The greater part of the work of the organization is, of course, the work assigned from the Bureau of Investigation, with such complaints as are received from our own members, both active and industrial, and a number that come through the mail. We receive an average of 175 D. J. cases daily. Our reports when turned in are vised by the Chief of our Bureau of Investigation, and those deemed ready for prosecution are turned over to the Special Agent assigned, and by him are taken to the District Attorney for active prosecution. I believe that our co-operation with the Bureau has been active and I think, helpful, at all times. We have furnished A. P. L. men used for special work, such as under-cover investigations in the County Jail and in the Internment Camps. Through our organization, which covers practically every banking institution, mercantile, industrial and manufacturing plant, every profession and trade, in the entire Chicago district, we have furnished special and specific information from among our own members, which the Bureau of Investigation has generously intimated could hardly have been secured from any other source.
At its own expense, A. P. L. furnished three competent stenographers for a period of three months to systematize, card and index the 18,000 male German alien enemies, registered by the United States Marshal. During the “drives” of the Red Cross, many rumors and derogatory statements concerning the work of the Red Cross were spread broadcast through the country. A. P. L. ran down hundreds of complaints, secured many convictions, and handled the entire investigation of the Red Cross until quite recently, when they added a Bureau of Investigation of their own. The propaganda has practically ceased.
Work in co-operation with the Local Fuel Administrator was always active. Beginning with the fuelless Mondays, A. P. L. placed at his disposal some 3,500 men for checking up violations. On the lightless Monday and Tuesday night, A. P. L. had out the entire active organization checking violations of this sort. Again, on the order of the Administrator that no gasoline should be used on Sundays for pleasure, the entire organization was called on for service. During the wheatless and meatless days, also, the entire organization was called on to check and report violations among the restaurants, hotels and other places.
Chicago received daily from M. I. D. at Washington an average of twenty-five cases for character and loyalty investigations of civilians and officers going into foreign service. This work alone required the services of a Bureau Chief and five clerical assistants at headquarters.
Following the bomb explosion at the Federal building (where, by the way, A. P. L. mobilized within half an hour 1,700 men for duty if called upon), the officials of the United States War Exposition called on the organization for help. For eight days, an average of two hundred and fifty A. P. L. men mingled with the crowd both afternoon and evening with a view of preventing panics and of detecting and forestalling any outrage.
Next in volume to the work from D. J. was that which came in under the Selective Service Act in connection with the draft problem. In addition to the locating of registrants, the division, on request, conducted investigations on a number of Local Boards, and also investigated thousands of cases involving deferred classifications, where the result of the investigation placed the registrant in Class 1-A and made him available for immediate service.
At the specific request of the commanding officer of the local branch of the Ordnance Department, Chicago division conducted a total of 536 investigations of officers and employees of the Ordnance Department in Chicago. Similar work was done for the Bureau of Investigation.
Chief Gunn concludes his simple and convincing narrative with a few division figures:
In conclusion I would say that at the headquarters of our units we employed sixty-six stenographers and clerks who were directed by thirty-one able men who gave their entire time, days, nights, and often Sundays, without one penny from our Treasury, to the direction of this work. In addition to this, we maintained eighteen captain’s offices, the average monthly expenditure of each being in the neighborhood of $300. Exclusive of this, our average monthly expenses were about $7,000, which money was raised both from our own membership and from subscriptions of individuals and commercial houses.
We have been insistent at all times that our men should set a patriotic example to all others in accepting active service when liable or able. This is evidenced by the fact that five hundred and fifty of our members are now in the service. I have no hesitancy in saying that for loyalty, ability, judgment, and willingness to serve their country, I do not know, nor do I believe there can exist, a more splendid body of men than is contained in the membership of our Division of the American Protective League.