Mr. Eisenberg. Exhibit No. 820 is seriously discolored now and does not have the words "A. J. Hidell" apparent. Can you explain how that came about?
Mr. Cadigan. Yes; the original Commission Exhibit No. 820 had been treated for latent fingerprints, and this is a chemical process which has removed the ink of the signature. However, on examination under strong side lighting and using low-power magnification, portions of the letters "A," "J," and "H," of the signature of the chapter president can be discerned, and are in the same place on the photograph, Commission Exhibit No. 819, as on the original, Commission Exhibit No. 820.
Furthermore, a comparison of the writing and the rubber stamp, especially with reference to the position of these with respect to lines and printing and other fixed points on the card, definitely shows that Commission Exhibit No. 819 is a photograph of Exhibit No. 820, and made before it was treated for latent fingerprints.
Mr. Eisenberg. Now, apart from this, did you take the photograph, Exhibit No. 819?
Mr. Cadigan. No; the photograph was made in our photographic laboratory.
Mr. Eisenberg. But you did see Exhibit No. 820, before it had been discolored, did you not?
Mr. Cadigan. I don't recall at this time. It may well be that I did, but I have no independent recollection of it now.
Mr. Eisenberg. So that your testimony that Exhibit No. 819 is a photograph of Exhibit No. 820 is based upon your evaluation of the two items as they exist now rather than upon recollection of Exhibit No. 820 before it was discolored?
Mr. Cadigan. That is true.
Mr. Eisenberg. Do you know why Exhibit No. 820 was not reprocessed or desilvered?