But I don't recall any action. If the file shows it, I took it. But,
otherwise, I don't remember.
Mr. COLEMAN. When you took the various actions we have discussed this
morning with respect to Mr. Oswald, were you acting under instructions
of anyone that this was the decision you would have to make because
someone else in the Department wanted you to resolve the question this
way?
Miss WATERMAN. What do you mean?
Do you mean outside of the Passport Office?
Mr. COLEMAN. Yes.
Miss WATERMAN. Outside the Passport Office?
Mr. COLEMAN. Yes; I am just asking you for the record.
Miss WATERMAN. I know. But you mentioned--such as who?
Mr. COLEMAN. Did anyone call you up and say, "Miss Waterman, this is
the way you have to resolve this case"?
Miss WATERMAN. Oh, no. Oh, no.
Mr. COLEMAN. And you made the decisions you made based upon the record
and your judgment as to what you thought the law was and what the facts
were?
Miss WATERMAN. Certainly.
Mr. DULLES. Did you consult anyone in connection with reaching that
decision in the Oswald case?
Miss WATERMAN. Well, Mr. Dulles, in preparing this correspondence, as
I have told you, the correspondence was prepared for the signature of
my superiors, and if they didn't agree with what I wrote, that was all
right with me. But that was my impression, and I believed there had
been discussion among persons in our immediate office. And while----
Mr. DULLES. Your decision, then, is not final. It is subject to review
by your superiors in matters of this kind?
Miss WATERMAN. That is right.
But in no event--I don't know of any--as I say, my connection with the
case closed, and I never heard in the press or any other place that
indicated that Oswald expatriated himself and that he wasn't entitled
to a passport.
Mr. COLEMAN. Your decision wasn't in any way influenced by the fact
that Miss James told you that this was a decision that would have to be
made or anything like that?
Miss WATERMAN. Certainly not. They have absolutely nothing to do with
citizenship--nothing.
Mr. COLEMAN. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. DULLES. Off the record.
(Discussion off the record.)
Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Chairman, before we close the testimony of Miss
Waterman, I would like to move for the admission of Commission Exhibits
No. 957 through Commission Exhibit No. 983, which were the documents
that we marked.
Mr. DULLES. They shall be admitted.
(The documents heretofore marked for identification as Commission
Exhibits Nos. 957-983, were received in evidence.)
Mr. COLEMAN. I would like to thank Miss Waterman for coming in.
Mr. DULLES. We thank you very much, Miss Waterman.
(Whereupon, at 12:50 p.m., the President's Commission recessed.)