Charles Hall Steele, Jr., 1488 Madrid Street, New Orleans, La., after first being duly sworn, testified as follows:

Mr. Jenner.

You are Charles Hall Steele, Jr., is that right?

Mr. Steele.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

And your address is 1488 Madrid Street here in New Orleans?

Mr. Steele.

That's right.

Mr. Jenner.

And is that spelled S-T-E-E-L-E?

Mr. Steele.

Yes.

Mr. Jenner.

I am Albert E. Jenner, Jr., attorney on the legal staff on the President's Commission, investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding the assassination last November of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Did you receive a letter from Mr. Rankin, general counsel for the Commission?

Mr. Steele.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

And enclosed with that letter were Senate Joint Resolution 187, which authorized the creation of the Commission to investigate the assassination of the late President; is that right?

Mr. Steele.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

And the Executive Order No. 11130 of President Lyndon B. Johnson, appointing that Commission and fixing its powers and duties. That was enclosed also in the letter?

Mr. Steele.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

And a copy of the rules and regulations under which we take testimony, both before the Commission and also by way of deposition, such as in this instance. You received that also?

Mr. Steele.

Yes.

Mr. Jenner.

Now, you have appeared here voluntarily today, is that right?

Mr. Steele.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

From those papers that you received, did you become aware of the purpose for the existence of the President's Commission, that it is enjoined by legislation to investigate the circumstances and all the facts relating to the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy on the 22d of November 1963, and the subsequent death and murder of Lee Harvey Oswald on the 24th of November 1963?

Mr. Steele.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

We of the legal staff are questioning various people, sometimes before the Commission and sometimes in private depositions, such as this one, who in the ordinary course of their lifetime touched the life of Lee Harvey Oswald, or someone in his family, the facts of which might help the Commission in its ultimate determination of this tragedy, and we understand that you are one of those who came into contact with Lee Harvey Oswald during the time he lived in New Orleans; is that right?

Mr. Steele.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

First, are you a native born American?

Mr. Steele.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

Here in New Orleans?

Mr. Steele.

In New Orleans; yes.

Mr. Jenner.

And your father likewise is a native born American, is that right?

Mr. Steele.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

In Louisiana?

Mr. Steele.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

And your mother?

Mr. Steele.

From New Orleans, La.

Mr. Jenner.

How old are you?

Mr. Steele.

Twenty.

Mr. Jenner.

Are you a student?

Mr. Steele.

Well, that's hard to say, I haven't graduated or got my diploma yet from Delgado. However, I finished a course up there, and they let me out.

Mr. Jenner.

Delgado--is that a trade school?

Mr. Steele.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

Are you working part time or what?

Mr. Steele.

I was working part time and going to school. I was working after