13 N. Mills Madiaont Wisconsin June 25, 1964 Attorney General Robert Kennedy Department of Justice Washington* D.C. Dear Mr. KennedyI I read in today's N.Y. Times that you claim that the Federal Government cannot take "preventive police action in Mississ ippi to protect the lives of civil-rights workers there. In view of the recent disappearance and probable deaths of the 3 civil rights workersin Philadelphia, Mississippi, this pos ition is the utmost in callous disregard for the lives of hundreds of dedicated A merlcans in this citadel of bloody racism. brother Larry Is ; those in Mississippi, and it is quite obvious what your pronoucement menas in terns of his well-being. It also amounts to nothing less than an open invitation to armed and ruthless racists to eontlBA their murderous re pression of democracy itself. The hair-splitting about Federal risibility Is nonsense given the gravity of the situation. A number of senators and congressmen have advocated the sending of U.S. marshalls to Mississippi, and their voices mu3t be heeded. The Department of Justice's abject failure to find a slnrle case of persons attempting.to prevent voter registration for federal elections— specifically prohibited by law—makes one wonder why you and the Justice Department find It so necessary to appease segre gationist and reactionary forces. The murders of Medgar Evers, Herbert Lee, Louis Allen, etc. etc., and the probable murders of these 3 young men, must at this lote date evoke the necessary res onsibllity on the part of your office. How many more deaths must we sustain before you and others In high office perform the job demanded by this harsh and ugly reality? » Sincerely yours,
Arnold Lockshln 13 ... ..ills M dison, Wisconsin June 25, 1964 Cor man 3c ier House Office Buildi; bra, D.C. JUJV Z 7 1964 Dear Bob, Thank you for your gratify!: : rapid response to my letter. Your past record and present efforts are clear indications of your deer concern in this matter. X was appalled at the Attorney General's statement, and enclosed is a copy of a letter I am sending him. How many more deaths are needed to prove the necessity of federal action on the scale required? Larry phoned my today and told me that he volunteered to move from Greenville, a relatively safe area, to a small town called Hollandale (sp?}> where he will be 1 of only 2 civil rights workers, 1 tie only unite person. This is a small town (population r;,500) in the middle of almost nowhere, and it is obvious that he can be a sitting duel: for any of a number of the madmen that roam Mississippi. I will continue sending you copies of letters to Administration officials. Again, let me express my appreciation for your interest ana efforts. Sincerely yours,
Arnold Lockshin A-r"
K
June 30, 1964
Mr. Arnold Lockshin 13 North Mills Madison, Wisconsin Dear Mr. Lockshin:* Thank you for your letter of June 25 and for keeping me abreast of your brother's movements. This is very help** ful to those of us who are seeking federal protection of the Summer Project workers: at a recent meeting with SNNC representatives we suggested that all workers keep their congressmen informed of their whereabouts. As you can see from the enclosed letter, a number of us have requested federal marshals in Mississippi, a pro posal which has gained considerable support in the northern press. I must caution you, however, that the Attorney General*s position on this is probably as uncom fortable to him as it is to either you or me. The simple fact of the matter is that federal law has few affirmative authorizations for dispatching of marshals. Principal among these is their use in maintaining compliance with federal court orders which are being held in contempt. Such an order may be forthcoming and I hope it will be after the civil rights bill has passed. Until that time, we must all recognize the difficulties in getting federal protection for civil rights workers under existing law.
For my part, I am seriously considering draft legislation which will enlarge the area of federal rights enjoyed by civil rights workers. I have few illusions about its passage during this session of Congress but I am hopeful that its mere introduction will have a restraining effect on the irresponsible in Mississippi who now threaten the fabric of their state and our nation. I wish I could be more reassuring to you about the immediate future but I urge you to stay in touch with me and let me know of any change in Larry's status or whereabouts. Sincerely,
ROBERT W. KASTEKMEXER nwir.mka Member of Congress ~> / I wish I could be aove renoaurlag than this abouti 1 fMjNN of feeoral oa Itr 0. . workers 1* Miseieslppi. Iwsilu41a« June J0» 19b4 Joanron •• » to ftftJT) out hi* undoubted jaoUs;y of re >lag 3 *s s 00 »ovi • •.-"»d#ral •t?, JSOMSII - ifcO:'.' would havo Dr. and Mrs. Julian Mack 3501 Sunset Drive ^mi.ura vou thfct f i##| a^piy tte #©®~ Madison, Wisconsin iiagg>gg« MM sfcildMs •** do all that I ceo Dear Doctor and Mrs. Macks•-,,%* and I was very glad that you called yesterday to let me know « that Cornelia is very shortly going to Mississippi. ^ #*^-~A-~~t Xome fifteen others here in Congress who have been follow ing this Summer Project raost closely have requested all workers to keep their congressmen informed as to their whereabouts. I think this would be very helpful to us in attempting to get additional federal protection for project workers throughout the summer.
