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Memorandum Cleveland to Gale RE: ABE FORTAS, SPECIAL INQUIRY - WHITE HOUSE (Democrat) from Montana, who was also interviewed, has known Fortas for over 20 years and recommended him for a position of trust. Senator Mansfield was not one of those specifically mentioned by the President. A careful check of Bureau files and the files of the Washington Field Office failed to disclose any information indicating membership on the part of Fortas in the Americans for Democratic Action, and persons interviewed during our investigations of Fortas furnished no information indicating membership on his part in that organization. In September, 1964, the White House furnished a list of approximately 300 names of officers, board members and founders of the Americans for Democratic Action to be checked through Bureau files. Fortas'’ name does not appear on this list. The Bureau has never investigated the Americans for Democratic Action and a complete membership list is not available. STATUS: The investigation is complete, except for interview of Eugene J. McCarthy, United States Senator from Minnesota, who will be interviewed as soon as he is available. ACTION: Attached for approval is a letter transmitting a summary memorandum to Mr. Watson at the White House, which should be delivered by Liaison. AV ge