives. They are RESPONSE
BILE directly to him for the work
within the geographic area Of
their assignments. Each special
agent in charge has an assistant
"a position regarded as train
ing ground for the development
of future FBI executives.
FBI Offices, such as those in
New York, Chicago and Los
Angeles, have field supervisors
who direct the work of agents
and are responsible to the spe-
cial agent in charge and his
assistant.
Force Deployed
In the smaller cities surround
ing the field Offices, the FBI has
stationed some 1900 resident
agents who are responsible for
the work in given sub-sections
of the division. This distribution
of agents in strategic centers
gives the FBI a well-deployed
force which can move quickly
to any given place, saving time
and money.
At the main headquarters in
Washington, the operation is
highly integrated and central
lied. For example, all bank
robbery reports come to one
desk, where supervisors have the
responsibility for tying together
the investigative efforts in two,
three or perhaps a half-dozen
cities.
Perhaps the thieves operating
method in robbing Chicago
bank is recognized by a SUPER
visor as the identical method
used a few days earlier in Los
Angeles. There may be some
piece Of information known at
headquarters which ties a sus-
pect to a crime. This same OPP
Grating procedure is used in
espionage cases to tie together
widely separated operations and
to coordinate the agents work
Discipline Rigid
The agents are required to
telephone their home Offices at
intervals throughout the day ano
report their movements. Peri
odic reports are made on the
progress Of each investigation
and the progress is reflected or
the agents assignment cards.
Through more than 80 years
Mr.. Hoover has insisted or
discipline in the ranks Of the
FBI. This discipline is sternest
of course. in the special agent
force of some $500 men. Blu
it is also maintained among the
other 5000 employees. Obedience
to official regulations is demanded
to degree that is astonishing
to an outsider.
The reason for this obedience
is always clear to anyone WHIT
knows anything Of the undisci'
plined operations which almos
destroyed the bureau in the pre-
Hoover days.
Over and over, Mr.. Hoove
has stressed the point that ther'
must never be a scandal in tn,
operations Of the FBI. "One maj
can't build the FBI," he says
but one man can tear it down.
No Easy Life
The life Of a special agen
isn't an easy one. He knows HI
may be dismissed summaril,
from the service II he violates
certain rules. For example:
!. He cannot drink intox
icants while on duty. Even of
duty excessive use Of intoxicanti
is banned. since the agent is sub
ject to call at any time.
2. He cannot use a Govern
ment automobile for any purpos,
except official business.
3. He is forbidden to use bru
tally or duress in dealing will
persons under investigation.
No Tipping
He can be disciplined for {
number Of other things. AmonI
the shall nots" are these:
/. He cannot disclose informa
ton to any unauthorized person
not even hiS wife