The Sinatra files_ the secret FBI Dossier Part 6

"It is reported that on December 16 you partic.i.p.ated in a program held under the auspices of the American Union for Democracy at the Amba.s.sador Hotel, Los Angeles, together with FRANK SINATRA and others. About the same time, J. EDGAR HOOVER, speaking before the Catholic Youth Organization of New York City, a.s.serted this organization was successor to the Young Communist League and was positively organizing a campaign to undermine our American government. Did you appear at this banquet with an intelligent understanding of its sponsors.h.i.+p, or were you the innocent victim of a slick program committee? A copy of this telegram has been forwarded to the Congressional Committee to Investigate Un-American Activities and to J. EDGAR HOOVER."

"I received no reply or recognition to that."

More than once Sinatra decried the insinuations. In late 1947, he joined Hollywood in opposing HUAC, according to this item in the FBI files.

ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH HCUA INVESTIGATION OF COMMUNISM IN HOLLYWOOD.

According to a November 21, 1947, news article, Sinatra was one of a group of movie personalities who were scheduled to partic.i.p.ate in a radio broadcast on November 22, 1947, ent.i.tled "Hollywood Fights Back." This broadcast, which had been arranged by the Committee for the First Amendment, was part of a program protesting the investigation of Communism in Hollywood by the HCUA.

The Committee for the First Amendment was described as "a recently created Communist front in the defense of Communists and Communist fellow travelers" in the 1948 report of the California Committee on Un-American Activities.

The House committee was keeping tabs on the singer, according to this FBI summary of the committee's Sinatra files.

The following information was contained on indices cards in the general index of the House Committee on Un-American Activities. No attempt was made to check the information with the periodicals or other sources from which it was taken. It is noted that all these cards were ent.i.tled, FRANK SINATRA: (1) Singer-Action for Palestine Rally from the People's World, September 27, 1947.(2) Committee for the First Amendment, signer of statement attacking the Committee on Un-American Activities from People's Daily World, October 29, 1947.(3) Supported broadcast against hearings on Un-American Activities in the motion picture industry from the Worker, November 2, 1947.(4) Progressive Citizens of American Film, "The House I Live In" to be shown 11/21/47 at Bret Harte School, from People's Daily World, 11/21/47.(5) Daily Worker, 1/7/46, columns one and two. New Ma.s.ses awards for greater interracial understanding, received award, honored at dinner, Hotel Commodore, New York City, 1/14/46.(6) Hollywood Independent Citizens Committee of the Arts, Sciences, and Professions. FRANK SINATRA was listed as Vice-Chairman of this on a letterhead dated 5/28/46 and 12/10/46.(7) New Ma.s.ses Second Annual Awards Dinner; received award for contribution made to promote democracy and interracial unity from New Ma.s.ses dated 11/18/47.(8) American Society for Cultural Relations with Italy. Member of the Board of Directors from the L'Unita del Popolo, 3/8/47.(9) Defended by MIKE GOLD, Daily Worker, 4/12/47.

Carrying such monitoring efforts to the extreme, the FBI in September 1950 created a detailed chart plotting Sinatra's affiliations with allegedly Communist groups.

REPORTED a.s.sOCIATION WITH OTHER COMMUNIST FRONT ORGANIZATIONS.

Organization Citation Nature of a.s.sociation Nature of a.s.sociation ActionCommittee to Free Spain Now (1).

Listed as a speaker for dinner at Henry Hudson Hotel, N.Y.C., 5-9-46 but sent telegram of support and regret at not Listed as a speaker for dinner at Henry Hudson Hotel, N.Y.C., 5-9-46 but sent telegram of support and regret at not Veterans of Abraham Lincoln Brigade (1).

being able to attend. being able to attend.

American Committee for Spanish Freedom (1).

American Committee for Yugoslav Relief (1).

Sponsor per "Daily Worker," 1-2-46 of a concert, N.Y.C., 1-1-46 Sponsor per "Daily Worker," 1-2-46 of a concert, N.Y.C., 1-1-46 Sponsor per letterhead stationery, 4-8-46 Wife named Chairman of Yugoslav Children's Food Drive, 1946 American Crusade to End Lynching (3).

Sponsor, 1946 Sponsor, 1946 American Society for Cultural Relations With Italy, Inc.

(4).

Member, Board of Directors, 1947. Sinatra denied authorizing use of his name. Member, Board of Directors, 1947. Sinatra denied authorizing use of his name.

