ALCOTT HALL LECTURES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP54-00355A000100020014-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: R
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 24, 2001
• Sequence Number: 14
• Publication Date: January 14, 1952
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2001/07/17 : CIA-RDP54-00355A000100020014-8
IESt11CtED
Office M emorandum J-sTATEs GOVERNMENT
TO : Operations Staff, OCD
Thru : Chief Analysis Branch, Library
FROM : Training Officer
SUBJECT: Alcott Hall Lectures
I have obtained comments from each of the analysts of this
.branch who attended certain of the lectures given at Alcott Hall. Analysts
had been assigned to attend the lectures because we-had felt a need for
some form of substantive training which would increase their efficiency
and capabilities. Rather than establish a series of special lectures,
it was decided to take advantage of existing lectures designed to serve
other purposes. The comments received were directed toward three
categories of evaluation: (1) general interest, (2) morale value, and
(3) aid in current work.
In general, the.response was favorable with respect to general
interest and morale value and relatively neutral or unfavorable as
an aid in current work. For some of'those who had not received any
form of Agency orientation, lectures pertaining to certain offices of
the Agency were of interest and even considered of value as some in-
dication of requirements. It was the substantive lectures, however,
that seemed to have the more positive values. Of the latter type
more specific comments are.given below.
Geography and National Security. This., lecture was considered
rather uninteresting. and of itt e value. The subject was treated in
a sketchy and unorganized manner with little or no relation to. intelligence.
Population and National Power. The speaker was stimulating as
a personality, but the lecture was relatively uninforriative-and even
uninteresting.
Industrial Potential of U.S.S.R. The lecture was of general
interest and provided a broad frame of reference incontrast to the
very specific daily one. It thus had morale value although it would
not be an aid -in current work.
Scientific Potential of U.S.S.R. The lecture was very disappointing
and the speaker uninspiring. The subject was treated-in too general
and elementary a manner with no evaluation-of Soviet capabilities-or
.deficiencies.
Theory and Practice of-Communism. These lectures were interesting,
SECURITY INFORMATJQ
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PATE: 114 January 1952
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informative, and well presented. They would be an aid in current, 25X1A9a
work, at least as background material.
Intelligence Support for Foreign Policy. The speaker was
very stimulating. The value of this lecture is for morale purposes.
Evaluation of Intelligence. The speaker was stimulating and
reflected his broad knowledge and experience of intelligence as a
process and an instrument of national policy. While of no value in
current work, the lecture had morale value.
From the foregoing it would seem that this series of lectures
did not meet the needs of this branch for substantive training, which,
of course, it was not designed to do. It did have morale value, but
it would not be worth the time taken from current duties more often
than about once a year.
25X1A9a
BES111t'
SFCURiTY IN `O IATJON
Approved For Release 2001/07/17 : CIA-RDP54-00355A000100020014-8