Chief Stevenson. To my own knowledge, I don’t. I was told that he did make that inquiry of possibly Lieutenant Wiggins, I believe it was.
Mr. Hubert. What is your thought, Chief, as to what extent the failure of security which occurred was caused by the decision to allow news media into the basement?
Chief Stevenson. That would be a little difficult question to answer. Of course looking back at it, Mr. Hubert, we can see. But we had, we felt, sufficient officers in there to secure it. And of course looking back on it now, we can say yes. It would have been better for us if we had not had the press down there. What percent it figured, what percent of the blame you could lay to the fact that the press was down there would be very difficult.
Mr. Hubert. Do you know of any consideration, if any consideration was given, to establishing some security measures with reference to single-man action against the prisoner rather than mob action against the prisoner?
Chief Stevenson. Nothing more than that all the officers are instructed that in handling any prisoner charged with a serious crime they should watch for anyone and everyone, any act that might look or seem to be of a suspicious nature.
Mr. Hubert. Well, I was thinking particularly with reference to the security of Oswald on the 24th. I mean was any consideration given, to your knowledge, of establishing some security measure against a single-man action?
Chief Stevenson. None in particular. Nothing more than is general procedure on transfer of a prisoner of that nature, or one who has committed a crime in which some relative or friend might want to take vengeance.
Mr. Hubert. What is that?
Chief Stevenson. That would be that everyone be kept away from the prisoner, not be permitted to get to the prisoner.
Mr. Hubert. Were any security measures to that end taken, do you know?