Mr. Belmont. That is a judgment that he would render, but that judgment would be passed on by our headquarters staff.
Mr. McCloy. Passed on by Washington?
Mr. Belmont. Yes, indeed. In this instance by the domestic intelligence division.
Mr. McCloy. In this case then the decision to close that case, I am talking always about the preassassination business, was approved or tacitly approved by the Washington staff.
Mr. Belmont. Not tacitly approved. Approved.
Mr. McCloy. Approved. Well, you mark the paper approved or you just accept it, accept the file with a notation "return for closing."
Mr. Belmont. When the closing report comes to our headquarters, it is reviewed by our supervisory staff, and if we do not agree with the action then the field office is notified to continue the investigation. That is a decision of substance.
Mr. McCloy. Well, I can understand that but I gather when the report comes in you simply let the report lie unless you feel from your examination of it that it justified further action. You don't notify the field office, do you, that the closing of the case is approved?
Mr. Belmont. No, Mr. McCloy. With the volume of work that we have that would be an unnecessary move.
Mr. McCloy. I can understand that.