◆ SpookStack

Memorandum for Messrs. Tolson, DeLoach, Sullivan, Bishop June 19, 1969 allowed under the McClellan Bill. I continued that the Rowan article indicated or regard to authority, so the truth of the matter is, I have never ever authorized the installation of a technical electronic device except with the approval of the Attorney General in writing and we have on file the original documents that support that statement. said that when he first asked me, I said it was all right. to cite the Bureau for the authority and then I indicated I would rather have it come from them directly. He said if,in order to give this the authority it should have, it is necessary for him to cite me for the authority for some of this, is that o.k. with me. I told him that normally I would say no; that I would defer to his judgement because he knows more about the matter of public relations and public reaction. I told him I have been astounded at the reaction on this thing. I said some of these magazines, like Newsweek, which is owned by the Washington Post, carried the Cassius Clay testimony in Texas where he is on trial and where the use of the electronic device was exposed, and they stated the Agent testified the taps were continued until King's death. I said that is untrue and the Agent did not so testify. I said in the King case, it was discontinued April 30, 1965. Itold. that up any really serious doubts newspaper people have, I would have no objection to being quoted. said he thanked me and he thought I was making a wise. decision in letting it come out. He said he thought it may be one of the most important stories of the year.. I told that when I read the Sunday paper and Rowan's article I thought here is an individual who is a Messiah of the dissident left, of which Rowan is a part, and yet it was done at the instance of Bobby Kennedy, who later became a great friend of King's, notwithstanding he knew all the facts, as I kept him advised as well as-eyery Attorney General since. said there is one thing about this I should consider and.