On January 21, 1964, the Commission adopted a resolution authorizing each member of the Commission and its General Counsel, J. Lee Rankin, to administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses, and receive evidence concerning any matter under investigation by the Commission.
The purpose of this hearing is to take the testimony of Mr. James Herbert Martin who has acted as the business manager of Mrs. Marina Oswald, the widow of Lee Harvey Oswald, who, prior to his death, was charged with the assassination of President Kennedy. In view of Mr. Martin's close association with Mrs. Oswald it is the intention of this Commission to ask Mr. Martin questions concerning this association and any and all matters related to the assassination, and to the subsequent killing of Lee Harvey Oswald.
Mr. Martin has been furnished with a copy of this statement and a copy of the rules adopted by the Commission for the taking of testimony or the production of evidence. Mr. Martin has also been furnished with a copy of Executive Order No. 11130 and Congressional Resolution S.J. Res. 137 which set forth the general scope of the Commission's inquiry and its authority for the examining of witnesses and the receiving of evidence.
I should also like to read into the record at this time a copy of a letter dated February 22, 1964, to Mr. Martin from Mr. J. Lee Rankin, General Counsel of the Commission, which reads as follows:
"Dear Mr. Martin:
"Confirming discussions between the staff of this Commission and John M. Thorne, Esquire, your counsel, we hereby request that you appear before this Commission at 9:00 a.m., on February 27, 1964, at Room 400, 200 Maryland Avenue, NE., Washington, D.C., for the purpose of giving sworn testimony concerning your association with Mrs. Marina Oswald and your knowledge of the facts relating to the assassination of President Kennedy and the subsequent killing of Lee Harvey Oswald.
"You are hereby requested to produce before this Commission at that time any and all books, records, papers, notes, and documents pertaining to your association with Marina Oswald and your knowledge of the facts relating to the assassination of President Kennedy and the subsequent killing of Lee Harvey Oswald including, but not limited to, those books, records, papers, notes, and documents pertaining to (1) your business dealings with Marina Oswald, (2) your activities as Marina Oswald's business representative, (3) Marina Oswald's business dealings with others, (4) your dealings with Marina Oswald in connection with the preparation of any testimony, interviews, public appearances, story, article, or other narrative concerning her personal history or the assassination of President Kennedy and the killing of Lee Harvey Oswald, and (5) your dealings with Marina Oswald in connection with her appearance before this Commission.
"The Commission is authorized to reimburse you for your expenses in connection with your appearance before the Commission, and the necessary details will be arranged when you are here.
"Attached herewith are copies of Executive Order No. 11130, dated November 29, 1963, S.J. Res. 137—88th Cong., 1st Session, and the rules of this Commission in connection with hearings conducted for the purpose of taking of testimony or the production of evidence."
I assume, gentlemen, you did receive a copy of that letter?
Mr. Leech. Yes, we did.
The Chairman. I will not be able to be here at all times today because we have, we are hearing arguments in the Court at 10 o'clock and I must leave to be there, but Mr. Dulles anticipates being here all day so in my absence he will conduct hearings.
Congressman Ford has some unfinished business at the Congress as I have at the Court so he probably will not be here all through the day.
Mr. Martin, will you please rise and be sworn?
Do you solemnly swear in this proceeding before the Commission to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Mr. Martin. I do.
Mr. Leech. Your Honor, who are these other gentlemen here. I haven't been introduced to them.
The Chairman. This is Mr. Charles Rhyne, who represents the American Bar Association.
Mr. Leech. Former president of the American Bar Association?
The Chairman. Yes, and Mr. Murray who is also in the Public Defender's office of the District of Columbia.
Mr. Rankin. He represents Mr. Walter Craig, too.
The Chairman. He and Mr. Rhyne represent Mr. Walter Craig.
Mr. Leech. Who is that?
Mr. Rankin. Mr. Craig is the President of the Bar Association and was asked to act in order to protect or advise the Commission as to any interests of Lee H. Oswald because of—you probably saw the notice in the paper and so forth.
Mr. Leech. You represent the man from Arizona?
Mr. Rhyne. Walter E. Craig, President of the American Bar Association.
Mr. Rankin. Mr. Storey is the representative of the Attorney General of Texas.
Mr. Leech. He is Dean of the Southern Methodist Law School.
Mr. Rankin. Yes.
The Chairman. Of course, this is Professor Redlich of our staff. And this is the reporter.
All right, Mr. Rankin will conduct the examination.
Will you proceed, Mr. Rankin?
Mr. Rankin. Mr. Leech, does the reporter have your full name?
Mr. Leech. Yes, sir; he does.
Mr. Rankin. Mr. Martin, will you tell us your name, please?
Mr. Martin. James Herbert Martin.
Mr. Rankin. Where do you live?
Mr. Martin. Dallas, Tex.
Mr. Rankin. How long have you lived there?
Mr. Martin. Since 1956.
Mr. Rankin. What is your occupation?
Mr. Martin. Hotel executive.
Mr. Rankin. Are you now connected with the Six Flags Motel?
Mr. Martin. No.
Mr. Rankin. Were you at one time?
Mr. Martin. Yes.
Mr. Rankin. And during what period?
Mr. Martin. From May of 1962 until January 1, 1964.
Mr. Rankin. What was your position with that institution?
Mr. Martin. Resident manager.
Mr. Rankin. While you were at the Six Flags Inn, did you become acquainted with Marina Oswald?
Mr. Martin. Yes.
Mr. Rankin. About when was the first time that you met her?
Mr. Martin. I guess it was November 24.
Mr. Rankin. Of what year?
Mr. Martin. 1963.
Mr. Rankin. And will you tell us how that acquaintance started?
Mr. Martin. Well, I was called by the Tarrant County sheriff on Sunday.
Mr. Rankin. Who was that?
Mr. Martin. Lew Evans.
Mr. Rankin. Yes.
Mr. Martin. About 11 o'clock in the morning, and they wanted a room where they could question the Oswald family. I told them they could have it, and about four o'clock, I guess, four or four-thirty, I don't know the exact time they came in with the whole family, and we gave them several rooms to accommodate the family.
Mr. Rankin. Were you introduced to Marina Oswald at that time?
Mr. Martin. Well, I don't believe I was ever really introduced to her.
Mr. Rankin. How did you come to know