</s>BH 44-1740 Inasmuch as no reference was made to the FBI and the fact we have already on the record, contacted HANES for any information in his possession; and in view of the fact HANEs is obviously seeking publicity to maintain his connection and this case, I feel no further action is necessary and this memorandum is for your information. ADDENDUM: 3/14/69 Today TAYLOR telephoned me to say he had talked briefly to HANes and brought up the television interview. TAYLER requested HANESE to furnish him any information and offered to set up at three-way conference with the FBI, USA's Office and HANESA at HANESS' convenience. HANESCO mentioned that he had and HANEES at HANE'S convenience. The HANEC mentioned that the FBI did not seem too interested and TAYLES said he held HANCS this was an incorrect impression since HANSE was trying to trade information. He was not interested in the HANEE's investigation to furnish any information from its files to HANSS with a pending trial of the subject. According to HANEIS reluctantly agreed this might be the case. No agreement was the three possible parties could have mutual agreement as to the time and place. I.e. I told TAYOLOR the position of the FBI was still in the same, i.e ., I will receive any information HANNES has to offer at any time we will receive my information HASES has tooffer at of this office. I could TAYLOOR did not see no HANEOS to an agent agreeable time to receive any Information HANEAS might have. I also told TAVLOR I felt HANELS did not have anything new to I alsotold TAYLOS I felt HARNES did not do have anything now to would benefit HANFS. TAVLOIR seemed uncertain as to whether he wanted to pursue the conference idea any further as and asked when you would return which, I gathered, means he wants to talk to you further about it. 2. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s movements and connections prior to Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, focusing on motel registrations and vehicle ownership in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Key interactions include communications between agents TAYLOR and HANES regarding information sharing, with HANES declining to provide details. WOOD, a cooperating witness, requested the return of rifle-related evidence from the Birmingham Division. FBI efforts centered on analyzing motel records for Ray’s stays in Birmingham (March 29, 1968), Florence, Alabama (April 1–3, 1968), and Corinth, Mississippi (April 2, 1968). A registration card under the alias Eric S. GALT at the Travelodge Motel in Birmingham was linked to a 1966 Mustang with Alabama license plate 1-38993. Handwriting comparisons and motel records were sought to identify potential associates of Ray during this period. A letter referencing MLK’s assassination in Memphis was noted but not confirmed by local authorities. The documents also include administrative notices regarding declassification under Executive Order 14176, alongside lists of individuals and vehicle information from various states, though these latter entries lack direct contextual ties to the investigation.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (subject of investigation)  
- HANES (individual seeking information exchange with FBI)  
- TAYLOR (agent involved in communication with HANES)  
- WOOD (cooperating witness requesting return of evidence)  
- SA ERVIN B. BRUNINGA (agent conducting motel registration checks)  
- James Bevel (mentioned in context of potential speaking engagements at Talladega College)  
- Eric Stanley (Student Senate Vice-President, Talladega College)  
- March Berry (Student Affairs representative, Talladega College)  

Key Locations  
- Birmingham, Alabama (Travelodge Motel, Highland Avenue)  
- Florence, Alabama (motel registrations March 30–April 3, 1968)  
- Corinth, Mississippi (motel registration April 2, 1968)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (relevance to MLK assassination context)  
- Talladega College, Alabama  
- Decatur, Alabama  
- Little Rock, Arkansas  
- Chicago, Illinois  
- Kansas City, Missouri  
- St. Petersburg, Florida  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into Ray’s motel stays and vehicle ownership  
- Request for return of rifle-related evidence from WOOD  
- Handwriting analysis of registration cards to verify identities  
- Search for connections between Ray and individuals at motels in Alabama and Mississippi  
- Mention of a letter referencing MLK’s assassination in Memphis  
- FBI monitoring of motel registrations during March–April 1968  
- Administrative notices regarding document release under Executive Order 14176  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Birmingham Division (Birmingham, Alabama)  
- Memphis Office (involved in court-related updates)  
- FBI Laboratory (handwriting analysis of documents)  
- Talladega College, Alabama  
- Southern Railway Company (associated with J. C. Beeler)  
- United Van Lines (associated with Jim and Floyd Crone)

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_09-05-part_3_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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