Page:The web (1919).djvu/488

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Mr. Briggs on February 26th tendered the Chicago office three good cars, and offered to furnish a car, or cars, for the New York and Washington offices, as per my telegram to the Chief of the Bureau, dated February 27, 1917.

On February 27, 1917, I wrote the following letter to Mr. Bielaski, Chief of the Bureau:


"This letter will introduce to you Mr. A. M. Briggs, concerning whom I have already telegraphed and written you. Please be sure to have Mr. Briggs meet Mr. Wrisley Brown, Mr. Horn and Mr. Pike; and I should also like to have him meet Mr. Suter if he is in."


The Mr. Wrisley Brown referred to was Special Assistant to the Attorney General, and is now Major Wrisley Brown of the Military Intelligence Division. Mr. Raymond Horn, Mr. A. H. Pike and Mr. John Gardner were assistants to the Chief of the Bureau. Mr. Suter was Private Secretary to the Attorney General.

On February 28, Mr. Bielaski sent me the following telegram:

Department Justice, Washington.

"Hinton G. Clabaugh,
Bureau of Investigation, Chicago.

"Wire immediately whether acceptance offer automobiles would be used as advertisement in any way. Believe Congress opposed any advertisement feature. Bielaski."

On February 28, 1917, I wired Mr. Bielaski as follows:

"A. B. Bielaski,
Department Justice, Washington.

"Telegram received. Offer of four automobiles for Chicago, four for New York, three for Washington, referred to in telegram, not intended in any way as advertisement. In fact, specifically stated to contrary. Clabaugh."

Mr. Briggs also tendered a gift of fifty to seventy-five automobiles, to be divided up among the various offices of the Bureau, in the principal cities, where they could be used to best advantage, without any cost to the Government whatsoever, as per my letter to the Chief of the Bureau of February 27, 1917.

On March 14, 1917, I sent a personal letter to Mr. Bielaski, Chief of the Bureau, enclosing a letter addressed to me by Mr. Briggs under date of March 14, a copy of which I have and which is as follows:

"Hinton G. Clabaugh,
Bureau of Investigation, Chicago.

"My dear Mr. Clabaugh:

"Believing that the Department of Justice is at this time in need