Jim Garrison, James Arthus and the Citizens' Council
Author: jpshinley
Email: jpshinley@my-dejanews.com
Date: 1998/06/29
Shortly after Jim Garrison defeated incumbent DA Richard Dowling in the Democratic Run-off Primary, he made an appearance at a meeting of the Citizens Council of Greater New Orleans that was so much fun that some people got excommunicated. It was a full night. JFK's upcoming visit to N. 0. was denounced. Leander Perez attacked the recently announced integration of the parochial schools, which is what triggered the excommunication. A Perez assistant, George Singelmann, announced plans for Freedom Bus North, a scheme which attracted nation-wide condemnation.
So why did JG feel compelled to confer the dignity of his future public office upon this scabrous assembly? One reason is that he accepted a campaign contribution from the Perez family. Another, is that George Singelmann and James Arthus, renowned janitor, aided his campaign by distributing an 'obscene' leaflet attacking Richard Dowling and mayoral candidate Adrian Duplantier. Arthus was even arrested for his trouble. (Actually, I have no reason to think JG authorized this leaflet, but, he still showed up at the CC meeting even though he must have been aware of this incident which attracted front-page coverage.) I wouldn't argue that JG was a dedicated segregationist, but that he was a political opportunist.
One last note: One of the speakers at the CC meeting was Dr. Emmett Lee Irwin. If you search for "Emmett Irwin" in the NARA database, you'll get one hit: an empty envelope addressed to J. A. Milteer.
Citations from the New Orleans Times-Picayune
Feb 19, 1962 S1-P3
DA, Garrison Swap Charges
Two Repeatedly Clash Over Issues
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Account of TV debate
"I won't have a civil practice if I am District Attorney."
"J. Edgar Hoover wrote you that I left the FBI in good standing."
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Feb 20, 1962 S1-P1
Balloon Tested Over Metairie
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Gorden Novel [Not relevant, I just think it's funny]
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Feb 20, 1962 S3-P2
Dowling, Garrison Clash During Lengthy Debate
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Same TV debate, it lasted past deadline.
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Dowling accused Garrison of accepting a contribution from Leander Perez.
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JG replied that he had accepted a moderate sum from the Perez family
via Leander "Lea" Perez,JR., with no strings attached.
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[Dowling was a long time enemy of the senior Perez, who probably would
have contributed to anyone running against Dowling. Also, when JG was an ADA in the '50s, he handled the successful prosecution of the drunk driver who had killed the junior Perez's wife in an automobile accident. See citations below.]
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JG presented an affidavit from a source that a Dowling assistant had
threatend bail bondsman W. Hardy Davis if Davis didn't come across
with a campaign contribution. Dowling presented an affidavit from Davis
denying this.
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March 2, 1962 S1-P22
Dowling Wrong, Martin Replies
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Jack S. Martin was JG's source on W. Hardy Davis. Dowling said he
had been in and out of mental institutions, which Martin denies.
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[This is a convoluted story. Davis wrote a book, _Aiming for the
Jugular in New Orleans_, about this. After JG took office, he went after
Davis. After the assassination, Martin contacted Davis to share his
suspicions about Ferrie. Maybe I'll send more about this later.]
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Sept 18, 1957 P10
Car Crash Testimony Heard
Leatham on Trial in Death of Mes. Perez, Jr.
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Judge Bernard Cocke
Edward Leatham, Jr, defendant
ADA James C. Garrison
G. Wray Gill, defense atty
Prosecution witnesses:
Leander Perez Jr. And Sr.
2 Plaquemines parish DA investigators
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Sept 19, 1957 P9
Fatal Speeding Story Admitted
Judge Rules Regarding Statement of Accused
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Leatham case
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Sept 20, 1957 P6
Driver Guilty in Auto Death
Leathem [sic] is Convicted of Negligent Homicide
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JG on public payroll since 1952.
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Feb 25, 1962 S1-P2
DA Acts to Halt Circular
Duplantier, Dowling Target of Obscene Drawing
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a Mr. Singelmann is mentioned.
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Feb 26, 1962 S1-P1
Arrest Made in Smut Case
Man Held in Probe of Political Circulars
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James L. Arthus, 2830 Baronne, 69 yr. old
George Singelmann, assistant to Leander Perez, also wanted for
questioning.
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Feb 27, 1962 S1-P5
Subpoena Issued for Singelmann
Events in Obscenity Case are Listed
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P. J. Trosclair searches Balter Building Office of Citizens Council
of Greater New Orleans.
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Feb 28, 1962 S1-P9
Perez Aid Sues for $50,000
Clasen and Arthus Accused of Slander
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March 1, 1962 S1-P4
Singelmann Rejects Call for Dowling Questioning
Refuses to Appear in Smut Distribution Case
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March 1, 1962 S3-p19
Four N.O. Unions Endorse Dowling
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United Packinghouse Workers, Benjamin E. Smith attorney
[didn't Sam Newman say this union was at 544 Camp]
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March 1, 1962 S4-p1
Dowling Query Cited by MCC
Documents Cite Efforts to Obtain Information
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March 2, 1962 S1-P6
Queries Sent DA Candidates
Crime Commission Gives List of Replies
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March 2, 1962 S1-P22
AD: Dowling attack on JG
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March 3, 1962 S1-P14
AD: Citizens for Duplantier and Dowling
paid for by Benjamin E. Smith, Bruce C. Waltzer, etc.
