Mr. Benton.

That is true.

Mr. Hubert.

Were you challenged at all times or once or twice?

Mr. Benton.

Not directly challenged. For purposes of the President's visit, press passes that you pin on your jacket were issued in Dallas. I had one of those, which had been issued me prior to the President's arrival, which I wore.

Mr. Hubert.

Did you wear that at all times in the period in question?

Mr. Benton.

I wore that at all times. On Sunday, the security at the police department and jail was far more strict than it had been on the previous 2 days. There were times when I was asked to show additional identification. I don't remember specifically which times, but on the morning of Sunday, November 24, when I entered the jail, I was stopped, asked to show identification, and for the purpose I showed a Department of Defense accreditation which has my name and picture on it issued by the Department of Defense. And my name was taken at the time by a plainclothesman, of course.

Mr. Hubert.

Where did that occur?

Mr. Benton.

That occurred on the street floor of the police department. Not the basement, but what I presume you would call the main floor.

Mr. Hubert.

You mean by the elevators or--

Mr. Benton.

In the vicinity of the elevators; yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

On which side? Commerce?

Mr. Benton.

I entered the building from--let's see. Is it Main Street and Commerce Street or Commerce Street and Main? At any rate, I entered from the I believe it's Main, Commerce, and Harwood that bound the city jail, and I think I entered from the--

Mr. Hubert.

Let me put it this way. If a person is in the jailhouse and is looking toward Harwood he will find Commerce on his left and Main on his right.

Mr. Benton.

Well, I entered, then, from the Commerce Street side.

Mr. Hubert.

And it was there you were challenged as to your identity?

Mr. Benton.

That's correct; yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

Now, you mentioned a distinction between the security measures you observed on Sunday and those that you observed on the previous days and I wonder if you could tell us a bit more about that. I think you said that it was much tighter or Something like that.

Mr. Benton.

It was tighter to the extent that a plainclothesman, who was in the company of another plainclothesman, not only asked to see my credentials but wrote my name down at that time, and I presume the name of my association.

Mr. Hubert.

Well, did you see, on the previous days, anybody going in without any kind of identification? In and out?

Mr. Benton.

No, sir; I did not.

Mr. Hubert.

Well, now returning to the interview with Curry, which you said occurred between 9 and 10, was that interview with Curry by you alone or was the interview of Curry by several news persons?

Mr. Benton.

As I recall, this particular one was either by me, alone, or perhaps one other network reporter.

Mr. Hubert.

Where did that take place?

Mr. Benton.

It took place in the large anteroom into which Chief Curry's office adjoins.

Mr. Hubert.

Was this taped in any way? Was it a radio or television interview?

Mr. Benton.

Yes, sir; it was television, and, to my knowledge, I think it was taped. I don't know whether it was ,broadcast live or taped. I did not have direct communications with New York. That was through the truck. I merely relayed; I have something, and I was given a cue to go, and what disposition they made of it; I don't know.

Mr. Hubert.

I understand. This was what station again?

Mr. Benton.

Sir?

Mr. Hubert.

What television station?

Mr. Benton.

This was KRLD. We had employed the facilities of KRLD, and, of course, it was--we were all doing the same thing. It got to a point there, was no distinction between us and their people. We were all working together.