EDSON TESTIMONY ON H.R. 2319

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00610R000100050015-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 9, 2002
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: June 17, 1947
• Content Type: MEMO

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WLP 17 June 19117.
MSC
Edson Testimony on H.B. 2319.
1. Attached herewith is the text of the prepared statement of
General Merritt A. Edson, USE, in testifying this morning before
the House Expenditures Committee on H.R. 2319. References to CIG
are to be found on pages i, 7s 9 and 10.
2. After reading his prepared statement, General Edson was ques-
tioned concerning his testimorq on CIG by Representatives Chat Holar-
field, (D., Cal.), itchell Jenkins, (R., Pa.), and John McCormack..
(D., Mass.). (Brown of Ohio was absent and Busboy of Illinois left
before CIG came up for discussions) The questions and answers concern.-
ing CIG were substantially as follows:
HOLAFIM : I was quite concerned about your testimony regard-
ing the CeCe Intelligence Agency - your statement that this could
very easily work into a Gestapo or-NR9'D. In what wady does the pro-
posed CIA differ from the present CIO in scope?
EDSON: As I understand it, the GIG is largely a clearing house
for the intelligence information which is collected by the vari-
ous departments and agencies. There the information is collected,
evaluated and disseminated. In that respect, the CIG is an extremely
desirable agency. Under no circvmatances, however, should the CIO
have amy domestic police power.
HOIAPIELD: It does not have such power now. Do you think that
it wow under this bill?
EDSCNs I think there is a possibility that it might. I think
that teas should definitely act forth in this piece of legisla-
tion what its intention is for the powers, functions and scope of
this Aged.
HOIJJ ELD: I agree with you on that point. Your contention,
then, is not that the bill goes too far. It is that you feel that
it does not go far enough in providing safeguards.
EDSON: That is right.
JENEINS: I think that the matter with which Mr. Holafield is
cones that nowhere in the provisions of the bill are the
functions of the Agency defined. The present functions of the GIG
are defined by Executive Order, are they not?
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Statement of lion b Robert 13, Patterson, Secrete of
War, before Ain"ed Serttices Corrmnittee of U. S. Senate,
re S. 758, creating National Dofonse Establishment,
March 18, 19471
I give .qualified support to the bill to unify
the armed forces, S. 758.
Provisions of bill.
The bill creates a National Defense Establishment,
consisting of the Department of the Army, Department of
the, Navy and Department of the Air Force.
The head of the National Defense Establishment
is the Secretary of National Defense, with the power and
duty:
(1) to establish policies and programs for
the Natianal.Defense Establishment and
for the departments and agencies in it;
(2) to exercise direction, authority and
control over such departments and agencies;
to supervise preparation of budget estimates
by the departments and agencies, to determine
the 'budget estimates of the National Defen.~?e
Establishment for submission to the Bureau
of the Budget, and to supervise and control
the budget program of the National Defense
Establishment.
The proviso is made that the three departments
shall be administered as individual units by their re-
spec'&?`McF6f&"9 20 j 1 d ~Pc~19: Q~~1 Q O~ ~ r
.of National. Defense; also that the secretary of any
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matters of admitIstration that pertain to the' three de-
partments. In the second place, the Navy had decided
views as to the soundness of these reservations,' and I
have no hesitation in saying that it will be of lasting
benefit to develop the type of organization that comes
the support of Army and Navy alike. I am therefore un-
gual.ifiedly in favor of these provisions.
I will not detain you with a discussion of the '
other features of the bill, important as they are. Other
witnesses will take them up in detail.
confident that throughout the world it will be viewed in
money. It will strengthen the national defense, and I air
In conclusion, I urge that you report this measure;
favorably. It will give the United States an efficient
organization of the armed services. It Will strengthen
national defense without calling for the expenditure of
.more funds. It is unique in that respect; the other measures
to strengthen national defense call for the spending of more
End
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