The Press: Orangeburg Relived

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When Bass and Nelson submitted their manuscript to World, the publishers sent out a promotional release emphasizing the criticism of the FBI. Two days later, Bass was asked by an FBI friend in Columbia if he could photocopy the book for "Mr. Hoover." Bass agreed, and was soon rewarded by a long, furious letter from FBI Boss J. Edgar Hoover. "The book is so biased in its attempt to smear the FBI," said an angry Hoover, "that it raises serious questions as to the competence and objectivity of the authors." After a rebuttal by Bass, Hoover signed off a second letter with "[Your book] reminds me of the 'scissors-and-paste' method of writing and arguing. As you certainly are familiar with this particular method, there is no need of my elaborating upon it."

The book smacks more of hard work than of paste; besides, there was precious little published material about Orangeburg to cut up. Bass plans no further reply to Hoover. As for Nelson, he has not heard from Hoover at all.