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Memorandum to Mr. Adams Re: Freedom of information Act Request Concerning Martin Luther Kine, Jr He said he is also concerned about reports appearing in the press recently which alleged improper activities concerning the FBI. He gave as an example the allegation in the "New York Times" of March 9, 1975, that the Bureau had ordered handwriting samples of Young to be obtained in order for his signature to be forged. Young Said that he is not interested in helping the press attack the FEI. by having the Bureau's files concerning King made available because \he has personal knowledge that the press, in the early 1960's, was aware that FBI Agents circulated false reports concerning members of the SCLC and doing other things to disrupt their activities. He said that at that time he and others had requested the press to identify the Agents involved, but they consistently refused to do so and now he saw no reason fo aid the press in their current efforts against the FBI. Mr. Wachtel said that he was aware that they could ask for materiais under the Freedom of Information Act and that they cculd sue for damages for improper activities by the Bureau, but they have decided that it would be more useful to protect the privacy of the King family ito aitempt to resolve this matter without the publicity that would be attached to such requests ‘or a suit. He asked what our general policy is concerning the release of information to Congress and cur policy concerning the protection of privacy of individuals who might be mentioned in our files. I told him that the FBI is not in favor of making Bureau files available for review by members of Congress and that we are most con~ cerned about the protection of personal privacy of individuals. I pointed cut that in most cases the FBI's paisition under the FOIA is that material should not -be released even in those situations where the Department is of the opinion that the material must be released pursuant to the statute. Assisiant Attorney General Scalia supported me in that position and said he well understoad the policy of the FBI to be a careful concern for the. privacy of individuals. Congressman Young said that their interests could he served if they could be made aware of the nature of the information in Bureau files on King and he requested consideration be given to granting them CONTINUED ~ OVER ~