I don't know whether I mentioned over the phone to you that a number of tis had previously written to the Attorney General asking for marshals in Mississippi. If not, the enclosed letter will give you some idea of the nature of our request and also the names of the congressmen who are most actively seeking federal protection. Tomorrow a group of us are meeting with Assistant Attorney General Nicholas DeB. Katzenbach. I am hopeful that our discussion will bring about greater cooperation between the Justice Department and ourselves in seeking to guarantee the safety of Summer Project workers. Recent positions taken by the Justice Department have caused considerable anxiety among civil rights workers because they have been interpreted to indicate a reluctance on the part of the federal government to use its full powers in support of the project. As a congressman and a lawyer, I must con cede that the Attorney General's position is not a comfortable one. Authority to dispatch marshals to Mississippi is not as generous as many people would like to believe. It is my hope that we will have some greater assurance after our meeting tomorrow of more active Justice Department involvement. Mack 2 June 30, 1964
I wish I could be more reassuring than this about prospects of federal protection of civil rights workers in Mississippi. We must all, including the President, hope that Governor Johnson will be able to carry out his undoubted policy of restraining lawless elements at the local level. Failure to do so would almost certainly move us closer to federal intervention, something which Governor Johnson would have to treat as a disaster in his own way of looking at the situation. ^^ In closing,|let me reassure you that I feel deeply the con cern of many parents in Wisconsin whose children are under taking this iaagnificent project. I will do all that I can to insure its safety and success, and I urge you to write me if I can be of assistance to you in any way throughout the suraiaer. v»Oi- Sincerely,
'-'\U- < • - RT W. KASTENMEIER Member of Congress tow whether I a \ RWE:mka evi Enclosure
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at • JUL 1 1964
Dr. Peter Weiss 211 Campbell Street Madison, Wisconsin
June 29, 1964
The Honorable Robert Kastermeier, Congressman U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
Dear Congressman:
This is an announcement of my intention to travel to Mississippi and to assist in the development of community centers for the Summer Project.
As a clinical psychologist with experience in community mental health work, I cannot avoid my responsibility to help out in a social disaster. Nevertheless, I am afraid for my personal safety and hence for the welfare of my wife and children here in Madison. As your constituent and admirer I urge you to do everything in your power to seek Federal protection for the civil rights workers in Mississippi this summer and to come to my assistance if I am arrested. (I am instructing my wife to contact you if necessary.) I am leaving Madison on July 6 and expect to return on July 27 the latest.
Thank you.
Respectfully, fAH> tut Peter Weiss, Ph.D. University of Wisconsin JUL A 1964
D/. Peter Weiss cc: Magnus S. Harding X211 CamPbe!1 Street v3 Madison, Wisconsin July 11, li>64
June 29, 1964
Dr. Peter Weiss 211 Campbell Street ngressman Madison, Wisconsin
I waat to thank you for taking the trouble to let me know of your intention to participate in the Mleeissippi Simmer Project. Those of us here In Congress who have been moot concerned about the welfare of Project participants have sted all constituents to keep us Infonted of their about*?. Although I hope we will have no occasion to make use of this information, it is aa additional safeguard which will enable us to act decisively and specifically should everts call for it*rythir «r power • «i ssissippi As the enclosed letter indicates, I and thirteen other Congressmen have sought federal marshals to protect civil rights activity in Mississippi this summer. Our request has not, thus far, been fulfilled, but I want to assure you that we are continuing to press this iasue with the Justice Department and the President, despite the very real legal hurdles which confront both in achieving any signifi cant measure of federal protection for this Summer Project. I urge you to contact ae again if you feel I can help you on the Summer Project la any way throughout this month. On Best wishes for your success. Sincerely,
KUU&K1 W. rUUtTEAMEIaK Member of Congress RWKsaka Madison Committee for Civil Rights
SPONSORS (PARTIAL LIST) 1938 ROWLEY AVENUE 233-9198 MRS. THOMAS R. AMLIE MADISON, WISCONSIN S37QS 256-3827 PROF. JACK BARBASH 238-2015 MISS LEL1A BASCOM HENRY BERGER REV. RICHARD R. BROHOLM DION DIAMOND June 30,, 1964 FR. EUGENE GRAHAM HARRY HAMILTON, JR. MR. a MRS. WILLIAM O. HART PROF. Si MRS. FRANCIS D. HOLE MRS. JUDY KISSINGER MRS. JANET LEE PROF, a MRS. KARL PAUL LINK HARRY LUDWIG JORGE L. PARAS, M.D. ALEX STEIN JAMES T. SYKES ^sr*?*'!. PROF. NORRIS L. TIBBETTS, JR. REV. ROBERT J. TROBAUGH
Congressman BOD Kastenmeier Houce Office Building If a s hi ng t o n, D. C.
