J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI

 By Bruce Shawkey

One of more controversial figures of the 20th Century was J. Edgar Hoover,  (January 1, 1895 – May 2, 1972). Some say he was more powerful then the U.S. presidents he supposedly served under because of all the secret files he maintained on everyone, and threat of being labeled a communist, which reached its heyday in the 1950s.

In 1958, Hoover wrote a book, Masters of Deceit The Story of Communism in America and How to Fight It, which was basically a 400-page rant to scare readers there was a communist lurking in every shadow. The book begins:

"Every citizen has a duty to learn more about the menace that threatens his future, his home, his children, the peace of the world-and that is why I have written this book.

If you will take the time to inform yourself, you will find that communism holds no mysteries. Its leaders have blueprinted their objectives. The time is far too late not to recognize this "ism" for what it is: a threat to humanity and to each of us."

The book then proceeds tell the history of communism from Karl Marx, to Vladimir Lenin (who led the Russian revolution is 1917) to Joseph Stalin who, ironically, was the U..S.'s ally during World War II. Nikita "We will bury you" Khrushchev even gets a few mentions in the book.

As to what Americans can do to stop communism, here is what Hoover recommended:

1. Any information about espionage, sabotage, and subversive activities. The FBI is as close to every person as the nearest telephone. See the front of any telephone book for the FBI's number.

2. Don't worry if the information seems incomplete or trivial. Many times a small bit of information might furnish the data we seeking.

3. Stick to the facts. The FBI is not interested in rumor or idle gossip. Talebearing should always be avoided. The FBI is not interested in what a person thinks but what he does to undermine our national security.

4. Don't try to do any investigating yourself. Security investigations require great care and effort. The innocent must be protected as well as the guilty identified. That is the job for the professional investigator. Hysteria, witch hunts, and vigilantes weaken our internal security.

5. Be alert. America's best defense lies in the alertness of its patriotic citizens.