Committee for a Democratic Far Eastern Policy (1).

Sent message of congratulations to dinner held at Hotel Roosevelt, N.Y.C., 4-3-46 Sent message of congratulations to dinner held at Hotel Roosevelt, N.Y.C., 4-3-46 Free Italy Society, aka Free Italy Movement (2).

Accepted invitation to speak at annual ball and dinner in Los Angeles, 2-23-46 Accepted invitation to speak at annual ball and dinner in Los Angeles, 2-23-46 Independent Citizens Committee of the Arts, Sciences and Professions (2).

Elected as one of the vice chairmen 2-10-46, N.Y.C.; speaker, rally in Los Angeles, 2-25-46, arranged by Music Division, Hollywood ICCASP, and presented with a doc.u.ment signed by Abraham Lincoln for his work re: Racial Tolerance. Elected as one of the vice chairmen of the Hollywood ICCASP, 4-14-46 Speaker, Veterans Emergency Rally, N.Y.C., 5-16-46. In publicly denying that this rally was a subversive meeting Sinatra stated: "It was a rally sponsored by the Veterans Committee of the ICCASP. The Committee was urging pa.s.sage of legislation to provide houses for veterans. I was trying to help the veterans to get homes to live in. If that is a subversive activity, I am all for it." Partic.i.p.ant, concert in Hollywood Bowl, 9-2-46. Elected as one of the vice chairmen 2-10-46, N.Y.C.; speaker, rally in Los Angeles, 2-25-46, arranged by Music Division, Hollywood ICCASP, and presented with a doc.u.ment signed by Abraham Lincoln for his work re: Racial Tolerance. Elected as one of the vice chairmen of the Hollywood ICCASP, 4-14-46 Speaker, Veterans Emergency Rally, N.Y.C., 5-16-46. In publicly denying that this rally was a subversive meeting Sinatra stated: "It was a rally sponsored by the Veterans Committee of the ICCASP. The Committee was urging pa.s.sage of legislation to provide houses for veterans. I was trying to help the veterans to get homes to live in. If that is a subversive activity, I am all for it." Partic.i.p.ant, concert in Hollywood Bowl, 9-2-46.

International Workers Order (1).

IWO distributed copies of a pamphlet highlighting excerpts from an address allegedly made by Sinatra at a World Youth Rally 3-21-45 on racial and religious discrimination. IWO distributed copies of a pamphlet highlighting excerpts from an address allegedly made by Sinatra at a World Youth Rally 3-21-45 on racial and religious discrimination.

Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee (1).

Contributor, $100 in 1944 Scheduled to be a speaker at a ma.s.s rally to be held 9-24-45, N.Y.C. No record that he appeared. Scheduled to speak at JAFRC dinner to be held 5-7-46, N.Y.C. No record of his appearance. Contributor, $100 in 1944 Scheduled to be a speaker at a ma.s.s rally to be held 9-24-45, N.Y.C. No record that he appeared. Scheduled to speak at JAFRC dinner to be held 5-7-46, N.Y.C. No record of his appearance.

Mobilization for Democracy (2).

Gerald L. K. Smith charged Sinatra cooperated with organization in organizing a picket line protesting Smith's appearances in Los Angeles. Gerald L. K. Smith charged Sinatra cooperated with organization in organizing a picket line protesting Smith's appearances in Los Angeles.

"Narodni Glasnik"

(2).

Printed and distributed the 1946 Croatian National Almanac which contained an article by Sinatra. Printed and distributed the 1946 Croatian National Almanac which contained an article by Sinatra.

"New Ma.s.ses"

(5).

Received award "for his courageous fight on behalf of all minorities" at dinner held 1-14-46, N.Y.C. Received award "for his courageous fight on behalf of all minorities" at dinner held 1-14-46, N.Y.C.

Southern Conference for Human Welfare (5).

Master of Ceremonies, dinner, N.Y.C., 12-16-46 Master of Ceremonies, dinner, N.Y.C., 12-16-46

The code for the numerals appearing under the column "Citation" is as follows: 1 - Attorney General 2 - 1948 report, California Committee on Un-American Activities 3 - Military Intelligence 4 - Informants and Newspaper Articles 5 - House Committee on Un-American Activities.

A subsequent memo went on for pages and pages about the singer's supposedly subversive affiliations. Just a few entries give the gist and flavor.

