Mr. Stern. Is there something about their general training that makes them particularly desirable in this work or is it the absence of other people that leads to the use of special agents in this work?
Mr. Bouck. They have been selected because of an apparent aptitude for this work. Some of them, not all, but most of them have had many years of background in this work that increases their competence.
Mr. Stern. Are these men permanently assigned to this function or do they rotate?
Mr. Bouck. They are susceptible to other assignment, but this assignment is something that may continue until the Chief should decide it was in the interest of the Service to change. It can and has gone many years for most of us. They do not automatically rotate.
Mr. Stern. I see.
As of the time of Dallas the total number of people in the Protective Research Section was 15 of which 3 were clerks, is that correct?
Mr. Bouck. That is correct.
Mr. Dulles. Could I ask one question that goes back to our earlier discussion? At the present time the Speaker is next in line in case anything should happen to the President.
Do you extend any special protective facilities as far as he is concerned?
Mr. Bouck. This, we are kind of in an advance area here. I do handle mail that may come in the Protective Research area but I don't think I am quite qualified to speak on the entire Secret Service relationship to the Speaker, if I might seem not——