anaheim-gazette 1964-09-30

PULITZER PRIZE—WINNING REPORT Oswald's Motives Editor's Note: The author of the following dispatch was in the presidential motorcade when John F. Kennedy was murdered in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. He later received the Pulitzer Prize in journalism for national reporting for his account of the tragedy. By MERRIMAN SMITH United Press International WASHINGTON (UPI) — The judgment for history is that Lee Harvey Oswald, a rebellious frustrated Marxist fanatic, murdered John F. Kennedy in Dallas 10 months and 5 days ago "acting alone and without advice or assistance." There is no evidence that he was part of any conspiracy, either foreign or domestic. There also is no evidence that the emotional climate in the Texas city had anything to do with irrational act. The motives of the 24-year-old Oswald, who pumped three shots at the young President from the sixth floor of a Dallas office building, are obscure. But they appear linked to a broken home, an indifferent mother and an unsatisfactory marriage. One consequence of the day of horror has been a tightening of presidential security procedures. But much more needs to be done to protect Lyndon B. Johnson and future occupants of presidential security procedures. But much more needs to be done to protect Lyndon B. Johnson and future occupants involved in the assassination. But it added: "If there is any such evidence it has been beyond the reach of all the investigative agencies and resources of the United States and has not come to the attention of this commission." The report failed to convince the assassin's mother, Mrs. Marguerite Oswald, She continued to insist "there is no proof" her son killed Kennedy. And a Communist youth publication said in Moscow that the assassination was the result of a right-wing reactionary coup. No Perfect System The commission conceded it could recommend no fool-proof system for protecting a president in view of the historic need for the chief executive to mingle with the people. But it added: "The commission has, however, from its examination of the facts of President Kennedy's assassination made certain recommendations which it believes would, if adopted, materially improve on the procedures in effect at the time of President Kennedy's assassination and result in a substantial lessening of the danger." Johnson, who does not always abide by the security criteria laid down by the panel, announced in Johnson City, Tex., that he was appointing a four-member committee to advise him on putting the recommendations into effect. Named were Treasury Secretary Daniel Pillow and William C. Woolsey were no real surprises in fascinating, heavily documented report written for the ages. The seven-man commission headed by Chief Justice Warren, found that Oswald Kennedy and Texas Gov. B. Connaly Jr. from a floor window in the southern corner of the Texas School Book Depository. Guns Down Tippit It said that approximately minutes later, Oswald gun down policeman J. D. Tippit near the intersection of and Patton streets, and ran muttering either "poor dad cop," or "poor dumb cop." And it declared that two days later when Ruby fatally wounded Oswald in the basement the Dallas jail, he did so acting alone and not as part any conspiracy. It said the men never had known each other. In essence, this is the U.S. government's verdict on what the report called "a cruel shocking act of violence directed against a man, a family, nation, and against all mankind." The commission addressed itself to two questions the "what" and the "why." Nov. 22. The "what" was Oswald's guilt, and it was stated in the report in these words: States The Evidence "On the basis of the evidence...the commission has found that Lee Harvey Oswald owned and possessed the rifle used to kill President Kennedy and ground Governor Cornell." One consequence of the day of horror has been a tightening of presidential security procedures. But much more needs to be done to protect Lyndon B. Johnson and future occupants of presidential security procedures. But much more needs to be done to protect Lyndon B. Johnson and future occupants of the White House from potential assassins. These are the conclusions of The President's Commission on the Assassination of John F. Kennedy," otherwise known as the Warren Commission. It was set up by Johnson immediately after the Nov. 22, 1963, tragedy to "evaluate all the facts and circumstances surrounding the assassination." The 888-page report was made public Sunday night after painstaking investigation. The inquiry involved most branches of government and even reached overseas into Russia where Oswald lived for awhile and where he met the girl who was to become his wife. The report conceded that in view of Oswald's subsequent death at the hands of Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby it was impossible to say categorically that no one else was in President Kennedy's assassination and result in a substantial lessening of the danger." Johnson, who does not always abide by the security criteria laid down by the panel, announced in Johnson City, Tex., that he was appointing a four-member committee to advise him on putting the recommendations into effect. Named were Treasury Secretary Douglas Dillon whose department includes the Secret Service, Acting Atty. Gen. Nicholas Katzenbach, Central Intelligence Agency Director John A. McCone and McGeorge Bundy, the president's special assistant for national security affairs. Makes Recommendations The commission made 12 