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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. V - Page 462« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of James J. Rowley)

Mr. Rankin.
And are those various documents a part of the official report by the Secret Service to the Commission of this matter?
Mr. Rowley.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Rankin.
Mr. Chairman, I offer in evidence Commission Exhibit No. 1020.
The Chairman.
It may be so admitted.
(The document heretofore marked for identification as Commission Exhibit No. 1020, was received in evidence.)
Mr. Dulles.
Off the record, may I ask a question?
The Chairman.
Yes.
(Discussion off the record.)
The Chairman.
Back on the record.
Chief, I notice I have read this report. At any place in here, did any of your investigators, Inspector McCann, or your special agents, or anybody else, indicate that there had been any violation of any kind on the part of your People, or particularly any violation of this section 10, chapter 1, page 7 of the Secret Service manual?
Mr. Rowley.
I think what happened in this instance, we responded to the broadcast of Mr. Pearson and his charge that the men were inebriated. We were primarily concerned with that at that time. And to get the statements from the men. But I do know that in the course of his interviewing of these individuals at the time, and taking their statements, he impressed upon them the fact that there was a violation.
The Chairman.
Has there been any report made to the Commission to the effect that there was any violation of----
Mr. Rowley.
No, sir; unless it is contained in this document here, sir.
The Chairman.
I have not seen anything in there. It seems to me they were all given a complete bill of health. And I just wonder if that is quite consistent with the facts that the Commission should have.
Mr. Rowley.
No, sir; as I said earlier, we don't condone their actions, nor do we try to belittle the violation. But in the circumstances, I took the decision that I thought right in view of the tragedy and so forth. In any other circumstance it would have been entirely different. But as I said earlier, I don't think that these people should be blamed for the tragedy that happened at that time, and that any attempt to assess formal punishment would in the light of history stigmatize them for the rest of their life, as well as their families.
Mr. Rankin.
Mr. Chairman, I plan to leave that subject now--unless there is some further question.
The Chairman.
Any further questions? Very well.
Mr. Rankin.
Chief Rowley, will you tell us whether you learned anything about the preparations in Dallas for the visit of the President on November 22?
Mr. Rowley.
Yes; I read the report of Special Agent Lawson, who was designated as the advance agent for that visit.
Mr. Rankin.
And do you know that that report has been furnished to us?
Mr. Rowley.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Rankin.
A copy of it.
And have you examined it to determine whether it is accurate, as far as you can determine?
Mr. Rowley.
It is accurate; yes, sir.
Mr. Rankin.
Do you have any additions or corrections?
Mr. Rowley.
No; I have no corrections to make, sir.
Mr. Rankin.
Were you--are you satisfied, now examining that report, with the manner in which the advance preparations for the trip of the President were handled?
Mr. Rowley.
Yes, sir.
The report follows the standard procedure that we have exercised over the years, and in many of the trips we had taken with the late President. He covered everything with the police and all that we have normally covered on such visits.
Mr. Rankin.
Did you have enough agents at that time to perform the required duties in connection with this trip for both Dallas and the other cities in Texas to be visited?
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