◆ SpookStack

Kennedy suggested consideration of technical surveillance on King and the SCLC (HQ 100-106670-3631). Previously, the bulk of FBI intelligence on Dr. King was secured by technical surveillance of me of his advisors and fr informants close to his associates. However, when Attorney General Kemmedy was confronted shortly thereafter with the Director's request for such surveillances, he reconsidered his suggestion and denied the request (HQ 100-106670-165, 171). Attorney General Kermedy as well as several other Department officials were sincerely concerned with King's association with alleged commmist members since proposed civil rights legislation was then very vulnerable to the eaten nl. aha = a ee a ae —, Penny ar = Sa en RO. Lilet. CAME ILSLS WeLle fb Lh LT LT Ll Ure civil rights mvement. Yet, an affirmative program to gather intelligence with King as the subject was still considered ill-advised. However, a significant turn of events within the circles of the FBI hierarchy would som reverse the Attormey General's decision, and without his knowledge the FBI would also lamch an illegal camter- intelligence program directed to discredit and neutralize the civil rights leader. Director Hoover's demeanor toward Dr. King has been well publicized and is summrized below. Certainly, as the task force determined, this played a vital role in -115-