Mr. Fowler. You have been the most cordial since we have been in this, Bill.
Let me make one other statement—this is relevant.
Are you through, Bill?
Mr. Alexander. Yes, sir.
Mr. Fowler. I wish to make this statement for the record that at some time during the course of this interrogation and hearing, that I was called by Mr. Bill Decker, stating that a telephone call, long distance, had been made to him. I answered the phone and Mr. Earl Ruby and Mr. Sol Dann were on the phone speaking from Detroit. They wanted to know what was going on and who had authorized this hearing, and why I came down and why Mr. Tonahill was here, and why we did not stop the hearing.
I tried to the best of my ability to explain to him that I had talked with Jack and has also explained to the Commission that we were of the opinion that Mr. Ruby had certain rights that might be violated here, but that this was entirely the wishes and demands of Jack Ruby himself, and these matters had been set up prior to my entrance into the case and prior to the entrance of Mr. Dann, and that I could not control them.
I was informed by Mr. Dann at that time that it was his intention to immediately contact the Warren Commission in Washington and file a criminal case, a case of assault and battery, against all parties conducting this hearing, including myself and Mr. Tonahill. At this point I was summarily fired, together with Mr. Tonahill, and I feel that this matter of course is something that Mr. Dann is not aware of, that all of this that has taken place here today—I think that we have tried to protect the rights of Jack Ruby, and I put this in to merely show that the call was made, and if any of you gentlemen have fear of reprisal or for whatever purpose it might be, and that I am sure that something further will be made of it.
Again, I wish to state this that in my opinion, whether we are still employed in the case, and I have not been fired by Jack Ruby, that we feel absolutely that his rights have been protected.
Mr. Alexander. His brother Earl has not fired you either.
Mr. Specter. That concludes the proceedings. Thank you all very much.