◆ SpookStack

Hon. Tom C, Clark December 27, 1946— our federal laws. This great record extends from the prosecu- tion of vicious spies and saboteurs, who are trained in the methods of evading identification and arrest, to nondescript hoodlums who steal cheap automobiles and drive them across the state lines, On the other hand, the F.B,I. has been unable to identify or bring to trial persons charged with violations of federal statutes where Negroes are the victims. Such a record . demonstrates the uneven administration of federal criminal statutes, which should not be tolerated. You have called for a strengthening of the Federal Civil Rights Statutes, yet, I am sure it is apparent that there would be very little use to strengthen these Civil Rights Statutes if the F.B.I. continues its. policy of being unable to produce * the names of persons guilty of such crimes. You will remember that Section 49 of Title & provides that you and other officials of the Federal Government are specificalil required, at the expense of the United States, "to institute prosecution against all persons violating any of the provisions of Chapter 3 of Title 18 4... and to cause such persons to be arrested and imprisoned, or bailed, for trial before the Court of the United States or the territorial court having cognizance of the offense." This statute places an additional burden upon you and other law enforcement officials of the Federal Govern- ment over and above other duties included in the oath of office. For this reason, I believe that you, as Attorney General of the | United States, have the clear duty and responsibility of making a complete investigation of one of your departments, namely, the F.B.I., to determine why it is impossible for this depart- ment to maintain a record as to crimes in which Negroes are victims comparable to its record as to other crimes. This letter is being sent to you without being released to the press,.and no publicity whatsoever is being given to it __ other than possible discussion with members of our. staff, I expect to be ih Washington during the early part of January and would appreciate an opportunity to discuss this matter further with you if you so desire. ‘ Very truly yours, . TM:GS - ; Thurg oe) Vosle oo. uopwa-19-CiT0 —— . - Special Counsel P.S. In connection with the failure to identify members of the mob in the Monroe, Ga., lynchings, I imagine you: have noticed the editorial in the NEW YORK TIMES for Saturday, December 21st, captioned "The Silent Indict- _ ment",