 Telephone conversation between President Johnson and Congressman Carl Albert on November 29, 1963, at 6.37 p.m. Congressman Carl Albert. We think tonight to have talking to the Justice Department and the Secretary of State, we think we ought to have the highest level of commission we can have to study the reports relating to assassination of the president. And at the I'll be in. And we don't want anything going on in the House Senate. And just a bunch of television cameras with a lot of loose testimony around. Eastland's committee and otherwise saying that. We've got it all under control. Crewchef, crewchef's done this or Kesta's done this or something else because it could be very dangerous. I'm going to try to get this Chief Justice to serve as chairman of it. Senator Russell, Senator Cooper, Congressman Boggs, you've been talking a good deal about it and Representative Ford, Allen Dulles, public, and John McCloy. And that's what I'm thinking of. Have you got any suggestions or any better ones? No, those are fine. I don't know. They may be a good many Republicans, but I think that they're starting to be a part of something and I think nobody that looks upon McCloy or Chief Justice either Republican. Ford, I guess, is he a pretty vicious Republican? Well, he's finally level headed. He's reflected on his side. Pretty judicious. Yes, he is. Is he a lawyer? I don't know whether he's a lawyer or not. I assume he is, but I've never checked it. The reason I suggest he's hailed is because he's been talking about it and relating to it. It didn't take your time and it wouldn't work you to death, I'd be glad to put you on this. I really don't want it. I don't think it ought to ask the speaker to go on it. I'd rather have you than anybody else represent you. I've talked to him about that, but then I don't know how you're going to mess around with this thing and be a leader. No, I agree with you. I think Hale is a good man for us. He's been interested in having it done. I think it should be done. Since we're not going to have a jury verdict on that man's death, it's important that some commission say something about it, I think. You know, if that's also a little killed before he was tried, I think it's very important that you... If you have somebody and I think you'd better take it away from the headline runners out on the hill. And I think you have to be out on the road. And I think you have to, I bet. And on all sides, I'm just going to come at him. I'm just going to focus on my death. I'm just first. It shouldn't be anybody, isn't it? I'm just going to be honest with you. Well, I was always better... That's right. I haven't done it. I'm drafting the executive order. I think Warren should be chairman. I was just putting you in there. Yes, sir. I think it's part... I haven't done it. I'm drafting the executive order. And I don't need to, but I believe it's better to do it than not to. I do too. I think you ought to do it before everybody starts moving in. I had a letter from Danny Vincel. The speaker and I talked it over. He thought his committee had jurisdiction. Other committees thought they had jurisdiction. And they were all going to start putting in resolutions. Of course, a few have put them in. They've put them in the rules committee. And I think this was shot it up. I think that's what he said. And you'll protect my flag, won't you? Yes, sir. And I'll tell you one other thing. I'll never bother you. But whenever you need me, I'm there. I know that. I know that. That's what makes it possible to do this job. I thought you all treated me very good the other day. And are you quite generous? It was terrific. I have not heard one word. Not word one. About a hundred to one were the wires. That wasn't so well. I got set. I got one from Knoxville, Tennessee. And one from... Two or three from Mississippi criticized me. And one from Pennsylvania. Six from the south. And just they were criticizing the civil rights part of it. But the rest is about a hundred to one. And I've heard some southerners. Right down in the middle of the south, say, that was the only thing you could do. Many people have liked it as one of the great speeches that's been beloved on the hill this century. I get surprised. I mean it. And it was. Take it from me. I think I've touched as many bases as anybody. And I know on the outside. I know that the only brother, one or two people from Mississippi had to say that I wish he hadn't have dealt with civil rights. But privately made civil rights. That's the incident that they want me to help them get the postmasters back. I wish you'd talk to me about that and see what we ought to do about it. Maybe we can work it out. Talk to them. I don't know whether we ought to or not. But you think about it and I'll be talking to you.