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(Testimony of James J. Rowley)
Mr. Rankin.
Do you know their names?
Mr. Rowley.
Yes; Landis, Hill, Ready, and Bennett.
Mr. Rankin.
Did you make any investigation to determine whether or not their violation of the Secret Service regulations had anything to do with the assassination of the President?
Mr. Rowley.
Yes. They performed their duties from the time they departed-in the followup car from Love field until the point of the tragedy in a most satisfactory manner. There was nothing deficient in their actions or their alertness. They went through the heaviest part of downtown Dallas, through the crowds, and performed in an exemplary manner.
Mr. Rankin.
How do you know that?
Mr. Rowley.
From the reports that I got from their superiors.
Mr. Rankin.
In the work that you did with the White House detail before you became Chief of the Secret Service, did you know the various responsibilities of the members of the White House detail?
Mr. Rowley.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Rankin.
Did you ever participate in such motorcades yourself?
Mr. Rowley.
I have; yes, sir.
Mr. Rankin.
How much?
Mr. Rowley.
Well, I have participated, in rough numbers, over a period of 22 years--roughly, maybe, a thousand or more.
Mr. Rankin.
Will you briefly describe the functions of the Secret Service agents in connection with the President's car?
The Chairman.
Have you finished this other matter?
Mr. Rankin.
No; I just wanted to----
The Chairman.
All right. Go right ahead.
Mr. Rowley.
When the President's car leaves the airport or a railroad station or any other location, the agents accompany him to the car and stand to the right and left, in the same order as their designated positions on the followup car, and screen him. And then the car moves out, slowly, because the rest of the cars have to have an opportunity to follow in the motorcade, so that none lingers behind, or is left behind. And when the agent in the lead car determines that the motorcade is intact and is moving, then he steps up his speed, which is a cue to the Presidential driver to step up his speed, and then they go at a speed consistent with the crowd that is there, and so forth.
Now, upon leaving the airport, if there is a huge crowd there, the men are still on the ground running on the right and left side of the President, both rear and front of the vehicle. After they get out of the crowd, then the men in the front beside the Presidential vehicle drop back and take their positions in the followup car.
This is so that they are not in the way of the men running on the right and left rear. They move back last and have a clear opportunity to jump onboard the followup car in the event the speed of the motorcade is stepped up.
When the motorcade comes to intersections or turns which are always vulnerable points, in that if you make a right turn, that is the closest point for someone to come out, the agents on the right side before reaching that point, will jump off, to be available alongside the President's car in the event someone darts out with some malicious plan.
There have also been times when, innocently, ladies and young people will come out to throw a bouquet of flowers. And then if there is a crowd that is sparse, they return to their position in the followup car.
Now, when they come into a big crowd, they take it on foot, and at a little jog, if necessary.
In some instances, if the crowd continues for a prolonged distance, the agents work together. In other words, there are rear steps on the right and left rear of the Presidential car with handrails. These have two purposes. One, for agents to ride on and to screen the President from anything from above; the second, in a situation like this, to keep an additional man available in case of trouble, and also to alternate with the men to the right rear of the President, who are jogging along warding off the crowd.
Mr. Rankin.
Now, what positions did the four men that you referred to that
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