(Testimony of Stanley M. Kaufman)
Mr. Kaufman.
form many, many corporations and we have even served as dummy incorporators in these incorporation matters and I'm sure you likewise have. I don't believe there were dummy incorporators on this incorporation, as I recall, but that the actual owners of the stock had signed the application for a charter, but ofttimes instructions are never forthcoming as to whom the stock would go to. Now, if we did have such instructions, I'm sure that the stock was issued. I'm inclined to recall and believe that Earl Ruby at one time might have been a stockholder. This is a brother of Jack's, and whether Ralph Paul was one of the stockholders or not, I don't recall.
Mr. Hubert.
Well, the records would reflect that.
Mr. Kaufman.
The records would reflect that and I'm sure there should have been franchise taxes which were filed which would likewise show who the officers and directors were.
Mr. Hubert.
All right, sir; would you continue?
Mr. Kaufman.
All right, going back here to this third paragraph--I don't think it's fair to report, "He states he knows only two persons who might be able to furnish pertinent information." I think the question that was asked me was who would know the most about Jack and I told them that I thought that Ralph Paul was probably the closest friend that Jack Ruby had and that I thought Ralph Paul would be probably the best informant that they could get, and further, that Alice Nichols, who was secretary for a very fine lawyer who used to be associated with my father-in-law, Bob Dillard. They shared offices in the old Southland Building and Bob is general counsel for Southland Life, and Alice was his secretary, and Jack and Alice had gone together for many, many years and it was my feeling--it's not a question of the only people, it's a question of who were best qualified to furnish them some information and I did say that I thought Jack's acquaintance with Ralph Paul and with Alice would qualify them more than anyone I knew to give them any information. Now, in regards to this next paragraph relating to Jack calling me at home.
Mr. Hubert.
That is on the 23d day of November?
Mr. Kaufman.
The 23d of November, the day after the assassination of the President. I don't think this correctly reflects what took place, and I would like to modify it to this extent.
Mr. Hubert.
All right; go ahead.
Mr. Kaufman.
Jack called me at home and I'm pretty sure that the hour was somewhere between 3:45 and 4 o'clock and as I recall, I gave this information to the agents, and the reason I'm sure about the time
Mr. Hubert.
That's in the afternoon?
Mr. Kaufman.
Yes, sir; and the reason I'm so sure about the time, I was sleeping and I was awakened, and we do have a clock on our nightstand and I recall Jack calling and he was very upset, and the nature of our conversation was in regard to this Bernard Weissman or Wiseman and the ad that he had run in the Dallas Morning News.
Mr. Hubert.
What manifestations of his being upset did you observe?
Mr. Kaufman.
It wasn't observing, I was talking to him on the phone and you could just tell the way he was talking and the manner in which he was rambling. on that this man was just real--really concerned about this business.
Mr. Hubert.
That is to say, about the Bernard Weissman ad?
Mr. Kaufman.
Oh, definitely. He told me how he went down to the post
office and sat in front of this man's box and watched, trying to find out who he was if he came to get his mail.
Mr. Hubert.
Did he tell you when he had done that?
Mr. Kaufman.
I didn't ask him. In other words, apparently it had taken place from the time he called me back to the time the President was assassi-nated---it had to be within 24 hours, I would assume.
Mr. Hubert.
Did he tell you how long he had stayed watching to see who would come?
Mr. Kaufman.
No; he just told me that he thought it was terrible that this man had run this ad, and when I say "this," I'm not quoting him verbatim, I'm sure, but this was his sentiment. He was just upset about it and he wanted to know how he could locate him. This was the reason he called. He wanted to know if I could help him--give him some information where he could find
|
