The Days of a Man 1917 



A period Toward the close of 1917, as an aftermath of the 

 Ltio l ~ Espionage Act passed under administrative urge by 

 an unwilling Congress, there ensued one of the most 

 humiliating series of episodes in American history. 

 For from then on to the signing of the Armistice, the 

 whole country was beset by semi-official spies calling 

 themselves "volunteer aides" l to the Department 

 of Justice. Many of these persons were discredited 

 politicians endeavoring as " patrioteers " to recover 

 lost ground and join the more fortunate group of 

 "profiteers." They tampered with the mails, wrote 

 decoy letters, invaded private offices and homes 

 without warrant to insert dictaphones, and in general 

 violated the rights of private citizens without fear 

 of restraint or punishment. Apparently they were 

 mentally unable or unwilling to distinguish between 

 opposition to our entrance into the war and working 

 for defeat when once embarked on it. But to advise 

 against plunging the ship of state into a treacherous 

 and tempestuous sea is one thing, to try to scuttle it 

 quite another! 



Under the Espionage Act, all semblance of free 

 speech or free discussion was lost. Apparently few 



1 At this time a sheet worded as follows came into my hands: 

 "The Commercial Travelers Mutual Accident Association of America, 

 Utica, N. Y., with 98,000 selected members, adds this postscript to a circular 

 letter to its members: 



" 'P. S. The Government has written us a special letter requesting this 

 office to ask each one of our members to inform us of any seditious or disloyal 

 talk you may hear, in your home town, on trains, or in hotels, with full particu- 

 lars, especially as to the language used, the date, place, name, and address of 

 all persons who heard it. 



" 'This service is of vital importance to our country, and yet it is easy for all 

 of us to render it. In behalf of our government, we ask you to keep this on your 

 mind and respond, and keep responding.' " 



Below this postscript were penciled the words: 



"Now, I have 98,000 secret service agents of our country." 



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