Letter from Frank R. McNamee to W. H. Comstock, July 24, 1923

Labor Conditions - Las Vegas. Los Angeles, July 24, 1923. Mr. W. H. Comstock: Confirming my code wire to Mr. Halsted of July 20th, from Carson City, confirmation of which is enclosed herewith; will say that I had a conference with Governor J. G. Scrugham at Carson City last Friday, and he called up the Superintendent of State Police, Mr. Thos. D. Salter, and in a conference together- it was decided that the Superintendent of State Police would send some trusty member of the force--either from the state prison guard or someone he could pick up who would be unknown at Las Vegas, to go to Las Vegas and remain there indefinitely, and pick up what information he could as to I.W.W. activities, or any prospective trouble that might be brewing, and he wished me to advise him the person in Las Vegas with whom their operator could communicate. I advised that he had better not communicate with anyone there until I should consult with you, after which I would communicate to him at Carson City- the person, if any, to whom he could report direct. In my opinion we should have him report either to Mr. Law or better still, probably, to Leo; or to someone there who would quietly convey to us any information of importance. Mr. Salter thought it better that I communicate direct with him and that his man at Las Vegas do likewise. We had better decide upon this now so I can advise him today or tomorrow, so that we may be kept in touch with the situation. The State is without any funds whatever, and the expense in this connection will have to be borne by the emergency fund which they have in Carson City. However, the Governor was very nice about it and said he was perfectly willing to cooperate with and assist us in every way possible. F.R. MCNAMEE. I am returning your file herewith. FRM-H. cc--ASH