(Testimony of Clinton J. , Special Agent, Secret Service Hill)
Mr. Specter.
Was Assistant Special Agent in Charge Boring the individual in charge of that trip to Florida?
Mr. Hill.
He was riding in the Presidential automobile on that trip in Florida, and I presume that he was. I was not along.
Mr. Specter.
Well, on that occasion would he have been in a position comparable to that occupied by Special Agent Kellerman on this trip to Texas?
Mr. Hill.
Yes, sir; the same position.
Mr. Specter.
And Special Agent Boring informed you of that instruction by President Kennedy?
Mr. Hill.
Yes, sir; he did.
Mr. Specter.
Did he make it a point to inform other special agents of that same instruction?
Mr. Hill.
I believe that he did, sir.
Mr. Specter.
And, as a result of what President Kennedy said to him, did he instruct you to observe that Presidential admonition?
Mr. Hill.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Specter.
How, if at all, did that instruction of President Kennedy affect your action and--your action in safeguarding him on this trip to Dallas?
Mr. Hill.
We did not ride on the rear portions of the automobile. I did on those four occasions because the motorcycles had to drop back and there was no protection on the left-hand side of the car.
Mr. Specter.
When the President's automobile was proceeding in downtown Dallas, what was the ordinary speed of the automobile, based on your best estimate?
Mr. Hill.
We were running approximately 12 to 15 miles per hour, I would say.
Mr. Specter.
I show you a document which we have marked as Commission Exhibit No. 354, which is an aerial photograph identical with the photograph already marked as Commission Exhibit No. 347.
(The photograph referred to was marked Exhibit No. 354 for identification.)
Mr. Specter.
I ask you if, referring only to Exhibit 354, you are able to identify what that scene is.
Mr. Hill.
Yes, sir; I am.
Mr. Specter.
Are you able to indicate the route which the President's motorcade followed through that area?
Mr. Hill.
Yes, sir; I am.
Mr. Specter.
And what does that scene depict--what city is it?
Mr. Hill.
That is Dallas, Tex. It shows Main Street, Houston Street, and Elm Street.
Mr. Specter.
Will you write on the picture itself where Main Street is?
Would you now write, as best you can, which street is Houston Street?
Mr. Hill.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Specter.
And would you now write which street is Elm?
Mr. Hill.
Yes, sir.
(At this point, Representative Ford entered the hearing room.)
Mr. Specter.
Now, would you indicate, if you know, which is a generally northerly direction on that picture?
Mr. Hill.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Specter.
All right. What was the condition of the crowd as the motorcade made a right-hand turn off of Main Street onto Houston?
Mr. Hill.
The crowd was very large on Main Street, and it was thinning down considerably when we reached the end of it, and turned right on Houston Street. Noticeably on my side of the car, which was the left-hand side of the street.
Mr. Specter.
And what is your best estimate as to the speed of the President's car at the time it made the right-and turn onto Houston Street?
Mr. Hill.
In the curve?
Mr. Specter.
The speed--in the curve itself; yes.
Mr. Hill.
We were running generally 12 to 15 miles per hour. I would say that in the curve we perhaps slowed to maybe 10 miles per hour.
Mr. Specter.
And how far behind the President's car was the Presidential followup car as the turn was made onto Houston Street?
Mr. Hill.
Four to five feet, at the most.
|