ALLEGATIONS OF AFFILIATION WITH THE COMMUNIST PARTY.

Frank Sinatra was scheduled to make three appearances at Italian-American meetings in New York City in connection with an election campaign, one of which had been arranged by the Communist Political a.s.sociation for November 1, 1944. However, Sinatra did not appear at this meeting. No reason was given for his absence by members of the Party, but they were considerably agitated because he did not attend.

An informant advised, exact date not reported, that Sam Falcone, identified as a Communist Party member and Chairman of the Legislative Committee of UE Local 301, proposed that a UE campaign committee have Frank Sinatra come to Schenectady to put on a program inasmuch as Sinatra was an old member of the Young Communist League and would come for the Communist Party at a nominal rate.

The March, 1944, issue of "Spotlight," monthly publication of the AYD, featured a statement issued by Frank Sinatra which it claimed was issued by him in response to their request. The statement answered a charge which this magazine said had been made in April, 1944, by Artur Rodzinski, Conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, that "jive" was responsible for juvenile delinquency and that Sinatra was as responsible as anything or anyone for delinquency among the younger generation.

In this regard, it was reported that Artur Rodzinski's charge that jazz contributed to juvenile delinquency resulted in a running debate in the public press and that the "New York Evening Sun," date not given, ran a three-column front page article on the Sinatra-Rodzinski feud.

The program for the Second Annual AYD dinner, which was held at the Amba.s.sador Hotel in Los Angeles on December 16, 1945, reflected that Frank Sinatra received an award which was presented to him by a Rabbi Max Nussbaum. An informant who attended the dinner reported, however, that Sinatra was not present and the award was made to him through Mrs. Sinatra.

Robert W. Kenny, former California State Attorney General, appeared as a defense witness at the trial of Harry Bridges on January 31, 1950. During his testimony, Kenny admitted sponsoring an AYD dinner in Los Angeles during December, 1945, and added that he had attended same with Frank Sinatra.

It was learned on May 23, 1946, that one of the AYD members had interviewed Frank Sinatra when he was in Chicago and had asked him about "red-baiting" in the AYD. Sinatra reportedly replied that he had received a letter from one of the AYD members in the Tom Paine Club asking him if it were true that the AYD was a "Red" organization. Sinatra said he had not answered the letter. The AYD member, in explaining this to other club members, expressed confidence that Sinatra would answer the letter in the right way.

On May 16, 1946, a group of Detroit Youth Clubs, including the AYD, held an Inter-Cultural Rally at the Jewish Community Center, Woodward and Holbrook Streets, Detroit, to honor Frank Sinatra, who was then playing an engagement at a downtown theater in Detroit. Erma Henderson, AYD President, acted as Chairman of the rally which was attended by about 250 people. Sinatra was presented with a scroll of appreciation for his contributions to the youth of America.

On May 5, 1946, Philip Schatz, AYD Executive Secretary, said that the rally honoring Frank Sinatra represented a good opportunity for them to set up a permanent organization of which the AYD would be a part and that through such an organization the AYD could gain a great deal of prestige.

On April 1, 1948, AYD members at Chicago, mentioned that Frank Sinatra had gone to Italy and that he would do more for Italian Communists than anybody else could do.

According to the "Daily Worker" of March 17, 1945, Frank Sinatra accepted an invitation to address the World Youth Week Rally at Carnegie Hall, New York City on March 21, 1945. This rally was sponsored by the American Youth for a Free World with the cooperation of various racial groups. A report concerning the March 21, 1945 meeting, however, does not make any reference to Frank Sinatra being present.

The program for a dinner held on May 9, 1946, at the Henry Hudson Hotel in New York City, which had been sponsored by the Action Committee to Free Spain Now, the Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and the American Committee for Spanish Freedom, listed Frank Sinatra as a speaker. Sinatra did not attend this dinner, but did send a telegram of support and expression of regret for being unable to be there.

Frank Sinatra was named as one of several artists who sponsored a Town Hall benefit concert arranged by the Greenwich Village Chapter of the American Committee for Yugoslav Relief on January 1, 1946.

The American Committee for Yugoslav Relief has been cited as a subversive and Communist organization by the Attorney General.