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[so two of the SCEF defendants endorsed Dowling over JG? Smith had
been a Dowling ADA.]
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March 3, 1962 S1-P16
AD: Attorneys for Garrison
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[How many strictly non-political future ADAs can you pick out of this
list]
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March 3, 1962 S3-P23
Dowling Knew of Aid, Charge
Sent Night Club Operator Thanks, Says Garrison
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March 3, 1962 S3-p23
Letter Phony, Dowling Holds
DA Lashes Out at Garrison in Address
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"He [JG] said by innuendo that I was a member of a communist
organization." [This may be related to SCEF]
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March 6, 1962 S1-P4
Garrison's Top Aids Selected
Klein, Former Opponent, and Shea Named
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"Garrison said factors helping him defeat Dowling included support from
newspapers, from unsuccessful mayoral candiadte Adrian G. Duplantier,
the Citizens Council and other organizations."
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March 10, 1962 S1-P4
Runoff Counts Are Released
JG: 78,851
Dowling: 71,821
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March 13, 1962 S1-P17
Bob Kennedy, Garrison Talk
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JG in DC. Stayed with OAS Ambassador Chep Morrison.
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March 28, 1962 S1-P1
Archdiocese Announces Plan for Open Schools
'All Pupils' May Enroll in Sept. Classes
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March 31, 1962 S3-P31
Rep. Waggoner to Urge Elected U.S. Judiciary
N. O. Citizens Council Told Bill Planned
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JFK's planned N. O. visit denounced
Leander Perez on integration of parochial schools
Gerorge Singelmann introduces Freedom Bus North plan.
"Introduced from the stage ... [was] Jim Garrison..."
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April 3, 1962 S1-P5
Paternal Admonition Given
Archdiocese Confirms Letters Were Sent
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April 16, 1962 S4-P1
Catholic Church Picketed by Trio
Mrs. Delphine Roberts, Mrs. Marie Huft, Mrs. Loretta Anser
Quote from DR's sign: "It is our sacred duty to preserve the white race of Jesus"
St. Patricks, 724 Camp
"The three women last month were members of a group that picketed the residence of Archbishop Joseph Francis Rummel . . . The leader of that group . . . [was the soon to be excommunicated] Mrs. B. J. Gaillot."
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April 17, 1962 S1-P1
Segregation Figures are Excommunicated
Church Cuts Off Perez, Ricau, Mrs. Galliot
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April 25, 1962 S2-P2
NAACP Called 'Hypocritical'
Hebert and Ellender Comment on Protest
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Freedom Bus North
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April 26, 1962 S1-P2
Perez Assails Church Stand
Says Catholic Hierarchy Duped on Mixing
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April 27, 1962 S1-P28
Long Gives Reply to NAACP
Plans to Introduce Bills Are Told
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Freedom Bus North
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April 28, 1962 S1-P11
Trip 'North' Delayed
Three Busloads Slated to Leave Wednesday
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May 1, 1962 S1-P5
'Rider' Again Traveling Free
Jovial Miss. Native Vows Further Visits
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May 5, 1962 S3-P2
Probe of Rides Urged
'Freedom Bus North' is Called 'Brutal'
Boston(AP)
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Ted Kennedy
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May 28, 1962 S1-P1
Placards Back La. Grant in Aid
Baton Rouge (AP)
Mrs. Delphine Roberts, says in NO she picketed churches, city hall and President Kennedy.
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Jerry Shinley
Re: Oswald at 544 Camp?
Author: jpshinley
Email: jpshinley@my-dejanews.com
Date: 1998/06/29
Actually, the janitor, James Arthus, shouldn't be considered a disinterested party. Consider the following from Arthus's obituary: "A native and life-long resident of New Orleans, Mr. Arthus was a member of the Citizens' Council of New Orleans, Inc." (NewOrleans Times-Picayune ; Oct 20, 1967; Sl-P3; includes a picture of Arthus) The Citizens's council, also known as the *White* Citizens' Council, was a segregationist group affiliated with the notorious Leander Perez. Arthus' membership suggests he would be idealogically sympathetic to Guy Banister.
Also, CE 3119 describes Arthus as the "apparent harmless Protective Research subject of file CO-2-32,791." (26 H 769) In the same report, Mrs. Eugenia Donnelly, a secretary for one of the labor unions located at 544 Camp, told the Secret Service that "it was well known that Arthus was an obvious mental case and that he sometimes made foolish statements to attract attention." (26 H 771)
The fact that Arthus was the subject of a Protective Research file implies that he had been investigated by the Secret Service as a potential threat to the safety of the President.
Jerry Shinley