recommendations. Eight applied to the Secret Service which has been charged since 1902 with the responsibility for protecting the President. Primarily, they would put an overseer in charge of the agency and give it 205 more men at a cost of $20 million. All the recommendations were made because of the commission's muted answer of "perhaps" to the question of whether Kennedy's murder could have been prevented. As for the actual events in Dallas last Nov. 22-24, there The commission addressed itself to two questions about the "what" and the "why." Nov. 22. The "what" was Oswald's guilt, and it was stated in the report in these words: States The Evidence "On the basis of the evidence... the commission has found that Lee Harvey Oswald (O) owned and possessed the rifle used to kill President Kennedy and wound Governor Connally (2) brought this rifle into the depository building on the morning of the assassination;" "(3) was present, at the time of the assassination, at the window from which the shots were fired; (4) killed Dallas police officer J. D. Tippit in an apparent attempt to escape; (5) resisted arrest by drawing a fully loaded pistol and attempting to shoot another police officer; (6) lied to the police after his arrest concerning substantive matters." "(7) attempted, in April 1963, to kill Maj. Gen. Edward A. Walker, and (8) possessed the capability with a rifle which would have enabled him to commit the assassination." "On the basis of these findings the commission has concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald was the assassin of President Kennedy." A key piece of evidence use HERE'S WHAT PROPOSITION 17, THE "SKELETON-CREW" SCHEME, WOULD DO: WIPE OUT public supervision of railroad safety in California DEPRIVE the Public Utilities Commission and the Legislature of their rights to protect public safety KILL California's Minimum Safe Crew Law LEGALIZE "skeleton crews" SURRENDER to the railroads control over train safety practices FREEZE into the State Constitution the sole right of the railroads to decide safe crew requirements PERMIT the railroads to put their profits before your safety INCREASE sharply the chance of disastrous train wrecks in California. FOR THE RECORD: PRESIDENTS EISENHOWER, KENNEDY AND JOHNSON HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED RAILROAD SAFETY LAWS—the California Minimum Crew Law is just such a safety measure! On election day, Tuesday, Nov. 3rd, the railroad companies are asking you, the people of California, to vote away your rights as citizens...to hand over to the railroads full power to decide the number of train crewmen necessary for public safety. This vital control over railroad safety laws is now held by your elected State Legislature and by the Public Utilities Commission. Proposition 17, the "skeleton-crew scheme" sponsored by the powerful California Railroad Association, would repeal California's Minimum Crew Law—a safety law which has prevented untold loss in lives and property...and given California one of the best railroad safety records in the nation. At the same time, Prop. 17 would eliminate public supervision of railroad safety in California. It would leave the railroads completely free to cut the size of train crews as they see fit...below the present safe minimums now prescribed by law. In short, it would leave the question of public safety vs. private profit solely in the hands of the railroads. VOTE NO ON 17 DON'T LET THE RAILROADS GAMBLE WITH YOUR SAFETY! California Committee to PRESERVE RAILROAD SAFETY 6380 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, SUITE 1114, LOS ANGELES 48 • OL 1-2520 Southern California Co-Chairmen: Hon. John Anson Ford • Hon. Roger W. Jessup SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: 681 MARKET STREET, SUITE 271 • GA 1-1810 Northern California Co-Chairmen: State Senator John W. Holmdahl • William Nelligan REPORTER: Drives Said Obscure In reaching this conclusion was the eyewitness report of Howard L. Brennan, a 45-year-old steamfitter, who was across the street from the depository building. He saw the shots fired and immediately described the assassin to police as white, slender, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighing about 165 pounds. Looks For Motive Having decided Oswald's guilt, the commission set out to find the "why" of the killing. It reached two basic conclusions. The first was that Oswald, a strange, psychotic personality, had the capability of killing a prominent man such as the president to take out a grudge against a society that he felt had frustrated him at every turn. The second was that there were deficiencies and lapses in the organizations set up to protect the president of the United States. As for Oswald, the commission conducted an exhaustive review of his life, from his lonely childhood and his strained relationships with his mother to his stormy marriage to the girl, Marina, who he had met and wed in Russia. This was the conclusion: "Many factors were undoubtedly involved in Oswald's motivation for the assassination, and the commission does not believe that it can ascribe to him any one motive or group of motives. It is apparent how tion he expressed his hatred for American society and acted in protest against it. "Oswald's search for what he conceived to be the perfect society was doomed from the start. He sought for himself a place in history—a role as the 'great man' who would be recognized as having been in advance of his times. His commitment to Marxism and communism appears to have been