(Testimony of John Wilkins Newnam)
Mr. Hubert.
Now, was there any reaction of a particular nature that you recall by Jack Ruby immediately upon hearing
Mr. Newnam.
Of course, the reaction would be of disbelief--I think--stunned disbelief.
Mr. Hubert.
Are you talking about his attitude or your own ?
Mr. Newnam.
Well, I think--of course, I am assuming that he felt that
way--that was the look he had on his face. Of course, this was my belief also.
Mr. Hubert.
Did he say anything?
Mr. Newnam.
No, sir; I don't recall he said anything.
Mr. Hubert.
In other words, he seemed to have what you have described as a shocked look?
Mr. Newnam.
Yes; yes.
Mr. Hubert.
What happened after that, do you know ?
Mr. Newnam.
After that---of course confusion reigned--as was given in the testimony at the trial. The news spread quickly. My wife called me to ask me if I knew anything about it and, of course, it hadn't been verified at the time. She had heard what he had heard. People were calling the school where she worked to find out, or this, that, and the other. Advertisers began to call to cancel advertising they had placed for the weekend--over Saturday and Sunday and possibly Monday.
Mr. Hubert.
Was Jack Ruby still sitting next to you during the events you are now describing?
Mr. Newnam.
During the events I am now describing, Jack was at my desk part of the time and other times we were over at Mr. Jeffery's office watching what news the television had of the events.
Mr. Hubert.
Did you walk over to Mr. Jeffery's office?
Mr. Newnam.
Yes.
Mr. Hubert.
With Ruby?
Mr. Newnam.
I didn't walk with him particularly. We just went--when we found out the television was on--we just--with others--we went to the office.
Mr. Hubert.
Do you. know whether Ruby knew that advertisers were calling in canceling their ads?
Mr. Newnam.
He did; yes.
Mr. Hubert.
How do you know that?
Mr. Newnam.
He so expressed himself.
Mr. Hubert.
He so expressed himself on what?
Mr. Newnam.
Well, sir, he was standing right next to me when I accepted several calls of this nature.
Mr. Hubert.
Standing next to you--where?
Mr. Newnam.
The one time he was standing next to me as I was accepting a call in front of desks 3 and 4, the .desks of our secretaries. There is an inner-office switchboard which accepts calls for the department, and I was there and I just accepted one call there, and Jack was with me at that time.
Mr. Hubert.
Did he say anything to indicate that ,he was aware that an advertiser was canceling?
Mr. Newnam.
He knew .they were; yes, sir. This .was just in conversation.
Mr. Hubert.
Well, are you willing to state that your conversation with others that he could hear was such that it would be understood by anybody that you
were accepting the cancellations ?
Mr. Newnam.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
At that time had he told you anything about canceling his own ad ?
Mr. Newnam.
Not at that time; no, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
Then, did you walk over with him to Mr. Jeffery's office where the television set was ?
Mr. Newnam.
We made several trips over there. As a matter of fact, he was over there at times when I was doing some work, and it was just a matter of back and forth. In other words, the. promotion people were listening and everybody was trying to figure out what was going on---there was general confusion all over the office.
Mr. Hubert.
I don't suppose that everybody was in Mr. Jeffery's-office, but that Some were looking through the glass ?
Mr. Newnam.
There were a number inside and most of them outside because
|