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Anti-jewish Bombings in Kansas City Attract Interest of F.b.i.

August 10, 1964
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation has received information on anti-Jewish bombings in Kansas City, Mo., and is believed to be participating in an investigation launched by Kansas City police, it was learned here today.

Kansas City police officials announced today that a pattern of anti-Jewish terrorism has emerged in Kansas City during the past seven months. Five bombings or attempted bombings have occurred at the homes and businesses of Jewish persons, police said. The bombings were described as a “pattern” involving anti-Semitism.

Police are now probing the latest blast which last week destroyed the interior of a restaurant owned by Melvin Rolskey. Mr. Rolsky is Jewish, and his name has figured in the news. The first of the five incidents in the anti-Jewish pattern occurred Jan. 26, when two unexploded dynamite bombs were found outside the homes of Irving Achtenberg, an attorney, and Dr. Lazare Shapiro, a physician. The names of both intended victims had appeared in newspaper publicity prior to the attempt.

Two days later, an explosive charge was detonated against the wall of a discount store operated by proprietors of Jewish faith. The explosion resulted in damage estimated at $40,000. On April 21, the same store was damaged by still another blast. Police concluded now that the only conceivable thread linking the bombings and attempted bombings of Jews was anti-Semitism on the part of perpetrators.

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