‘ .- . , Memorandum to Mr. Callahan Re: Special Squad at Democratic National Convention Atlantic City, New Jersey, 8/22 - 28/64 file, 100-442527, consisting of three sections, sets forth numerous communi- cations from the field as well as Bureau memoranda prepared setting forth pertinent developments. The only information located in Bureau files concerning the special squad in Atlantic City was an eight-page memorandum (copy attached) with enclosure located in the file of DeLoach. This is a memorandum from DeLoach to Mohr dated 8/29/64 which sets forth that in connection with the assignment of the special squad in Atlantic City at the direction of the President, _ DeLoach wished to report the successful completion of this assignment. He states that by means of informant coverage, use of various confidential tech- niques, infiltration of key groups through use of undercover agents and through tilization of Agents using appropriate cover as reporters, we were able to eep the White House fully apprised of all major developments. DeLoach also advised that ‘immediate liaison was established in Atlantic City with Secret Service as well as state and local police. This memorandum refers to highly confidential coverage of Martin Luther / {King and Bayard Rustin, along with similar coverage established on the lead- quarters of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) - Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). DeLoach states he was able to advise the White House in advance of all plans made by these two sources and coverage was highly effective. DeLoach advises "with Bureau approval" he instituted coverage on CORE - SNCC headquarters at their meeting hall and our Negro undercover agents penetrated the headquarters of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (two separate factions were contesting seats for the Mississippi delegation and was a highlight of the convention) and through cooperation with the management of NBC news our Agents were furnished NBC press credentials. DeLoach reported that 44 pages of intelligence data was disseminated to Walter Jenkins at the White House and to his memorandum he attached a copy of these -{daily summaries dated 8/24, 25, 26, 27/64. These summaries are in effect a running log of developments which took place at the convention. DeLoach also states he arranged for a lease line between the control post at ANlantice City and the Bureau. He concludes the memorandum by making recommendations that personnel involved, namely 27 Agents, one radio maintenance technician and two stenographers of the Newark Office be commended. Mr. Hoover noted DeLoach Should receive a meritorious award. Bureau file 62-48771, serial 218, reflects a mernorandum from Mr. Hoover wherein Walter W. Jenkins, Special Assistant to the President, called and stated the President wanted Jenkins to call the Director to express the 25 CONTINUED - OVER | AW S5078 Docld:32989535 Page 61
ry .. _ ¢ ° .. . . —- . . Memorandum to Mr. Callahan Re: Special Squad at Democratic National Convention Atlantic City, New Jersey, 8/22 - 28/64 thought the job the Bureau had done in Atlantic City was one of the finest the President had ever seen. According to this memorandum, Jenkins told Mr. ‘Hoover there were a lot of bad elements up there and because of the work some of the Bureau people did they knew exactly where they were and what they were doing and consequently they were not able to be very effective. It ould be noted that this particular memorandum of Mr. Hoover's, dated F /10/64, is referred to in n Sullivan’ s documents sent to John Dean| Ne A thorough review of Bureau records, including a review of abstracts of Mr. Hoover, Mr. Tolson, Mr. Mohr,*as well as Mr. DeLoach, failed to locate any memorandum or other document pertaining to a request having been received from President Johnson or anyone at the White House instructing that the FBI afford special coverage at the convention. It should be noted that at this time DeLoach was responsible for liaison with the White House and had a direct line at his residence to the President so it weil may be that this request was made directly to DeLoach who in turn discussed it orally with Mr. Hoover or Mr. Tolson but for one reason or another the request was never put in writing. ; STATEMENTS OF SPECIAL SQUAD PERSONNEL STILL ON ACTIVE DUTY On 1/26/75 the Inspection Division directed a teletype incorporating 12 questions to the 19 Agents and one radio maintenance technician who are still on active duty and were with DeLoach at Atlantic City. These questions were designed to have the participating personnel furnish us with their recol- lection as to their duties and involvement at Atlantic City. Detailed responses were promptly received and all personnel acknowledged their participation on " the special squad under DeLoach's leadership at the convention. All responded there was no question in their mind at the time but that they were in Atlantic City to fulfill the FBI's jurisdictional responsibilities and they did not feel that the purpose of the special squad was political in nature. Basically, the instruc- | tions to the Agents were to develop advance information regarding any acts or | intended acts of violence pertaining to civil disturbances that could arise during -6- CONTINUED - OVER “Mr. Belmont, Mr. W. C. Sullivan HW 55076 Docld:32989535 Page 62 . \
