DEAR MR. HAMILTON:

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP59-00882R000200010004-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 4, 2003
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: June 7, 1956
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2003/12/02 : CIA-RDP59-00882R
7 June 1956
* ashington,
International Division
Bureau of the Budget
Executive Office Buildin
Dear Mr. Hamilton:
n response to your request for comments on an and-at.-f3
Senator Douglass to H. R. 11356.
This Agency agrees with the points made in this letter which lead
o the conclusion that a "I="reedomn Administration as proposed in the
e objectives which the Senator has in mind.
uglaaas amendment would not be a desirable or feasible means of attain-
Apart from comments relating directly to the language of the
Douglas amendment. we are very much interested in the possibility of
establishing a metes n through which the government could, in selected
situations, contribute to private or semi-private organizations which are
actively engaged in activities designed to encourage and assist peoples be-
hind the Iron Curtain. We note that the draft letter, citing the Voice of
America as one example, states that `there does not appear to be any lack
of authority to pursue this objective. Although we are not as competent
as other agencies to analyze the legal implications of various provisions
of the Mutual Security Act, it is our impression that the use of devices
such as Section 401 of that Act, although technically and legally possible,
does not provide for. meeting this problem in as direct a manner as might
be desirable. We concede that the ` Freedom A iniistration would not
be a feasible mechanism for accomplishing this. We would hope, however,
that the Executive Branch recognizes this problem and would be prepared
to support appropriate appropriaaatee legislation which might accomplish this objective.
We are not in a position, however, at this time to suggest any such language.
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 Approved For Release 2003/12/02 : CIA-RDP59-00882R000200010004-2
In summary, this Agency is in accord with the objectives
Douglas amendment, but agrees with the position that this amendment
is undesirable. Regarding the language of the amendment itself, we
object formally to the provision on lines iZ through 16 of page 4, which
provides that the Administrator shall advise and consult with the Director
of Central Intelligence" in making any grant under the section. We feel
that this provision might place thetirector of Central Intelligence in &
position of having to participate in policy decisions as to whether certain
grants should or should not be made, which is inconsistent with the statutory
definition of his responsibilities. If it would be simply a matter of checking
with the Central Intelligence Agency as to whether or not intelligence in
natation exists on certain organizations which might affect the Administrator's
decision, this could be better handled by administrative arrangement than by
statutory direction.
Sincerely,
IG:NSP:fm
Distribution:
Orig & 1 - Addressee
1 - QGC, Mr. Houstont/
1 - Mr. Cord Meyer, 10 Div.
2- Leg. Counsel
STAT
Approved For Release 2003/12/02 : CIA-RDP59-00882R000200010004-2