Mr. Palmer. The reason was given to me, but I don’t accept it, actually. The story was that the pressure he was putting on Jack to have him conform more closely to AGVA and rules and regulations that prompted him to talk to Alton Sharp in Chicago about writing a letter to New York concerning me. Jack had.
Mr. Griffin. Concerning you? Meaning Tom Palmer?
Mr. Palmer. Right. Jack Ruby had also asked me if he could. I said yes. But I couldn’t understand his sending any pertinent data to Chicago, which was not a regional office and had no jurisdiction over this area.
Mr. Griffin. What sort of friendship did Jack have with Conrad Brown or Alton Sharp?
Mr. Palmer. Alton was at one time branch manager here just preceding me.
Mr. Griffin. Was Jack particularly friendly with this man?
Mr. Palmer. Alton Sharp indicated to me that he would bear watching and require much work to keep him current. And other than that I felt that Alton Sharp’s friendship was no more than it is with any other nightclub operator.
Mr. Griffin. Well, you say that you felt that the explanation that was given to you wasn’t satisfactory. I take it you must have something in mind as to what really was taking place.
Mr. Palmer. I didn’t know what importance this phone call was at that time, and of course, now, with time having dulled the image of it somewhat, I still cannot understand what was of importance, of such importance that would require a weekend transaction of AGVA business, which is not common on Sunday. However, we are on duty as representatives every day of the week, but this request not to send a letter seemed urgent for some reason when Wilma told me that Alton had relayed this to her in his conversation to her that morning.
Mr. Griffin. Do you know if Alton Sharp was discharged from his job about that same time?