Another governmental agency conducting intelligence investigations reported on September 13, 1946, that Frank Sinatra was one of the sponsors of the "American Crusade to End Lynchings" for which Paul Robeson was chairman. This organization supported a pilgrimage to Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C., on September 23, 1946. A parade was scheduled to be held on September 23, 1946, which was to be led by colored and white veterans who were to march to the Lincoln Memorial where a national religious ceremony would be held and persons who escaped lynching mobs were to be presented to the audience.

According to a news release, Frank Sinatra was scheduled to speak against racial intolerance as the guest of honor at the Free Italy Society's annual ball and dinner to be held February 23, 1946, at the Kastritta Hall, 3220 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California. This news article identified said organization as an anti-Fascist group.

Sinatra was quoted as follows: "I will be happy to join with my fellow Italian-Americans in the cause of true democracy."

It was announced that the theme of the affair would be to fight domestic Fascism as personified by Gerald L. K. Smith.

Westbrook Pegler reported in his column in November, 1947, that after Sinatra had appeared at a show held under the auspices of the ICCASP in New York City during May, 1946, his manager, George Evans, said that Sinatra had "put himself under the political guidance of two reporters who are experts on Communism, and agreed not to mess around with any outfit which they disapproved."

Frank Sinatra was identified as one of the artists who partic.i.p.ated in a concert held in the Hollywood Bowl on September 2, 1946, which had been arranged by the Hollywood Independent Citizens Committee of the Arts, Sciences and Professions. The princ.i.p.al guest speaker at this affair was Senator Claude Pepper, who spoke on relations between the United States and Soviet Russia. This fund, raising meeting is estimated to have collected between forty and fifty thousand dollars.

In connection with Sinatra's activities with the ICCASP, it has been reported that in 1943 he supported the Hague political machine in New Jersey and, in 1944, actively campaigned on behalf of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He is reported to have visited the White House in September, 1944, in company with Toots Shor, New York restaurateur, at which time he conferred with the President. Considerable adverse publicity is reported to have resulted from this visit and as a consequence, according to this particular report, Sinatra became incensed and donated $7,500 to the Democratic cause and became an active member of the Independent Voters Committee of the Arts and Sciences for Roosevelt which reportedly subsequently merged with the ICCASP.

CONTACTS WITH RUSSIAN CONSULATE OFFICIALS.

On March 13, 1945, Francis Damon of the American Youth for a Free World, supra, contacted Captain Orest Shevtzov, representative in the United States for the Youth Anti-Fascist Committee in Moscow, who was then at the Russian Consulate in New York City, and informed her that all pictures would be taken the following day. The Captain was advised that she should be in her office at 11:15 A.M. in uniform and that the first picture would be taken with Newbold Morris, President of the City Council of New York, and the second picture would be taken with Frank Sinatra at 2:30 P.M. on March 14, 1945.

On May 20, 1946, the Russian Consulate in Los Angeles was advised that Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sinatra and others who were named would not be able to attend the party at the Consulate that night.

Even Sinatra's dentist turns up in the files as a subject in a spying investigation.

Frank Sinatra's dentist, Dr. Abraham Benedict Weinstein, has been investigated by the Bureau in connection with the Gregory case investigation and is also the subject of a pending Security Matter-C case, New Haven Office of Origin. Elizabeth Terrill Bentley, informant in the Gregory case, named an individual known to her as "Charlie" as a contact of Jacob Golos.... Dr. Weinstein was not identified by Miss Bentley as the individual known to her as "Charlie" but many of the characteristics of "Charlie" as named by her closely parallel those of Dr. Weinstein....

Investigation by the New Haven Office reflects that Weinstein was born on September 18, 1900, at New York City, where he is a practicing dentist; further, that for many years he has a.s.sociated with top functionaries in the Communist Party such as John Williamson, Gus Hall, Irving Potash and Carl Winter, as well as several individuals known to be Communist Party sympathizers such as Anna Louise Strong, Leon and Barney Josephson and others. He is known to have been in contact with Ralph Bowman, suspected Russian espionage agent, and has been in the company of individuals named as Russian espionage agents by Elizabeth Bentley....

It is known that Dr. Weinstein is quite friendly with Sinatra's manager, George Evans. On one occasion, a Sam Bronstein, connected with the Motion Picture Industry, requested Dr. Weinstein to use his influence on George Evans to get Sinatra to make a picture and that if successful Dr. Weinstein would receive a fee of $25,000 for his services. Information was furnished reflecting that Evans and Dr. Weinstein met on several occasions to discuss this proposition.

