Francesco/who-killed-jfk huggingface dataset:
[157-10011-10121.pdf — page 6]
"Because of the obvious value of having access to such an index, the writer (McCord) recommends that we encourage the continuation of Wiley's index project in any way in which we are able to further such work."(There is no objective evidence in the file other than the above to support Wiley's contention that he was given encouragement by Mr. DeLoach of the FBI to continue the project.)The above was brought to the attention of Harlan Westrell (Chief, Counterintelligence Branch, SRS), who in turn brought the matter to the attention of Colonel Sheffield Edwards, Director of Security, circa early December 1955.Via a memorandum dated 19 December 1955, McCord informed Westrell of the receipt of additional correspondence from Wiley, and McCord included a rehash of the metter including statements:"I hope the Office of Security can encourage the continuation of the project, at least until the index is completed up through 1940, which would take about another year of work by Wiley. The index has considerable potential CE (counter espionage) value to this Office, for one thing, by virtue of the fact that there will be numerous heretofore unidentified Communists' names turn up in the index, some of whom went underground during the World War II years. The index may give us the one clue necessary to detect any such penetration existing within this Agency. The value in protecting the Agency thereby is of course inestimable. The continuation of the project would have other merits, which we have discussed previously."McCord also recommended that, should the project fail, the Agency consider employing Wiley.![RECEIVED ROM, SEP 30 1975, CIA]- 4 -  SECRETNW 50955 DocId:32203889 Page 7
[157-10011-10121.pdf — page 7]
SECRETMcCord recommended that Wiley had a personal acquaintance with a number of the well-known ex-Communist Party key functionaries, such as Louis Budenz, as well as a personal acquaintance with the heads and research people in all of the Federal Congressional Committees, and State Investigating Committees in New York State.McCord was next in contact with Wiley on 27 December 1955, receiving an account of pertinent points retrieved by Wiley from the indexing project. In addition, Wiley stated he had discussed the indexing project with Herbert Philbrick (an ex-FBI penetration of the CPUSA), who had a continuing interest in the project and had indicated he would be willing to help Wiley get a job in the newspaper field should the project be terminated. Wiley also commented that he had had lengthy political discussions with Karl Wittfogel (one-time Communist) in recent years, and was in contact with Wittfogel a few weeks before.Speculation on identity of Private IndividualWhen McCord's 27 December contact with Wiley was brought to the attention of Bannerman, he directed Westrell to "Explore with Jim Angleton (CI Staff) the possibility of getting about two months' expenses for subject (Wiley) and in the meantime we can complete our clearance of him and try to make out a project. We should also make a survey of his work to be certain a project is justified." Westrell, in turn, directed McCord to talk to Birch O'Neal (CI Staff) about the matter.In the interim, on 24 December 1955, Wiley completed a Personal History Statement (and a report of medical history) reflecting he had been employed since November 1954RECEIVED FROMSEP 20 1975CIA-5-SECRETT
[157-10011-10121.pdf — page 8]
# SECRETon a grant from the American Legion, 1608 K. Street, N.W., Washington, D. C., under the supervision of Lee Pennington. As a result, McCord scheduled National Agency Checks in the name of Wiley on 9 January 1956.On 17 January 1956, McCord informed Westrell, receiving his OK, that Wiley intended to place an article in the monthly newsletter, "Political Research" published by an organization affiliated with the NTS (anti-Soviet Russian emigree organization). The article was to announce Wiley's indexing project and solicit funds.On 27 January 1956, McCord informed Westrell, Paul F. Gaynor (Chief, SRS), Bannerman and Colonel Edwards of the results of a meeting he had that day discussing Wiley's indexing project with Birch O'Neal and Herman Horton (CI Staff). In essence, it was agreed that some Agency funding of the project should be forthcoming, and Horton evidenced interest in Wiley for CI Staff employment after completion of the project. Both Bannerman and Colonel Edwards evidenced interest in Agency funding of the project, the latter asking for figures as to cost.McCord was next in direct contact with Wiley in Flushing, New York, on 29 January 1956, obtaining highlights of security interest developed from the indexing.By 6 February 1956, figures were produced showing that $13,500 would cover one year continuation of the indexing, $7,000 for Wiley, $3,000 for a clerk typist; and $3,000 for part-time help and supplies. On this date, Gaynor noted he "would like to see this project completed if at all possible."By the first week of March 1956, "front office" verbal approval had been given for OS funding of the project, labeled Operation Recall, concurrent with a meeting between McCord and Wiley and arrangements were made for transporting the completed portion of the index to Washington, D. C. McCord estimated the value of the index at that time as being between $15,000 to $25,000 in labor alone. During this week, favorable National Agency Name Checks were concluded on Wiley and Colonel Edwards and Colonel White had approved using Security Office funds to total $10,000 in all, to continue Wiley's indexing for one additional year. The partially completed index was turned over to the Agency on 8 March 1956.
