(Testimony of Alwyn Cole)
Mr. Eisenberg.
Has that created a space on the forged card which does not exist on the original?
Mr. Cole.
That is correct.
Mr. Eisenberg.
And is that the space into which the photograph has been inserted on the forged card?
Mr. Cole.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Eisenberg.
I call your attention to a small strip of negative which appears to bear this language, and I ask you whether you believe that this negative might have been used in the preparation of the forged card?
Mr. Cole.
Yes, sir; I believe this negative was used for producing the forged card which is a photographic print.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Mr. Chairman, may that be made 805?
Senator COOPER. Let 805 be made a part of the record.
(The negative referred to was marked and received in evidence as Commission Exhibit No. 805.)
Mr. Eisenberg.
In your opinion, can you account for the reduction in size of that printing, "The law requires you" and so forth?
Mr. Cole.
Well, it would seem that it had to be reduced in size to accomplish the obvious purpose on the card, Exhibit 795, of providing extra space for a photograph.
Mr. Eisenberg.
How would that be done?
Mr. Cole.
This can be done photographically. When a photographic camera is set up to take a picture of a document you have a considerable range for making either enlargements or reductions on the negative.
Mr. Eisenberg.
Is this whole process one which requires a great deal of skill, and when I say "whole process" I refer to the re-creation of a new card by use of opaquing material and the reduction in size of a portion of the text on the original card?
Mr. Cole.
No; I wouldn't say that it requires a great skill. I would say an elementary knowledge of photography, especially the photographic techniques used in a printing plant, would be enough for such a purpose.
Senator COOPER. On that point, would it require study to learn to make, to exercise these techniques, either from a textbook or information from someone else or by observation of the practice?
Mr. Cole.
I think observation and association with other people, or being in a place where such techniques were going along in the normal operation of a photographic laboratory or printing plant, would be enough. A person wouldn't have to consult a text. As a matter of fact, similar things are done for normal printing operations.
Senator COOPER. That is the question I wanted to ask. Would this type of technique in an average shop or plant be normal?
Mr. Cole.
Oh, yes.
Senator COOPER. Would it require much practice on the part of an individual before such technique could be successfully accomplished?
Mr. Cole.
No; I would say a moderate amount of practice.
Senator COOPER. How much, would you say? How many times would a person have to, if it is possible to say, practice this kind of a technique before he could do it reasonably well?
Mr. Cole.
On a trial-and-error basis, I would say that a half dozen attempts on a trial and error basis of going through such an operation, perhaps making an error, finding how to correct it, doing it again, achieving more success, would certainly be enough.
Senator COOPER. You would say then, assuming that Lee Oswald made these changes, that he would have had to practice them several times before he could have successfully made the changes which were indicated by the exhibits that have been. introduced?
Mr. Cole.
Well, sir; I would say he would not necessarily have to practice on this particular document, but if he had some practice, he or any other person, had had some practice in normal operation, similar operations in a printing plant, then he could accomplish this result.
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