Dear Bob,
Civil rights organizations In Madison held a vigil for the three missing C0E0 civil rights workers this past Sunday... Principal speakers were G-ordon Young, president of the 'Wisconsin NAACP and Bernard Lafayette, a SNCC (Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee) field secretary and one of the original freedom riders,
Also in our thoughts Sunday were the safety and welfare of Bob Abt, Silas Norman, Harriet Tanzman, Steve Praser, Ann Nadler,, and the other Wisconsin citizens and University of Wisconsin students who are now in the South working for human rights. I was concerned as well for my brother Larry, Who is engaged in the saae efforts.
We want to commend YOU for your stand in favor of sending U.S. marshalls t o Mississippi to protect the lives of Negroes and civil rights workers in that state. We, t oo, feel that it is impera five to prevent further terror and violence by extreme racists a iat strong federal action is needed immediately.
Enclosed are petitions containing over '^0 signatures calling for the sending of U.S. marshalls to 1 Lississippi. We would appreciate an acknowledgement and reply from jsident Johnson.
I have been authorised to send this letter on behalf of the organizations that sponsored the vigill Mrs. Bor.rtai Scudder, chairman of Madison CoHE; Alicia KaplQW, co-cnai: m or the Friends of SllCC; Susan Hook, chairman of SDS (Students fo a Democratic Society; and James T. Sykes, chairman of the i-xadison Committee Civil Rights. Best wishes.
Sincerel;r, (AJCUM Arnold Lockshin X-
13 M. Mils M dison, Wisconsin July 3, 1964 Cor K tenmsier 1725 House Office 3 <% »n, B.C. 1964
Deer Bob:
The passage of the civil rights bill marks an important ster forward for this country, not only in the area of race relations out for progress generally. The stronger and more extensive bill you worked . oen a bigger step in the ri lit direc- o, but 1: present bill is nforced, the backbone of racism in this country will be bruised if not broken.
Your proposal to draft addit tion to orotect civil its workers is welcome, but clearly the burder of action rid be taken up by the President t arments and : nc i e s work! under him. Enforcement of the laws and action are the kev things, Liberal congressmen best serve cause of civil rights now by impelling the : ol government to take all necessary action to enforce the laws and U.S. Coins fcituti( and orotect the lives of American citizens.
I can't agree with you in your last letter to me (June 30) that the Attorney General's hands are tied, so to E , with regards to so: hs-to Mississippi. Civil rights lawyers have pointed out ample constitutio. sis for providing protection. Included are l) the provision in the Constitution guarantee! for all states a republican form of government, 2) the 14th and. 15th Amendments of toe Constitution, 3) the precedence of t Supreme Court's ruling in the Debs case and the railroad striae of 1894.
The lack of effective action and hesitancies appear to be politi cal in motivation rather than legal. Accomodations with racists at the expense of the oeoole have been all too obvious for decades. Since 1948, : has been a 1 din : it a federal cri te for anyone to intimidate persons registering tc vote or votiny i r federal iction. Surely, eve] -one no' s too this crime has been committed in the South for years, but where has been the prosecu tion? The Attorney General's only vigorous action was in Amerlcus, Georgia, but there he was prosecutingcivil rights workers! Pres ident Kennedy's appointments of racists to federal benches in the South, the Southern legislators maintenance of key positions in both houses of Congress on the basis of seniority as bona-fide Democrats, the FBI's caaual attitude towards racist-administered beatings and torturings of civil rights workers, etc. are other examples of this attitude. That these accomodations are on the way to being broken is an encour ; sign of toe times. But it is our obligation, I feel, to press for a clean break with the racists now. The more we procrastinate, the more lives are endangered and the longer millions of American citizens live, as Martin Luther King puts it, under "slavery with the niceties of complexity." Feoleral bectlon-must ;vided, and now. Larry is off to Holland ale, hiss, again on Monday. L-.st time he was there, the "village elders" informed the civil rights workers in a conference that whites could not live in the negro part of town because "the Negroes wanted it that way." The COFO workers mere told that there was a law to that effect, also (just in case the Negroes changed their minds?). For Larry to stay in the white pert Ox town would be Plata ous, so of civil rights workers bo teat this legal encumbrance. Larry called me to tell me that he expected to be orr? and that bail money should be arranged. I'm worried less about his bei rrested than o lght en to him if police in Hollandale are like those in Philadelphia. I apologize for the lengthy correspondence, but this matter is very ouch on my mind. I appreciate your consideration in informing me of your activities on behalf of civil rights. Sincerely yours,
