Testimony of Capt. Maurice Solomon James

The testimony of Capt. James Maurice Solomon was taken at 2 p.m., on March 26, 1964, in the office of the U.S. attorney, 301 Post Office Building, Bryan and Ervay Streets, Dallas, Tex. by Mr. Leon D. Hubert, Jr., assistant counsel of the President's Commission.

Mr. Hubert.

This is the deposition of Capt. J. M. Solomon of the Dallas Police Department. Captain Solomon, my name is Leon Hubert. I am a member of the advisory staff of the general counsel of the President's Commission.

Under the provision of Executive Order No. 11130, dated November 29, 1963, and the joint resolution of Congress No. 137, and the rules of procedure adopted by the Commission, in conformance with that Executive order and joint resolution, I. have been authorized to take a sworn deposition. from you, Captain Solomon.
I state to you that the general nature of the Commission's inquiry is to ascertain, evaluate and report upon the facts relating to the assassination of President Kennedy and the subsequent violent death of Lee Harvey Oswald. In particular as to you, Captain Solomon, the nature of the inquiry today is to determine what facts you know about the death of Oswald and any other pertinent facts you might know about the general inquiry.
Captain Solomon, you have appeared today by virtue of a general request made to Chief Curry by Mr. J. Lee Rankin, who is the general counsel on the staff of the President's Commission.
Under the rules adopted by the Commission, you are entitled to a 3-day written notice prior to the taking of your deposition. But the rules also provide that any witness may waive that 3-day notice if he wishes to do so. Now, I would like to ask you if you are willing to waive the 3-day notice?

Mr. Solomon.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

All right, then; would you please raise your right hand.
Do you solemnly swear that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God ?

Mr. Solomon.

I do.

Mr. Hubert.

Will you please state your full name, Captain ?

Mr. Solomon.

James Maurice Solomon.

Mr. Hubert.

What is your age, Captain?

Mr. Solomon.

Fifty-four.

Mr. Hubert.

And your residence?

Mr. Solomon.

1502 East Ohio.

Mr. Hubert.

What is your present occupation?

Mr. Solomon.

My occupation at the present time at the police department is reserve coordinator.

Mr. Hubert.

You are a member of the Dallas Police Department?

Mr. Solomon.

Yes.

Mr. Hubert.

How long have you been a member of the department?

Mr. Solomon.

Thirty years last September.

Mr. Hubert.

Your particular assignment now is to coordinate the reserve affairs ?

Mr. Solomon.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

Of the Dallas Police Department?

Mr. Solomon.

My offices are at the police academy, and I am used out there in training recruits.

Mr. Hubert.

Were you in that same position during the period November 22 to 24, 1963?

Mr. Solomon.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

I would like you to state for the record just how the reserve program of the Dallas Police Department is set up, because I don't think we have it in the record otherwise.

Mr. Solomon.

Well, I am sure you don't. The reserve operates different in every city that I know, and just to their particular needs.
Now, the reserve organization in Dallas is strictly what the name implies. It is, really a reserve intended to be called upon when there is a catastrophe, some real bad emergency, to augment our manpower.

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