Mr. Ballen.

cannot document that with any specific items which were discussed, but it is pretty strongly a general feeling that this had come out during that discussion.

Mr. Liebeler.

Was it discussed in terms of the Negro race problem?

Mr. Ballen.

Negro and all forms of human hatred. In other words, the meeting that I had with this individual, which was very limited. I had a certain element of attraction towards the man because I felt that this man did express, at least in an intellectual vein, feeling of compassion for mankind generally.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did he indicate that he was not in accord with policies which had as their end racial prejudice?

Mr. Ballen.

Yes. In his general categoric manner, he would have felt that this was a form of stupidity as well as a form of injustice.

Mr. Liebeler.

Was there any specific discussion, as you can recall, of any extremists groups or so-called "hate" groups?

Mr. Ballen.

No.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did you form any impression of the man that would enable you to make a judgment as to the extent to which he would be influenced by racist or hate propaganda?

Mr. Ballen.

You will have to make your question more specific.

Mr. Liebeler.

Do you think that Oswald was the kind of person who would be influenced, by propaganda or by people who were associated with, say racist or extremist groups, to engage in any particular kind of activity? You mentioned before, for example, that Oswald took the position or expressed the attitude that as far as the Soviet Union and the United States generally were concerned, it was a sort of plague-on-both-the-houses, he was not going to let anyone substitute their judgment for what he regarded as the basic reality of the situation. Did you gain any impression about Oswald's attitude toward hate groups? Do you think he could have been moved or motivated by them?

Mr. Ballen.

I think I understand your question, and there would have been no expression advanced by Oswald of contempt for a particular organization.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did he indicate that he had experienced certain difficulties in securing or holding employment because of his trip to the Soviet Union?

Mr. Ballen.

Yes; he said he ran into difficulty, and that he was not ashamed of his background and wasn't going to conceal it, and that in this particular geographic area that he was just finding it hard as heck to gain employment.
I could understand that, and I said, "Well, let's see what kind of training you have, if you get employment."
And I was struck with almost a total lack of any meaningful training other than what he had mentioned which I have already covered.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did he tell you any specific details of the kind of work he did in the Soviet Union?

Mr. Ballen.

I have the impression that these were menial jobs. I am sure I discussed it with him. I am sure I would have asked him, and I have the impression that he had menial jobs, and that he would have worked in some kind of publication function, and he had learned about camera and reproduction equipment.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did he tell you how much he was paid?

Mr. Ballen.

He did say that the economics there were awfully tight.

Mr. Liebeler.

Do you recall specifically his mentioning any figure as to what his income was?

Mr. Ballen.

No.

Mr. Liebeler.

Did he indicate in any way that he had received income while he was in the Soviet Union from sources other than this--his job?

Mr. Ballen.

No; he didn't indicate anything like that. I did express a little puzzlement as to how he was able to get out with his wife.

Mr. Liebeler.

What did he say about that?

Mr. Ballen.

He shrugged that off and said, "Well, it's just a matter of sticking with it with the necessary bureaucrats, both Russian and the United States, of staying with the necessary bureaucrats to get out; and I got out."
I would add this. Jeanne De Mohrenschildt was making a serious effort to help out socially and economically the Oswalds, and she was reporting to us