The Web : $b The Authorized History of the American Protective LeagueHough, Emerson
History
The Web : $b The Authorized History of the American Protective League
Hough, Emerson
American Protective League; Propaganda, German; World War, 1914-1918 -- Secret service -- United States
During the “heatless days” two operatives from the same district
entered a saloon. They found it warm, the heat coming from a large
radiator in the middle of the room covered by a table. The proprietor
claimed he was unable to shut off this heat without shutting off the
heat from rooms above where he had lodgers. The operatives went to the
cellar and found no attempt had been made to shut off the heat from
the saloon. Returning to the saloon, they investigated a back room,
which was also heated, and where they found four men playing cards.
The proprietor claimed these men were his lodgers and that this was
their sitting-room. A search was made and evidence found which proved
these men to be conducting a regular clearing-house of information for
the enemy’s use. Leads were discovered that spread in many directions
and made the case one of the most important handled by the District. A
camouflaged saloon radiator was the starting point.
Each operative discovered that the badge he wore bred a feeling
of respect or fear for the authority of Uncle Sam which was quite
marked. Seldom was an attempt made to dispute its meaning or to take
exception to the request or direction made under its authority. The
most desperate characters showed a meekness and a docility that was
surprising. The only explanation reasonable is that the United States
has from the start of the war shown the world and its own people that
it meant business, and that in playing with the authorized agencies
of the Government, criminals were not playing with politicians or
officials who might be influenced, but with the newly and sternly
roused sense of American loyalty which would brook no traitor or
near-traitor under the Star and Stripes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account