[157-10011-10121.pdf — page 9]
Following the approval of the project funding, McCordcontacted Lee Pennington, of the Americanism Committee ofthe American Legion in Washington, D. C., asking, andreceiving wholehearted agreement, for Pennington to provide.cover for Wiley's work. The cover arrangements were soconcluded. It was made clear to Wiley that CIA was pur-chasing the end product of his work and that he was notnow a CIA employee. However, McCord did advise Wiley thathe would attempt to secure Agency employment for him at theconclusion of the project; and that in the coming year Wileyshould work on the indexing, continue regular contact withhis sources of information in New York City - keeping theAgency advised of anything that may be pertinent to ourareas of interest, and finally, build a cover story whichwould enable Wiley to contact and interview various ex-Communists and ex-Soviet agents in the New York area.
[157-10011-10121.pdf — page 10]
# SECRET## SECURITY PROCESSINGOn 9 January 1956, James McCord of SRS requested National Agency Checks (NACs), excluding CIC, to be made on Wiley. These checks were returned on 24 February 1956 and all were either favorable or no record. NACs were again requested on 30 September 1958 and were returned either favorable or no record on 30 October 1958. On 24 November 1958, a Covert Security Approval was issued to the Security Research Staff to permit Wiley's use as a covert associate of the Security Research Staff.![SEP 1975, CIA stamp]NW 50955 DocId:32203889 Page 11-8-SECRET
[157-10011-10121.pdf — page 11]
# ACTIVITIESMarch 1956 - June 1959In mid-March 1956, through a letter by McCord extended from his home address, arrangements were made for Wiley to come to Washington, D. C., for three days to brief Hazel Mackie, Personnel Pool (Office of Personnel), on certain administrative matters for the processing and typing of the index. The Personnel Pool work would result in 8 full copies of the index: three copies to the Security Office, one copy to Staff D, one copy to CI Staff, one copy for the FBI, one copy for the American Legion and one copy for Wiley.(It is presumed that a copy of the index was given to the FBI; however, there is no document which could be located that states a copy was in fact given to the FBI.)Concurrent with McCord's interest in Wiley, he and Morse Allen (SRS) were working on Operation Recovery, a project set up in 1955 whose objective was gaining access to and debriefing former and known agents of the international Communist movement who were involved in espionage activities directly or indirectly against the U.S. Government. Attendant to this operation, by April 1956, Wiley at the request of McCord had completed:a. A summary of newspaper items on the Vladimir Asaturov case;b. A summary of information on the Robert Osman case;c. A summary of information on the Robert G. Switz case;d. A summary of information on the Mary Martin espionage case; ande. A summary of information on the Michael Gorin espionage case.
[157-10011-10121.pdf — page 12]
Wiley was sent his first check covering the index pro- ject on 9 April 1956. By 22 May 1956, he had met Morse Allen.McCord further reported on 1 May 1956 that during dis- cussion with Wiley he told Wiley that there are three areas in which he could work during the coming year (1956-57) which would be of interest and would enhance his value to CIA. One would be the continuation of the index project, another would be the continuation of regular contact with his sources of information in New York City, keeping CIA advised of anything that may be pertinent to our areas of interest. The third would be the building for him a cover story which would enable him to contact and interview various ex-Communists and ex-Soviet agents in the New York area.Wiley told McCord that he, Wiley, was in contact with Herbert Philbrick during the spring of 1956, and asked McCord to work on getting him, Wiley, some (American) Legion credentials. Wiley also enclosed reports on one Alexander Koral. He stated he had begun taking Russian. lankuage lessons from a Russian girl working for NTS.On 20 March 1957, McCord informed his supervisor that Wiley's work on the index project would expire in May 1957. McCord indicated he would like to use Wiley for another year on the indexing project.On 13 April 1957, Wiley tendered additional materials from the indexing project; a copy of an article by Alfred Kohlberg, "A Red Dream"; an open letter to the President of the United States requesting either a new trial or par- don for Morton Sobell, attaching a list of 200 signers; and a list of publications and organizations fighting Communism in the U.S. prepared by Herb Philbrick, given to Wiley. Wiley was advised that he may be called upon soon to work on some material on Soviet Espionage (David Dallin material, a noted author of books on Soviet Intelligence), requiring about one month's work; that he may be called upon to fol- low the Albam (Jacob Albam) trial developments in the press; and that an attempt would be made to renew his grant for another year.
