Letter from Attorney General Tom Clark to President Harry S. Truman

4598 325-B October 29, 1945 HARRY SERVICE: GOVERNING Dear Hr. President: MeArthur a is now ready to proceed with the prosecution of The Secretary of Tar advises me that General x25 x584 war crimes such as those consisting of "planning, prepar- x325 ing, initiating, or waging a war of aggression or in violation of international treaties and agreements or of participating in a common plan or conspiracy for any of the foregoing purposes". It is my suggestion and recommendation and that x of the Secretary of Yes that Joseph B. Keenan of Ohio be appointed to assist General MoArthur, and this recommenda- tion is concurred in by the Secretary of State and General Mearthur. I am sure you know Mr. Keenan. However, for your information he was appointed Assistant Attorney General in 1933, in charge of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice. In this capacity he personally prosecuted Machine Gun Kelly as well as other gangeters. He was instru- mental in the adoption by the Congress of the so-called racketeering laws. As & reward for his services he was unde The Assistant to the Attorney General in January, 1936 (the position now held by James P. McGranery). "OK H.S.T." Original initialed and returned to the Attorney General 10/30/45, elb