The memoranda, signed “P” as Special Agent in Charge, are to Special Agents or employees attached to field offices in Cincinnati, Washington, Oklahoma City, and Birmingham, concern high telephone and telegraph charges, changes of address, taking files from the office without permission, including "undeveloped leads" in reports, "a pamphlet furnished by the Bureau containing the secret numbers of various automobiles," typing ability essential for all special agents, "Antitrust investigations," limiting annual leave, calling the office frequently, "White Slave conditions in the Birmingham district" (two pages), fingerprinting prostitutes upon arrest, and accountants with experience "testifying before a grand jury or at a trial." Other memoranda relate to requests of Purvis to speak to groups including the Rotary Club, Barristers Club, Burlingame Baptist Church Men's Club, San Mateo Congregational Church Men's Club, Interchange Club, Kiwanis Club, Optimist Club, California Highway Patrol, and the San Francisco Business League.
Another interesting grouping of four typed manuscripts, signed in pencil, “M.P.,” or “P,” on 5 x 8 sheets. One reads, in part: “On the night of [left blank, 1931], which was on the day I had been told I was being ordered to go to Oklahoma City and take charge of the office, we had a long talk, Edgar Hoover & I…I told him I liked this job pretty well and that I would like to remain in this service …I also told him I had no intention of being insubordinate, and that I felt that since there were no chains on me, forever linking me to this job, that this could not be even considered as an ultimatum, I merely wanted to do something I knew would work and work better than the system being used…He said 'You have a fine record in the Bureau, and now you want to ruin it.' I told him I would guarantee to get more work done in my way and there would be a much better spirit in the organization. He said it could not be done. We butted heads until after midnight…" Another story begins: “Terre Haute, Indiana - On Robinson kidnapping case. Kidnapper's wife arrived at RR. Station with suitcase containing $50,000.00 ransom. My instructions were to drop the trailing of her if it became evident that she knew she was being trailed. Trailing her from one station to another. My calls to Hoover…"
Remaining letters and memorandum deal with a variety of issues including letters to his secretary Miss Watson, a letter as President and General Manager of the Florence Broadcasting Company attempting to acquire payment, letters relating to using Purvis in radio commercials or print ads of the Moore Clothing Company, Gillette Razor Blade Company, Iodent Company, and Dodge Corporation, and five letters to his accountant, Richard Reese. Also included are several Western Union telegrams, four letters concerning negotiations with Warner Bros. for radio programs and a movie. Two documents presented to Purvis are also included, one from the Federal Communications Commission and one certifying Purvis as an attorney and counselor solicitor of the Northern California District Court.
In good to very good overall condition. An interesting look into Purvis’s professional life with the FBI, worthy of further research.
No comments:
Post a Comment