Subject: Re: LaFontaine's Bogus "Curtain Rods" account Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1999 05:05:14 GMT From: 6489mcadamsj@vms.csd.mu.edu (John McAdams) Organization: Altopia Corp. - Usenet Access - http://www.altopia.com Newsgroups: alt.assassination.jfk On 26 Nov 1998 21:01:22 -0600, Tony Pitman wrote: >John McAdams wrote: > >> >> In short, what the Archives has is one set of prints on curtain rods >> from the Paine's garage, and another print or prints, not known to be >> from the Paine's garage, BUT NOT KNOWN TO BE FROM ANYWERE ELSE EITHER. >> >> Given the dates -- the unidentified fingerprints are dated the day >> after Day released the rods back to Howlett -- it seems likely that >> this is simply more paperwork on the rods found in the Paine's garage. >> >> The LaFontaines are certainly remiss in not even telling their readers >> >> about the curtain rods found in the garage. They are especially >> remiss in quoting Adams' document, as though it pertained to curtain >> rods that *might* have been brought to the Depository by Oswald, when >> in fact the rods could not have been brought in by Oswald. >> >> As bad is the LaFontaines statement that "No evidence could be found >> that >> the photos were ever turned over to the Warren Commission." The >> implication here is that this is evidence the Warren Commission never >> knew >> about, but in fact, the curtain rods were discussed at considerable >> length >> in the testimony of Michael Paine (9H447-450) and Ruth Paine and Agent >> >> Howlett (9H424-425). >> >> This is extraordinarily shoddy use of evidence. Either the >> LaFontaines >> didn't know about the Warren Commission testimony about curtain rods >> found >> in the Paine's garage, or they intentionally misled their readers. >> >> .John > > >John, > >I've got this vague memory of seeing a photo which included curtain rods >among other evidence from this case. > >I recall it being of a bunch of stuff on a table in the DPD only I could >almost swear there were more than two curtain rods. > I don't remember such a thing. If anybody else here has, perhaps they could post a citation. >It would appear from your post that there were at least three anyway since >I doubt that the form you mentioned would have the number 256 in relation >to rods numbered 275 and 276. The numbers are far enough apart to suggest >that 256 was not found together with the other two as well. I don't see >why you highlight your statement about the 256 rod and prints not being >known to have come from some where other than the Paines garage. What >significance do you attache to that except to have another go at the >LaFontaines. > It *is* to have another go at the LaFontaines. They imply that these "New Evidence" documents may vindicate Oswald's claim to have brought "curtain rods" to the Depository. Yet they fail to tell their readers about the curtain rods found in the Paine's garage. >I think it significant but mainly because I did not know about this one. >Was this one discussed in the WC evidence you referred to or just the two >known to have come from the Paines garage? Let's review what the Dallas Municipal Archives has: Jean Davison deserves credit for questioning the LaFontaines treatment of this issue, and for running down important information. She contacted Cindy Smolovik, Dallas Municipal Archivist, and asked about these pictures of "curtain rods." What the Dallas Archives has is (1) two pictures of prints, KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN RECOVERED FROM THE PAINE'S GARAGE, numbered 275 and 276. (2) A form from the DPD Identification Bureau showing that Howlett of the Secret Service submitted to Day two curtain rods, numbered 275 and 276, on March 15, 1964. Day's notation on this form is "1 legible print -- does not belong to Oswald." The form shows the rods were released back to Howlett on March 24th. Finally, (3) A form, dated 3-25-64, and numbered 256, with the notation "opposite those on other side and" [truncated]. The card shows fingerprints on a curtain rod. In short, what the Archives has is one set of prints on curtain rods from the Paine's garage, and another print or prints, not known to be from the Paine's garage, BUT NOT KNOWN TO BE FROM ANYWERE ELSE EITHER. Given the dates -- the unidentified fingerprints are dated the day after Day released the rods back to Howlett -- it seems likely that this is simply more paperwork on the rods found in the Paine's garage. So I only see evidence of two curtain rods there. >You see, from memory his >little room in Oak Cliff would only have needed about two curtain rods so >he just may have taken a couple from a bunch of four say. The fact that we >do have an unexplained curtain rod in evidence begs the question why >because it seems to me to be a very important article. > I don't see how we have an "unexplained curtain rod." .John The Kennedy Assassination Home Page http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/home.htm