◆ SpookStack

February 26, 1974 I received your note of February l4th, with enclosure, and want you to know I sin erely arpreciate your personal interest in the Lureau's investigation in the Patricia iUecarst kidnaping. Based on your previous experience in major cases, you can well understand that this particular case ig a most difficult and complex assicanment. which Charlis tutes is handling in excellent Cashion. As you are aware, since taking over as Director I have adopted an “epen stunce" with the news media. This includes affording much vicer Latitude to our Special Agents in Charnes in connection with press relations along with the very grave responsibilities waich they sheulder. Tais doos, in fact, present wmided burdens for them, but I am convinced the policy is paying dividends and will be of great benefit to the bureau in the lore run. Ia the Ucarst case, Charlie Rates has an unusual situation inasmuch as the victim is not only a masher of a very prominent family but of a fanily which is very prominent in the newspaper business. Also, in this case, the ordanizaticn Claining responsibility for the kidnapind obviously js seekine all sossible publicity anu notoristy. Liven in viow of all those circumstances, vo at FRI Neade«uarters and Charlie Bates in San Francisco have been maintaining, and asserting publicly, cur paramount concern for the welfare and safety of tie victin. ()- San Francisco - Enclosures (2) SEARCHED SERIALIZED. Fleg On | MAR 4 1974 LR SAN FRANCISCO ees. Po aan Maiky, _ we . . ra - ” 4 ]- {| 5X00- /08Y Sa te re “OS = eu “ous a . « . we ~ ° Sm ae vg aoe eae eae eS wT woe - nee