I have been authorized to take your testimony by the Commission, pursuant to authority granted to it by Executive Order No. 11130, dated November 29, 1963, and the joint resolution of Congress No. 137.
By the rules of the Commission covering the taking of testimony, you are entitled to have an attorney present and you are entitled to 3 days notice of the hearing. I know that you haven't had 3 days' notice of the hearing because of schedule difficulties that we had yesterday and the day before, but since you are here by yourself, I presume you are prepared to go ahead and give your testimony without an attorney being present; is that right?

Mr. Smith.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Liebeler.

Would you state your full name for the record, please?

Mr. Smith.

Edgar Leon Smith, Jr.

Mr. Liebeler.

Where and when were you born?

Mr. Smith.

Myrtle Springs, Tex., July 9, 1933.

Mr. Liebeler.

Where do you live?

Mr. Smith.

1800 Scripture, Apartment 6, in Denton, Tex.

Mr. Liebeler.

You are a Dallas policeman?

Mr. Smith.

A Dallas policeman.

Mr. Liebeler.

I understand that you were in the vicinity of the Texas School Book Depository Building on November 22, 1963; is that correct?

Mr. Smith.

I was.

Mr. Liebeler.

Would you tell us just what led up to that; how you came to be assigned to that particular area and what instructions you were given about what you were supposed to do?

Mr. Smith.

Okay--the dates and times will be just approximately, because I don't recall exactly, but. approximately 9 a.m., November 22, 1963, I attended a detail in the basement of the city hall for all men who were designated to work traffic for the President's visit to Dallas.
At that detail I was given instructions by Captain Lawrence, P. W. Lawrence, as to my duties and some things to watch out for. Some of these things I was to watch out for Was to watch the crowd for any unusual movements and also to keep a check on the buildings in the vicinity of where I was located. He instructed us specifically about placards. I understand that people were allowed to carry placards, but if I should notice anyone attempting to throw them or anything like that, I should take them into custody. I was assigned to the corner of Houston and Elm Street. I got to my traffic corner about----
Mr. LIEBELER. Before you get to that---let me ask you a few questions: What did you say your name was, Edgar L.?

Mr. Smith.

E. L.---Edgar L.

Mr. Liebeler.

There were two Smiths on that corner?

Mr. Smith.

Yes; I understand that.

Mr. Liebeler.

When you received your instructions that morning, was there any specific mention made of watching the windows of the buildings in the a tea?

Mr. Smith.

Not that I recall--just general--watch out, you know, for the crowd.

Mr. Liebeler.

Now, you went down to the corner of Elm and Houston and took up your duty station there at about what time?

Mr. Smith.

I think it was about approximately 10 o'clock and--I believe that's about right.

Mr. Liebeler.

And there were two other officers there, isn't that right?

Mr. Smith.

Yes; there were.

Mr. Liebeler.

Can you tell us what their names were?

Mr. Smith.

One of them was Welcome Barnett and the other boy was named Smith too, but I don't recall his initials.

Mr. Liebeler.

Where did you station yourself and what did you do from the time you arrived until the time the motorcade began to approach?

Mr. Smith.

I said approximately--oh, 30 to 40 feet south of the south curb of Elm Street at the east curb of Houston. I stood around there and talked with some of the people in this general vicinity and watched the crowd.

Mr. Liebeler.

You stood across the street on Houston Street from the Texas School Book Depository Building?