book, and practically moved the contents of the church to the police station. Here we found much seditious literature, and obtained statements from many of the congregation, which were sufficient to cause quite a stir. At present, seven of the leaders of this church from Brooklyn are sojourning at Fort Leavenworth. We feel, here in southern Chicago, that the breaking of that crucifix led to a nation-wide investigation of a dangerous propaganda.
This same captain, in closing his report, makes the following
observation:
Some of the striking phases of this work are the real friendships
engendered by our associations with each other. Here
the measure of a man is his loyalty and sincerity, his judgment,
his grit, and his personal sacrifice. When you can find
as many real and true Americans as this organization contains,
you need never have worries as to whether this country
is going to be safe.
Central District of Chicago is that important region covering
the great business district, out of which some four
hundred men, under four captains, regularly worked all
over the city. This is not one of the residence districts,
so that the squad of operatives who reported to this
branch were far scattered throughout the city for most of
the twenty-four hours. The personnel of this district
embraced lawyers, doctors, bankers, printers, dry goods
merchants, insurance men, mechanics, railway trainmen,
traveling salesmen, actors, and all kinds of employed persons.
A great many members belonged to the prominent
clubs of Chicago. There were interpreters who understood
all of the continental languages. There were both rich
men and poor men included in this membership. There
were boys in the twenties and men of sixty-five. It had
come to be the practice of all the interlocking branches of
our Governmental defensive organizations to call up Central
District for men needed on some particular work. It
had been the headquarters squad, and had sent men all
over Northern Illinois, and sometimes out of the State.
There was a school of instruction for new operatives in this district in which new men are taught the elements of the League work, the elements of espionage laws, and
