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H ? Pas (LP Mest w, I am reminded about what Senator Muskie's reply was when he was quizzed The Office Of The r.p.1O Ye Ad. Tos ERS: Ree. Mat, — Washington, D.C. 20515 ——em Training __ Public Affs. Off. Dear Director William Webster: J’ Telephore Rm. . 7 I can well imagine the terriblé-pressure—thatis being focused at the — office of the director since the publication of the covert investigations into ,jillegal influence pedaling all {Corss)the nation. It appears to be symtomatic {of the world we live in that the Influence one weilds is more important than the i! job one performs. It well past the time when such manipulations are rewarded | with both monetary, and status enrichments to the perpetrator of such immoral acts. Investigations such as those carried out by the skillful operatives of your department deserve to given the credit for the ethical climate they seek to preserve. Whether it involves a politician, a labor leader, an insurance broker, a stock analyst, or a bible-belt preacher, all these professionals are subject to the moral standards we expect of our leaders. The public cannot countenance immoral, or illegal practices among its government, and commmity executives without endangering the whole social system. Let me encourage you to continue your very proper investigations even though ‘you will be pressured to back off from what you consider a very proper responsi- ‘bility. Congress is very chagrined over the seven Congressmen, and one Senati [who have been linked to bribery, and conspiracy by closely channeled tape, video evidence collected in the process of investigations into malfeasance} office. The Senate, and House Ethics Committies are very lax in their ov /Of solons who are subject to extremely heavy lobbyist influence constantly the performance of their duties. The real culprit are the lobbyists who at} .to exert undue influence on legislation for their employers who. spend free] support, or contest legislation that would adversely affect their special i ‘A strong effort by the Senate, and House Judicial Committties to strictly 1 Number, and activities of highly paid mercenaries of special interest would along way to defuse some of the pressure on the elected officals, and those ‘prominent positions in government, and private industry. It is obvious from the disclosures among the top executj ry y ( ‘upper etchelon industrial concerns that bribery, pay-offs, fall. conduct of every form, are practiced without constriant in most busipfess perhaps is the result of the international acceptance of 'Baksheésh ‘the by-word of commercial contact between Suppliers, and purchasers. Lockheed, I. T.T., the list is endless, and has compromised many-fs 1epn heads of State implicated during subsequent investigations alleging such unethical, and jimmoral practices. Burt Lance, Hamilton Jordan, G. William Miller, among those jaccused of improper behavior, or illegal proceedures, give witness to the depth ,of the influence conspiracy that meanaces every day life. It is granted that none .of those mentioned is guilty until Proven so in court, but the stigma attached to the charges tend to bind those accused to those convicted previously. If any undue pre-trial prejudice exists it is unfortunate, but I cannot see how exposed investigations that have to come to light at some point would not present such a viewpoint. be ; 7, sss tng cel ALLE oY ' aThe F.B.I. investigation termed »ABSCAM"™, iS apparen ly the result of “an inquiry into stolen art that is marketed on the underground exchange in the U.S. In the process of this operation information was tendered that influence could be “purchased for any number of areas of both business, and government. The required “arrangements could be used for whatever interest the procurer had in mind if the ‘offer was acceptable, Now, I ask in all earnestness, how simple a set-up would be proferred if this practice were not widespread, and generatiy—permitt exist by those who should be controlling such activities ? Even second rate spy ‘Plots have more cunning employed in the payoff for services Penderedct is jatest escapade by some of our most experienced solons. _ va WHEE = SO - ut the ethicacy of undercover operations to expose the influence peddling existant in all walks of political life, Replying that he personally felt that inquires into suspected illegal, and inmoral practices by public servants o categorey was necessary. He may not of necessity approve every type of ope that uncovers such evidence, and the methods used to accumulate the info: for conviction, but the results prove that they are vitally needed for control of ,;| \ abuse. He was saddened by the discovery of wrong-doing by fellow solons, but at heartened by the evidence that the watching entities are active. 68 may 28198. Al A