EXECUTIVE FOR INSPECTION AND SECURITY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86B00269R000500050044-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 1, 2003
• Sequence Number: 44
• Publication Date: May 27, 1948
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2003/05/27: CIA-RDP86600269R000500050044-3 SlEatl
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MEMORANDUM FOR Mathias F. Correa
27 May 1948
Subject: Executive for Inspection and Security
1. I have talked to Colonel Edwards and the Chiefs of his two
Branches as to the functions and problems of IfS# All three made a
favorable impression on me. Colonel Edwards I have known for some time,
and I believe him to be an intelligent, hard-working and enthusiastic
person. Both of his Branch Chiefs are former OSS men and, I believe,
are doing a very capable job*
2, In IS there are two branches:
(a) Security Branch which is responsible for the developing
and enforcing of security regulations governing CIA personnel, property,
etc* It is also responsible for physical security inspections and for
the security clearance of all personnel assigned to or on duty with CIA*
An additional function is liaison with the EBI,
(b) The Inspection and Audit Branch is responsible for conduct-
ing audits of special funds. As directed by the Director, they conduct
inspections of operations to ascertain the adequacy and effectiveness of
service and support and make any other such special reports as the Director
may request. 25X1
4, Functions of IS are fairly clear cut and I have heard only one
real criticism. This was to the effect that clearance of personnel took
far too long* IN6, however, is not really at fault in this matter, Up
until January 1, all clearances were handled by the FBI, At that time,
this arrangement was terminated, and from now on, INS will handle all CIA
clearances* It will not, however, be prepared to do this until the first
of August, and during the present period, OSO is attempting to help them
as a stopgap* This is most unsatisfactory and very few personnel are being
cleared. The obvious result is that good prospects become discouraged and
are unwilling to wait the two or three months necessary to obtain clearance*
5. I feel that CIA is duplicating the FBI effort in setting up a
Clearance Branch of their own. On the other hand, the decision has been
reached on a high level, and it would appear impossible to persuade FBI
to reundertake CIA clearances, I am attaching a copy of an interview with
Colonel Edwards which sets forth his estimate for the number of security
clearances*
6. Delay in forming the Clearance Branch, I believe, was due to the
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go.
'MOP'
fact that up until the end of December, 1947, CIA hoped that due to
pressure on a high level, FBI could be persuaded to reconsider their
stand.
End
JL:kb
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Approved For Release 2003/05/2
MEMO FOR PURI
86600269R000500050044-3
6 limy 19148
MAIM Interview with Colonel dwardI, Executive. for Ins ction and
Security
1. / talked to Colonel Edwards at some length on the FBI decision
to no longer make security clearance checks for CIA and the necessity
for IIAS setting up their *um branch for clearances. On September 30
Mr. Hoover wrote to Admiral Hillenkoetter stating that due to press of
additional work, the FDI would no longer be able to make checks for CIA
and vet October 15 as the deadline. On October 3, Hillenkoetter wrote
to Hoover, explaining that if the FBI cancelled CIA clearance checks,
CIA would have to set up their own department which would entail dupli-
cation of effort and considerable delay. On October 8, Hoover wrote to
Hillenkoetter, extending the deadline to November 15. There ensued
conversations between Mr. Forrestal and Hoover and the deadline was
further extended to January 1. On Deceiber 22, Mr. Forrestal again
wrote Hoover on the subject and received a reply on December 26 in which
Mr. Hoover, I believe, restated his position and stuck to his decision.
2 Since January 1, OSO has been assisting in making checks, but 25X1
this must have been unsatisfactory and has resulted in the building up
of a considerable backlog. Edwards again said that his now clearance
branch would be fully ready to operate on August 1. He has investigated
4. 1 think that some of the figures need asplification. Theoretically,
position vacancies should not be a recurring item once CIA has reached its
ceiling. However, when the ceiling has been reached, yearly turnover will
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probably increase. Edwards eays that the yearly turnover is at present
25X1 greater than I llt.ted above. He also said that he believes that
newly appointed clerical yet-sonnet has a yearly turnover of almost 50%.
25X1 This I will check with Provision for orpnisation unit
transfers should decrease as, in alI proba ility, CIA will not continue
to absorb outside units. The figure of investigations is slightly
misleading as a reinvestigation check t e considerably less effort than
a complete cctk on a new applicant. Contact, Branch realty requires
approxtaatelcncks a year, but as these are mostly name checks they
require comparatively little effort. Edwards estimated a figure of v15X1
for this. ehe-ess
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5. Edwards said the FBI estimate that a field agent can only do
approximately three checks per month. With the proposed l 'field
investigators, he thinks the clearance branch would be able to handle
the above load. Under the former contract with FBI, a full clearance
check cost k CIA $100. Be estimates that with his own branch making the
checks the cost will be approsimately $200, which mold shoe an increase,
basted on his own estimated figures, or something like a year.
6. It would seem to me that this is a costly term of duplication
and it would be infinitely better if the FBI (mid be persuaded to re?
consider their position. Iseememd, I feel strongly that CIA clearance
checks are infinitely more important than loyalty checks of ell governs
sent personnel, and that there should be some way of putting CIA
clearance checks under FBI en a high priority level. Edwards does
feel that under the new system hit will be able to average six weeks or
less for a. full clearance as against fourteen weeks or more for For
clearances in October and Novembers
JLthosq
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