do with investigation involving the detection and prosecution of crime under Federal laws, and the general superintendent of police, who represents the local authorities. The purpose of this meeting of the committee was to discuss various matters relating to individual bureaus, with the idea of coördinating the work and to have maximum efficiency with minimum confusion and expense, and thus to avoid unnecessary duplication of work. A committee representing two or three departments was appointed, which met almost daily for many months. This committee was of invaluable assistance. It kept the various heads of bureaus working together in harmonious coöperation, and many constructive ideas were put into effect.
Chief Thomas I. Porter, Operator in charge of the Secret Service Division, Treasury Department, nominated me for Chairman. The nomination was seconded by Colonel Carl Reichmann, Military Intelligence Officer, and unanimously approved, although I favored the selection of one of the older men. Captain Charles Daniel Frey, later of the Military Intelligence Division at Washington, and one of the National Directors, attended the first meeting, and was selected secretary of the committee.
The Chicago Bureau, assisted by the American Protective League, has conducted some of the most important investigations in the country. It is my judgment that the convictions under war laws in the Chicago district will equal that of any three cities in the country. While comparisons are odious, I am referring to the record as a matter of pride rather than egotism.
Topping the list with the famous I. W. W. trial, as late as May, 1917, it was believed that the I. W. W. situation was one which should be handled by the state authorities, but their activities and the history of the organization were such that the Government undertook to follow it up officially shortly after that time.
I was placed in charge of the investigation at Chicago. A branch bureau was established in the McCormick Building, and assisted by a number of Special Agents, we worked there continuously, not coming near the Federal Building for eight or ten weeks, until on September 5, 1917, the Government, through search warrant process under the Espionage Act, raided I. W. W. headquarters in approximately one hundred different places throughout the country simultaneously. The prosecution was in charge of Special Assistants to the Attorney General, Frank K. Nebeker, Frank C. Dailey and Claude R. Porter, as well as Oliver E. Pagan, Indictment Expert and Special Assistant to the Attorney General, and U. S. District Attorney Charles F. Clyne.
Indictments were subsequently returned. A trial, lasting a number of months, was had, which resulted in convicting about
