J. Edgar: The Most Powerful Man in the World Page #4

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But although physically fitted for it,

might be displeased with rugged work.

His only interest is to gain experience

that would benefit a private law practice.

And he has no interest in being here

for any period of time...

which would render

employment speculative.

Hmm.

He did receive

a letter of recommendation...

from the executive assistant

of the Secretary of War.

That's fantastic, Miss Gandy.

Yes. lt mentions here that Mr. Tolson

showed no particular interest in women.

Then again, some of our best agents excel

because they have no family encumbrance.

Yes, you're right. Set up an interview.

You know what the problem is,

Miss Gandy?

These men, they don't...

They don't look up to me.

Of course they do.

I don't mean figuratively.

I mean they don't look up to me.

Well, if you could conduct the entire

interview from behind your desk...

instead of walking about the office,

I could correct that.

Indeed.

Miss Gandy, suppose I had information

on someone in a position of power...

harmful information.

Lt goes against my nature

to destroy such information...

but I don't trust it

in the general files either.

Could I trust it with you?

If we were to create a confidential file?

Of course, Edgar.

Thank you, Miss Gandy.

Information is power.

Lt protected us from the communists

in 1919...

and since has been vigilantly collected,

organized, and maintained by our FBI.

Attorney General Kennedy's Office.

Did you always have this fireplace

or did you have it put in?

Lt was put in.

What were you doing with wiretaps

in that house?

You asked that I pursue this

organized crime element, Mr. Kennedy...

and I did so, sir, with diligence.

- Do you use the fireplace?

- Rarely.

Who else has heard the recording?

I have filed the matter

personal and confidential.

I'm the only person with access to it.

Mr. Hoover, I asked you to pursue

a real threat.

Instead, you've publicly denied

the existence of organized crime...

and now this gross display

of intimidation.

Mr. Attorney General,

I was only following orders.

We bugged the basement of a home

in Los Angeles...

that was a known gathering place

for lawbreakers.

How was I to know that an East German

communist would be down there...

having sex with your brother,

the President of the United States?

Do not shoot the messenger, sir.

I am here to protect you both.

Remember that.

What do you want from me?

If this information were to go public...

it would create widespread distrust

in your brother's leadership capabilities.

And above all else, I hold the well-being

of our country paramount.

So how may I help you, Mr. Hoover?

Well, if I am to pursue the elements

that you consider a threat...

I humbly request that you allow me

the same power and access...

to follow the groups that I see

as an immediate threat.

Lt's not 1920 anymore.

You know who Stanley Levinson is, sir?

A lawyer.

A white, communist lawyer

organizing at the highest levels...

including the SCLC.

Now, their group is growing.

They are entirely self-serving...

and their leadership is openly critical

of this department here.

Did you read the memos that I sent?

No, no, I can't say that I have.

Lt says right here, Mr. Kennedy.

They claim we are...

"unable to get convictions in even

the worst, most heinous crimes..."

and that we have "faltered under

the pressure, complexities...

and responsibilities of our office,"

in print.

- Right here in "The Washington Post."

- You can't bear a little criticism?

Well, it depends on what their aim is.

They are gaining considerable power.

Their priorities are singularly focused

on their own issues.

They are trying to incite revolt.

Frankly, they sound more critical

of your office than mine.

There's a new face to communism,

Edgar, and this isn't it.

Communism is a foreign threat now,

not domestic.

Mr. Kennedy,

before you were even born...

I heard that very same argument

from a Mr. Mitchell Palmer.

Do you know what it took

to change his mind?

A bomb.

If he would have sat in his rocking chair

five more minutes in 1919...

we'd have been lucky enough

to find an intact index finger.

Now, I do not want that to happen

to you or your brother, sir.

There's no reason

we both can't get what we want.

We can wage a war on two fronts, sir.

You understand?

You can go now, Mr. Hoover.

Yes, sir.

Please leave the transcripts here with me.

Yes, sir.

Oh, and feel free and share them

with your brother.

Oh, and let him know that I have

a copy of my own in safekeeping.

- Unh.

- Your 4:
00 is here, sir.

Thank you, Miss Gandy.

Send him right in, thank you.

Please, have a seat, Mr. Tolson.

- Mr. Hoover, thank you for this opportunity.

- Yes. Please.

- Have a seat.

- Thank you, sir.

There were several problems

with your application, Mr. Tolson...

not the least of which is the fact

that you did not show...

the proper requirement to the Bureau...

nor the proper dedication

to protecting the American people...

and the American way.

May I remind you

that this is not a platform...

to a fatter paycheck in

private practice, Mr. Tolson?

Ls there something the matter,

Mr. Tolson?

No, sir.

Ls exercise a requirement

for all agents, sir?

Yes. All our agents need to be

in top physical condition.

We must outsmart and outmatch

the public enemy at every turn.

Yes, of course.

So, uh, what routine do you do, sir?

Push-ups, sit-ups, and squatting.

I see.

Would you like me to fix the curtain?

Or perhaps I could open a window.

I always prefer

a little bit of air after exercise.

Don't you?

If it would please you.

And, sir, where I may fall short

in terms of resume...

I apparently far exceed

the rest in terms of honesty.

I didn't lie to get this appointment, sir.

Like the rest, yes,

I would like to start a practice...

but I could be persuaded otherwise

if the right opportunities were to arise.

Hmm.

Fair enough, Mr. Tolson.

Fair enough.

These sleeves seem to be

the correct length.

I found you two tie options.

This one is a bit more fashion-forward...

but it would complement this suit

and cut and fabric.

Lt's too loud, don't you think?

Too loud? Okay, which is why

I found this one, the backup.

- lt's a bit more directorial, a little bit more...

- Lt's a little bit more reserved, I agree.

Let's keep this as a second option, please.

Thank you, Clyde.

Are you Mr. John Hoover?

I am. ls there a problem?

Lt seems there's a Mr. John Hoover

whose credit has gone bad with us.

That would appear to be you.

That is not me, sir, on my word.

My mother calls me Edgar, my niece calls

me J.E., and I sign John E., not John.

Well, sir, if you're a friend

of Mr. Tolson's...

just choose one name and reapply.

All right.

Thank you very much.

Morning, Miss Gandy.

What? You don't like it?

Mr. Hoover,

there's been a massacre in Kansas City.

One of our own?

Special Agent Caffrey?

Let him have it!

By 1930, the communist threat

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