illegal transportation of whiskey, a great deal of which went to workers in government powder plants in an adjoining city. "We arrested so many that no record was kept," says the Chief. Things became quieter later on.
Huntingdon, Tennessee, is another disgustingly quiet and satisfied community. "People nearly all natives," says the report, "and mighty few expressions of disloyalty. We have watched for violations, but nothing has developed worthy of report."
TEXAS
San Antonio, Texas, is in a strongly pro-German neighborhood and has a large citizenry of German descent. It is refreshing nevertheless to see that in this good old Texas town, once distinctly Spanish, the language of the United States prevails to-day and only one flag floats over the Alamo. There were thirty-four investigations for sedition, and twenty-four cases of propaganda. The usual number of overseas examinations were held. On the whole, San Antonio seems to have been quiet and peaceful and distinctly loyal in every way, in spite of her location so close to New Braunfels.
The San Antonio Chief concludes his too brief report with a little story:
The telephone at my elbow rang insistently. The man at
the other end of the wire was incoherent, and I could not
understand what he wanted.
"Hold on a minute!" I finally interrupted. "Who is this speaking?"
He would not tell me; he merely said that he was a friend of mine. I did not like to give information over the 'phone when I was not sure as to whom I was talking. I again insisted that he give me his name; once more he refused to do so, reiterating that he was a good friend of mine. I could not recognize the voice. But what he said was startling.
Recently I had been appointed Chief of the American Protective League for this District, and how my informant had learned, or guessed, that I was engaged in it, I could not tell. I did not like to undertake a wild goose chase; at the same time, if I should refuse to follow up the clue he gave me, the lives of many might be endangered.
