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3 ae Yamuna rene er eaenainetin seins nec | . e 0 0° _ ’ PAGE TWO - DISCUSSION WITH DIRECTOR WEBSTER ON COVERT INVESTIGATIONS The other long-term inquires into wholesale insurance fraud, and kickback operations throughout the southern district of the U.S. principally along the Gulf Coast, reveals the broad extent of the bribery, and payoff system that has existed for so long with only an-occassional instance surfacing when the circumstances became so flagrant that they could not be covered up. Not all the responsibility for such derilection of duty should fall on the charged perpetrator for he would not be in that lucrative position if great efforts were not made by those who would influence him, or by an apathetic public which chooses to accept these conditions as a necessary proceedure in the conduct of business. AS a responsible society we cannot condone the unlawfull actions by any societal member, but very especially our major role models » the elite leadership of industry, and govern- ment. Just dismissing it with the discovery of such great wickedness by saying that it exists on every level, and must therefore be a part of the conduct of all affairs is betraying the trust that everyone should be responsible for. »The recent F.T C. probes into the felonious activities of the funeral industry, the used auto business, the insurance brokerage operations, and dozens of other nefarious actives places extra burdens on those law enforcement agencies that are responsible for the proper conduct of day to day operations of legitimate trade domestically, and internationally. J‘The high level of criminal conduct used by many organizations to merchanidse their wares predipposed these industries to close scrutiny by watchdog agencies at all levels of government. Funeral Associ- ations from Texas, New York, and Pennsyvaina reported on the practices currently used in their respective areas. This industry deserve to have a very broad based delving into its suspect practices, but the Congress is seeking to curb the F.T.C. powers to investigate independently by establishing committies which must be informed of the proceedures to be followed. This smacks of cover-up in my ledger, and I have complained bitterly to those supporting such Congressional white-washing of wrong-doing ! Most serious-minded solons are stating braod support for the F.B.I. efforts | to expose the illegal shennaigans of the minority of office holders, and evily- ) inspired influence merchants who sell their souls for profit, and status. Many ‘tof this nations citizens do desire to improve the ethical standards that should ' be the hallmark of leadership starting at the very lowest level of activity, to the very pinnacle of so=called success. We would much prefer to feel comfortable ‘about our elected leadership, instead of suspicious of their true intent. The ‘days of the giant political machines such as Tammany Hall, the Pendergast Bunch, ;and the Jack Daly Mob. are in the past, and we should well profit by their obvious ,excesses in the conduct of public, and private affairs. By burying our head in the sand as the ostriech does to avoid facing reality, we accomplish nothing that will improve the climate in our nation. Let us then face up to our individual, ‘and collective responsibilities, wherever they lie ! | I am certain that Attorney-General Benjamin Civiletti is behind your | investigative program , and will continue to support the activities that expose | the criminals, and culprits in our society. Certainly there may be mitigating |, circumstances that would distinguish between certain cupability, and innocent enticement. I do not beleive that your present cases involve entraptment in that jyour office took every precautian to not directly offer bribes >*or considerations (for services rendered. The usual immmity that cloaks the Congressmen should not \interfere in the Justice Department proceedings that are required to exhonerate the innocent, and convect the dishonest practicioners. ; The President has expressed extreme dismay at the proposal by Congress to handicap the F.T.C. by making it subservient to a hest of Congressional Comm ‘itties that would seek to mitigate the direct charges of the F.T C. investigations. Characterizing the attempt by Congress to take the pressure off the industries now under ecrutiny by the F.TI€ . as meddling in the proper conduct of that agency ‘charged with fair commercial practices, is unhealthful. Covering up the wrong- ,doing to save the reputation, and freedom of the wiolators of offical law does not enhance our public image one bit. We cannot successfully deal with the day to day :problems that all societies face nagged by distrust, and suspicions of malfeasance iin office. It mist be recognized that ethical standards are absolutely required ‘in leadership areas of every type, and strict adherance mist be maintained to those ‘rules on pain of repudiation by the public which employs most of the perpetrators. Let su therefore stand behind our watchdogs, keep the pressure off them Iso they can perform their appointed tasks as they sho be carried out. y f Very supportively yours, \o Sincerely,