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2 otha tobe mo. 10 sov0-8 «| “Use oem. ate. wo. 27 ‘ UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT .,° Memorandum u J 10 Mr, Belmont pare: dune 25, 1964 FROM: A, Ro FROM oofSon é suBjecT: UNKNOWN sungpeT ss BO) 'EENTH ‘STREET BAPTIST CHURCH BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA SEPTEMBER 15,1963 BOMBING MATTERS l- Mr, Belmont 1--Mr, Rosen With reference to the Director's inquiry as to whether all reports in this matter have been furnished the Department ,it is noted that the Attorney General and the Civil Rights Division of the Department have been advised of pertinent developments in this case on a current basis, ‘ At the outset, it was noted that we must not give a "“blow-by-blow" account because such might find its way into the "Star" or Saturday Evening Post, Although there wag no tangible evidence on which to base a Federal prosecution, nevertheless, it appeared possible that loose handling of reports and "leaking to the press" might well prejudice our investigation in the same manner that the premature publicity- seeking action of the Alabama Highway Patrol did on September 30, 1963, These reasons no longer prevail, as such, since articles have now appeared in print indicating we know who is responsible for the bombing, although such articles including the Saturday Evening Post, were off base in naming J, B, Stoner and the National States Rights Party group as our principal Our investigation, of course, has indicated that the Klan group with which he has been fated are the prime suspects, In connection with the request of U, S, District —/ Judge Clarence W, Allgood to have information concerning the | developments in the case presented to the Federal Grand Jury in February, 1964, the matter of dissemination was discussed with the Department, It was pointed out to Attorney John L,. °> Murphy, Chief of the Litigations Section, Civil Rights Division, anu (202/225 op “ a 7 a1 JUL 1 1964 , 79 JUL 2- 1964 — b> §