Speech #690145698

Following up our conversation of (L day or two ago with regard to the activities of the immigration border patrol. and with particular reference to the Detroit district. I feel sure that you will be interested in a few additional observations that I am now In a position to make. after consideration of the official reports rendered to the bureau. The reports for the nine months. July. 1925. to March. 1926. inclusive. show seized In the Detroit district by our border patrol officers contraband goods of a total estimated value of $102.805. In this item of contraband liquor contributes the principal figure to make up the. total. The total value of all seizures in the Detroit district for the same period. including not only liquor but also automobiles. boats. etc.. amounted to the very considerable figure of $164.322. These figures from the Detroit area are by far the largest of all the various border patrol sectors. and it seems almost too obvious to require comment that any allegations of failure to cooperate in enforcement of the prohibition laws by immigration border patrol officers in the Detroit district is quite without color of truth or foundation in fact. Indeed. I desire to assure you that the border patrol force as a whole has constantly since its organization made what I regard as a remarkable coltribution to law enforcement In the way of cooperating with the prohibition officials and with the agents of other departments of the Government. In my last annual report I particularly dwelt upon this feature of the border patrol activities. and my opilion has been constantly strengthened in this regard. I should *very much regret to learn that there bad been any Individual instances in which officers of the border patrol have failed tomeet reasonable demands for cooperation on the part of other Government agencies in the way of law enforcement. If any such instances are available. and I should be very much surprised to have any such charges as those we have had under discussion substantiated in any material respect. It need hardly be stated that the department and the bureau earnestly desire that every immigration agency contribute to the general cause of law enforcement. and it is my earnest conviction. both from my personal knowledge and from the reports at hand. that our officers of the border patrol force have in general extended sincere cooperation as characterized in the relations of our border patrol force with the Prohibition Enforcenlent Unit. In this connection you might be further Interested in the monthly reports of April and May for the Detroit district. showing a record of seizures. which is not equaled by any other borderpatrol district: April seizures: 15 automobiles. 5 other conveyances. and 17.289 quarts of liquor. May seizures: 13 automobiles. 23 other conveyances. and 40.156 quarts of liquor. I think you will agree. after consideration of the foregoing figures. that It Is a truly remarkable showing for the comparatively small force engaged and that the figures indicate. far from any failure to cooperate. a pronounced diligence In efforts to enforce the prohibition laws in connection with the enforcement of the various immigration measures. Very cordially yours.