(Testimony of Ruth Hyde Paine)
Mr. Jenner.
pass from this initial event--if you have any questions you would like to put to the witness now rather than my deferring it.
Mr. Mccloy.
Are there any questions?
The Chairman.
Not for me.
Representative Ford.
Not at this point.
Senator COOPER. No.
Mr. Mccloy.
May I ask one? Did Oswald, Lee Oswald on this occasion express any dislike for any elements or aspects of American society?
Mrs. Paine.
I can't recall anything specific that was said.
Mr. Mccloy.
He did not indicate to this group why it was that he left the United States to go to Russia-originally?
Mrs. Paine.
It is hard to say how I formed this opinion, but I gathered that he disapproved of the economic system.
Mr. Mccloy.
Was there anything more specific than that that he referred to? Did he refer, for example, to any dislike of individuals?
Mrs. Paine.
Individuals? No ; I am certain there was none.
Mr. Mccloy.
In government or out of government?
Mrs. Paine.
No.
Mr. Mccloy.
Your impression was that he was motivated to go to the Soviet Union because he didn't like the capitalist system?
Mrs. Paine.
Right.
Mr. Mccloy.
And had an affinity for what might be called the Marxist system, is that right?
Mrs. Paine.
Right.
Mr. Mccloy.
That is all the questions that I have.
Mr. Jenner.
Along those lines, Mrs. Paine, did he make any remarks with respect to workers in Russia as compared with the position, the economic position of workers in America? Did he refer to workers as a subject?
Mrs. Paine.
I don't remember.
Mr. Jenner.
I am trying to refresh your recollection. You said economics, he thought that the economic situation was superior in Russia. I wonder whether he related it to the ordinary worker rather than the overall system.
Mrs. Paine.
I don't remember.
Representative Ford.
How well did Marina speak English at the time you made the first acquaintance or first contact?
Mrs. Paine.
I was under the impression she spoke no English at all.
Representative Ford.
Did she appear to understand any English at that time?
Mrs. Paine.
I don't believe she understood much of anything.
Mr. Jenner.
That was your definite impression?
Mrs. Paine.
Yes.
Mr. Jenner.
Did you hear her speak any English words that evening?
Mrs. Paine.
No.
Mr. Jenner.
None whatsoever?
Mrs. Paine.
No.
Mr. Mccloy.
Senator Cooper?
Senator COOPER. I believe you said a few minutes ago that you were interested in knowing why Lee Oswald left the United States and went to Russia. Did you say that?
Mrs. Paine.
Well, I don't recall saying it. I suppose I was curious.
Mr. Mccloy.
I don't recall that she actually said that. She said it was an interesting situation.
Mrs. Paine.
It was unusual, I think I probably said.
Mr. Mccloy.
She used the word unusual.
Mrs. Paine.
An unusual thing to do, certainly.
Senator COOPER. I don't want to say that you said something you didn't, but I got the impression that one of the reasons you were interested in meeting this family was in fact that this man had left the United States and gone to Russia.
Mrs. Paine.
No.
Senator COOPER. In some sense?
Mrs. Paine.
Not in any sense whatever.
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