MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES FROM LYNDON JOHNSON

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R000500010033-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 20, 2002
• Sequence Number: 33
• Publication Date: February 25, 1965
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2002/08/28 : CIA-RDP80BO1676R000500010033-$
REFERRAL TO NSC NOT REQUIRED
February 25, 1965
E*ecutive Registry
7/674
I have just completed a review of 119 interdepartmental committees of
the Government that have been established by law or by Presidential
directive.
Interdepartmental committees can often greatly facilitate coordination.
But extreme care must be exercised to make sure that a committee is the
most efficient way to accomplish a given task and to assure that committees
are used effectively.
Improper use of committees can waste time, delay action, and result in
undesirable compromise. Each participant in committee deliberations
should assess the work of the group continuously to assure that it is
directed toward valid and useful purposes. Committees that are not clearly
accomplishing such purposes should be reformed or abolished.
I have asked the Budget Director to review the need for a number of committees.
Where appropriate, he will recommend steps to abolish or merge a number of
them, or to have their functions performed in other ways. I want you to
lend your full cooperation to this undertaking.
Pursuant to Bureau of the Budget Circular A-63, you will soon be preparing
a report on interdepartmental committees for fiscal year 1965. I have
asked for a report on the results of this year's review. You should apply
the highest standard of usefulness and effectiveness in your review of
committees chaired by your agency, however established. I have been advised
that..j63, committees were terminated in fiscal year 1964, were
established:--We can and must do better than this.
On November 19, I said to the Cabinet that to provide for the new programs
of the Great Society we must take steps to reform or eliminate existing
programs where such action is indicated. This principle should guide you
in your review of interdepartmental committees.
Approved For Release 2002/08/28: CIA-RDP80B01676R000500016t