Arnold Lockshin y Mr, .tri»;u iMkabio July 17, 13S4
tias of ay l«t letter to yoe» 1 was informed fey JehufDoar July 17, 1964 , \f Yet It is apparent to everyone that conduct in eoomnuiag *fci*h might wall be la violation of court omtor if'fc proper order ^ere outstanding, f V from not until August 24, I u &avlag to devote won of my attetttiea to the question of seating a tfieoieoipol delega~ 4 mi Oeaweatloftj ••aamji I ai I aooatr of '. Arnold Lockshin hredentlels Committee, idison Committee for Civil Bights 1938 Rowley Avenue to your brother or others of Madison, Wisconsin 53705 Dear Mr. Lockshin: ttaWfOajTi By now you have undoubtedly received a copy of a too* piece letter which I sent to all of those who signed the recent petition urging federal protection of civil rights workers in Mississippi. The petitions themselves have been sent on to the White Bouse where I understand they are being referred to the Justice Department for further consideration. I gather from talking with the White Bouse that quite a number of comparable petitions have come in from several states and the sheer number of signatures has made it impossible for the White Bouse staff to process the petitions unaided. If a reply is not forthcoming from the Administration with in the next week or two, I hope you will let me know. I think all those who signed the petitions deserve to have some official statement from the Administration on why it has chosen such/restrained course of action in dealing with the threat of violence in Mississippi. So there will be no misunderstanding about this, I want to reiterate my earlier position that I personally am among those seeking an even more substantial federal presence. There is considerable feeling in Washington that this will happen some time during the summer, the only question being when. My position is that the Justice Department could lay a firmer groundwork for this bymraore intensive pursuit of court orders which, if they were held in contempt, would form a basis for legitimate federal involvement. At the Mr. Arnold Lockshin ' ff»*> far f*i»#«l Dt^L.* 2 July 17, 1964 VIVII KlgtltS PH NE8: 3 N«IN S»7OS ° « -»'« Miss
HENRY BERI time of my last letter to you, I was informed by John Doar M«J REV. of the civil rights division that no federal court order was in fact being held in contempt in the state of Mississippi. Yet it is apparent to everyone that conduct is continuing which might well be in violation of court order if a proper MR.
PROF. & MR order were outstanding.
MRS From now until August 24, I am having to devote much of my & MR attention to the question of seating a Mississippi delega tion at the National Convention, because I am a member of the National Democratic Convention's Credentials Committee. Still, I urge you to keep in touch with me if you think I can be of further assistance to your brother or others of your group in Mississippi, m. Sincerely,
ROBERT W. KASTENMEIER
RWKsmka Box 178
Oregon, Wisc
fJUL 2 1964 , ^ 10A, June 30, 1964
The Hon. Robert Kastenmeier United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
Dear Congressman Kastenmeier:
This is to advise you that I will be attending the July 6th Orientation session sponsored by the Council of Federated Organization in Memphis, Tenn. and will be working in the Mississippi summer project during the following three week period.
It is in my mind essential that our Federal Government fully recognize the nature of the opposition this totally wholesome and worthwhile project is faced with. As a citizen I intend to exercise my right to visit any state and engage in consitutionally lawful activity, and I feel that my government must be prepared to offer me whatever kind of protection the situation demands.
I have instructed Mrs. Tunney to contact you for whatever aid you can render in the event that I would encounter emergent difficulties.
Sincerely yours
>mas E. Tunney TET:L Box 178 Oregon, Wis.
July 9, 1 2 ISft June 30, 1964
Mr. Thomas E. Tunnty 3ox 178 Oregon, Wisconsin
Dear Mr. Tunney:
I am grateful to you for taking the trouble to let me know of your involvement in the Mississippi Summer I have requested all my"constituent* going to Mississippi to do this in order to give me an adequate background of information on those who will be in Misei sisslppi during the coming months. The instructions you left with your wife are an added precaution which I also appreciate.
About fifteen Member s of Congress, of whom I am one, have been in frequ ent con tact with the Council of Federated Organizations and the Jus t Ice Department over the last three- week period. Our efforts to secure Federal Marshals to protect volunteers and te achi ngs activities have not thus far met with succe ss, eve n af ter events in Philadelphia, Three of our numbe r visit ed II ississippi over the Fourth of July weekend an d repor ted back that the potential for trouble is great i n many area s, and we are reiterating to the Justice Depart ment ou r jo int conviction that greater Federal presence i s requi red.
