CHAMBERS OF WILLIAM WAYNE JUSTICE CHIEF JUDGE U TED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS POST OFFICE Box 330 TYLER, TEXAS 75710 December 1, 1986 Honorable William P. Clements, Jr. Governor-Elect of Texas 1901 North Akard Street Dallas, Texas 75201 My dear Governor Clements: TELEPHONE (214) 597-9387 From my reading of various newspaper articles, I am aware that you desire, to confer with me regarding the Ruiz case. Judicial ethics require that I obtain the consent of the attorneys representing the parties in the case before I can engage in such a conference. Therefore, after your secretary called my office this past Wednesday, I delegated the Special Master, Mr. Vincent Nathan, to seek to secure the approval of the attorneys. Mr. Nathan reported to me late Wednesday afternoon that the attorneys for the plaintiffs (the prisoners) had no objection to the conference, and that the U.S. Department of Justice attorneys likewise did not oppose it. However, Mr. F. Scott McCown, the Assistant Attorney General who represents the defendants (the Prison Board and the Director of T.D.C.) objected to any conference between us, except under specified conditions. Acting under my instructions, Mr. Nathan directed Mr. McCown to send his written objections to me at once. His letter was received by m this morning. A copy is enclosed. I much appreciate your interest in the Ruiz litigatio However, until such time as the Attorney General's conce are met, I am precluded from discussing the case with you. Respectfully, William Wayne Chi United States District Court Eastern District of Texas cc: F. Scott McCown, Esquire cc: William B. Turner, Esquire cc: Mitchell Dale, Esquire 46 cc: Joel Berger, Esquire doe cc: Vincent Nathan, Esquire