The author of another lengthy FBI memo detailing Sinatra's activity during this period either had a sense of humor about the matter or simply was careless in identifying Sinatra's alleged political soul mates.

The 4/19/47 issue of the "New York Daily Mirror" carried an article by Jack Lait ent.i.tled "All in the Family." The article pertained to Charlie Chaplin and Frank Sinatra, who had held press conferences that week during which Sinatra denied he sympathized with Lenin and the Marx brothers.

By 1950, with his career in decline, his marriage to Nancy Barbato on the rocks, and a tempestuous affair with Ava Gardner under way, Sinatra was anxious to counter suggestions in the press that he was a draft-dodging subversive. An intermediary contacted FBI agent Paul J. Mohr with an extraordinary offer. Mohr pa.s.sed on the offer in a memo to Tolson.

TO: MR. TOLSON.

DATE: September 7, 1950 DATE: September 7, 1950 FROM: J. P. MOHR.

SUBJECT: FRANK SINATRA.

[image]called at my office today after having endeavored to arrange an appointment to see the Director. I explained to[image] that the Director was extremely busy, that he was fully committed and would be unable to see him. that the Director was extremely busy, that he was fully committed and would be unable to see him.[image] stated that he had been requested by Frank Sinatra to contact the Director with ... a proposition that Sinatra had in mind. stated that he had been requested by Frank Sinatra to contact the Director with ... a proposition that Sinatra had in mind.[image] said he was a friend of Sinatra, that he considered him to be a sincere individual and that he has known him for six years. said he was a friend of Sinatra, that he considered him to be a sincere individual and that he has known him for six years.[image] described Sinatra as a "Dago who came up the hard way" and said he is a conscientious fellow who is very desirous of doing something for his country. described Sinatra as a "Dago who came up the hard way" and said he is a conscientious fellow who is very desirous of doing something for his country.[image] stated that Sinatra feels he can do some good for his country under the direction of the FBI. stated that Sinatra feels he can do some good for his country under the direction of the FBI.

[image]stated that Sinatra is sensitive about the allegations which have been made concerning his subversive activities and also his draft status during the last war. Sinatra feels that the publicity which he has received has identified him with subversive elements and that such subversive elements are not sure of his position and Sinatra consequently feels that he can be of help as a result by going anywhere the Bureau desires and contacting any of the people from whom he might be able to obtain information. Sinatra feels as a result of his publicity he can operate without suspicion.

[image]stated Sinatra is a Catholic but is not a practicing one. He also stated that Sinatra denies any subversive affiliations or interests on the part of himself and[image] is sure that Sinatra is truthful, otherwise is sure that Sinatra is truthful, otherwise[image] stated he would not bother the FBI with this matter. stated he would not bother the FBI with this matter.

[image]stated that Sinatra was desirous of getting this project before CIA. However,[image] said he told Sinatra that CIA was not the proper place to make the approach. However, said he told Sinatra that CIA was not the proper place to make the approach. However,[image] did contact a friend in CIA who told did contact a friend in CIA who told[image] that he should take the matter up with the FBI since we were primarily charged with domestic intelligence activities. that he should take the matter up with the FBI since we were primarily charged with domestic intelligence activities.

[image]stated that Sinatra's princ.i.p.al contacts are in the entertainment field in Hollywood and New York City.[image] further advised that he didn't know whether Sinatra has any current information with respect to subversives. He said that Sinatra understands that if he worked for the Bureau in connection with such activities it might reflect on his status and his standing in the entertainment field but he is willing to do anything even if it affects his livelihood and costs him his job. further advised that he didn't know whether Sinatra has any current information with respect to subversives. He said that Sinatra understands that if he worked for the Bureau in connection with such activities it might reflect on his status and his standing in the entertainment field but he is willing to do anything even if it affects his livelihood and costs him his job.

[image]said that Sinatra is willing to go "the whole way."

[image]stated that Sinatra can, of course, be reached through his residence in Hollywood but that he is presently living in the Hamps.h.i.+re House in New York City and that he is looking for an apartment in New York City since he is starting a television show on ABC on Sat.u.r.day, October 7, 1950, and consequently will be in New York City for the next year.

