Mr. Lawson. Well, I believe it would be my responsibility if I knew of any organization that did advocate the killing or the harming of the President.
Representative Ford. There was no specific information that you had in this case that the so-called rightwing extremist groups——
Mr. Lawson. That is right.
Representative Ford. Had that in mind?
Mr. Lawson. That is right; that is correct. It was also my understanding that, if anything was known about some of these other groups going to plan anything to embarrass the President or hurt the President, we would be notified by the people whose jurisdiction it is to look into those matters or who might have a little bit more knowledge about them than the Secret Service.
Representative Ford. When you got to Dallas, did you personally check with the local FBI office about any individuals or any groups?
Mr. Lawson. No, sir; I did not. All the liaison either would be handled from the local SAC's office or through Washington.
Representative Ford. That would be between some Secret Service office——
Mr. Lawson. Either Mr. Sorrel's office and the local FBI office or from our office to the FBI headquarters in Washington.
Representative Ford. In the ordinary course of events that information would be given to you?