You and your co-workers are doing the work that no law can even approach. I want to assure you of my continu- ing concern to see that this work is protected as it should be, by every feasible Federal guarantee. And I would also ask you to contact me again if there is anything I might do to assist you along any lines we are not now pursuing.
With best wishes for a successful summer,
Sincerelye
ROBERT W. KASTENMEIER Member of Congress RWKtmma MAGNUS S. HARDING O
MADISON 3, WISCONSIN '-'6V
June 29, 1964
The Honorable Robert Kastenmeier, The House of Representatives Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Dr. Peter Weiss, Department of Psychiatric Research, the University of Wisconsin, will shortly be leaving for Mississippi. The nature of his trip is to help in the summer registration project, with sympathy and understanding; I ask you, if possible, to invoke all of your aid and protection.
Very truly yours,
Magnus S. Harding
MSH/et July 11, 1964
Mr. Magnus S. Harding 1 Langdon Street Madison, Wisconsin Dear Mr. Harding: I want to thank you for your letting me know of Or. Peter Weiss' summer plans. Re has written rae independently and a copy of my reply to him is enclosed. I wish I could be more reassuring at this time about the prospects for securing federal marshals to protect the activities of Dr. Weiss and his colleagues. I can only say that those of us in Congress who requested this move in June continue to feel this is warranted under present circumstances, and we are acting accordingly. Sincerely,
ROBERT W. KASTENMEIER Member of Congress Sfltata Enclosres 8022 Vest Harwood Avenue Milwaukee 13, Wisconsin July 8, 1964
The Honorable Robert W. Kastenmeier House of Representatives Washington 25, District of Coluabia
Dear Congressman Kastenmeier: Mary Brumder suggested that I inform you of my plans to spend the balance of the summer working in the voter registration program in Mississippi. I'm due to arrive in Jackson by bus Friday afternoon, July 10. Upon my arrival I will receive my assignment to another area in the state and will send you my address as soon as I receive it. Should I find myself involved in any untoward situation, X will see that the Council of Federated Organization office in Jackson informs you of any eventuality that may arise. I can only assure you that I appreciate your concern more than I can possibly express. Sincerely, 0) David M. Hovick ^ 8022 West Harwood Avenue - Milwaukee 15, Wisconsin ( -A July 8, 1964 J) \y July 17, 11 ,se of Representatives Washington 25, District of Coluebia Dear Congressmen Kastenaeier: Mr. David M. Movick ___t_d thfit T *nfaru vou of 8022 West Hurwood Avenue Lena Milwaukee 13, Wisconsin lississippi. I'» dee to arrive Dear Mr. Hovick: Fridaj afternoon, July 10, .-viwei &^m\v 0 »v fi«fliAvnffiftnt to anotftttr arai etA7 A A f *VL t •**« * V vw* w w ^j ^^^•C» I'm grateful so you for letting tae know your itinerary in Mlse>Aa»wipi>it and your plans to have COFO inform me of any difficulty you might encounter* Miss Brumder's suggestion follows very closely one vie recently made to all Summer Project workers when their representatives visited us here in Washington. Although we hope we never have occasion to uee this information, it is terribly important that we hove your whereabouts and intentions noted to respond quxckly and effectively to any situation which may arise during the course of the summer. As you mklX receive this in the iieid, I can only extend to you my best wishes for your every success and my deep admiration fer your courageous dedication to the purpose we ail share. David M. lovick Sincerely, ROBERT W. KASTENMEIER Member of Congruss RWK.mka 3501 Sunset Drive Madison, Vis. 53705 July7, 1964 Dear Mr. Kastenmeier: We are very grateful to you for your expressed inter est in the welfare of the workers in the Mississippi summer project, and thank you for your letters of June 30 and July 6 . We are glad that our daughter, Cornelia, wrote you that she was leaving for Hattiesburg, Miss. In case she did not give you her address, this is it: Cornelia Mack COFO 507 Mobile St. Hattiesburg, Miss. As we told you over the telephone, we do not feel that the time has yet come for United States marshals to be sent into Mississippi—though we agree with the twenty-nine pro fessors of law, who were quoted in the New York Times of July l,that the Federal Government has the power to take preventive police action—. Such a time may come, if Governor Johnson is not able to keep peace in the state. You may have seen in today's Few York Times the account of the arrest in Laurel, Miss, of .s^WesaFo young white volunteer (Marcis Ann Moore of Fort Dodge, Iowa) for vagrancy, She was given a 10-day suspended sentence. She had been .Yarrested by police in a Negro section of town along with **^v*a^school teacher from Berkeley, Calif.,Tom Watts, who was questioned and released. This is the kind of harrassment our daughter has been told volunteers may be subjected to. The above incident shows that local protection is far from perfect. You may be interested to know that our daughter reports