Elvis The Narc!

ELVIS the NARC!

The following column by Jack Anderson appeared n last Sunday's Free Press:

WASHINGTON - By presidential dictum, swivler Elvis Presley has been issued a federal narcotics badge. Presley was so overwhelmed at getting his own goldplated badge that tears sprang from his eyes, and he grabbed President Nixon in a bear hug.

The rock 'n' roll star is a police buff who collects law enforcement badges and donates thousands of dollars to police charities. Hearing of this, Deputy Narcotics Director John Finlator a few months ago sought to enlist Presley in the anti-drug fight.

Finlator invited the singer to the Narcotics Bureau for a quiet visit and arranged for the guards to admit him under the psuedonym of "John Burroughs."

Presley pulled up in front of the Narcotics Bureau in a gaudy Cadillac. Resplendent in purple suit and cloak, with a gold belt buckle and amber sunglasses, he had half the secretaries in the building oohing and aahing.

Presley agreed to cooperate with the anti-drug campaign and offered to donate $5,000 to the Narcotics Bureau. Finlator explained that the Bureau isn't permitted to accept donations.

Then Presley showed Finlator some police badges and asked whether he could have one from the Narcotics Bureau. "I can't," said Finlator apologetically. "I absolutely can't let you have one."

Presley said he had an appointment at the White House. "Would you mind," he asked, "If I asked President Nixon for a Narcotics badge?"

"That's the only way you'll ever get it, Elvis," replied Finlator good humoredly.

At the White House, Presley chatted with the President briefly, then raised the question of the badge.

"See that he gets it," the President directed his top enforcement advisor, Egil (Bud) Krogh. Unable to suppress his excitement, Elvis hugged the startled Nixon.

Krogh called Finlator and asked him to bring a badge to the White House.

When Finlator finally handed Presley the badge and promised to issue him "consultant" credentials, the singer was overeome with emotion, and his eyes became misty.