Office of the Historian

97. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Smith to the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council (Lay)1

Washington, December 10, 1951.

SUBJECT

  • Proposed Survey of Communications Intelligence Activities
1.
In view of the duties and responsibilities imposed upon the Director of Central Intelligence and the Central Intelligence Agency by Section 102(d) of the National Security Act of 1947, as amended, the DCI herewith advises the National Security Council that he is gravely concerned as to the security and effectiveness with which the Communications Intelligence activities of the Government are being conducted.
2.
It is believed that existing means of control over, and coordination of, the collection and processing of Communications Intelligence have proved ineffective to assess and reconcile the Communications Intelligence requirements of the various interested Departments and Agencies and, as well, the national intelligence requirements in this field.
3.
It is further believed that the system of divided authorities and multiple responsibilities which prevails with respect to Communications Intelligence will, if uncorrected, preclude the development of the consistent, firmly administered security program which is required in order to preserve this invaluable intelligence source. In recent years a number of losses have occurred which it is difficult to attribute to coincidence.
4.
Because of the unique value of Communications Intelligence, this matter directly affects the national security. Any corrective measures to be taken should be based upon a thorough investigation of the facts and should give due regard to the needs of the National Security Establishment and those of the various Departments and Agencies concerned.
5.
Accordingly, it is recommended that the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, assisted by the Director of Central Intelligence, be asked to have the Communications Intelligence activities of the Government surveyed, with the view of recommending any corrective measures that may be required to insure the most secure and effective conduct of such activities.
Walter B. Smith
  1. Source: National Security Agency, Center for Cryptologic History, Series XVI, C–3 (CIA Reports). Top Secret. “Approved Dec 13 ‘51 /s/ Harry S Truman” is handwritten in the bottom left corner of the memorandum.↩