L HW 55078 Docld:32989535 Page 33 . . tes ' . a A ’ Memorandum to Mr. Callahan Re: Special Squad at Democratic National Convention Atlantic City, New Jersey, 8/22 - 28/64 the convention as well as secondary protection for the President. Two of the Agents, both black, were there in undercover assignment roles. Certain Agents had responsibility for liaison with Secret Service, others were handling e large number of informants that we moved into Atlantic City and other Agents were utilized in operating the technical surveillance on King as well as the microphone installation installed at CORE - SNCC headquarters in Atlantic City. All knew DeLoach was in charge and he had with him in Atlantic City three Agents from his office and they were aware that DeLoach was frequently calling the Bureau reporting developments. Two Agents recalled DeLoach having a telephone conversation with Walter Jenkins who it is believed was in Washington, D. C. AUTHORIZATION FOR TECHNICAL COVERAGE AT CONVENTION Concerning the technical installation on King, Bureau files contain a memorandum to the Attorney General dated 10/7/63 captioned "Martin Luther King, Jr., Security Matter - Communist; Communist Influence in Racial Matters," wherein the Bureau recommended that authority be granted to place a technical surveillance on King at his current address (Atlanta, Georgia) or at any future address to which he may move. This memorandum was approved by Attorney General Kennedy, 10/10/63. A memorandum F. J. Baumgardner toW. C. Sullivan, 7/7/64, captioned ''Communist Party, USA, Negro Question, Communist Influence and Racial Matters - IS - C," pertains to a request by the Atlanta Office to install three additional technical surveillances on the facilities. of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in Atlanta. The memo- randum observed that the Attorney General has already authorized technical coverage of the SCLC and King and additional authority is not necessary since this is merely an extension of ‘current coverage brought about by additional telephone service within the SCLC. Memorandum J. A. Sizoo to W. C. Sullivan, 3/24/64, captioned "Martin Luther King" sets forth Sizoo received a call from SAC Bachman at Newark on 8/21 /64-concerning technical coverage on King in Atlantic City. Bachman had previously received instructions from Sullivan that he explore the possibility of putting’technical and microphone coverage on King and Bachman was advising that a technical installation could be done and reliable contacts were available at the hotel concerning a microphone instalation. The memorandum pointed out Bachman was given the go-ahead with the microphone installation as well as he telephone installation. Sizoo reiterates the Bureau has authority from the ttorney General to cover any residences which King may use with a technical instalation. -T- CONTINUED - OVER
Memorandum to Mr. Callahan . Re: Special Squad at Democratic National Convention Atlantic City, New Jersey, 8/22 - 28/64 Concerning the microphone installation at the temporary CORE - SNCC headquarters hn a store on Atlantic Avenue, a thorough review of Bureau records fails to locate any memorandum containing authorization for same. A search of microphone authorizations in the Newark Office likewise fails to locate any authorization for this particular installation. At the time of the convention in 1964, our authority for microphone surveillance was maintained at the Seat of Government and authorization for utilizing microphone surveillances was made by the Director who relied on a memorandum from Attorney General Brownell dated 5/20/54, which recognized FBI authority to institute such surveillances. By memorandum dated 9/27/65 Attorney General Katzenbach agreed to continue the use of microphone surveillances only following his personal authorization. It is pointed out that DeLoach's memorandum reporting the coverage at Atlantic City mentions such technical coverage "with Bureau approval." ; In 1964 our investigation of SNCC was based on information that an apparent member of the Communist Party, USA, was engaging in considerable activity, much in a leadership capacity in SNCC. Confidential informants reported that SNCC, among the various civil rights organizations, was a principal target for Communist Party infiltration. At this same period of time our investigation of CORE was limited to determining whether in fact there was communist infiltration in that organization. (While a question arises as to the justification of using a microphone surveillance against CORE per se, it is noted that we did in fact have a pending investigation on SNCC and the fact SNCC was engaged in a joint temporary office with CORE during the convention may well have been justification for installing the microphone surveillance. A review of available material to date located no specific documentation for this decision.) Newark files contain a memorandum dated 8/22/64 concerning the technical surveillance which verifies that the work on two phones in King's rooms at the hotel had been completed; however, the personnel at Atlantic City could not place the mike on King in view of the fact they had to leave the room. Newark files also attribute to SRA Clark that on Bureau instructions a mike should be considered for temporary CORE headquarters at 2414 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City. The only other information contained in Newark files concerning these s installatidns is in Newark file 100-4'7520, Sub I, which contains a handwritten log consisting of approximately 50 pages of overhears on King's telephones. A review of blue slip items submitted by the Newark Office to the. Bureau for August, 1964, shows $100 was paid to one Eugene Hornberger, owner of a "28 - CONTINUED - OVER ~ - | AW 55078 Docld:32989535 Page 64