◆ SpookStack

R BH 157-352 Bureau of Investigation These two agents interviewed ROBERT EDWARD CHAMBLISS in the Birmingham Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, on September 28, 1963. He was advised that he did not have to make a statement and that any Statement he made could be used against him in a court of law; further, that he had the right to consult an attorney before making a statement. He was not threatened in any manner nor was he promised any- thing to obtain his cooperation. . CHAKSLISS admitted that he had joined the KU KLUX KLAN and was active in that orgsnmization until 1951, at which time he resigned from Eastview Klavern No. 13, KNIGHTS OF THE KU KLUX KLAN. At the time of his resignation he was the Exalted Cyclops of the group. He said he resigned due to the unfavorable publicity which had been afforded him personally and unfairly because of his alleged acts of violence against Negroes in the Birmingham, Alabama, area. One particular incident got an unusual amount of publicity which involved the forcing of a Negro couple to move from a formerly all-~ white neighborhood. Due to this unfavorable publicity he was fired from his position with the Department of Street and Sanitation of the City of Birmingham. He felt this action by city officials was unfair as ke had been doing what he was told to do by "EUJLL" CONNER, the Birmingham Police Commissioner at that time. CONNER had failed to intercede for him and he was fired outright. CHAMBLISS stated he attends open meetings only, but is still very much interested in the KJ KLUX KLAN and is an admitted strong segregationist, and feels that some type of definite astion must he tabean againmet thea Negroes aif the Be ee BwWecow ey wasew ate wane segregation cause is not lost. CHAMBLISS recounted his association with the UNITED AMERICANS FOR CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT, which group he feels is the best organization in the segregationist groups operating at the time and the most likely to be successful. Ww oO 0 Oe Rh mpeg ge er ge