◆ SpookStack

‘ i (~ printable material from the unprintable. The files do not consist of proven information alone. The files must be viowed as a whole. One report may allege crimoa of a moat despicable type, and the truth or faleity of these charges may not omerge until several reporte are atudied, further investigation made and the wheat separated from the chaff. I, for onc, would want no part of an investigative organization which had the power of discretion to docide what information would be reported and what would be omitted. An item of information which appears unimportant today may provide the solution of a case when considered with information received at a later date, or 1t may later cstablish the Innocence of the eccused. Should a given file be diaclosed, the iasue would be a far broader one than concerns the subject of the investigation. Names of persons who by force , of circumstance entered into the investigation might well be innocent of any wrong. Ts publicize their names without the explanation of their asecectations would bs a grave injust‘ce. Even though thoy were given an opportunity to later give their explanation, the fact remains that truth seldom, if ever, catches up with charges. I would not want to be a party to eny action which would “onear" innocent individusla for the reat of their lives. We cannot disregard the funda- mental principles of common decency and the application of basic American rights of fair play. The FBI hag the obligation, within the oacope of Federal law, not only to protect the rights, lives, and property of our citizens, but also to protect the confidential relationship of the citizen when he patrictically serves his Government by providing information essential to our security.