HOUSE HEARINGS ON UNIFICATION LEGISLATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00610R000100020009-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 28, 2003
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: June 26, 1947
• Content Type: MEMO

waraufloA4,0,2:04.wooffogowooutyARNmE NIT
ILLEGIB
TO
FROM :
SUBJECT:
House Hearings on Unification Legislation.
DATE: 26 June 1947.
1. The following are excerpts fram-today's hearings before
the House Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments on
unification legislation, at which Vice Admiral Radford was the main
. witness.
DORN: (Rep. W. J. Bryan Dorn, D., S.C.) With regard to
the Central Intelligence Agency -- I may be wrong, but I have always
felt that if Admiral Kimmel had had proper intelligence fronWashing-
ton, the-attack on Pearl Harbor would not have occurred, or at least
we would, have been able to meet it better. From your experience,
do you not think that this Central Intelligence Agency alone would
warrant the paesage of this bill?
RADFORD: Of course, I think it is most Important. Actually,
it is in existence now. It is already functioning. -
DORN: tee, but it exists now only by Executive Order. We
need somg-Ailk more than that.
RADFORD: I think that it is probably perfectly safe as it
is. I don't think it would die with the end of the President's war
powers.
JPDD: (Rep. Walter H. Judd, R., Minn.) -- Regarding the'
Central Intelligence Agency, do you think that it ought to be under
the National Security Council, or directly under the Secretary of
National Defense, on a par with the Munitions Board, the Joint Re-
search and Development Board, and the National Security Resources
Board? The Central Intelligence Agency is put under the National
Security. Council, so that it has a dozen heads. It seems to ma
that this is so important that it ought to be on a par with those
other agencies.
RADFCRD: ....I feel that the Central Intelligence Agency
should be under the National Security Council.
JUDD: You don't think that its reports will make the rounds
and never get any action?
RADFORD: I hardly think so. I think it is important to
have the Agency. I think its handling of reports can be controlled
by the Director. I am sure it would be.
Approved For Release 2003/04/02 : CIA-RDP90-00610R000100020009-6
Approved For Release 2003104/02 : CIA-RDP90-00610R000100020009-6
EXCERPTS FRCS MIX= ar BOMB comants as
ON CR. 2341 2k jun. 3947, UTIVE EXPENDITIBITS
... I have concern as to whetkpr
the new provided ?32 the bill it given abre near
the importance it deserves. I think it has got to be put on a port*
with the aitions Board and the others. Instead, it seem to he a
joint and Weil...headed agency' which. will weaken our intelligent*
rather than strengthen it,
second yozr thoughts very sta.cmg.ln
t in the postosHear period vs mast improve cur
lox, this country* That is dans criticism of shot
that- sat*, Maris. lb* c of the veers of our
ROA of ittI found to he ermellsit. ? In the pest.aer.
t 411 be esseed1tg3r- important, - There is a dlitiouligr se
_war thisAseaticak of ihebi11, Thaasmtral rodalligensa
Agascr provided far link* themilitarr establishment and the Stehle
Departneutio,,and hence cannot legicallt '-he placed under the ihareterf
of SetiOnallmAtmee, . It is a joint sitter. It sighii.bo,rsPzettillit
to Asetototent...
havelseVer 91CW atry-dr s.headed ot*genication which
tw 11 as one heat4ed a Bina. man. It sgt.msre *aught
fisfkaootei sithout proper intelligence. at the outbreak of another
wars it might ber-disaetrOus.
if62fir There is another aspect which troubles mn. I ha.v. bad
clos=ontact with the Cant1 Tntelligence Group since it was
foamed, and the ?CIC has. had very close contact with the Jointlie-
search and-2tveloment Pieard as it has worked out ita plans for
scientific brzelliomeet. What we vohad sines CIG 17311 ?Stabliahed
is three different- Directors, ihat betrs t,*.o. I can see tim, paint
of vii- of the military. officer. Re does not feel that he la getting
exlywhers& It is not a pet-Tv-I-lent assignments. but j-7:rt another tour
of duty. The ?new to that is a civilian head. X feel t a
civilian head -rolad be bte4ter if exactly the right man coulti be
fonnd. 'Art to find exactly- ttirright mans I grants- *toed be diffi-
cult Itvi;eed. 1;1'0 luzsre oats:teal" trio. tArg ground. However, there
is no recrairement that rdrector of Central Intelligence be a
military =I. I think that th.e rirGvisions of this bill would levet
as effectively* as any-L'oing-, I could auggest. I could not propose an
alternative.
sgart The man should go into it as a life works just as J. War
AcoigrThas uith Cle :Fn. It should not be another termorary tour cf
duty. Terms the Joint-Reseerch. and Developlent 3oard and the
Central Intelligence- Atl-rIney are the two Nrist important things in the
bill.
? ? ?
Approved For Release 2003/04/02 : CIA-RDP90-00610R000100020009-6
Approved For Release 2003/04/02: CIA-RDP90-00610R000100020009-6
- STATErrENT OF DR. VANNEVAR BUSH,
ETUrRE THE COMITTEE ON EXPENDITURES IN TEE EXECUTIVE
DEPART"EN'TS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN CONNECTION
ILLEGIB
WITH S. 758 THE NATIONAL SECTTITY ACT OF 1947.
