I have read the affidavits, and they were compiled as an enclosure and sent over with this letter.
Mr. Stern.
You have reviewed them in preparation for your testimony before the Commission?
Mr. Belmont.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Stern.
To your knowledge, are they accurate?
Mr. Belmont.
They are accurate, to my knowledge, yes.
Mr. Stern.
Are they complete?
Mr. Belmont.
Yes.
Mr. Stern.
They do not omit any significant fact you know of?
Mr. Belmont.
No.
Mr. Stern.
In connection with the material they cover?
Mr. Belmont.
No.
Mr. Stern.
Unless there are any questions on that, Mr. Chairman, I suggest we admit this document.
The Chairman.
It may be admitted as No. 825.
(The document referred to, previously marked Commission Exhibit No. 825 for identification, was received in evidence.)
Mr. Stern.
Mr. Belmont, I show you a letter dated March 31, 1964, from Director Hoover to Mr. Rankin, the General Counsel of the Commission, with a series of attachments. Can you identify this which has been marked for identification as No. 836. Can you identify this for the Commission?
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 836 for identification.)
Mr. Belmont.
This is a letter dated March 31, 1964, to the Commission from the FBI to which is attached the instructions contained in our manuals as to the type of information which should be disseminated to Secret Service and our relations or liaison with Secret Service.
Mr. Stern.
It was prepared in response to a request from the Commission?
Mr. Belmont.
That is correct.
Mr. Stern.
Did you supervise or assist in the preparation?
Mr. Belmont.
I did.
Mr. Stern.
Have you reviewed it recently?
Mr. Belmont.
Yes.
Mr. Stern.
Is it complete with respect to the matters covered?
Mr. Belmont.
Yes; it is.
Mr. Stern.
Is there anything you would like to add to it with respect to the matters covered?
Mr. Belmont.
Well----
Mr. Dulles.
May I just interrupt here a moment. Is this inquiry directed to the question of whether it is now adequate or whether this is complete as of the time of the assassination? I think we have two questions there to consider.
Mr. Belmont.
Mr. Dulles, this letter outlines our relations with Secret Service and the material that is attached covers both the instructions to our agents prior to the assassination and the current instructions.
Mr. Dulles.
Subsequent to the assassination?
Mr. Belmont.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Dulles.
Yes.
Mr. Stern.
What were the criteria you employed and instructed your agents to employ before the assassination in determining what information should be reported to the Secret Service regarding threats against the President, members of his family, the President-elect, and the Vice President?
Mr. Belmont.
These are contained in detail in the attachments which represent sections of our manual of instructions which are available to all of our personnel in the field as well as the seat of Government, and also in the FBI handbook which is in possession of the individual agent in the field. These instructions require that any information indicating the possibility of an attempt against the person or safety of the persons mentioned by you must be referred immediately by the most expeditious means of communications to the nearest office of the Secret Service. Further, that our headquarters in Washington must be advised by teletype of the information and the fact that it has been furnished to Secret Service.
