The Chairman.

I think this is a good time to take our luncheon recess now. So, we will adjourn until 2 o'clock.

Mrs. Oswald.

Thank you.
(Whereupon, at 12:30 p.m., the President's Commission recessed.)

Mrs. Oswald.

Afternoon Session

Testimony of Mrs. Lee Harvey Oswald Resumed

Mrs. Oswald.

The President's Commission reconvened at 2 p.m.

The Chairman.

All right. Let us proceed.
(The Chairman administered the oath to Alvin I. Mills, Stenotype Reporter.)

Mr. Rankin.

Mr. Reporter, do you have the last questions?
In the future, would you do that, so we can refresh the witness about the last couple of questions on her testimony? I think it will make it easier for her, if she doesn't have to try to remember all the time.

Mr. Rankin.

Mrs. Oswald, as I recall you were telling us about these developments at Neely Street when you found that your husband was suggesting that you go back to Russia alone and you discussed that matter, and you thought it had something to do with the idea he had, which I understood you have discovered as you looked back or thought back later but didn't know at the time fully. Is that right?

Mrs. Oswald.

That is correct.

Mr. Rankin.

Could you tell us those things that you observed that caused you to think he had something in mind at that time, and I will ask you later, after you tell us, those that you discovered since or that you have obtained more light on since.

Mrs. Oswald.

At that time I did not think anything about it. I had no reasons to think that he had something in mind. I did not understand him at that time.

Mr. Rankin.

Do you recall the first time that you observed the rifle?

Mrs. Oswald.

That was on Neely Street. I think that was in February.

Mr. Rankin.

How did you learn about it? Did you see it some place in the apartment?

Mrs. Oswald.

Yes, Lee had a small room where he spent a great deal of time, where he read---where he kept his things, and that is where the rifle was.

Mr. Rankin.

Was it out in the room at that time, as distinguished from in a closet in the room?

Mrs. Oswald.

Yes, it was open, out in the open. At first I think---I saw some package up on the top shelf, and I think that that was the rifle. But I didn't know. And apparently later he assembled it and had it in the room.

Mr. Rankin.

When you saw the rifle assembled in the room, did it have the scope on it?

Mrs. Oswald.

No, it did not have a scope on it.

Mr. Rankin.

Did you have any discussion with your husband about the rifle when you first saw it?

Mrs. Oswald.

Of course I asked him, "What do you need a rifle for? What do we need that for?"
He said that it would come in handy some time for hunting. And this was not too surprising because in Russia, too, we had a rifle.

Mr. Rankin.

In Russia did you have a rifle or a shotgun?

Mrs. Oswald.

I don't know the difference. One and the other shoots. You men. That is your business.

The Chairman.

My wife wouldn't know the difference, so it is all right.

Mrs. Oswald.

I have never served in the Army.

Mr. Rankin.

Did you discuss what the rifle cost with your husband?

Mrs. Oswald.

No.

Mr. Rankin.

Was the rifle later placed in a closet in the apartment at Neely Street?