One of the great lessons from the past war is that the conduct of
become exceedingly complicated and its various aspects are neces?
sarilyclosely interlinked. The time is long past when the Navy merely
transportedtheAlrmY.te the place of -battle and the Army thenfoughAi:ort,
I
land. In modern war, every important oneration also involves the air, and
usuallyinvolves:ground and sea action as well.. It is crystal clear that
if th/.s country is to be completely ready for a Arturo emergency, ii _must
replace-the old traditional form of organization with one that is better
adapted to Meet present needs. This means a single integrated military
establishment.
Creation of such a single establishment is important for purposes
of economy but it should be emphasized at once that economy Will not be
realized instantly on effecting coordination. The immediate effect will be
to increase the costs. Peorganization and integration of the military es?
tablishment, as provided in this or any other practicable bill, necessarily
involves the superposition on the existing strvcture of a new and important
unit. This means greater costs in the short run, but in the long run it
undoubtedly will involve substantial economies. But aside from the qu3stion
of economy, it does mean in the long ran, a more effective effort.
roved For Release 2003/04/02: CIA-RDP90-00610R000100020009-6 -
Approved For Release 2003/04/02 : CIA-RDP90-00610R000100020009-6
EXCERPTS FROM HEARINGS OF HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE EXPENMTURE3
ON H.R. 23193 24 JUNE 1947.
REP. WALTER JUDD, (R., Minn.): ... I have concern as to whether
the intelligence agency provided in the bill is given anywhere near
the importance it deserves. I think it has got to be put on a parity
with the Munitions Board and the others. Instead, it seems to be a
joint and hydra-headed agency which will weaken our intelligence
rather than strengthen it.
DR. VANNEVAR BUSH: I second your thoughts very strongly, sir.
I feel very strongly that in the post-war period we must improve our
intelligence work in this country. That is in no criticism of what
we did during the war. During the war I was one of the users of our
intelligence. Much of it I found to be excellent. In the post-war
period it will be exceedingly important. There is a difficulty as
one looks over this section of the bill. The Central Intelligence
Agency provided for links the military establishment and the State
Department, and hence cannot logically be placed under the Secretary
of National Defense. It is a joint matter. It might be reporting
directly to the President...
JUDD: I have never seen a hydra-headed organization which
functions as well as one headed by a single man. If we were caught
flat-footed without proper intelligence at the outbreak of another
mar, it might be disastrous.
BUSH: There is another aspect which troubles me. I have had
close contact with the Central Intelligence Group since it was
formed, and the CIG has had very close contact with the Joint Re-
search and Development Board as it has worked out its plans for
scientific intelligence. What we have had since CIG was established
is three different Directors. That bothers me. I can see the point
of view of the military officer. He does not feel that he is getting
anywhere. It is not a permanent assignment, but just another tour
of duty. The answer to that is a civilian head. I fedi that a
civilian head would be better if exactly the right man could be
found. But to find exactly the right man, I grant, would be diffi-
cult indeed. We have no natural training ground. However, there
is no requirement that the Director of Central Intelligence be a
military man. I think that the provisions of this bill would mork
as effectively as anything I could suggest. I could not propose an
alternative.
JUDD: The man should go into it as a life work, just as J. -Agar
Hoover has with the F81. It should not be another temporary tour of
duty. To me, the Joint Research and Development Board and the
Central Intelligence Agency are the two most important things in the
bill.
? ? ? ?
Approved For Release 2003/04/02 : CIA-RDP90-00610R000100020009-6
? ...if-%
Approved For R sef2003/041 : C1Arft6P90-00610R00010
STATEMENT OF DR. VANREVAR BUSH,
BP2TRE-THE,COIVITTEE ON EXPENDITURES IN THE
r..A.LCUTIVE
DEPAPTmENTS, HOUSE OF P.EPRESENTATIVES IN CONNECTION
WITH S. 758 THE NATIONAL SECURITY ACT OF 1947.
/941,
One of the ,great lessons from the past war is that the
war has become exceedingly complicated and its various aspects,
The time is lone past when the Navy merely
conduct c,f
are neces-
,.
transPorb4Wthe.; Army- to the ,place of battle and the Army then fought on
and. In modern war,every important operation also involves the air, and
usually ,-involves ground and sea action as well.. It is crystal clear that
country is to be completely ready for a future emergency, it must
replace the old traditional form of organization with one that is better
adapted to meet nresent needs. This means a single integrated military
establishment.
Creation of such a single establishment is important for purposes
of economy, but it should be emphasized at once that economy will not be
realized instantly on effecting coordination. The immediate effect will be
to increase the costs. Reorganization and integration of the military es-
tablishment, as prrvided in this or any other practicable bill, necessarily
Involves the superposition on the existing stnicture of a new and importint
unit. This means greater costs in the short run, but in the long run it
undoubtedly will involve substantial economies. But aside from the ques-,ion
of economy, it does mean in the long nm, a more effective effort.
Approved For Release 2003/04/02 : CIA-RDP90-00610R000100020009-6