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104-10181-10126 JFK Assassination Records Archives 1 (10/22/1959)

handle is hein.jfk/jfkarch14696 and id is 1 raw text is: 10408026








                            ---- KIRET

                    Ofce Memorandm * UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

                    TO     Chief, Contact Division,Attn: Support (Crvley) DATE. 22 Oct 59
                    MH :   Chief, Detroit Office

                           w . S. Rittenburg, 4leveland Residat Agent


                   subJcT: 1bert  E. Webster

                      R&:  Crowley-Ritteaburt telec n .)f 21 Oct 59, sane subject'
                           TraRis*Rittenbur telecon of 20 Oct 59, same subject


                           1. on 20 Oct 59, Major Robert 0,chran of 061 and '.is probable V14ae-
                      ment in Clev.-land,,ajor Carroll &1Wlen, dropped into the office of the
                      Cleveland Resident Agent to ask bout Hobert    . Webster,  In the absence of
                      both Rittenburg and           who were out on previo taly scheduled appoint-
                      me Ws  hescretaries about the matter but were told by her
                      that they would have to talk with Mr. Rittenbury. - Coiran thereupon left the
                      following questions with the secretary rigarding the Rfanda-Webster case, to
                      which he. said that high level air force interests wanted an answer. These
                      questions, telephoned to Bob Travis on the same day, are as follows:

                          a.  Is- this office doing anything concerning Webater's- defection?
                          b*  If-not, do they contemplate doing anything?
                          c.  What would this office have done if Webster had returned normally?

                          2.  Early on the 21st, after trying to reach 00chrar unsuccessfully on (
                     the afternoon of the 20th to find that his line was busy, Rittenburg tele-
                     phoned the latter regarding thi4 matter. Rittenburg had a secretary make
                     notes on the call, awitting to' Gochran. Cochran's first question, after the-
                     usual hello, was Do you have the answers to those questions? Rittenburg
                     if~ormed him, I don't know anything about this man, only what I have reaT in
                     the newspapers. He asked, Nothing official? to which Rittenburg reiterated
                     No, only what I have followed in the press. Cochran went on to say tuat It
                     turned out it's not as bad as it looks on the surface. Ue had no access to
                     classified material. During the conversation Rittenbur- informed Cochran
                     that he had tried to telephone the previous afternoon, bu. had found the tel-
                     ephone busy. He also expressed his regret that he had n.- ..een in for Obchran's
                     visit and pointed out that the latter should have telephoned ahead. Rittenburg
                     said that he was sorry that he coaldn't be of any help 'n the matter, to which
                     Cochran replied with C'est la vie. Well anything I can do for you? When
                     told Not at the moment, he stated, If there is, call ne, for which Rittenburg
                     thanked him before saying Good-Bye.

                         3.   It was difficult to understand why O.chran would atLeryt to make such
                    an approach to the Cleveland >ffice, let alone expect answers to such questions
                    as he put forth.


                                                              .       ~jA:~ Z 1. K1IY&
                    RS~ittenbourg:ms                                    A:SR.MPY1

                    File: Rcoert E. Webster
                          Rand Development Or,.
                          Major R. 00 -:1ran, OSI (USAF)






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