19. Memorandum From the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Hoover) to Attorney General Clark0
I learned last night that Colonel Alfred McCormack has been assigned to the State Department for the purpose of forming a World-wide Intelligence organization. This information is confirmed by a news story appearing in this morning’s Washington Post, a copy of which I am attaching hereto for your convenience.1 I have reason to believe that the information contained in this newspaper article is accurate, and, in addition, I am advised that Colonel McCormack will have the complete determination as to the nature of the World-wide Intelligence organization to be set up, the scope of its operations and all other details with reference thereto. According to my source of information, Colonel McCormack’s views will be approved by the Bureau of the Budget. Colonel [Page 53] McCormack will be released from the Army in the immediate future and will have a civilian status in the State Department where he will first set up an interim intelligence organization, which will be replaced around the first of the year by a permanent organization. By way of background, it may be noted that Colonel McCormack was formerly associated in the practice of law with Assistant Secretary of War J.J. McCloy. I am not at all optimistic as to the sympathy which Colonel McCormack may have toward our program.
I think that the announcement of Colonel McCormack’s appointment clearly indicates that the World-wide Intelligence Service will be operated by and as a State Department project. I think, consequently, that it would be well if you have not already done so, to bring to President Truman’s attention in the immediate future our views as to the most desirable way to establish the World-wide Intelligence Service.
Respectfully,