(Testimony of Elgin English Crull)
Mr. Crull.
Not any action. It would be within my power to overrule on a policy matter and on administrative matters, but of course not those things which were covered by law. Do I make myself clear?
Mr. Hubert.
Yes; but except for those duties and functions of the police department that are established by law, you would have the authority to direct the chief to do or not to do any action that you thought?
Mr. Crull.
That's right, any department head.
Mr. Hubert.
Now, Mr. Crull, I have previously handed you a document consisting of three pages, which is a report of an interview of you by FBI Agents Calvin Rice and John J. Flanagan, dated December 12, 1963, which for the purpose of identification I have marked on the first page in the right-hand margin thereof as follows:
"Dallas, Texas, July 14, 1964, Exhibit 1, deposition of Elgin Crull." I have signed my name below that, and on the second and third page I have placed my initials in the lower right-hand corner of each of those pages.
I think you have had an opportunity to read that document, and I will now ask you if that document is correct as to the nature and effect stated in the course of that interview, and whether it reflects the facts as you remember them?
Mr. Crull.
In general, it does, but there are some details which are inaccurate.
Mr. Hubert.
Now with respect to the details, I notice that you have marked on the very last line of the second paragraph on page 1, a little mark indicating that you wish to comment on that last line. Would you state what you wish to say about it, please, sir?
Mr. Crull.
I believe that says simply that I went to the lake, to a cabin. The only change is that there is no cabin. I have a boat on the lake.
Mr. Hubert.
Other than that?
Mr. Crull.
Other than that, it is accurate.
Mr. Hubert.
Now in the next paragraph, which is the third paragraph on page 1, you have put a little mark next to the statement that you heard over the radio of Oswald having been shot.
Mr. Crull.
I did not hear it over the radio. I was called by the operator of the marina, or one of his people, I do not remember which, who had heard it over the radio.
Mr. Hubert.
Now on the next paragraph on page 1, that is to say, paragraph 4, you marked next to the fifth line and also next to the sixth, seventh, and eighth lines of that paragraph; first of all, with reference to the statement that you had selected the prior chief of police. That is to say, the chief of police prior to to Chief Curry. Do you have any comments to make about that?
Mr. Crull.
Yes; I didn't select Chief Curry's predecessor. He was selected by my predecessor or one of my predecessors.
Mr. Hubert.
The chief of police who was in office prior to Chief Curry was in that office when you became the city manager?
Mr. Crull.
That's correct.
Mr. Hubert.
You kept him on?
Mr. Crull.
That's correct.
Mr. Hubert.
Or perhaps it was thought that that was an appointment of him? But nevertheless, we have a clarification on that.
Now that sentence continues and reads as follows: That you never inter-feted with the operations of the police department, leaving it entirely in the chiefs hands, as he did with other city departments. I think you indicated you wished to address yourself to that thought?
Mr. Crull.
I think perhaps that gives the wrong impression, that departments and department heads operate entirely on their own without any supervision at all.
Our department heads are experienced, and they do operate with a great deal of freedom, but not without control and not without consultation with the central office or manager's office.
Mr. Hubert.
Now turning to the second page in the last paragraph, eight lines from the bottom of the page, there is a reference to an individual in the report who quotes you .as saying he was a yellow-sheet journalist. I think you wanted to comment on that?
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