(Testimony of Bernard William , Accompanied By Weissman)
Mr. Weissman.
Yes.
Mr. Jenner.
So that when you had your telephone conversation which you were in the course of relating, with Mr. Schmidt, you were aware when he made the exclamation which you have described, of that to which he was then referring--that is, the Stevenson incident?
Mr. Weissman.
Yes.
Mr. Jenner.
Was there anything else in Mr. Schmidt's letter that disturbed you?
Mr. Weissman.
I received so many. Would it be permissible to excuse me. Mr. Jenner, would it be permissible to read this letter into the record?
Mr. Jenner.
My trouble is, Mr. Weissman, and Mr. Flannery--I haven't seen the letter.
Mr. Chief Justice----
The Chairman.
I suppose Mr. Jenner could see the letter for a moment, couldn't he?
Mr. Weissman.
Definitely; yes, sir.
Mr. Jenner.
Mr. Flannery, would you be good enough to pass it up?
(At this point, Representative Ford withdrew from the hearing room.)
Mr. Weissman.
You see, up to the point of that letter--excuse me.
Mr. Jenner.
Mr. Chief Justice, it is quite apparent to me, from glancing through the letter, that this is a letter that we--in connection with Mr. Weissman's testimony, that we would like to offer in evidence in due course.
And, with that in mind, Mr. Weissman, it will not be necessary for you to read paragraphs from the letter, unless in the course of your testimony you feel it will round out your testimony and serve to refresh your recollection as to events you might wish to relate.
Mr. Weissman.
I would like to take a look at it now.
(At this point, Representative Ford reentered the hearing room.)
Mr. Jenner.
Ready?
Mr. Weissman.
Yes.
Mr. Jenner.
Mr. Reporter, would you be good enough to read, let us say, the last question and answer of the witness?
(The question and answer, as recorded, was read by the reporter.)
Mr. Jenner.
The point I was making, Mr. Weissman, was that when you received the telephone call about which you were testifying, in which Mr. Schmidt exclaimed, "I have made it for us," or words to that effect, you were then aware of that to which he was referring, at least in general?
Mr. Weissman.
Yes.
Mr. Jenner.
So that was the reason why you didn't ask him to elaborate upon what he meant by, "I have made it for us"?
Mr. Weissman.
Right. That is right.
Mr. Jenner.
And that was the fact that he, as you understood it, am I correct in saying, had had something to do with the organization of the picketing or other demonstrations at the time that Mr. Stevenson made his visit to Dallas?
Mr. Weissman.
Well, at the time I was almost--Larrie led me to believe that he had organized the whole thing. And it transpired when I got to Dallas that I found that he had led a group of 11 University of Dallas students in quiet picketing near the entrance to the auditorium, and didn't engage in any physical violence of any sort.
Mr. Jenner.
But up to the time that you arrived in Dallas, you were under the impression that he had had a more extensive part?
Mr. Weissman.
This is what he led me to believe. In other words, he was trying to--he wanted to get me to Dallas in the worst way. And he wanted it to look like he was on the hot seat and he would be there unless I came down to help him. In other words, he is throwing my obligation at me. And trying to convince me in various ways, as I mentioned, to come down there, so we can get moving on what we had planned in Munich.
Mr. Jenner.
Did you receive a letter from him dated October 29, 1963, a copy of which I have marked as Commission Exhibit No. 1032, and I tender to you. You may have the original among your papers.
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