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Memorandum for Mr, Belmont RE: ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMITTEE ' Item Three of Johnson's Testimony: Regarding this item of Johnson's testimony, a review of the transcript of the hearings of March, 1957, before tle Louisiana Joint Legislative Committee reflects on page 137 that Johnson, in answer to the question concerning his occupation, stated at that time he was working as an associate research director and occasionally he cooperated with , Various agencies of the Federal Government in the investigation and ; prosecution of communists. Page 139 of the transcript reflected Johnson , Stated he had worked with the FBI and had continuously cooperated with the FBI, the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. He testified he was an analyst and consultant for the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The 4/1/57 issue of "The Times-Picayune," a New Orleans, Louisiana, daily newspaper, carried an article captioned "NAACP Requests _Witness' Status." This article stated the NAACP had asked Attorney ' General Brownell to clarify what position, if any, was held in the Department of Justice by Manning Johnson. The article noted in this regard that Roy Wilkins, executive secretary of the NAACP, cited newspaper ' accounts of Johnson's testimony before the Louisiana Committee, which accounts identified Johnson as "director of research for the Department of Justice.” The 4/20/57 issue of the “Pittsburgh Courier," a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, daily newspaper, carried an article entitled "Smear on | NAACP is Hit by Justice Department." This article reflected the Department informed the NAACP that recent statements made by Johnson attempting to | link the NAACP with the CP did not reflect the views nor findings of the Justice Department; that Johnson was not one of its employees as _ reportedly cited in various newspaper accounts; and that Johnson in no way | Was connected with the Department nor did he speak for the Department,