that, though 150 pupils were expected to register for the schools in the Hattiesbufg area, actually almost 600 had registered--from the ages of 8 to 821 She te3e phoned Sunday asking friends to send money and school supplies, so the un expected pupilsfcould be taken care of. Thank you for your concern. Sincerely yoursO' , ~"ac' Julian Ellis Mack 3501 Sunset Drive Vie. 53705 -r: July 17, 196^our expressed int •re of Lssissippi i thank you for your le ne 30 .6 glad that our daughter, C r 8e 3he Prefer BOd Mre. JUUan ««* ; fj J 3501 Sunset Drive Madison, Wisconsin 53705 Dear Professor and Mrs. Mack: I want to thank you for your recent letter, and your thoughtfulness in giving me Cornelia's exact address in Hattiesburg. As much as I hope we will never have occasion to use this information, it is terribly important to have it in the event the situation should unfold, calling for our direct and immediate attention. -'ernor Ji 3 not able to k&er> a+o+*» Cornelia's report on school attendance in Hattiesburg is the first that I've heard, and I must say it is erxiting. I hope you will keep.me abreast of her work, which seems to have started off so auspiciously. , ragTi n a If ( beJ In closing, let me say by way of assurance we are continuing our efforts to increase the 3a/el of federal protection for those working In Mississippi this summer. We have not been sufficiently successful to date although FBI agents have been dou(l6ed and the marshals have been somewhat augmented. Still, I am hopeful that our continued contacts with the Justice Department will yield somewhat greater security for project workers and citizens of Mississippi seeking to exercise their federally guaranteed rights. Sincerely, m- ROBERT W. KASTENMEIER Member of Congress RWK:mka Sister M. Christopher, O.P. CDOrvllMIGAM COLLEGE RACINE, WISCONS! "/&$\ 1964 'fhe Honorable Robert Kastenmeier House Office Building Washington 25, B.C. DOMI Ml CAM COLLEGE RACINE, WISCONSIN July 12, 1964 The Honorable -Robert Kastenmeier House Office %ilding Washington 25, D.C. Dear Mr. Kastenmeier: *^i J ». S ?964 Although I am not from your district, but from next door, I want to thank you for your strong, constant, and sincere support of the '-'ivil Rights Bill that helped to make it the strong law that it is today. Now the responsibility falls upon everyone of us to work actively in our own community so that what is provided by the law may become a reality for all our citizens. It would seem that farther legistlation on a related problem is daily becoming more a necessity. As ever more frequently people who travel in a southern state are killed, does it not seem imperative that there be federal protection provided by law for those who travel over state lines? The procedure now for each incident seems so slow and cumbersome. I hope that our Wisconsin Representatives and Senators will see the urgency of this problem and take steps to meet it. Sincerely, f July 17, 1964 Sister M. Christopher Cominican College Racine, Wisconsin Dear Sister, Just a note to tell you how heartened I was by your letter of July 12 on civil rights. from the enclosed letter, a group of us here in House have been seeking more substantial Federal involvement to safeguard the Mississippi Summer Project. Our efforts have not been successful to date, but I assure you that they will continue. Letters like yours have been extremely encourag ing to those of us holding this position. Again, *y haaaleat thanks to you for taking the trouble to write. Sincerely yours, ROBERT W. KASTENMEIER Member of Congress RWKimma UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN • MADISON JUL 7 - ^ One Sunset Drive Kensington, California July 12, 1961*. Hon. Robert Kastenmeier 1725 House Office Building Washington, D, C, Dear Mr. Kastenmeier: Arnold Lockshin's mother has shown me her copy of Arnold's letter to you dated July £• I want to comment and to reinforce what Arnold had to say from the perspective of one who lived in the South eight years and who plans to go to Mississippi next month. I agree fully with Arnold Lockshin. Your proposal to draft additional legislation to protect civil rights workers is wel come indeed, but such legislation will be cold comfort to the civil rights workers' in the field virho find that the Federal Government, for political reasons, has no will to enforce, or even to investigate as if planning to enforce, legislation that has been on the books for years. The 19^8 law making it a Federal crime to Intimidate persons attempting to register or to vote in a Federal election is the most notorious of these laws. It has been, and is, a dead letter in all of Mississippi, most of Alabama and Louisiana, and much of Georgia and South Carolina. To the best of my knowledge there was never a single arrest under this law until June, 19ol\. - & fact that makes some of my friends In the South understandably cynical about the potential protection that any civil rights law will be to them. The June, I96L, arrest in Itta Bena, Mississippi, appears' to have been only a token action to appease the public reaction to the