Final answer:
The author's point of view suggests that the FBI's purpose was to combat organized crime through innovative methods like targeting tax evasion and maintaining national security, while also dealing with public opinion and societal values.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author's point of view in the article suggests that the purpose of the FBI was to adapt and find innovative ways to combat organized crime during the time of prohibition and beyond. The focus on laundering and tax evasion rather than direct criminal activities such as the sale of alcohol by gangsters like Al Capone highlights the FBI's strategic shift in response to the complexities of legal enforcement. It implies that the FBI aimed to uphold the law and protect society, yet faced challenges due to the cunning and evasive tactics employed by American gangsters.
The author's analysis of Palmer's essay indicates that the FBI, in its early formation, was concerned with countering threats to American societal values and considered revolutionary activity as a significant danger to be addressed. This underlines the FBI's role in maintaining national security and preserving social order. Furthermore, the references to espionage and the focus on counterintelligence work against 'fruity fellows' allude to the FBI's efforts during periods of tension, such as the Cold War, to safeguard against internal threats and foreign influence.
Moving on to the friendlier tone towards gangsters during prohibition, the author suggests that there was a certain public sympathy towards figures like Capone who were seen as providing a service people wanted, despite the violence and criminality associated with their operations. This duality in public opinion reflects on the complexity of the FBI's mission to enforce the law while managing public sentiment. Similarly, the mentioning of highly publicized trials of immigrants and radicals, such as Sacco and Vanzetti, showcases the societal biases and struggles within the American justice system, which the FBI had to navigate.