Mr. Hubert.

Now I ask you if the exhibit, which is, as I have said, a report of an interview of you by the FBI agents named, is an accurate and fair statement of the conference or interview had between you?

Mr. Cabell.

It is entirely so.

Mr. Hubert.

Do you have any corrections or additions?

Mr. Cabell.

I find no corrections or additions to make to that statement.

Mr. Hubert.

For the record, I would like you to state briefly just what was the chain of command of governmental authority in the city of Dallas, starting with you, I take it, as the top, on down at least to the police department.

Mr. Cabell.

Under the charter of the city of Dallas, the city council is composed of councilmen and the mayor, the mayor having the status of a councilman, but also being the presiding officer elected by the people at large as the mayor. He is the presiding officer and the spokesman for the council. The council does not have administrative responsibilities nor authority. The council is a legislative and policymaking body who appoint the city manager, among certain other city officials or department heads.
The city manager in turn has the discretion of appointing those department heads under his direct jurisdiction, including the appointment of the chief of police. The council, by ordinance, is not authorized to, and in fact is prohibited from taking direct administrative action through or over any of the department heads appointed by and responsible to the city manager.

Mr. Hubert.

How many members compose the council, sir?

Mr. Cabell.

Eight members, in addition to the Mayor.

Mr. Hubert.

They are elected?

Mr. Cabell.

They are all elected by the citizens of Dallas at large. That is, they are all voted upon.

Mr. Hubert.

Now the city manager, as I understand it, is appointed by the council or by the mayor?

Mr. Cabell.

No; the city manager is appointed by the council, by council action.

Mr. Hubert.

Now the city manager on November 22 through 24, 1963, was Mr. Crull?

Mr. Cabell.

Elgin E. Crull.

Mr. Hubert.

Of course, for the record, you were then Mayor?

Mr. Cabell.

That is correct.

Mr. Hubert.

I think it might be well also for the record if we have the names of the people that composed the council at that time.

Mr. Cabell.

The council at that time was composed of Mr. Curie Welch. He was also mayor pro tern. Mr. William Roberts, Mrs. Tracy Rutherford, Mr. Joe Moody, Mr. Joe Golman, Mrs. Elizabeth Blessing, Mr. George Underwood, Jr., Mr. R. B. Carpenter.

Mr. Hubert.

I understand that Mr. Crull had been serving as city manager for quite some time?

Mr. Cabell.

Something over 10 years.

Mr. Hubert.

Could you describe briefly for us the relationship between the mayor and the council and the city manager?

Mr. Cabell.

Well, it is the relationship of the general manager of a corporate entity and his board of directors, with most day-to-day contact being made through the mayor as the presiding officer of that board.

Mr. Hubert.

In other words, the city manager really has the detailed administration of city affairs?

Mr. Cabell.

He is entirely responsible for the administrative functions of the city government.

Mr. Hubert.

Now, the mayor, then, is responsible for policies with the council; is that correct?

Mr. Cabell.

As the presiding officer, the mayor has only one vote on the action of the council, as any other councilman, but by virtue of being the presiding officer and the spokesman of the council, then on day-to-day routine matters, the contact of the city manager is through the mayor.

Mr. Hubert.

Does the council make any other appointments than the appointment of the city manager?

Mr. Cabell.

Yes; the direct appointees of the council are the city attorney,