disappearance of the Philadelphia workers, for yesterday the FBI head, Mr. Hoover, said in Jackson: "We most certainly do not and will not give protection to civil rights workers- li (San Francisco Chronicle, July 11). Granted that the FBI under present law has only limited power to arrest and to investigate — that is, to protect — still it does have very much more power than it has been allowed to employ. It surely could have made arrests similar to the one in Itta Bena many hundreds of times in the past several years. And if It had, I doubt that Goodman, Schwerner and Chaney would have disappeared. The FBI surely could have sent In someone to investigate as soon as the three workers were reported missing (and presumably kidnapped), instead of waiting 20 fatal hours until the President ordered them to enter the case. I have had only one personal contact with the FBI In a civil rights case, and the agent's attitude in that case was entirely consistent with the reports of their disinterest and inaction we hear from Mississippi. Additional legislation to protect civil rights workers (and local civil rights followers!) is very much needed, but I cannot see real hope in additional legislation when present legislation Is a dead letter. Yesterday's newspaper carried the headline "Negro Colonel Slain" and the subhead "LBJ takes quick action." "President Lyndon B. Johnson," the story read, "immediately ordered the FBI into the case." Are the President's hands tied less by lack of applicable law than by politics? I recall that two years ago, but long after the ICC ruling on bus transportation, a Corporal Duckworth of Meridian, Mississippi, was returning to his home from a Northern army base by Greyhound bus. He had the audacity to sit in the front of the bus, and so he was shot dead by a policeman In a Mississippi bus station. But in that case there was nothing (politically speaking) the President could do. I am not calling for military occupation of Mississippi. I think — in opposition to most of my friends — that civil rights will in the long run be the loser if military occupation has to come to pass. But I am afraid it will have to come unless the President uses some of the very considerable Is sser powers he lawfully should direct. A large number of FBI arrests, a large number of Justice Department officials sent to Missis sippi, arrests of people intimidating voters at a rate greater than one in 16 years, a statement by Mr. Hoover that his Bureau will no longer stand by and merely observe when Federal laws are broken — all of these powers and many more are available to the President now. I think the record and pattern of violence in Mississippi and elsewhere shows that when any of these powers have been used there has been a dramatic and immediate decrease in violence. I hope you will draft new legislation to give the Federal Government more leeway in Mississippi, but I believe that my safety and my wife's safety, and even more, the safety of the black people of Mississippi, depends mainly on how much political pressure is brought on the Executive to use the authority which segregationist political pressure has so long nullfied. Sincerely yours, Edward Opton, Jr. CC: Arnold Lockshin '7^-^ f July 17, 1964 J I said that " ua here 1 House will «•• :»» on the J I Department, asking i1 Its energies to protef of civil its te rather olely to detection of ibetrvet th* Mr. Edward Opton, Jr. One Sunset Drive ors, Kensington, California Dear Mr. Optont I was very glad to hear from you in support of A mold Locks4 en's earlier letter to me. As 1 have t ried to say in recent weeks, a numb er of us her e in Congress are anxious to see the Federal Gove rnraent pursue its existing stat utory author ity in protecting civil rights work in Mississi ppi. Our overtures to and con4- Terences with th e Justice Department have not been entirely su ccessful, although the number of Federal perso nnel in Mississippi has been augmented since the latter part of June. The two-week Congressional recess has effectively muted our collective effotts until July 20 when Congress reconvenes. Individually, however, a number of us have confinued to reiterate our earlier stand to the Department of Just ice. I agree with you, the new legislation will not be self-enforcing, even if it were to pass. My interest in this recourse is chiefly as a method of underscoring the degree of Congressional interest in moee aggressive Federal exercise of existing powers. Mr. Opton July 17, 1964 Page 2 I would be less than candid if I said that I thought our chances for immediate success were great. Nonetheless, I can assure you that a group of us here in the House will continue our pressures on the Justice Department, asking it to direct its energies to protection of civil rights activities rather than solely to detection of violent, efforts to obstruct them. Sincerely yours, ROBERT W. KASTENMEIER Member of Congress RWKimmi 7/^^x r\ July 17, H64 Mr. Lee Whito Assistant to the President The White House WashiagtOiij D. C. Deer Lee, The enclosed petition beers roughly 225 signatures from my