Mr. Rankin.

Is Commission Exhibit No. 1029 that information that you gave us?

Mr. Rowley.

Yes, sir; this also included the White House police.

Mr. Rankin.

Will you examine Commission Exhibit No. 1029, and inform us as to whether or not any of that should not be included on the public record in light of the national security problem?

Mr. Rowley.

I have no objections, because in the years past--this is part of the public record. So I would not see any objection at this time.
(At this point, Senator Cooper left the hearing room.)

Mr. Rankin.

Mr. Chairman, I offer in evidence Commission Exhibit No. 1029.

The Chairman.

It may be admitted.
(The document was marked for identification as Commission Exhibit No. 1029, and received in evidence.)

Mr. Rankin.

Chief Rowley, did you write us a letter with regard to proposed legislation, dated June 11?

Mr. Rowley.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Rankin.

And is Commission Exhibit No. 1030 that letter that you wrote us with an attachment telling about possible legislative changes that you thought might be desirable?

Mr. Rowley.

Yes, sir.
(The document was marked for identification as Commission Exhibit No. 1030.)

Mr. Rankin.

I offer in evidence Commission Exhibit No. 1030.

The Chairman.

It may be admitted.
(The document heretofore marked for identification as Commission Exhibit No. 1030, was received in evidence.)

Mr. Rankin.

Can you briefly state the contents of the attachment to that exhibit, Chief Rowley?
You recall that it is a commentary on the suggestion of legislation about the assassination of the President?

Mr. Rowley.

Yes; it is a recommendation on the bills being proposed, that the assassination of a President or Vice President or possible successors to the Presidency be made a Federal crime.
(At this point, Senator Cooper reentered the hearing room.)

Mr. Rowley.

Currently there is such a law whereby when people of lesser rank in the Government are murdered, that is investigated by Federal agencies.

Mr. Rankin.

Would you tell the Commission briefly what your idea is as to whether or,not it would be helpful to have such a statute?

Mr. Rowley.

I think today it would be helpful, because it would be a continuation of the present law, and it would be under Federal jurisdiction--- because this is a Federal employee. And I think it properly should be under Federal statute. There would then be an opportunity particularly today in the Case of the President or Vice President, for the investigation to be pursued immediately, and the assassin or groups of defendants to be interrogated as promptly as possible to develop and ascertain whether or not there is a conspiracy, and not wait as we have to do under the present law because of the State statute.

Mr. Rankin.

Do you have any suggestions in your proposal about who would have jurisdiction to investigate and report in regard to any violation of that law?

Mr. Rowley.

Currently the Federal enforcement agencies--namely, the FBI--- have the responsibility of conducting investigations, on most of the Federal laws in the country, and therefore it might properly be their responsibility in a situation like this.
However, we do have a reservation with respect to an attempt or threat on the President, because we would like to work out an agreement whereby we would jointly conduct an investigation because the threat phase of it has been under our jurisdiction, under section 3056, for ninny years. It ties in with our responsibility for protection of the President.

Mr. Rankin.

In connection with the investigation of the assassination of President Kennedy, have you personally participated in working with regard to that, in supervision of that investigation?

Mr. Rowley.

In the early stages when we assigned our men to inquire into