◆ SpookStack

La . f "4 particularly in security cases, they contain not only background data on the individual but details of his private life which bear upon the investigetion. In these files also are the identities of our confidential sources of information and full detaile of investigative techniques. In short, they consist of a running account of all that transpires. A file ia maintained in each cesy because the FBI has received information, allegations, or a complaint which if proven comes within the sphere of our responsibility, in purauance of either Congresaional or Exeoutive | Directives. After the investigation ia completed, when indicated by Department procedure or judgment, a summary of the facts developed ie furnished to the Department of Justice or United States Attorneya. In other typos of inveati- gations, the reports of Special Agente are submitted to the interested agency of the government. Detaila and information dealing with administrative operations and confidential sourcea'of information remain in our files. The contents of these files were never intended to be disclosed and, wiless we drastically change and circumscribe our procedures, they should not‘be disclosed. The question of divulging contents of the files of agencies of government is not a new one. Whon confronted with the question of divulging the Piles of an Executive Department of the Government in 1909, the late President Theodore Roosevelt said: "Som of these facto.....were given to the Government under the seal of secrecy and cannot be divulged and I will see to it that the word of this Government to the individual is kept sacred.”