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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. V - Page 556« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Mark Lane Resumed)

Mr. Lane.
before this Commission, I was halted by the immigration authorities because my name appeared in that proscribed list.
Mr. Rankin.
And I told you at that time on the telephone, didn't I, that the Commission had nothing to do with that? Is that right?
Mr. Lane.
You did tell me that, and I ask you if you would be good enough to find out, since I did not accuse the Commission of having my name listed there, of course to find out if my name was listed in relationship to the inquiry which I have conducted, and the testimony that I have given to this Commission.
The Chairman.
Were you prevented from entering the United States?
Mr. Lane.
No; I am here now. Mr. Chief Justice, but I was stopped.
The Chairman.
How long were you detained? Were you detained?
Mr. Lane.
Oh, just for a few minutes.
The Chairman.
How many minutes?
Mr. Lane.
Oh, perhaps 5. My objection is not to the period of time.
The Chairman.
What was the question asked of you?
Mr. Lane.
Just to wait.
Mr. Rankin.
Wasn't there something else asked of you?
Mr. Lane.
Well, perhaps I should, then, tell you what happened.
Mr. Rankin.
All right. You better answer that question of the Chief Justice.
The Chairman.
That is a part of my question. I asked you: What did they say to you?
Mr. Lane.
Well, there were three different persons. The first person was at the desk, whose name I do not recall, but as an immigration inspector said, "Kindly wait," and he returned within 5 minutes and gave me back my passport and said, "You can pass through now." So not a single question was asked of me by the immigration inspector who discovered that my name was in the proscribed book.
I, however, asked him if he could tell me why my name was in the book, and he said that it was confidential material which he could not reveal to me, and I asked him if he would be good enough to tell me the name of his superior officer so that I might discuss the matter with him. He referred me to Mr. J. J. Daley, also an immigration inspector, and Mr. Daley asked me if perhaps I had gone to Cuba, and I said to him I had never been to Cuba; I had only been out of the country where a passport was required twice in my life,both within the last 6 months. The only time prior to then I had left the country was when I was a soldier in the U.S. Army, and I was sent to Europe--not to Cuba at that time.
He said, "Well, then. I can't understand it." And I asked if I could see his superior officer. And he referred me to W. T. McArnity, who was the officer in charge. He told me that perhaps there was just some mistake made, but could give me no further information. He referred me to Mr. Espardy, who is the district director, I believe of the Immigration Department, and Mr. Espardy said merely, "I am not going to tell you a thing." That is where the entire matter rested, and where it rests now.
Mr. Rankin.
Mr. Lane, when you asked your informant if you could disclose the information that we have asked you about--and we have asked you the name of the informer--did you tell him that the Commission had indicated to you that his name would not be publicly revealed if he would allow you to disclose it to the Commission?
Mr. Lane.
I most certainly did.
Mr. Rankin.
And what was his response?
Mr. Lane.
He wondered whether that meant his name might not be revealed anywhere--if not by the members of the Commission, perhaps somehow it might be revealed.
Mr. Rankin.
Is that what he said?
Mr. Lane.
That is precisely what he said.
Representative Ford.
When did he tell you that?
Mr. Lane.
When I spoke with him; I think it was during March or April of this year, after I testified before the Commission.
Representative Ford.
Have you made any further inquiry in that regard?
Mr. Lane.
Have I?
Representative Ford.
Yes.
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