◆ SpookStack

Peeper corneretone of our form of ov.ernmen - eee | Boy genmente ouDED - 4 rela caps nr aa . a ty ae 2. meee fu : Sf. ‘og week FE San Francisco 9, Calif. March 50, 1950 | Mr. J. Edgar Hoover Federal Bureau of investigation eshington, D.C, Tear Mr. Hoovers ” I am sure millions of Americans are with me when I ok congratulate you for refusing to surrender FBI files to be used ae =, ' political bait. As you say, Many innocent people would suffer, be-w = * cause many reports have been unchdcked. In addition, valuable* sources of informetidn would dry up. The percentage of convictions nrought about by the efforts of your department ie evidence that your agents are thorough in gathering testimony and that guilt is ' pretty well established before trials are begun. oo — aoe We can maintain our freedom only by sifting the truth “rom the lies = and by elinmigating half-truths-an innuendo. During the depression days many people now in prominent places were ,per=- haps, associated vith organizations which were later infiltrated . by Communists. During the last war, Rusaia was an ally, so itis | quite possible that there were organizations, thoroughly loyal, that had a friendly attitude towards Russia. Because we live in a free country, we tolerate open oy debate, which 1s Just as it should be. However, 4% 18 one thing to ; RZebate openly and another to emear without sufficient ground. There .°j aa many liberale in the country who are forward looking, but who would willingly lay dewn their lives in defense of our democracy | / against any foreign ideology, whether it be del ade or set 93 - 3 ct I will echo Voltaire = ay may dig eay, Dut I will defend to the death your right to say it." I believe | i. the late President Roosevelt said 1% once too. Free epesch ts the | % & But sometimes Pa is cartx EDeytha’ th Vaseiterot good at taste, as in the present frfcas. I hope thetgenatorjiecar tay will not if find a way to get into your filea. In these days ty checke are necessary and it would be a detriment to us all le your department ni were crippled in its operations. I believe that the accused should i have a right to face their accusers and should also kave 1 trial by Jury, but thet is outside your province. . u . ’ i. n—_——_—_—_—_————————— es . on J BOM way on! ae :