Memorandum, William Hopkins to Thomas Stephens Regarding Public Response to the President's Action in the Rosenberg Case

O.F. FILED BY THE WHITE HOUSE Fight MR. FEB HOPKINS 17/1953 WASHINGTON February 12, 1953 MEMORANDUM FOR MR. STEPHENS: Re: Telegraphic reaction to the President's action in the Rosenberg case xDF72-A-12 # So far, 436 telegrams have been received in oppositi on to the President's action and 57 in support of his action. The vast majority of those in opposition come from population centers on the East and West Coasts, principally New York and California. Less than 10% go into the question of guilt or innocence. The majority of them express shock at the President's action and urge reconsideration. Some of the other thoughts expressed are as follows: 1. The American conscience cannot accept this decision. 2. Execution would be a miscarriage of justice. 3. In the name of humanity and American decency, there should be reconsideration. 4. Such death sentence is unprecedented. 5. Execution would be a blot on the good name of America. 6. The punishment here is more severe than that given Axis Sally, Tokyo Rose, and others of that kind. 7. Some few oppose capital punishment and others simply ask the President to be merciful. Those in support of the President's action are of three types: 1. Those who congratulate the President. 2. Those who commend his action. 3. Those who think his action took courage. INJH WILLIAM J8 HOPKINS