constituents. They were directed to ne for ray use and infor mation, with e covering letter asking that they be forwarded to the President. I understand free your office that these setters are being referred in turn to the Justice Departaaent for reply. I have personally written all signerc with legible addresses, giving them ay position and indicating that the President's reply should be forthcoming before too long. I did not feel that I could speak on behalf of the Administration's present policy, but I would earnestly hope that setae explanation of it might be sent to everyone signing the petition. Sincerely yours, ROBERT U. K&STEHMETJJR Member of Congress 308 West Doty St. Madison, Wisconsin 19 July 1964 Hon. Bob Kastenmeier sett*J 1964 1725 House Office Bids. Washington, D.C. Dear BOb: Sincerely, \j> A-^jh^j^^ X 308 West Doty v V-*nr> Madison, Wiec^ ruly 1964 July 30, 1964 .©el er r. Henry Berger 30S lest Doty Street "adison, Wisconsin Dear Henry, ^Q&& This morning's Washington Post carried an article by Chalmers Roberts whieh sounds very sauch like a White House leak, *ith little in it to encourage supporters of the Freedom Democratic Party. Roberts reports that the President is satisfied with Paul Johnson's nanagement of the Mississippi Convention andaassures that the National ticket will be on Missis sippi ballots in any event. I have had your letter trying to get an answer to your question b'oout the meeting of the Credentials Committee in Atlantic City. It now seems likely that David Lawrence has already been designated as chairman and Joe Raush aill carry the brief for the Freedom Democratic Party. I havefrequent contact with the Washington office of the Freedom Democratic Party and Tom Alder is in touch with Walter Tillow quite often. You learn a good bit by this route but I must say that it has been very helpful to have copies of those letters which Walter sends on to you. Your memorandum was excellent. I have used it as a syllabus on all of my independent work on the Credentials Committee. With the pressures on the staff time here, it has proved Invaluable. Sincerely yours, ROBERT W. KASTENMEIER Member of Congress RWKimma ®lfe Pmfor^tig oi pitgcimsm DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS SOCIAL SCIENCE BUILDING MADISON 93706 July 30, 1964 The Honorable Robert Kastenmeier U. S. House of Representatives House Office Building AUG 3 1964 Washington 25, D. C. Sir: I am a member of the Department of Economics at the University of Wisconsin. I will, on my own initiative, be going to Mississippi to observe and participate in the Mississippi Summer Project from July 30 to about August 16, 1964. The situation in Mississippi is very grave. I would appreciate it if I could count on your assistance if required to assure my safe return. The purpose of the Mississippi Summer Project is to prepare the way for negros to be permitted to exercise their right to vote. Demon strations and other acts which may unnecessarily precipitate violent retaliation are being avoided by this project. Nevertheless, the lives of the project personnel and, to an even greater extent the negros themselves, are being threatened by those who have a vested interest in disfranchising the negro. Adequate laws do exist to authorize arrests by federal authorities. (Sections 332 and 333 of Title 10 of the United States Code; Sections 1981 and 1983 of Title 42; Supreme Court Decision, Ex parte Siebold, 100 U.S. 371, 394-395.) Your assistance in initiating more effective federal action at this time is essential. Respectfully yours, Donald V. Steward /ph ©Ij£ jMmforstig of pitstonsin PAHTMENT OF ECONOMICS eiAd sc MADISON sa?oe August 11, 1964 July 30, Mr. Donald V. Steward Department of Economics The University of Wisconsin AUG 3 1964 Madison 6, Wisconsin Dear Mr. Ste»»ddt I want to than k you f or taking the precaution fco notify me th at you wouTci b TH Mississippi as part of the Summer P roject. Early in the summer a number of us here in the House o f Repre sentatives requested all of those going to Miss issippi during the summer to notify us of their intent! ons so that we would have background information on them should they need for it arise. Wb Simulta neously , we requeste d the Department of Jus- tice to take all me ans at its disposal to insure the safety of th ose par ticipat ing in the Project. Specifi- cally, we as ked for the pr esence of Federal Marshals to protect vote r regis trat ion act ivit ies» Thus fa r our e fforts, often reiterated, have had only limited effe ct. We were a ble to assure the increase of FBI men i n Missi ssippi, as well as a doubling of the standing for ce of F ederal Marshals there. Unfortunately, many of the Reconst ruction Civil Rights Statutes are as narrowly con sttued by the Justice Department as they were by the Feder al Cour ts over half a centtry ago. Please rest assured that there are a number of us here in the House of Representatives who have a continuing interest in seeing the Justice Department take more effective action than it has to date. Sincerely, ROBERT W. KASTENMEIER Member of Congress RWK:mma