◆ SpookStack

Memorandum C. D. Brennan to Mr... RE: - ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCES 66-8160 authorized microphone installations in security cases even though. trespass may be committed. Attorney General Brownell in a memorandum dated Lay 20. l954. allowed the use of microphones in internal security cases. Relative to criminal cases, it was aes go aouengugoe saeeg ay nq Suohee ae yoe aea aq yoeg paoee need for microphone surveillances in cases affecting the national safety and indicates they should be used in only the more important investigations." The Executive Conference on June 20, l959, considered whether the Bureau should seek approval from the Attorney General before instituting microphone surveillances in specific criminal cases. The Executive Conference unanimously. agreed, and the Director approved, that the Bureau should continue as in the past to rely upon the authority contained in Attorney General Brownell's May 20, 1954, memorandum. Ths policy was still being followed on January 21 196l, shen Robert F. Kennedy becane Attorney General and launched an intensified Federal drive against organized crime. Policy Under Robert F. Kennedy. Early in l96l, Attorney General Kennedy had agreed to testafy concerning proposed wiretap legislation being considered by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee.. To assist the Attorney General in this regard, the Bureau delivered a memorandum to Deputy Attorney General white dated May 4, l96l. This memorandum stated that the Bureau's views on the use of microphone surveillances in FBI cases were being furnished in connection with the Attorney General's contemplated appearance before the Senate Subcommittee on Constitutionai Rights. Horeover, it spelled out that the Bureau had interpreted Attorney General Brownell's letter of May 20, l954, to give it authorization for use of microphone surveillances in criminal cases. In a memorandum dated July 6, l96l, Mr. Evans noted that there was serious question as the result of a conference held. on that date as to whether the Attorney General was aware of the difference between a technical and a microphone surveillance, and asked for permission to discuss this subject with the Attorney General. The Director approved, and Mr. Evanssaw Mr. Kennedy in regard to this satter on July 7, l96l. Mr. Evans recorded this discussion with the Attorney General in a memorandum dated July 7: 1961. CONTINUED - OVER