Yes, sir; that is all right with me. I have no objection to it. Regarding travel, first, advise the Secret Service as far in advance as possible of the President's travel plans and proposed itinerary. The reason for that is there have been Presidents who suddenly decide they are going somewhere and the Secret Service does not have the chance always to cover the area and check the neighborhood and check the hotel or place where it may be.

Representative Boggs.

You have one like that right now, Mr. Director.

Mr. Hoover.

I know from experience.
Second, avoid publicizing exact routes of travel as long as possible. Again, it has been the practice in the past to announce the President is going along a certain route and, therefore, great crowds will gather along that route. And, therefore, I thought that was something that should not be given out and the President should be taken along some routes which are not announced. At the present time, he goes to cities and he wants to see people and the crowd wants to see him. In Dallas, the route was publicized at least 24 hours before so everybody knew where he would be driving.
Third, use a specially armored car with bulletproof glass and have such cars readily available in locations frequently visited, The President, as I observed earlier in my testimony, had no armored car. He has one now which I supplied to Secret Service and they will have one made no doubt in due time for the President's use. But if it had been armored, I believe President Kennedy would be alive today.
Fourth,. avoid setting a specific pattern of travel or other activity such as visiting the same church at the same time each Sunday.
Regarding public appearances. First, use maximum feasible screening of persons in attendance including use of detection devices sensitive to the amount of metal required in a firearm or grenade.
Second, use a bulletproof shield in front of the entire rostrum in public appearances such as the swearing in ceremony at the Capitol on inauguration day, the presidential reviewing stand in front of the White House on the same day and on the rear of trains.
Third, keep to a minimum the President's movements within crowds, remain on the rostrum after the public addresses rather than mingling with the audience. Again, there is great difficulty in that field.
Fourth, in appearances at public sporting events such as football games, remain in one place rather than changing sides during half-time ceremonies.
(Discussion off the record.)

Mr. Dulles.

About the armored car you said if Kennedy had an armored car that might have saved him. Would the back of the armored car have some protection to protect his head?

Mr. Hoover.

Oh, yes.

Mr. Dulles.

Because if the armored car had been open----

Mr. Hoover.

He must never ride in an open car; that has been my recommendation.

Mr. Dulles.

The back never comes down?

Mr. Hoover.

The back never comes down, and it is bulletproof. The top, sides, and underpart are all of bulletproof construction. So that except by opening a window and waving through the window the occupant is safe. A person can shoot through the window if the glass window is lowered.
Fifth, limit public appearances by use of television whenever possible.
Sixth, avoid walking in public except when absolutely necessary.
Now, on legislation. First, I recommended that the President and the Vice President be added to the list of Federal officers set out in section 1114, title 18 of the U.S. Code which deals with assaults which are punishable under Federal
law.

Mr. Rankin.

You would add to that I understood from your prior remarks, the Speaker and the President Pro Tempore?

Mr. Hoover.

In view of the situation which prevails at the present time the

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