-111---- 1 THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON D C 20540 November 11 1 976 Q MANUSCRIPT DIVlSION Dear Mr Sandler This is a follow up to the conversation yesterday concerning the K1 ssinger papers I have discove-r-etl one instance in Library history in which access was secured to a closed collection by Con r 7ssional subpoena A special Senate committee investigating the mun1 1ons i dustry in 1935 sought access to the diaries of Robert Lansi g closed to 1949 by agreement with Mrs Lansing the donor '£he Library declined requests by the connnittee for access After the subpoena was served the Acting Librarian directed that a committee staff member be all ied to see the diaries in the presence of a member of this Divisi on The diaries were not removed from Library premises and the examination was completed in five successive days About 20 items were subsequently photocopied for the committee Alle Dulles speaking for the Lansing-Dulles family protested the comrnJ ttee a tirn1 i and the Library itself complying with the oi -der made pecial requests to chairman Gerald Nye that information from the diaries be kept confidential That is the only instance I have been able to document of forced access to a closed collection but our General Counsel informs me that a properly issued subpoena properly served would have to be honored Iu any ase there has apparently been only one such instance C • and non in more than 40 years --· We shall welcome a visit by your security o ficer and I stand ready to answer any additional questions that may arise Yours sincerely L_ - John C Broderick Chief Mr Michael D Sandler special A sistant to the Legal Adviser Depart Illent of State 2201 C Streett N W Washington D C 20520