ATTACHED MEMORANDUM - BACKGROUND OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00610R000100130005-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 5, 2002
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: May 2, 1947
• Content Type: MF

Approved F r Release 2002/08/21 : CIA-RDP90-006 QR000100130005-8
2 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DI RECTOR, CIG
Subjects Attached Memorandum - Background of
Central Intelligence
1. It would appear to be probable that members of
Congress called upon.to consider legislation relating to
central intelligence are unlikely to have any but the
foggiest of notions concerning its philosophy or raison
dretre. It seemed to me possible that you might consider
favorably the possibility of having presented to them
officially some document which would provide them with a
background against which specific verbal testimony would
take on greater mesa ing. Such a document might also obviate
the excessively elementary type of question. which is so s.pt
to delay the progress of Congressional hearings.
2e In going over the files of possibly useful, door,-
ments I cease across a memorandum prepared by the Strategic
Services Unit for the gar Department committee of inquiry
headed by Assistant Secretary Lovett. One part of this
memorandum, with which I am particularly familiar becausa.
I wrote it at the direction of General Magruder, seemed
particularly well adapted for the desired use. .1 have
revised, it somewhat, eliminating certain too technical
parts and expanding others which might be em'biguouse The
result is attached for your consideration.
3e It is my belief that this document can be givers
a classification of "Confidential" since its contents are
quite general. The original paper was classified "Secret"
but it contained much more specific information than does
the attachment, and it was written at & -time when central
intelligence was as yet a future development in fact.
25X1
Approved For Release 2002/08i k~IA i 8000100130005-8