(Testimony of James J. Rowley)
Mr. Rankin.
were involved in the press club and the Cellar matter occupy on the day of the assassination?
Mr. Rowley.
Well, Mr. Ready occupied the right front, Mr. Landis to his rear----
Mr. Rankin.
What do you mean by right front?
Mr. Rowley.
Right front running board position of the followup car. It was his responsibility or duty to jump off in crowds and to take the position at the right rear of the President's car.
Mr. Landis, if necessary, to jump off if the occasion demanded and take the right front of the President's car.
Mr. Hill was on the left front running board of the followup car, and his responsibility was at the rear of the President's car. His position was assigned there because he was in charge of the First Lady's detail, and she was seated on the left side.
And Mr. McIntyre was to his rear on the left running board. So his assignment would have been up to the left front of the President's car. Mr. Bennett was in the rear seat of the followup car.
Mr. Rankin.
Now, how can you tell that the fact that they were out as they. were the night before and violated the regulations, had nothing to do with the assassination?
Mr. Rowley.
Well, based on the reports of my investigating agents and the facts as to how they performed at the time of the tragedy. Mr. Hill, who was on the left side, responded immediately--as he looked toward the Presidential car, being on the left side, he scanned from left to right, and when he saw there was something happening to the President following a noise, he immedi ately jumped from his position to get aboard from his side.
Mr. Ready scanned to the right so he was looking away from the President, because he was looking around from the right side. As a consequence, he wasn't aware of what was happening in the front. The car was also going on a turn at that time.
Mr. Rankin.
What about the other two?
Mr. Rowley.
The other two were watching--they reacted normally--the man on the left Side looked to his left rear, and the man, Landis, looked to his right rear.
Mr. Rankin.
Have you done anything to discipline these men for violation of the regulations of the Secret Service?
Mr. Rowley.
Well, I did consider what type of punishment would be provided. Then I also considered the fact that these men in no way had--their conduct had no bearing on the assassination. And, therefore, I thought that in the light of history, to place a stigma on them by punishing them at that time, from which inevitably the public would conclude that they were responsible for the assassination of the President--I didn't think this was fair, and that they did not deserve that, with their family and children.
(At this point, Representative Ford entered the hearing room.)
Mr. Dulles.
May I ask one question there?
You described the assignment of the four men with respect to the followup car and the President's car. Do they have different assignments with regard to watching what is happening around them, or does that depend on the circumstances in which they are?
Mr. Rowley.
Both. When they start off they have a certain area that they have to watch. Like the man in the right front would naturally watch slightly to the right and in front of him. The fellow on the side, behind him, will watch to the right and rear. In other words, as they are going by a building, he should scan the building. In the meantime, he picks up where the man in the front has finished. In other words, the scan of the man in the front will cover the building to his front and side; the fellow behind will scan alongside from rear to forward. Their scanning joins. This is the way they are accustomed to doing it.
Mr. Dulles.
Who would cover straight ahead?
Mr. Rowley.
The man in the front seat has that responsibility.
Mr. Rankin.
Chief Rowley, how do you construe subparagraph (c) of your regulation 10 regarding the use of alcoholic liquors?
|
