Page:The web (1919).djvu/407

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told, but a number of case-reports close with the words: "There has been no further complaint from the party." This covers the case of several citizens who did not buy as many Liberty Bonds as they might, or were too free in their talk about Germany as compared with this country.

Joliet, Illinois, has certain mills which harbor a large foreign element, Austrians and others. Several arrests and one internment put a quietus on German propaganda work among these people. "We worked through local foreign priests in whom they have confidence," says the local chief, and he adds: "We feel now that this hotbed of Austrianism is a fertile field for the so-called Bolshevist movement, as the sort of people most frequently dealt with are very susceptible to this propaganda. They feel that they can express themselves freely, now that the war is over, and they are pleased at this opportunity. We believe that there is still much work ahead before the Bolshevist movement ceases to be a menace in these parts."

Bloomington, Illinois, cites as its stand-out case the capture of a German sailor, who was interned with the Princess Irene, the German boat at Hoboken, and had broken parole. The Chief says: "We had considerable other work to do in conducting investigations and in stopping the propaganda of loud-mouthed Germans."

Rock Island, Illinois, is one of the most famous arsenal towns in the country, the Ordnance Department having erected large works there many years ago. All such posts were danger foci during the war. Rock Island Division investigated 382 disloyalty and sedition cases, and 138 cases of propaganda. The selective service regulations required 548 investigations. There were also the usual number of cases taken on for the Housing Committee (it was a big problem to house Rock Island's war population), the Red Cross, the U. S. Commissioner, the U. S. Marshal, the County Sheriff, the Liberty Loan committees and war charities. Certainly a very satisfactory record for a place where something might have blown loose had enemy wishes come true!

Epworth, Illinois, worked in close touch with the State Council of Defense. The Chief reports: "Our community was loyal during the Civil War, and when this work came on, we gladly put our shoulder to the wheel again. A few