Mr. Dulles.

Would you proceed? Would you just resume for a moment where we are in the proceedings?

Mr. Rankin.

We are discussing the contract between Mr. Martin and Marina and also how Mr. Thorne became counsel under the contracts that were made.
Senator COOPER. Yes.

Mr. Rankin.

This 10-percent figure for John Thorne and the contract with regard to his appointment then was his suggestion so far as you know?

Mr. Martin.

As far as I know. I think we had discussed it.

Mr. Rankin.

You had discussed it?

Mr. Martin.

I don't know exactly how we came to these figures as far as that is concerned.

Mr. Rankin.

But you think you had discussed it before the meeting at the coffee shoppe that you described?

Mr. Martin.

Probably so.

Mr. Rankin.

Did you suggest the amount?

Mr. Martin.

I don't know.

Mr. Rankin.

You don't recall whether you did or he did?

Mr. Martin.

No.

Mr. Rankin.

Did you talk that over with Marina?

Mr. Martin.

Yes.

Mr. Rankin.

Who was present at that time?

Mr. Martin.

I believe Lee Gopadze.

Mr. Rankin.

Anyone else?

Mr. Martin.

Well, there were several times we discussed it with Marina. One time Robert was there. He read the contracts. Let's see, he usually came in on Sunday so he read the contracts more at length.

Mr. Rankin.

Did Robert come in before or after your conversation in the coffee shoppe that you referred to?

Mr. Martin.

I believe after.

Mr. Rankin.

After you had the conversation in the coffee shoppe with Mr. Thorne, did you make any changes in the draft of the contract.

Mr. Martin.

Yes.

Mr. Leech.

Excuse me, what contract are you talking about?

Mr. Rankin.

Thorne contract.
Were you referring to the Thorne contract?

Mr. Martin.

Yes.

Mr. Rankin.

What changes did you make at that time?

Mr. Martin.

We deleted gifts, contributions. He used a standard contractual form, and in that contractual form it includes gifts and contributions, and we deleted those.

Mr. Rankin.

I hand you Exhibit No. 279 and ask you if that is a photostat copy of the contract you have been referring to?

Mr. Martin.

Yes.

Mr. Rankin.

And it has stricken out the words that you have just described with regard to donations and gifts?

Mr. Martin.

Yes.

Mr. Rankin.

It does give him an interest in collections, trust funds and bequests, according to the language of this Exhibit No. 279.
Do you know what was meant by that?

Mr. Martin.

No. That was in the standard contract that this was drawn from.

Mr. Rankin.

Did you ever discuss this contract, Exhibit No. 279, with Marina Oswald?

Mr. Martin.

Yes, with Mr. Thorne and Robert Oswald present.

Mr. Rankin.

When was that?

Mr. Martin.

Between the 1st and the 6th of December 1963. I can't recall he dates.

Mr. Rankin.

Do you remember where you were when you had that discussion?

Mr. Martin.

At the house, my home.

Mr. Rankin.

What did you say to Marina about it?

Mr. Martin.

I don't recall any conversation at all.