level was highly disputed and extremely controversial. The U.S. Constitution is based on "federalism": a national .

             government with power and control over matters that crossed boundaries, like interstate commerce and foreign affairs, with all other powers reserved to the individual states. Through the 1800"s, Americans usually looked to cities, counties, and states to fulfill most government responsibilities. But, by the 20th century, easier transportation and communications had made an atmosphere of opinion more favorable to the federal government establishing a strong investigative agency which would help the people and the government. The feeling among the American people toward an open federal government, along with an impractical, reformist spirit, essentially showed what is known as the Progressive Era, from approximately 1900 to 1918 (McCarthy 37). The Progressive generation believed that government intervention was needed to produce justice in an industrial society. Also, it looked to "experts" in all different aspects of industry and government to produce that just and well running society.

             President Roosevelt truly personified Progressivism at the national level. A federal investigative force made up .

             of well-disciplined experts qualified in most areas of law enforcement were then established to fight corruption and crime. This force fit President Roosevelt's Progressive .

             design of government. Attorney General Bonaparte shared the President's Progressive philosophy. However, the Department .

             of Justice under Charles Bonaparte had no investigators of its own besides for a few Special Agents who carried out specific assignments not dealing with serious issues as now needed. Even then they were only for the Attorney General. They also had a force of Examiners (trained as accountants) who reviewed the financial transactions of the federal courts. Since its formation in 1870, the Department of Justice had used funds set aside to investigate federal crimes and to hire private detectives first, and later investigators from other federal agencies.