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BERTIES UNION “Bratichyetes- oui S“Soughin American Civil Liberties Union “’ National Office ~ 170 Fifth Avenue “New York 10, New York Dear Lou: I have already sent you a wire to report tersely our decision ~ of last evening. Let me elaborate. \ After a lengthy and searching discussion, the Board concluded, but'not unanimously, that it would be both fruitless and hazardous to press for an appearance before the Walter Committee. Instead, it was decided that we should try to get our views before the public by way of press, radio, and television, although we recognize that vsthere is little prospect of fair handling of our Statement. If we can find a smali buried treasure we will buy advertisement in the ‘LOS ANGELES THES. So There will be here a First Amendment case. Cite of the people subpoenaed plans ta oppose the Committee on pure constitutional «grounds. When he is cited it is our present interest to shepherd »’ his case into court as a frontal test of the Committee's power, It _ Would be helpful to us here to have soon a review-ofACLU relation- ~ ship in any of the other cases now going up on similar points of .contest of the Committee, Certainly, our sreatest sense last evening was one of frustration ai finding ourselves re in the same futile corner we have occuviéd so many times. The Committée, I am Sure, has spent more hours in Los Angeles than in any other city, except perhaps Washington, D. C. This is old business for us, and it‘is indeed discomforting to find that we are in no strouger position today respecting this Committee than we were 5 or 10 years ago. We feel strong need of National organization strategy and the confidence of knowing that a program is underway over the country to which we can relate our efforts. .f°We have no such confidence at this time. We strongly recommend, “therefore, thai, at the earliest Possible time the National leaders of the Union address themselves to the task of org zing of the most effective Sort, aimed at the abolition of the lic Committee,--*We can be counted upon to pitch in in every practical ay to supvort and to participate in such a well-conceived and sub- tantial undertaking. I enclose our ballot on Constitutional “evision. I will write u again soon concerning other matters, eee: 00442 ENCLOSURE ally yours, hot 22/7 Bason~konroe)