(Testimony of Winston G. , Accompanied By Fred B. Smith, Lawson)
Mr. Lawson.
I don't know whether I was looking sideways or backwards then, but I do recall noticing the Book Depository Building and that corner and then deciding that we must be about 5 minutes away, and asking Chief Curry if this was not so and then making a radio broadcast.
Representative Ford.
So as you drove down Houston Street, you didn't have an opportunity to look at the Texas School Depository?
Mr. Lawson.
I may have, but I don't remember if I saw this. I was doing so many things all at once.
Representative Ford.
What was Sorrels' responsibility at this point?
Mr. Lawson.
His responsibility would be again to watch the crowds and the windows a little bit more than I because it was my responsibility to be watching the Presidential car.
Mr. Stern.
He was sitting in the rear right, was he not?
Mr. Lawson.
Yes, sir; and I was in the right front.
Representative Ford.
He didn't have the responsibility of looking back like you did?
Mr. Lawson.
Not as much as I would have; no, sir.
Representative Ford.
In light of the problem of trying to have individuals in numerous buildings, inspecting the buildings and so forth, is it desirable to have more people in another car ahead of the lead car for the purpose of scanning buildings?
Mr. Lawson.
Giving a personal opinion now, I would say that that would be a good factor. However, if someone stayed back from the window until you went by and then stuck his gun out the window, why it might not be as good.
Representative Ford.
It wouldn't be any worse.
Mr. Lawson.
No, sir; but if they did see something that wasn't a likely occurrence, then they could broadcast over the radio stop the President or turn right or turn left.
Representative Ford.
But as I understand your responsibilities in the lead car, it doesn't appear that you had an opportunity to do the scanning?
Mr. Lawson.
No, sir.
Representative Ford.
Which was necessary.
Mr. Lawson.
No, sir; I would not.
Representative Ford.
So you are really left up to one individual in the lead car in the Secret Service for that purpose?
Mr. Lawson.
Yes.
Representative Ford.
I raise the question whether that is adequate for the overall purpose.
Mr. Smith.
Sir, I don't want to interfere with the procedures but could I ask a question off the record?
(Discussion off the record.)
Mr. Mccloy.
I think you might go on the record with this. There has been some question as to whether we are referring directly only to the lead car or whether to all the personnel in the cavalcade. I gather, Mr. Ford, you were referring to the personnel in the lead car as distinguished from the other Secret Service personnel and other police in the motorcade as a whole?
Representative Ford.
That is correct. I am cognizant of the fact we have a followup car. What are the responsibilities of those in the followup car?
Mr. Mccloy.
By followup car do you mean the President's car because there will be Secret Service men in the President's car too?
Representative Ford.
There was only one on this occasion, or two, the driver and Mr. Kellerman. The driver was certainly preoccupied, and as I remember Mr. Kellerman's testimony, he was so engaged he didn't have an opportunity to do the kind of scanning that would appear to be necessary. So whatever scanning there was done by either the lead car or the Presidential car or the followup car primarily had to be done by the people in the followup car. Is that a fair analysis?
Mr. Lawson.
I don't recall if you mentioned the pilot car, but they would have had an opportunity in the pilot car to do some scanning.
Representative Ford.
But there are no Secret Service people there.
Mr. Lawson.
No Secret Service people in that one.
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