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GSa N REG NO 27 UNITED STATES GC 3RNMENT —- - obec Ye Ceaen Memorandum —— TO Mr. cals. batt 7/21/65 we A / Tan ne W. V. Cleveland\) rote > RO s Tele Foo. FROM } HEL INFCRIGATION CONTAINED — sugecr ABE FORTAS vali i Is PE LASSIFIED yy SPECIAL INQUIRY - WHITE House J Sapa fhli. PURPOSE: To recommend the results of investigation concerning Fortas, requested by the President, be furnished the White House. BACKGROUND: Fortas, aged 55, is an attorney with the firm of Arnold, Fortas and Porter, Washington, D. C. On 7/18/65 the President advised he was seriously thinking of appointing Fortas to 2 major departmental position. He requested the prior investigation of Fortas be brought up to date and furnished the names of eleven Senators he desired we interview concerning Fortas. RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS: We investigated Fortas under the Hatch Act in 1941 and 1942 and a Special Inquiry was conducted concerning him in October and November, 1964. A summary memorandum containing the results of those investigations has been furnished to the White House. This memorandum dated 11/19/64 (attached) highlighted that Fortas has reportedly been a member or associated with the ce Washington Committee for Democratic Action, American People's Mobilization, Internationa} Juridical Association and the Southern Conference for Human We of each of whith has either been cited by the House Committee on Un-American ; Activities or designated pursuant to Executive Order 10450. When interviewed in 1942 Mr. Fortas denied undenfoath ever having been a member d the Washington Committee for Democratic Action, the American Peace Mobi raen or the American People's Mobilization. He did admit hav ini National Laseyers Guild which was cited by the House Cites Maye by Ch Tote] 8 Activities a8_a communist front in 1944 but stated that he GUT romtenessomthis organization about 1940. cid eet 2 SEP 21 1965 During the current inquiries the Senators mentioned by the Pregidenpt in his request were interviewed, with the exception of Senator Eugene J. McCarthy of Minnesota, who was not available. Those well acquainted with Fortas, indluding Senators Roman L. H a (Republican) from Nebraska, Howard W. Cannon (Democrat) from Nevada and George L. Murphy (Republican) from California, recommended him fon a position of trust. The remaining Senators who were not acquainted with Fortasp, or not well acquainted, made no recommendation concerning him due to their lack pf ee knowledge of him. Senator Michael J. Mansfietd © Enclosures /ENCLOSUR V l- Mr. Belmont ‘ - Me DeLoach | - Mr. Gale Sulliv CONTINUED - OVER OTA DEP 80 ses Mi ‘Auerswald dt