</s>FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-64) F.B.1 Date: 4/10/68 Transmit the following in PLAINTEXT (Type in plantest or code) TELETYPE URGENT Via (Priority) TO DIRECTOR, JACKSONVILLE AND MEMPHIS FROM BIRMINGHAM (44-1740) (P) MURKIN. CR. 00: MEMPHIs. RE ALBANY TEL TO BIRMINHAM, APRIL NINE, LAST. MEMPHIS HAS FURNISHED BIRIMINGHAM COLORED PHOTO OF T-SHIRT AND PAIR OF TRUNKS OR SHORTS BEAR RED COLORED LAUNDRY LABELS ABOUT ONE-FOURTH INCH WIDE BY ABOUT ONE INCH LONG. THESE TWO RED LABELES ABOUT BEAR SYMBOLS TWO B - SIX IN NUMBER TWO PRECEDED BY WHAT APPEARS TO BE ZERO WHICH HAS BEEN CUT IN HALF, RAYMOND SNYDER, OPERATOR, TOPS CLEANERS, SHEFFIELD, ALABAMA, FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR DURING NINETEEN SIXTYFOUR, SIXTYFFIVE, WAS SALESMAN IN KENTUCKY, TENNESSEE, AND NARROW STRIP ACROSS NORTH ALABAMAS FOR TEXTILE MARKING MACHINE COMPANY, SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, WHICH MANUFACTURES THERMO-SEAL LAUNDRY LABELLING MACHINES, HE STATES LABLES IN PHOTO APPLIED BY THERMOS-SEALL MACHINEM WHICH IS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT BECAUSE ONLY PART OF ZERO PRECESS FIRST NUMBER IN CODE. IN CODE SYSTEM USED BY SNYDER AND RECOMMENDED BY HIM END PAGE ONE. 44-1470-193 EBB:epg (1/1/2) SARCHED SINCEEDED INDEXED WA-10/0/N SCHINA M CALALIZED FILLED. Approved: Sent SULV/10.M Per Agent in Charge 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigations in 1968 related to laundry labeling codes and potential connections to a suspect linked to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Raymond Snyder, an operator at Tops Cleaners in Sheffield, Alabama, provided information about thermo-seal laundry labeling machines used by textile companies. He noted that red laundry labels with specific codes (e.g., "B - Six" and "Zero B - Six") were applied using a machine out of adjustment, which only partially printed the zero preceding the first number in the code. The FBI sought to trace these labels to laundries using the machines, contacting Richard Bristo in Gainesville, Florida, who handled thermo-seal machines in multiple Southern states. The investigation also focused on Eric Starvo Galt, a suspect last seen in Birmingham, Alabama, associated with a white 1966 Mustang purchased there. The car’s license plates and VIN were noted, and the FBI requested checks on its registration and potential re-registration. Other mentions include Jimmy George Robinson, whose movements were tracked for possible ties to Selma, Alabama, but no direct connection to MLK’s assassination is stated in the documents.  

Key People:  
- Raymond Snyder (Tops Cleaners, Sheffield, Alabama) – operator of thermo-seal labeling machines.  
- Richard Bristo (Gainesville, Florida) – sales/service representative for thermo-seal machines in Southern states.  
- Eric Starvo Galt – suspect linked to a white 1966 Mustang purchased in Birmingham, Alabama.  
- Jimmy George Robinson – individual monitored for potential ties to Selma, Alabama.  

Key Locations:  
- Sheffield, Alabama (Tops Cleaners)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (Galt’s last known residence, car purchase)  
- Gainesville, Florida (Bristo’s location)  
- Selma, Alabama (Robinson’s arrest history)  

Key Events:  
- FBI investigation into thermo-seal laundry labeling codes and their potential connection to a suspect.  
- Search for laundries using specific red labels with codes like "B - Six" and "Zero B - Six."  
- Tracking of Eric Starvo Galt’s 1966 Mustang, including license plate details and VIN.  
- Monitoring of Jimmy George Robinson’s movements post-arrest in Selma, Alabama.  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – conducting investigations into labeling codes, vehicle registrations, and suspect locations.  
- Textile Marking Machine Company (Syracuse, New York) – manufacturer of thermo-seal labeling machines referenced in the documents.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_03-02-part_5_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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