[157-10011-10121.pdf — page 13]
On 21 June 1957, Harlan A. Westrell, Chief, SRS, requested the Director of Security for authorization to continue the *Daily Worker* indexing project for one year which had yielded approximately 500,000 names in the index. On 22 August 1957, Sheffield Edwards, Director of Security, requested and received, such authorization for circa $10,000 from the Deputy Director of Support.During this period (1956-1959), Wiley worked with Herbert Philbrick on a book which Philbrick was preparing entitled *"The Most Dangerous Group in the World."* He also was "building his cover" as a newspaperman and had numerous contacts with Earl Browder (ex-chairman of the CPUSA).From 5 to 19 January 1959, Wiley made a fact-finding trip through the Mid-West and the Southeastern states of the U.S. contacting newspapers, "conservative" individuals, police agencies, and information repositories to determine the extent of their information concerning Communism and the Communist movement.During the summer of 1959, SRS initiated and completed a study through Wiley of the Columbia University newspaper, *"Spectator"* and the City College of New York newspaper. This, unlike the *Daily Worker* index, was a study of the various issues for information pertaining to Communists and radical organizations and individuals. Don Ingles, Wiley's cousin, conducted the study and was paid for his time.Financial records indicate that the indexing project's gross funding from March 1956 through May 1957 was $10,000. Out of that amount, Wiley was given $8,600 in salary and the other $1,400 was for expenses. The same total amount was approved for the period June 1957 through May 1958 and was expended as follows: $7,900 for salary payments and $2,100 for expenses. A like amount ($10,000) was set aside for the period June 1958 through June 1959 and expended at the rate of $734.17 per month in salary payments and the rest, $265.83, in expenses.In connection with the index, Wiley was also given specific requests to compile reports on several individuals and organizations which were of peripheral interest.
[157-10011-10121.pdf — page 14]
On 30 April 1958, Wiley prepared a report on his contact (Charles Raphael) with the International Commission of Jurists, and the location of possible files on Soviet Espionage Commissioned by Philip Chancellor to be gathered by Sidney McLaglen.On 2 May 1958, Wiley prepared a report on his chance meeting with Vladimir Oserov, Tass reporter.Wiley reported that on 28 June 1958, he attended a birthday cocktail party at the apartment of and for Dr. J.B. Matthews, and identified others in attendance.On 6 December 1956 (sic), Wiley reported receiving a call from J.B. Matthews inquiring about Jack Rubenstein (Rubinstein).In the fall of 1958, Wiley reported meeting JoAnn Mellors, from England, active in the anti-Communist organization Common Cause.On 1 November 1958, Wiley prepared a report on the "Links Between the Anti-Defamation League and the CIA in the Middle East," following a conversation with Michael Rich.On 8 December 1958, Wiley prepared a report on a contact with Colonel Aharon Yariv, an Israeli Embassy official. On 3 March 1959, this report was sent by Helene Finan to James McCord and Clifton Carrico.In March 1959, Wiley prepared four reviews of articles appearing in 1941 and 1942 editions of *Social Justice Magazine* pertaining to General Walter G. Krivitsky.On 19 April 1959, Wiley prepared a report covering his introduction to Haviv Shiber, General Secretary of the Anti-Communist League in Israel. There is a notation on the report that Wiley was going to give the information also to the FBI.
