(Testimony of Robert Edward Oswald Lee Resumed)
Mr. Mckenzie.
up is that I do feel that Mr. Robert Oswald is under strict--the strictest of oaths to give his testimony only to the Commission, in the interests of finding out the truth, and that he has not given any statements to the press nor have I.
Mr. Dulles.
On that latter point, I would say that I appreciate and respect the position that you have taken in this respect, that in the case of previous witnesses, the Commission itself has no authority to, as I understand it, has not attempted to "muzzle" witnesses that have appeared before it as to what they themselves may say after the hearings.
The Chief Justice has enjoined them during the hearings not to discuss the proceedings.
Am I correct, Mr. Jenner?
Mr. Jenner.
That is my understanding.
Mr. Mckenzie.
And that is exactly the position we are taking, sir. And that is exactly the position that we have taken, and will continue to take at all times while he is under oath to the Commission, and until such time as he is released from that oath.
Mr. Dulles.
Well, I will see that your statement is brought specifically to the attention of the Chief Justice and Mr. Rankin.
Mr. Mckenzie.
Thank you, sir.
Mr. Dulles.
Shall we proceed, Mr. Jenner?
Mr. Jenner.
Yes, thank you, sir.
When the discussion of the Times article arose, you were in the process, Mr. Oswald, of relating to us an incident of one evening in the home of your brother, in which--with respect to which Paul Gregory, the son of Peter Gregory expected to arrive at your brother's home and then to drive about the City of Fort Worth with Marina, she talking to him in Russian and he likewise in Russian, as part of a course of instruction in conversational Russian between Marina and Paul Gregory, who was seeking to improve his command of the Russian language. And you had reached the point at which you related a conversation with you in the presence of Marina, which you thought she understood and she took sufficient part in to lead you to believe she did understand it.
Mr. Oswald.
That is correct.
Mr. Jenner.
Does that refresh your recollection as to where we were?
Mr. Oswald.
Yes, sir; it does.
Mr. Dulles.
And I would like to add, as I understand it, it was indicated to you by your brother that this was to be on a financial basis--that is, she was in effect giving Russian lessons to Paul Gregory, and would be paid for it.
Mr. Oswald.
That is correct.
Mr. Jenner.
Was any amount of money mentioned? It was by the hour, I think you said.
Mr. Oswald.
Yes, sir; a figure was mentioned. However, I do not recall the exact figure. I could perhaps to the best of my ability and remembrance of the occasion place the figure at over $3 an hour.
I do not recall any further conversation that I had with Marina and Lee Oswald on that occasion.
I did leave their residence before the reported time that Mr. Gregory was due to arrive.
Mr. Jenner.
Did anything occur that evening, in the course of that interchange and conversation, that had a bearing upon, or led you to believe or have the impression, that your brother Lee was seeking to break off or lessen relations on his part and Marina's part with their Russian friends?
Mr. Oswald.
No, sir; there was not.
Mr. Jenner.
All right, proceed.
Mr. Dulles.
Could I ask one question there?
Did your brother indicate whether these lessons were being given in his and Marina's home, or whether they were to be given at the Gregory home?
Mr. Oswald.
No, sir. It was implied if not stated to me at that time that the lesson was to be given going around Fort Worth, Tex.
Mr. Jenner.
This particular occasion?
Mr. Oswald.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Jenner.
Did you get any impression, Mr. Oswald, as to the course of procedure in that respect for any future occasions, or those that had occurred in
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