I told[image] that I wasn't aware of Sinatra's activities other than what I had read in the papers. I told him further that I wasn't aware of Sinatra's possibilities and that that was something we would have to a.n.a.lyze and determine. I further told that I wasn't aware of Sinatra's activities other than what I had read in the papers. I told him further that I wasn't aware of Sinatra's possibilities and that that was something we would have to a.n.a.lyze and determine. I further told[image] that we would not ask Sinatra or any other individual to engage in any activities that would reflect on the individual and that any action taken by the individual would have to be a voluntary decision on his part. that we would not ask Sinatra or any other individual to engage in any activities that would reflect on the individual and that any action taken by the individual would have to be a voluntary decision on his part.[image] was also informed that I was not aware of the fact that Sinatra could be of use to us but that I would call to the Director's attention was also informed that I was not aware of the fact that Sinatra could be of use to us but that I would call to the Director's attention[image] 's visit to me and that we would consider Sinatra's request and that if he could be utilized we would communicate with him. 's visit to me and that we would consider Sinatra's request and that if he could be utilized we would communicate with him.

The Security Division has been requested to prepare a memorandum for the Director concerning information appearing in our files with respect to Sinatra.

Handwritten notation by Tolson: We want nothing to do with him. C. We want nothing to do with him. C.

Handwritten notation by Hoover: I agree. H. I agree. H.

Sinatra had entertained troops overseas at the end of World War II. In 1954, his career rejuvenated by his Oscar-winning turn in From Here to Eternity, From Here to Eternity, he offered to go to Korea to do so again. The army, however, wasn't interested, as this exchange of memos shows. The first is an army doc.u.ment that ended up in the FBI's files; the others track the FBI's involvement in the matter he offered to go to Korea to do so again. The army, however, wasn't interested, as this exchange of memos shows. The first is an army doc.u.ment that ended up in the FBI's files; the others track the FBI's involvement in the matter.

17 September 1954 MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD:.

SUBJECT: Clearance of Mr. Frank Sinatra to accompany an entertainment group to the Far East during the Xmas Holiday period.

1. In response to a request made by Mr. Frank Sinatra for an appointment to discuss the matter of his clearance for a Xmas Holiday entertainment tour to the Far East, a meeting was arranged in the office of The Adjutant General at 1300 hours, 16 September 1954. Partic.i.p.ants were: Major General John A. Klein, TAGMajor General Gilman C. Mudgett, Chief of Info.Brig. Gen. Alfred E. Kastner, a.s.st to the a.s.stchief of Staff, G-2Mr. Sinatra 2. General Klein opened the discussion with remarks to the effect that all present were aware of the purpose of Mr. Sinatra's visit. He then asked General Kastner to outline the basis upon which Mr. Sinatra's request for clearance was denied.

3. General Kastner explained that over a period of years many items had appeared in the public press, including The Daily Worker and kindred publications, which reflected adversely on Mr. Sinatra, and which to a considerable degree identified the latter with the communist line. He pointed out that as a result, serious question existed as to Mr. Sinatra's sympathies with respect to communism, communists, and fellow travelers. He stated that particularly in view of recent events and actions hinging on the matter of subversives, the Army could not grant clearance to any individual about whom the slightest doubt existed.

4. Mr. Sinatra stated that he hated and despised everything that pertained to communism; that he had never been a member of a communist inspired organization, nor had he ever made contribution to such organizations. He attributed the unfavorable press items to irresponsible individuals who preyed on those in "entertainment." He said that he considered these writings so absurd that he had not even undertaken to refute them. He related that he had responded to a reporter's question regarding his att.i.tude toward communism with the remark: "I am just as communistic as the Pope." He said that the reporter informed him that such a quote was not printable. He emphasized the point that he was most eager to provide entertainment for service personnel in the Far East; that he had specified Far East because he thought our largest forces were located there, but that he was willing to perform anyplace else including the continental United States; that a pressing moving picture engagement had precluded him from making a similar tour some two years ago. He stated that he would carry matters to the Attorney General in order to clear his name, and that he would engage counsel to represent him. (General Kastner had previously indicated to Mr. Sinatra that it was his privilege as a civilian to take his case to the Attorney General and had made suggestion regarding the desirability of counsel.) 5. General Mudgett advised Mr. Sinatra that from an entirely impersonal point of view, the Army, circ.u.mstances being as they are, could not at this time risk granting him a clearance. He digressed to congratulate Mr. Sinatra on his fine performance in "From Here to Eternity." Generals Klein and Kastner expressed similar sentiments. General Klein also expressed appreciation for Mr. Sinatra's generous offer to provide entertainment for our troops overseas.