MEETING WITH CHUCK SNODGRASS, HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE STAFF, ON 9 OCTOBER 1975

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M01133A000800020015-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 8, 2004
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: October 14, 1975
• Content Type: MFR

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14 October 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Meeting with Chuck Snodgrass, House Appropriations
Committee Staff, on 9 October 1975.
1. Jack Tams and I spent about two hours with Chuck, going
over the House Appropriations Committee report on CIA and other
intelligence agencies. One general point on the importance of adhering
to Committee directives is covered in a separate memorandum for the
record. In brief, the message is that if we. play straight with the
Committee, they can continue to keep Committee action secret; if we
don't, they can't. Early next year, we'll be asked for a point by poirt
report on responsive action. Attached is the information he provided
on the studies that will be done by the Committee's Surveys and
Investigations Staff. Other matters follow..
2. The Committee was greatly distressed about thel
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Reserve release--both the handling of the mechanics and the sense
of priorities it conveys. comment got into the
report because of the large sum of money fo by neglect
hich are important, and "pour money
down a rathole?" He wanted to know if there was any way the ,
Committee could stop the project now; we could only suggest that
the Chairman could contact the DCI on behalf of the Committee if
the Committee wanted. He also was interested, in. knowing how. much
remained unspent I I money that might be returned to the
Reserve. We told him we would find out.
3. We reviewed the status of the Reserve and the need for an
appropriation sufficient to cover the full approved program and to .
supplement the Reserve. We also pointed out the Transition Quarter
discrepancy.
4. On reprogramming, the Committee's interest is in being
advised prior to initiation of major projects not included in the
Congressional presentation. Chuck particularly singled out covert
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action and S&T collection projects. But anything with substantial co:a ;
over several years is covered. So, the questions that we need to a: k
ourselves on reporting reprogramming actions are:
--Is this a project that was included in the presentation
to Congress?
--Is it significant, either politically or financially?
They will compare the budget they received on 1 March 1975 with what
they receive on 1 March 1976. If any major deviations show up that
have not been previously reported to them, they will want explanations.
5. He wondered whether we were doing anything in the way of
developing another high altitude reconnaissance aircraft. Someone at
Boeing had made a comment that triggered the question. We told hinn
no.
6. The Committee's instructions to him on CIA are very sim
Treat them like everyone else. Keep their secrets.
the Committee was. very definite--no appropriated
funds to be used to support it in any way. That prohibition does
cover any expenditures we might think of trying to justify as special
costs required for security reasons. The Committee was not trying
to kill it. But if it continues it must be wholly self-supporting.
8. On RD&E, we made the point about the relatively slow rata
of growth if 1974 was taken as a base and the need to improve covert
communications gear. He mentioned that he had. asked around in the
Far East and no one was using it much. Therefore why do we need
it? Jack responded that the need was directly. related to recent
9. The Committee members who visited the Far East were left
with a very negative feeling about large Stations. They are going
to want to look at both Station sizes and Station Chiefs next year.
10. He was interested in knowing the intelligence (as oppose(
to countermeasures). value and the number of CIA personn-A
stationed there.
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.11. He is still willing to be convinced about the intelligence,
value of some of the collection systems that were hard hit by the
Committee and to recommend reversal of the action. But he is tired
of pressing for the information and he is not going to take any further
action himself. If anyone has a convincing story to tell, he will be
happy to listen; they should call him. Either the information is
volunteered, or the program is dead.
12. McClellan is committed to act on Defense appropriations by
the end of October; 'go to conference in early November; appropriation
to be passed before Thanksgiving recess.
13. He wants the following additional information; and we should
have it in the Office of the Comptroller by c.o.b. 16 October.
--What is the rock bottom' minimum to keep SAFE going
through the year?
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--An updated tally of savings in DDO in FY 76 resulting
from Southeast Asia shut-down.
--A current estimate
support costs in FY 76.
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Attachment: As stated
Chief, Analysis Group
O/Comptroller
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The House Studies
1. Organization. There is a three-man permanent team at the
Appropriations Committee C hich borrows 25X1
selected people from throughout the Government for specific studie
2. Snodgrass made some general comments on atmosphere. l le
understands that all ' are under pressure from select committees, etc.
But House Appropriations Committee will be around after all the otli==rs
are gone. And HAC teams are not looking for "dirt" --they are not
antagonists. Most parts of DoD get subjected to such a study every
year or two. CIA is just being treated like everyone else--being
brought into the regular cycle. Moral: Give these guys as much
time and attention as you can; they're more important than the other?s
in the long run.
3. SIGINT Study. It will be done by a five-man team, full time,
headed by who headed the study for NSA. They are
there and waiting to get started. We promised to try to get in touch
-with them on Tuesday to get things moving.
They are independent of Committee control--the Committee
has not directed them to come up with any particular set of conclusions.
And Chuck is not firmly set in his own mind on any money amour or
particular element to be transferred. He has told them to study and
report in pieces as small as possible--individual projects with costs
and people associated with each--and to discuss pros and cons of
transfer of each piece. He wants to offer the Committee as many
alternatives as possible in the way of actions or combinations of
actions.
4. COMMUNICATIONS Study. They won't be ready to begin
before the week of October 20.
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