Mr. HUBERT. What system of authorizing newsmen was in use?
Captain TALBERT. Using their press identification.
Mr. HUBERT. Had that been issued specially?
Captain TALBERT. That is the general order, 81, I believe that
is the number of it. I don't know whether you want to include
that in here or not. I believe general order 81, is that we would
utilize--this is a long-standing--that we will utilize the normal press
identification to permit news media into scenes of incident areas.
The amateurs, bystanders, were kept out because they don't have those
identification----
Mr. HUBERT. Is that an identification commonly known to police
personnel?
Captain TALBERT. They scrutinize it. No, sir; each could utilize these
different types, but you have to scrutinize their identification.
Mr. HUBERT. Do you say that you permit these persons to enter, but
civilians without news identification could not enter?
Captain TALBERT. Yes, sir.
Mr. HUBERT. That was in effect that day?
Captain TALBERT. I utilized it.
Mr. HUBERT. Well, I mean, the order was in effect?
Captain TALBERT. It had not been revoked.
Mr. HUBERT. So, you utilized it?
Captain TALBERT. Yes, sir.
Mr. HUBERT. Therefore, it was determined that when you were clearing
out the basement, you would clear out all persons who were not police
officers or news media properly identified?
Captain TALBERT. Yes, sir.
Mr. HUBERT. Now, can you tell me why you did that as to the basement?
Captain TALBERT. The basement--I am using a very loose term in
"basement," I meant, and did convey to Lieutenant Pierce, "the area,"
in which Oswald would be--if he was transferred, and I used that term,
"if he was transferred," I didn't know that he would be. Although, our
basement was becoming cluttered with newsmen at that time.
Mr. HUBERT. Had you been told by anyone that Oswald would be removed
from the upper story of the building by use of the jail elevators to
the jail office, and from the jail office through the jail corridor
into the basement ramps.
Captain TALBERT. At that time; no, sir.