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OCR Page 1 of 30October 21, 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR: Mr. Ehrlichman
Mr. Klein
At the request of Margita White, I have looked into the question
of declassifying the letter from President Johnson designating a
future director of censorship. I understand that Samuel J. Archibald,
a freedom of information champion, has raised the question. Under
the provisions of Executive Order No. 10501, classified material may
be declassified only with the consent of the classifying authority, which
in this case would be the President.
As I understand the facts of this case, there appear to be four
options available if we wish to take some action on Archibald's
complaint: (1) declassify President Johnson's letter and release
the name of his designee; (2) withdraw the appointment of LBJ's
designee and announce that we do not intend to designate a censor
in advance of a demonstrated requirement for one; (3) designate a
new censor whose name shall (a) be made public or (b) kept classified;
and (4) do nothing.
It seems to me that we ought to resolve this question and not let
it drag on through periodic press discussion. I have some problem
with the legal implications of designating an individual for a job which
does not exist and I feel we should carefully explore the need for doing
so.
John Dean
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