(Testimony of James J. Rowley)
Mr. Rowley.
We infused new blood. We have asked the Rand Corp., the Research Analysis Corp., the President's Scientific Advisor, and the medical people for a study of this, and we are in constant consultation. We have brought in experienced agents who now are processing, evaluating, and analyzing all reports we receive, and indexing the information as we receive it from the various agencies. We have more recently issued and forwarded to the intelligence community in Washington our criteria at the present time regarding what we would ask them in a more formal manner. This is the beginning of what we hope to be a more thorough and practical approach to this problem.
Mr. Rankin.
Chief, I will hand you Commission Exhibit No. 1023, dated June 17, 1964, and ask you if that is a communication from you to the Commission describing the new criteria.
Mr. Rowley.
Yes, sir.
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 1023 for identification.)
Mr. Rankin.
Does it accurately state that criteria?
Mr. Rowley.
Yes, Sir; it does.
Mr. Rankin.
Mr. Chairman, I offer in evidence Commission Exhibit No. 1023.
The Chairman.
It may be admitted.
(The document heretofore marked for identification as Commission Exhibit No. 1023, was received in evidence.)
Mr. Rowley.
If I may read----
Mr. Rankin.
Would you tell us the gist of the new criteria, and what the difference is as you conceive it from the old standard?
Mr. Rowley.
Well, if I may do this. We have sent this criteria to the intelligence agencies that we think would be of help to us, with a covering letter in which we say that studies are now underway, "by which we hope to develop more detailed criteria. Our experience with the attached guidelines will also be carefully evaluated with a view towards amendments if required. We will appreciate your cooperation and suggestions concerning these guidelineS, so that the person of the President will be protected to the best of our combined abilities and resources."
Another thing today now that we have to concern ourselves with, is that we get an expanding file of information.
Mr. Rankin.
Has that happened since the assassination?
Mr. Rowley.
Well yes; we have gotten some 9,000 reports on the members of the Communist Party from the FBI. At this time we have read and evaluated and catalogued them and indexed them. There has been a small percentage that have been to date of interest to us. But this is the beginning. And except for the indexes, we are more or less current as a result of that. This is through the long hours and hard work by the new group that I brought in to develop this department.
Mr. Rankin.
Now, how is the standard described in Exhibit No. 1023 different from the prior standard?
Mr. Rowley.
Well, we have always had the basic standard. The other standard was the threat to harm or embarrass the President, however, this time we added three factors.
Mr. Rankin.
And these are in addition to the threat of harm to the President?
Mr. Rowley.
That is correct.
Mr. Rankin.
All right, proceed.
Mr. Rowley.
The interest of the individual or the organization, capabilities of the individual or the organization, and the activities of the individual or organization. The interests of the individual or organization is the prime factor to be considered in the criteria, but must be coupled with the capability and activity of the individual or organization in any determination for referral to the Secret Service.
"The interest must be towards the President, or others named, or other high Government official in the nature of a complaint, coupled with an expressed or implied determination to use a means other than legal or peaceful to satisfy any grievance, real or imagined. After the interest phase of the criteria is met, then the activity which encompass previous history, that is, mental instability, history of violence and the capability of the individual or organization for
|
