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Edward KocheEdward Koche
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Session:         Page of 617

agent who had his office on the upper west side of Manhattan, very right-wing in his statements, and his statements could reasonably be interpreted as rank racism.

Q:

To your knowledge was he a John Bircher?

Koch:

Oh, I doubt it.

Q:

As a matter of fact, was there much Birchism as that time in New York City proper?

Koch:

No, not in the literal sense. The John Birch philosophy, which is more than just a very right-wing kind of philosophy on issues, is also nutty. From their point of view, Eisenhower was a knowing Communist dupe -- something like that. They are just nuts, and I don't believe that John Birch in that sense has any following in the city of New York.

Q:

About that time was there a growing, almost conservative type movement, however, in the city, bringing up such people as William Buckley, Rosemary McGrath and others? We're in the period now of the early '60s.

Koch:

It's gotten more conservative since then. More people I should say are accepting the conservative criticisms of society than were





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