another important factor in his motivation. "He also had demonstrated a capacity to act decisively and without regard to the consequences when such action would further his aims of the moment. Out of these and the many other factors which may have molded the character of Lee Harvey Oswald there emerged a man capable of assassinating President Kennedy." The commission did not go into the question of whether Oswald shot at Kennedy as a symbol or as an individual. It does quote from the Secret Service report of Oswald's interrogation by Capt. J. W. Fritz of the Dallas police department's homicide and robbery bureau. Oswald said: "I have no views on the President." "My wife and I like the President's family. They are interesting people. I have my own views on the President's national policy. I have a right to express my views but because of the charges I do not think I should Almost 70,000 Orange teenagers will this week copy of a booklet put the county telling about "Laws For Youth." The attractive booklet months in the making praised by Harold Kibbleange Unified School District perintendent. “This booklet should do to inform students as parents about their legal other responsibilities.” He said, “It actually goes farther than just the leepect,” he added. A joint effort of many organizations, the booklet has from the usual material kind that has been issued written in an easy manner signed strictly for the teacher. Throughout the book aatures of some of the world surfers in action. There is a detailed map showing surfing locations in County and their laws. Juvenile Court Judge V.J. Ferguson said, "The document of this booklet is ample of the cooperation exists in Orange County b... WHY move your money from a Bank to HOME SAVINGS Because you earn around 40% more Because you earn around 40% more in America’s Number One Association FUNDS RECEIVED OR POSTMARKED BY MONDAY, OCT. 12, EARN FROM OCT. HOME SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION PEACE OF MIND SINCE 1889 AMERICA'S LARGEST Assets now over $1.75 Billion Main Office: 761 South Broadway, Los Angeles FEDERAL Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. FEDERAL Home Loan Bank System BUENA PARK 8010 Beach Blvd., at La Palma TA 8-4664 SANTA ANA 819 North Main St., at 9th St. 542-5673 • 542-2775 GARDEN GROVE 11922 Brookhurst St., at Chapman 530-5680 ANAHEIM 211 East Lincoln Ave., opposite City Hall KI 5-2883 LA MIRADA 15128 E. Rosecrans Ave., East of Luitwieler LA 1-1310 Booklet for Teen-agers To Inform Them of Laws Almost 70,000 Orange County teen-agers will this week receive copies of a booklet put out by the county telling about the "Laws For Youth." The attractive booklet, nine months in the making, was praised by Harold Kibby, Orange Unified School District Superintendent. "This booklet should do a lot to inform students as well as parents about their legal and other responsibilities," Kibby said. "It actually goes a lot farther than just the legal aspect," he added. A joint effort of many organizations, the booklet has swayed from the usual material of this kind that has been issued. It is written in an easy manner designed strictly for the teen-ager. Throughout the book are pictures of some of the world's top surfers in action. There is also detailed map showing all the surfing locations in Orange County and their laws. Juvenile Court Judge Warren Ferguson said, "The development of this booklet is an example of the cooperation that exists in Orange County between the many public and private agencies concerned with youth." One of the contributors to the book is Sgt. Andrew Quinn, head of the Orange Police Department Juvenile Bureau. Quinn is quite pleased with the result. "I think we've got something here the kids are going to read — not just look at the cover and throw away," he said. "The book is written in such a way as to make the laws easy to understand — not just quotes out of a code book," he added. Quinn is a representative of the Orange County Juvenile Officers Association — one of 10 County agencies cooperating in the project. Others are the Fourth District of the California Congress of Parents and Teachers, the Juvenile Justice Commission, the Orange County School Representatives, the Orange County Ad Club, Orange County Probation Department, Orange County Press Club, Orange County Bar Association, California Department of Motor Vehicles and the Big Brothers of Orange County. Covers Several Topics The booklet goes into almost every kind of law that could effect the teen-ager of today. It starts with alcoholic beverages and goes through topics such as assaults, baby sitting, contributing to delinquency, curfew, disorderly conduct, employment of minors, parties, financial responsibility, marriage, morals, narcotics and glue sniffing, recreation, runaway, school law, theft, tobacco, driving rules, water activities and weapons. See THE 15th ANNUAL DECORATORS SHOW PAN PACIFIC AUDITORIUM October 2-11 Adults $1.75 1:00-11:00 PM daily Children $1.00 PAN PACIFIC AUDITORIUM (Los Angeles) October 2-11 Adults $1.75 1:00-11:00 PM daily Children $1.00 WILLIAMS Co. ARMY - NAVY SURPLUS 112 E. Commonwealth Downtown Fullerton Avenue 130 E. Lincoln Ave. Downtown Anaheim Daily 9 to 9—Sat. 9-8 SUNDAY 9-2 Daily 'til 5:30 Mon.-Fri. 'til 9 OPEN SUNDAY 10-5 Special Purchase NYLON UNLINED PARKAS Smart styling. Ideal for boating, camping, fishing. Colors red, blue, arta black. Sizes SM-L. Men's Surfside DECK OXFORDS Full Cushion, sponge insole with arch support. 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