Bare-Faced Messiah, FBI Archives Aforementioned Individuals

From the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.

STANDARD FORM NO. [??]
Office Memorandum - UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

DATE: January 24, 1957

TO : Mr. A. H. Belmont

FROM : Mr. F. J. Baumgardner

SUBJECT: THE ORGANIZATIONS OF AMERICA (OOA)
INFORMATION CONCERNING
(INTERNAL SECURITY)

CITIZENS OF WASHINGTON, INC. (CWI)
INFORMATION CONCERNING
(INTERNAL SECURITY)

No caption Memorandum from Mr. Nichols to Mr. Tolson, 12/17/56, set forth
results of information telephonically furnished to Mr. Nichols by
[BLACKED OUT] concerning captioned organizations. [BLACKED OUT] advised
that OOA has for its function the certifying of the loyalty of
organizations while the CWI, which is certified as to loyalty and
patriotism by OOA, has for its purpose the securing of voting rights for
DC citizens.  Mr. Nichols thought we should get a line on these
organizations through WFO.  WFO was requested by Bulet 12/19/56,
captioned as above, to discreetly ascertain background concerning
captioned organizations and their incorporators; that no investigation
was to be conducted regarding this matter; and that inquiries should be
limited to review of WFO files and available public source material.

WFO by letter 1/11/57 advised that offices of OOA and CWI are located at
1621 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.; that inquiries reflected
no full-time employees at these offices; that the incorporators of OOA
are Donovan G. Crandell, William J. Fisk, and Robert E. Nichols, while
the incorporators of CWI are Ken Salmen, Donovan G. Crandell, and
William J. Fisk; that the Certificate of Incorporation of OOA was
received at the Office of Recorder of Deeds on 7/20/56 (Corporation No.
14725), and the Certificate of Incorporation of CWI was filed by Office
of the Recorder of Deeds on 11/29/56 (Corporation No. 15781); that the
objects of OOA "shall be to coordinate and serve the activities of
social, private and public organizations interested in public welfare
and to publish directories and lists and papers, books and booklets
expressing their opinions and the desires of their members and to
be supported by contributions and booklet sales";

105-55601
105-55600

cc - Mr. Belmont
cc - Mr. Nichols
cc - Mr. Baumgardner
cc - Mr. Kleinkauf

[page 2]

Memorandum for Mr. Belmont
Re: The Organizations of America; Citizens of Washington, Inc.
105-55601
105-55600

and that the objects of the CWI shall be "the education of citizens and
residents of the District of Columbia in good citizenship and in the
duties of a citizen, and to conduct all manner of movements and projects
for the betterment of the District of Columbia as a place in which to
live and not for profit."

WFO letter also advised that Salmen is a student at the Academy of
Scientology, 1812 19th Street, N.W., also known as the Academy of
Religious Arts and Sciences; that Fisk is currently an instructor at this
school; that Crandell is the Registrar of the school; and that Dr.
Richard F. Steves, who attends to the offices of captioned
organizations, is Director of Training at this school.  WFO letter also
advises that the indices of that office contain no information identifiable
with captioned organizations or any of the afore-mentioned individuals.
Bufiles contain no additional information concerning captioned organizations.
Bufiles contain no information of a derogatory nature identifiable with
any of the aforementioned individuals.

_ACTION:_

None.  For your information.  No investigations are being conducted
concerning captioned organizations.