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Mr. Tolson citizens deplore this outrage, and consequently the Director is making a plea to all individuals, regardless of their beliefs, to come forth and furnish information to the FBI which will help to remove this stigma from the community. The FBI is conducting a full investiga- tion to determine those responsible for this tragedy and requests the assistance of the entire community in furnishing information to this end. It seems to me that this article would have several results. First, it would clearly place the Director on record as to his feelings about this incident and the fact that the FBI is conducting a full investigation; second, it will further emphasize the responsibility of the Birmingham community in this matter and place a burden on the people of the community to cooperate; and third, it will set the stage for the development of additional sources and informants in a very sensitive area. ADDENDUM: (CDD:saj):9-17-63: Mr. Belnmnt's suggestion has merit and obviously reflects good thinking. Ido have reservations. A statement of this nature should have been issued two days ago, immediately following the incident, | A esuch as we did in th case. To issue such a statement now beamed would make it appear that the Director is coming in the back door to capitalize on a tragic incident. The President, Attorney General, Martin Luther King, and countless others have issued numerous statements, many of them intimating that the blame lies on various personalities or groups. I don't think it advisable to join the parade. There is another point. We all know that our record thus far in bombing cases is not good. For the Director to receive nationwide publicity, through the medium of the suggested statement, will serve to bring up--in the minds ‘of many newsmen, and particularly our enemies--that we have yet to effect a solution. It will appear to many that we might be trying to absolve ourselves — of responsibility. Soe -2-