</s>jb-36 (Rev. 5-22-64) 1 1 FBI Date: 4/24/68 Transmit the following in (Type in plantexet or code) AIRTEL AIRTRAIL Via (Priority) To: SAC, MEMPHIS (44-1987) FROM: SAC_, MOBILE (157-2627) (P) SUBJECT: MURKIN CIVIL RIGHTS (00: MEMPHIPS) LAUNDRY CHECKS Reference is made to telephone call to Mobile from SA DAVE DALY, Birmingham, Ala ., 4:22 P.M ., 1/5/68, requesting contact with six laundries in the Mobile Division which used Thermo-Seal machines manufactured by Mobile Division which used Thermal-Sail machines manufactured in Mobile Textile telephone. Call from S ROBERT RAY, Syracuse, New York, 2:45 P. M. /98/96, giving the identity of three other laundry machines in this division which had had machines of the Textile Machine Division which had machines for the contacts with telephone 1/6/68 to Memphis, Mobile set forth contacts were negative and no information was developed contacts these nine laundries, reporting that these contaches were negative in no information were developed that these laundries had handled the question laundry. Leads were forth in Mobile telephone for Birmingham and New York City were Reference is Made to Bureau telephony to all offices /4/96/98, instructing that all laundries to contact to identify laundry using the pertinent code (0-6-6 or DB2B-6). Reference is also made to Albany telephony. 8:00 P.m. 2- Memphis - Mobile 44-1941-But-B-3/3/2 (4) - Mobile SEARCHED, INDEXED, 4/4/4 SERIALIZED, 8:10/68 FRIED, 5/8/64 (4). APR 2G 6/68 FBI-MEMPHIS WMA Approved: Special Agent In Charge Sent M Per <loc_680><loc_915>Special Agent in Charge 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The document contains FBI telegrams and reports from April 1968 detailing an investigation into civil rights activities, with a focus on laundries using Thermo-Seal machines in Memphis, Alabama, and other Southern cities. The FBI sought to identify connections between these laundries and potential evidence or individuals linked to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Contacts were made with multiple laundries, including Alexander City Laundry, Empire House Company, and White Young’s Laundry, to verify their use of specific machine codes such as "20R-3/Y" and "02-25-6-2-2." Samples of laundry tape from these locations were collected and analyzed by the FBI Laboratory. Fingerprint comparisons were conducted, including latent prints found on envelopes and letters tied to James Earl Ray, a suspect in MLK’s assassination. Coordination between FBI offices in Memphis, Mobile, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, and other regions is noted. Some sections contain garbled text or unclear references, possibly due to transcription errors or unrelated administrative notes. A separate fragment mentions fragmented, coded text referencing FBI investigative activities around April 1968, including latent fingerprint analysis and case file transmissions. Mentions include "John Butler Barnes," "U.S. Navy service," and references to FBI SAC Memphis (Special Agent in Charge). A note indicates no palm prints were found for Barnes, and fingerprints previously reported did not match those of John Butler Barnes. The text includes redacted release information under Executive Order 14176 and mentions airmail transmission details.  

Key People:  
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (subject of the investigation)  
- James Earl Ray (suspect in MLK’s assassination; referenced in fingerprint comparisons)  
- John Butler Barnes (mentioned in fragmented text with no palm prints found)  
- FBI agents and SACs (e.g., SAC Memphis, SAC Mobile, SAC Cincinnati, SAC Los Angeles)  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (central focus of the investigation; FBI SAC location)  
- Mobile, Alabama  
- Louisville, Kentucky  
- Auburn, Alabama  
- Culver City, California  
- Seagrave, Texas (mentioned in garbled section)  
- U.S. Navy service (linked to John Butler Barnes)  

Key Events:  
- FBI efforts to trace Thermo-Seal machine usage by laundries linked to MLK’s assassination investigation  
- Collection and analysis of laundry tape samples by the FBI Laboratory  
- Fingerprint comparisons involving latent prints from envelopes, letters, and evidence tied to James Earl Ray  
- Coordination between FBI offices in Memphis, Mobile, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, and other locations  
- Fragmented references to latent fingerprint analysis and case file transmissions around April 1968  
- Determination that fingerprints previously reported did not match those of John Butler Barnes  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- FBI Laboratory (involved in forensic analysis of laundry tape and fingerprints)  
- U.S. Navy (linked to John Butler Barnes)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_70-03-part_5_of_5.pdf

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