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poe THIRD & AVENUE. Fron, Illinois Sept. 12, 1947 “+ Mr. J, Edgar Hoover : _ Federal Bureau of Investigation ot . : Washington, D.C. | F aa Dear Mr. Hoover: oo - oP, ‘I have been charged with ‘being a fellow traveler of Coamunism, in the city of Peoria, and the State of Tilinois. Mtn atdan 2a Ele nh growth af eke) actcusarion Lo Vues ouvgre Weil Ga ‘ 4 principles of Democracy, which embraces the “Four Freedoms and the ) : Sivil Rights of man." } Enclosed you will find the facts, which have led to these charges being placed against me. JI have been accused of being a Comaunis because I believed Paul Robeson had’a right to sing to the people of thig. city and I believed he had a right to defend himself against the deroga- tory statements that have been made against him. These accusations have ‘been made by the American Legion in this city. I am Commander of the all — Negro Post here and I ask that your Bureau investigate us and also myself, _ and give us a definite statement as to your findings, so that we may wipe vid . this stupid incident from our records, aa I am askipe that you present us with a definite statement a; as to whether or not PaulRobeson is or is not a Communist. We have all - F of the information concs @ged acctisations against him, but we want oot to know if he is listed in your files as a Conmnist. I feel that any good American who has fought for the free— . dom of mankind does not want to be accused of such acts » ®hen he knows only wt one country_and will gladly sacrifice his life that all men might be free. I am asking for this investigation and your statements at, the earliest possible date, so that we might clafify this case. I amait; your reply and will gladly give you any other information necessary. j yy ; oI 3d - ENCLOSURE Bray + ‘ . oe REOORDED sm nt X oS [OME Respect Mine li aa. Ne wiieernore L- | ion 20 = 123° me rast at ‘lg - | el gernY tt ee et eg: GS iepehy SOLECS tre 2 H we ts es ° ele or ele 21 SES Rothe Pee Dety 4 i - i * fee OT Fae ee | u -