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Contrary to a widespread Washington rumor, the laboratories have developed no super-machine for snooping which may be plugged into a light socket. Because the U. S. generally considers wiretapping unsporting, regardless of the purpose, the Bureau uses this very difficult means of detection only on the specific orders of Director Hoover and then only under life-&-death circumstances.
"Bing-Bang." This was the machine that the New Deal, through Attorney General Cummings, dramatically turned loose on organized crime. In 1932 the Bureau had had the kidnapping racket dumped into its lap when Congress passed the ''Lindbergh Law'' which made snatching across State lines a Federal offense. And at "General" Cummings' request. Congress last year provided the Bureau with automobiles and armaments for the first time. About the same time the Bureau took command of another sector with the passage of an act enabling it to chase, catch and convict national bank robbers. With the passage of these laws the Federal Bureau of Investigation burst upon the national consciousness with the terrifying red glare of a ''Tommy" gun's tracer bullet.
Shelled out of existence, or "put away on ice" in Federal penitentiaries month after month were such lurid desperadoes as John Dillinger, "Baby Face" Nelson, the "Terrible Touhy" Gang, "Pretty Boy" Floyd. And on Sept. 26, 1933, Mr. George ("Machine Gun") Kelly produced a word which still rings from the front pages of the U. S. Press. Trapped in the bedroom of his Memphis hideout, the instigator of the Urschel kidnapping held his trembling hands high in the air.
"Why did you give up without a fight, George?" asked an agent.
"Why, you G-Men woulda killed me!"
"You what?"
"You G-Men Government Men."*
Since that time the daring and resource of G-Men have been the subject of a whole cinema cycle (G Men, Let 'Em Have It, Men Without Names, Public Hero No. 1), a radio program by Phillips ("Seth Parker") Lord, countless newspaper feature stories and serials more notable for their action than for their accuracy. The Bureau disclaims all responsibility for this matchless quantity of spectacular press-agentry. It recognizes, along with the Army and Navy, that public attention and public favor make it easier to get money out of Congress. But the public's enthusiasm for G-Men has been largely responsible for alienating the co-operation of local police, without which the Bureau simply cannot function. It is true that every agent and accountant from Director Hoover down must be always prepared to "put on his old clothes" (i.e., go on a raid). But the facts are that since 1908 only eight Bureau of Investigation operatives have lost their lives in line of duty (the last three at the hands of maniacal "Baby Face" Nelson last year), and that the Bureau's "bing-bang" (i.e., spectacular) cases amount to less than 20% of its work.