The President's Commission met at 10:15 a.m., on June 16, 1964, at 200
Maryland Avenue NE., Washington, D.C.
Present were Chief Justice Earl Warren, Chairman; Senator John Sherman
Cooper, and Representative Hale Boggs, members.
Also present were J. Lee Rankin, general counsel; and Albert E. Jenner,
Jr., assistant counsel.
(Members present: Chief Justice Warren, Senator Cooper, and
Representative Boggs.)
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Surrey, we have asked you to come here to testify
concerning two things. The first is we want to ask you concerning the
printing of a publication entitled, "Wanted for Treason" that appeared
on the streets November 22, 1963, in Dallas. And then we propose to ask
you also some questions about the home of General Walker, in connection
with an attempt that was made on his life some time before the 22d of
November. You are prepared to testify, are you?
Mr. SURREY. I talked to Mr. Jenner. I am prepared to testify as
concerns the Walker episode. I do not wish to testify as concerns the
wanted poster, or the "Wanted for Treason."
The CHAIRMAN. For what reason--what reason do you assign for not
wanting to? It is not a question of whether a witness wants to testify
here. He is subpenaed to testify, and he must testify unless he has a
privilege.
Mr. SURREY. I believe that my answers would tend to incriminate me
under the fifth amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. Very well. You are entitled to raise that question.
And, if you do, that privilege will be respected. But we will ask you
a question concerning it, and if you claim your privilege it will be
respected. And then if you want to testify--are willing to testify
about the other matters, you may do so.
Would you rise and raise your right hand and be sworn? You solemnly
swear that the testimony you are about to give before this Commission
will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help
you God?
Mr. SURREY. I do.
Representative BOGGS. Mr. Chairman, I would suppose that we would not
be limited to one question. If he wants to plead the fifth amendment,
of course that is his privilege. But I would hope that we could ask
him several questions, and if he wants to plead he can plead on each
question.
The CHAIRMAN. Well, on any phase of it that you wish to ask him a
question, of course it is all right.
Mr. Jenner will conduct the examination.
Mr. SURREY. Is it my understanding that if I do invoke the fifth
amendment to begin with, then I do not have the privilege of later on
invoking it, is that correct?
The CHAIRMAN. Well, I believe it is a fact that on any phase of your
testimony, if you testify in part about that phase, you can be required
to testify fully concerning it. But if there is one phase of your
testimony that you want to claim the privilege on, and are willing
to testify as to other matters not connected with it, you can do so
without waiving your privilege. Does that answer your question?
Mr. SURREY. Yes, sir.
The CHAIRMAN. Very well. Mr. Jenner?
Mr. JENNER. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
Mr. Chief Justice, I offer in evidence as Commission Exhibit No. 995
the original of the subpena served upon Mr. Surrey.
The CHAIRMAN. Yes. A subpena was served on you, was it, Mr. Surrey?
Mr. SURREY. Yes; it was.
The CHAIRMAN. Very well, it may be admitted.
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 995 for
identification, and received in evidence.)
Mr. JENNER. You are appearing in response to the subpena?
Mr. SURREY. Yes; I am.
Mr. JENNER. Were you furnished with copies of the Senate joint
resolution, or legislation which created--authorized the creation of
the Commission?
Mr. SURREY. At a previous time; yes.
Mr. JENNER. And President Johnson's Executive order, and the rules and
regulations of the Commission as to taking of testimony?
Mr. SURREY. Yes; I was. It was hard to read them.
Mr. JENNER. Yes; they are a little bit difficult to read.
In order that you may exercise the rights that you have indicated to
the Chief Justice, I will question you first about the pamphlet, after
asking you the preliminary questions as to your name.
Mr. SURREY. Robert Alan Surrey.
Mr. JENNER. And what is your address?
Mr. SURREY. 3506 Lindenwood, Dallas, Tex.
Mr. JENNER. How long have you resided there?
Mr. SURREY. Eight years.
Mr. JENNER. And what is your age?
Mr. SURREY. Thirty-eight.
Mr. JENNER. Where were you born?
Mr. SURREY. Oak Park, Ill.
Mr. JENNER. When did you move to Texas?
Mr. SURREY. First moved there in 1948, and then left for 2 years, from
1951 to 1953, and then moved back to Texas.
Mr. JENNER. You are a college graduate; are you not?
Mr. SURREY. Yes; I am.
Mr. JENNER. What university or college?
Mr. SURREY. Northwestern.
Mr. JENNER. In Evanston, Ill?
Mr. SURREY. Yes.
Mr. JENNER. When did you receive your degree?
Mr. SURREY. 1948.
Mr. JENNER. You are married?
Mr. SURREY. Yes; I am.
Mr. JENNER. Is Mrs. Surrey a native born American?
Mr. SURREY. Yes; she is a Dallasite.
Mr. JENNER. She is a Dallas girl?
Mr. SURREY. Yes.
Mr. JENNER. What is your business, occupation, or profession?
Mr. SURREY. I am a printing salesman.
Mr. JENNER. For what company?
Mr. SURREY. For Johnson Printing Co.
Mr. JENNER. Is that located at 2700 North Haskell, in Dallas?
Mr. SURREY. Yes; it is.
Mr. JENNER. How long have you been employed by Johnson Printing Co.?
Mr. SURREY. Seven years.
Mr. JENNER. Would you tell us in a general way what Johnson Printing
Co. does? I appreciate the name in the title of the company indicates
printing, but what kind?
Mr. SURREY. Commercial printing, advertising printing, house
organs--just general commercial work.
Mr. JENNER. Did you have some military service?
Mr. SURREY. Yes; I did.
Mr. JENNER. Would you state what it was?
Mr. SURREY. I was 4 years in the Navy, in World War II.
Mr. JENNER. Are you also the president of a book publishing company
located in Dallas?
Mr. SURREY. The American Eagle Publishing Co?
Mr. JENNER. Yes, sir.
Mr. SURREY. Yes; I am.
Mr. JENNER. The only volume I have seen--there was a publication of
reprints of newspaper stories.
Mr. SURREY. Called the Assassination Story, yes, sir.
Mr. JENNER. And your name appeared, I think, in that as the president
of the company.
Mr. SURREY. A cover letter that was on the back cover.