Commander Humes. No, sir.
Mr. Dulles. With the wound in 385, would it have affected the President's power of speech?
Commander Humes. It could have, sir. The wound caused a defect in his trachea which would most usually have caused at least some defect in the proper phonation, sir.
(Discussion off the record.)
The Chairman. On the record.
Mr. Specter. In response to Mr. Dulles' question a moment ago, Doctor Humes, you commented that they did not turn him over at Parkland. Will you state for the record what the source of your information is on that?
Commander Humes. Yes. This is a result of a personal telephone conversation between myself and Dr. Malcolm Perry early in the morning of Saturday, November 23.
Mr. Specter. At that time did Doctor Perry tell you specifically, Doctor Humes, that the Parkland doctors had not observed the wound in the President's back?
Commander Humes. He told me that the President was on his back from the time he was brought into the hospital until the time he left it, and that at no time was he turned from his back by the doctors.
Mr. Specter. And at the time of your conversation with Doctor Perry did you tell Doctor Perry anything of your observations or conclusions?