Mr. Fowler.

Jack, again, excuse me, sir.

Mr. Ruby.

Fowler, it puts me in a tough spot when he asks me that question and I evade it.

Mr. Fowler.

I understand this, but I'm talking now specifically about in the presence of Mr. Alexander. Now, later on, if you want to answer it "Yes" or "No" to that question, it's perfectly all fight. I want you to fully understand the question.

Mr. Herndon.

I want to bow, of course, to Mr. Specter, of course, for the way the Commission desires it.

Mr. Specter.

If you would like us to break it down, we could do it in two questions. "Did you tell anybody on Sunday morning that you were going to shoot Oswald before you did it?"

Mr. Ruby.

Yes, that's easier to answer.

Mr. Specter.

Then, we can ask you this: "Before Sunday morning, did you tell anybody you intended to shoot Oswald?" That's all right for one question.

Mr. Ruby.

Now, that's a better way to ask it--the last question.

Mr. Specter.

Then, we've covered all the time in two parts.

Mr. Ruby.

The last question you asked me is a better way to ask me. The last question you asked, my answer is "No."

Mr. Specter.

Then, we'll want to ask you a follow up question.

Mr. Ruby.

Do you understand what I'm saying--did you understand what I said?

Mr. Specter.

Yes, I understand what you're saying, but we will want to ask you for the purpose of the test, "On Sunday morning did you tell anybody that you intended to shoot Oswald?"

Mr. Ruby.

All right, I'll answer it.

Mr. Herndon.

If I could get the court reporter to read back how you phrased that question, so that we could both agree on it.
COURT REPORTER. "On Sunday morning did you tell anybody that you intended to shoot Oswald?"

Mr. Specter.

There are two questions. "Before Sunday morning, did you tell anyone you intended to shoot Oswald?" That's all right for one question. Now, write this one down, Mr. Herndon. The question is "Before Sunday morning did you tell anyone that you intended to shoot Oswald?"

Mr. Ruby.

Now, before Sunday morning means any time element beyond the time I left my apartment. Is that what you're referring to when you say Sunday morning?

Mr. Specter.

Well, I'll even change that and I'll say "Before you left your apartment on Sunday morning, did you tell anyone you intended to shoot Oswald?"
Now, the following question will be: "From the time you left your apartment on Sunday morning, did you tell anyone you intended to shoot Oswald?"

Mr. Ruby.

Now, you better rephrase that. I hadn't already left the apartment. Do you follow me?

Mr. Specter.

Right. Well, I see what you're driving at--you're driving at the time.

Mr. Ruby.

The time element is very important.

Mr. Specter.

All right, we can make it in three parts: "While you were at your apartment on Sunday morning, did you tell anyone you intended to shoot Oswald?"
Now, we've broken it up three ways. That would really be covered, Mr. Ruby, in the first part: "Before you left your apartment on Sunday morning, did you tell anyone you intended to shoot Oswald?"

Mr. Ruby.

Now, you've got to get another question in there: "Previous to your arising that morning, have you told anyone you're going to shoot Oswald?" You see my point?

Mr. Specter.

Yes; before you awakened, in other words?

Mr. Ruby.

Yes.

Mr. Specter.

"Before you awakened on Sunday morning, had you told you intended to shoot Oswald?"

Mr. Ruby.

Before I awakened.