[157-10011-10121.pdf — page 15]
# CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP - July 1959On 1 July 1959, this Agency entered into contract with Wiley, as an independent contractor, at the salary rate of $9,100 per annum, with additional compensation in the amount of 5% of the above sum, to be paid in quarterly installments, representing the Government's contribution toward Wiley's choice of programs for insurance, retirement, medical and health. The contract specified that he would be reimbursed for operational travel as directed by OS, and for other approved operational expenses, subject to accounting applicable with Government regulations.The annual compensation was subsequently increased on 1 July 1960 to $9,900 per annum and on 1 July 1961 to $10,500 per annum, plus additional 5% as noted above. Salary has remained at the latter level to the date of his termination. The contract was to run for an indefinite period, and could be terminated without notice in the event of a breach of contract or by Wiley rendering himself unavailable for acceptable service, and could otherwise be terminated by either Wiley or the Agency with 90 days' notice.From 1955 to 1959, Wiley was paid in cash, and for several years after the contract was signed, officers of SRS continued to pay Wiley his salary either in cash or through bank money orders. In 1964 payments of salary were made by the Office of Finance directly into his bank account in New York City.From 1959 to the present time, SRS obtained a copy of each year's Federal Income Tax Return, and on at least two occasions, Wiley was given a personal briefing on the management of the Agency funds, vis-a-vis income from his self-established firm, World News Analysis, by Agency Finance Officers. In 1964, because of his failure to comply with the SRS's instructions to furnish complete details on his claimed expenses, the regular payment of "operational" expenses was terminated, necessitating that he reduce expenses which were not reimburseable from the firm's income.
[157-10011-10121.pdf — page 16]
Regarding his overseas travel, for the early years, he was reimbursed in toto for travel expenses. However, once World News Analysis had become established and had acquired some regular source of income, the reimbursements for his overseas travel was decreased, and only a token contribution was made toward lengthy trips.
[157-10011-10121.pdf — page 17]
ACTIVITIES, July 1959 - January 1974WORLD YOUTH FESTIVAL, VIENNA 1959Shortly after Wiley signed his contract with this Agency, he became involved in the World Youth Festival (WYF) held in Vienna during July 1959.A memo dated 19 February 1959 to the Acting Chief, SRS, from Helene Finan (SRS) reports on a meeting between Finan and Wiley at which Wiley furnished information relative to the forthcoming WYF to be held in Europe in mid-summer 1959. According to this memo and an accompanying one, Wiley said that Herb Romerstein (ex-Communist and HCUA employee), with the aid of Alfred Kohlberg (NYC importer and long-time anti-Communist activitist) and Colonel Archibald Roosevelt, has a project extant to send a delegation of 10 or more people to the WYF in Vienna in July, along with the left-wing American delegation. Romerstein, who is running the "show" for us (Finan's words) has asked Wiley to help and Wiley will, but not in an overt manner. Wiley told Romerstein the project was his and Wiley should not be given any prominence. Wiley and his wife will sign up next week. Don Sweeny (sic) of the American Legion and several individuals from various state police will also be among the group witting of the project. The group, probably no more than 10 in all, will attempt subtle propaganda, will sit singley throughout the hall and interject controversial or embarrassing topics into discussions. Wiley will play the role of the typical American with his ever-ready camera. Wiley will also work on behalf of the I&NS in gathering names and pictures.Helene Finan reported on 12 March 1959 to the AC/SRS that Wiley will attend the WYF in Vienna in summer of 1959 for us (SRS). A 17 March 1959 memo states Wiley will leave New York with the delegation on 20 June 1959. After the Festival, the group (less Katina Wiley) plans to spend three weeks in the USSR as members of the U.S. delegation to the Festival. Wiley later changed his plans to include a visit to Europe and the Middle East before and to Europe and England after the Vienna and USSR phases of the trip.
