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(Testimony of Forrest V. Sorrels)
Mr. Sorrels.
could come on to the balcony, you might say, that was entirely around on the second and the third floors.
We then went to the Market Hall, which was ideal insofar as security measures were concerned, in that there were only three outside entrances, and it was a huge ball, 107,000 square feet, with no columns, and you could seat about 20,000 people in there.
But there was another function going to be there at that time the American Bottling Association was going to have, as I recall, an exhibit there. So that part was out.
We then went to Fair Park, where we made a survey of the Women's Building. It is a place where they have exhibits during the fair of all kinds of handiwork and things like that.
That building had about 45,000 square feet in it, and you could scat about 5,000 people in it. Securitywise it wasn't bad at all, because there were two end openings to the building, and there was actually an area where you could drive a car in there. But the building was not satisfactory for that type of function--the President of the United States coming there--because the ceilings were quite low, the air-conditioning equipment and everything was all exposed, there were many steel suspension supports throughout the area.
I then returned to my office and telephoned to Mr. Behn and informed him of my findings and told him that securitywise the Women's Building appeared to be preferable, but that it wasn't a very nice place to take the President.
Then----
Mr. Stern.
What did you tell him about the Trade Mart?
Mr. Sorrels.
I told him that there were many entrances there and that it would pose a problem manpowerwise to have the proper security there.
Mr. Stern.
But did you indicate to him that this could be handled?
Mr. Sorrels.
I don't recall whether I specifically said it could be or not. Definitely I was under the impression that if the place was chosen, we would take the necessary precautions and would have it properly manned.
Mr. Stern.
You did not, in any event, tell him that you didn't think the Trade Mart would be a safe place?
Mr. Sorrels.
No, I don't recall I told him it would not be a safe place, no, sir.
Mr. Stern.
When did all this happen, Mr. Sorrels? Was it immediately after November 4?
Mr. Sorrels.
Yes, it was on November 4.
Mr. Stern.
What was the next event in your advance preparations for the President's trip?
Mr. Sorrels.
On November 13, Special Agent Winston G. Lawson, from the White House detail, and Mr. Jack Puterbaugh, had arrived at Dallas the evening before, and they came to my office, and we then went to the office of Mr. A. W. Cullum, President of the Chamber of Commerce, and we then went to the Trade Mart, and then to the Women's Building at the State Fairgrounds.
Mr. Stern.
Mr. Sorrels, would you look at this Xerox copy of a two-page memorandum which appears to be signed by you, dated November 30, 1963, and carries the identifying number CO-2-34030. Can you identify that for me, please?
Mr. Sorrels.
Yes, sir; that is a memorandum which was prepared by me on November 30, 1963.
Mr. Stern.
Did you make this memorandum in the ordinary course of your work, or were you specially instructed to make it?
Mr. Sorrels.
As I recall it, I was instructed to make the report, but it is a procedure we ordinarily follow in making memorandums of such surveys, in confirmation of the phone calls.
Mr. Stern.
Did you make it from notes that you had or from memory?
Mr. Sorrels.
Both, sir.
Mr. Stern.
Did you preserve the notes from which this was made, or destroy them?
Mr. Sorrels.
No, I preserved them. I have them here--regarding the phone call and the notes that I made, regarding the survey at the Trade Mart and Women's Club.
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