IDENTIKIT [ON 5 APRIL 1960 THE UNDERSIGNED INTERVIEWED CHIEF HUGH C. MCDONALD, LA COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPT, IN HIS OFFICE...]
Originator: CIA
From: JONES, H. EDWARD, SS/OL/CIA
To: C/TSD/OS/CIA
Document date: 04/21/1960
Document type: PAPER - TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

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2022 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992

REFERENUE:

Chief, TSD/Security

Chief, Security Staff, O

Identi-Kit

Meno fron Chief, ISD/Security, to Chief, Ss/01, dated

21 March 1960, Subject as above.

21 April 1760

1. On 5 April 1960 the undersigned interviewed Chief Hugh G.

MeDonald, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departent, in his office,

Roon 123, New Court House Building, located et Ill North Hill Street,

Los Anzelos, Callfornia. (Telephones MAdison 5-3414, Extension 62401)

2.

The attached "Face Building" article taken from the Februery

1960 Issue of the "Science end rechanica"Magazine, was reviewed and dis

Chief McDonald stated that he was aware of the article and

had talked with Mr. Courtney Owens, Sales Manager of Tonsend Engineered

Products, regarding the indication of"underwritten by an arm of the u. s.

Intelligence"

3. The srticle was vritten by a free lance reporter. by the name of

Joseph Frank.

Writer Joseph Frank was present at a press rooting in

Chief McDonald's office at the time the Information regarding the Identi-

Ilt was made public, however, Chief McDonald made it very clear that the

sponsor of the program was not mentioned and that a general figure of

$60,000 to $65,000 was given as the cost of the project. Chief McDonald

thought back and then stated that he had announced the sponsor as being

"an Eastern customer".

4. Chief McDonald statod that he was at a complete loss as to hou

the writer associated the sponsor with any intelligence component of the

governnent. He believed that it was a "shot in the dark" assumption by

writer Joseph Frank.

5.

Chief McDonald was very much disturbed by this article and stated

that if he could uncover any Information regarding same he would promptly

notify the appropriate lgency persons.

26 January 1960. Mr. Ovens was made witting of the sponsor and a seCTACy

asTeenent was taken frOu sin

24

UL -U 2440

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SUBJSCT: "Identi-Kit"

ow, but he had a bined hat he get are or da.

worked in the government in washington, D. C., and he stated that this

project sounded like it would be of hyency interest.

73*:

when fir. Ovens came to los angeles, he woried as a free lance,

reporter between April' 1957 and December 195721

used. He did not know of & Joseph Frank,

9. Mr. Orens stated that he has a vary clode contect with le, bivoron,

Los Angeles 00/0 office,

press notices that he uses in connection with his pubilolty program, It

is noted that none of the releases reveal Agency interests however,

the

newspaper: "Independent suotes chief telenald as stating,

"the pilot model

cost sore than $87,000%

H. Edward Jones

Security Officer,

ss/oL

APPROVEDE

JOHN I CURBAN, CHIAR, SS/OT

Attash

Distributions

0r1д:

Addresses

PSD,O3 (Attas Mr.

Chief, SB/PhySD/03/ug/a

Co.

file (Townsend)w/s

chrono

L1 60)

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