Faded Glory: Dusty Roads Of An FBI Era
The journalism of the 30's left a lot to be desired when you look upon it under today's standards. Stories were not checked or re-checked on many occasions and reporters were not held to the accountability they are today. Students, researchers and others should take great care in using old newspapers, magazines etc. as a factual basis to prove anything.
As is well known today, sensational headlines and stories sell. As still goes the case today, it wasn't unusual for gangsters, their family members, and even law enforcement officers to "sell an exclusive interview." Nor was the art of photo "enhancements" anything new. In one small occasion, for example, the owner of the Bohemia Lodge (Emil Wanaka) by his own admissions later, superimposed his photo with that of Dillinger arm in arm in an effort to sell them. In addition to other things, in attempting to attract attention to his famous lodge after the FBI shootout there, he told the public that some personal belongings of slain FBI Agent, Carter Baum, were on display. Nothing was further from the truth, and after confronted about this, he agreed not to advertise these non existent "facts." To make a buck during those tough Depression Era years, all you had to do was tell the public what they wanted to hear. (Which of course, still continues to this very day in many areas.)
We'll be adding more through 2008, so stop by often.