[157-10011-10121.pdf — page 18]
On 18 May 1959, Morse Allen wrote a memo to theChief, SRS that Wiley is now a newspaperman and a maga-zine writer, accredited under the auspices of the NorthAmerican Newspaper Alliance, the Spades Syndicate, TheIndianapolis Star, The Richmond Times Dispatch and pro-bably several other publications. Wiley is a member ofan anti-Communist group privately sponsored who will attendthe Vienna Youth Festival and will make themselves knownduring the Festival. Wiley will probably cover the Festi-val for the Newhouse Newspaper Chain, National Review andU.S. News and World Report. He has received $500 in pri-vate subscriptions to cover the cost of his transportationto the WYF. The cost of his proposed itinerary amounts to$1,056.70 for transportation. Allen recommended the Officeof Security pay the additional cost of $556.70 with theunderstanding that any remuneration received from hiswritings be offset on an equitable basis.On 19 May 1959, James McCord noted to Allen, "Ok, seeme," referring to the request to approve the additionalcost and possible later offset. There is a 16 June reportFrom Wiley acknowledging receipt of $556.70.The New York Times reported on 3 August 1959 thatCharles Wiley, his wife, and Joanne Mellor, a British sub-ject living in New York City, were "roughed up" when theyattempted to join a parade of Eastern Bloc delegates tothe WYF. Wiley and company waited until the parade hadstarted and then unfolded their banners with such slogansas "Remember Hungary," "Remember Tibet," and "What AboutSoviet Imperialism?" That incident got much press cover-age, particularly because Wiley's wife was obviously preg-nant.A 14 September 1959 memo for the record from Wileyreflects that in a meeting with staff members of the HCUA,Wiley was instrumental in talking HCUA out of holdinghearings which would be intended partially to expose thealleged inept, but expensive, effort made by CIA to infii-trate the WYF with a large group under cover of the Inde-pendent Service Committee. The Director of Security memo-randa concerning the foregoing was forwarded to the Legis-lative Counsel on the 16th and 25th of September 1959 andthe 27th of October 1959. They were also forwarded to theOffice of the DCI.
[157-10011-10121.pdf — page 19]
In February 1960, Wiley did testify before HCUA asan expert regarding the 7th WYF and covered "violence"against himself and other anti-Communists and the Commu-nist dominance of delegations.On or about 1 April 1960, the House Committee onUn-American Activities was interested in consultationswith Wiley based on articles by Wiley appearing in the*American Legion Magazine*, *Elks magazine*, *National Review*, and the *Ukranian Quarterly*, apparently based on Wiley'sobservations of Iron Curtain countries derived from histravels to the USSR, the World Youth Festival in Vienna,and other Iron Curtain countries during the summer of1959. (In February 1960, Wiley had testified beforeHCUA about his experiences at the Vienna Youth Festival.)The HCUA staff members interested in Wiley were FrancisMcNamara and Richard Arens.During the course of his trip to the WYF, Wileyapparently drew some official attention to himself inIsrael.Circa 20 August 1959, a State Department memorandumwas forwarded to McCord regarding conversations WilliamAnthony, Press Officer, American Embassy, Tel Aviv, Israel,had with Wiley at the American Embassy on 20 and 21 July1959. In substance, Anthoney stated Wiley representedhimself as a columnist connected with the "Newhouse Chain"but in his questioning of Anthony about Israeli politics,he (Wiley) "tries to give the impression he either is inor just outside the Washington intelligence community."Upon receipt of this memo, McCord advised Morse Allen,SRS, "We need to straighten Wiley out on being too clan-destine."Circa September 1959, Wiley prepared five reportsrelevant to some of his travels to the Middle East, SovietUnion and Austria attendant to activities of the WorldYouth Festival in Vienna in the summer of 1959. One reportconcerned a former Syrian Communist leader (Elias Mourkos);and Syrian intelligence agents. Another concerned Wiley'sobservations as of 9 August 1959 when he was in Kiev, USSR,relative to an anti-regime student in Kiev. A third report![RECEIVED FROM, SEP 1975, CIA]-17-SECRET
[157-10011-10121.pdf — page 20]
concerned the presence of Anthony Churchill at the Vienna Youth Festival from late July to early August 1959. A fourth report concerned Wiley's meeting with one Damdindorje in Cairo, Egypt, on 2 July 1959 who Wiley characterized as a possible defector from the Mongolian Peoples' Republic; and the fifth report pertained to the possible compromise through Soviet guides of the Yale Chorus Group in the USSR in July 1959.In the fall of 1959, Wiley prepared three additional reports attendant to his travels involving the World Youth Festival in the summer of 1959. One report concerned the presence of Chua Cheng Lok at the Youth Festival; another concerned Wiley's meeting with Dr. Waldemar Wajszczuk on a train travelling between the Soviet border at Brest and Warsaw on 16 August 1959, who Wiley characterized as a possible Polish defector; coupled with a report on Wiley's meeting with Bogdan Kolodziejski and Jerzy Solecki in Vienna in late July 1959, who Wiley characterized as "Polish journalists (intelligence agent?)"; and a third concerned a 29 June 1959 meeting in Belgrade with Tom Duckinovic, characterized as a defector from Yugoslavia.