LETTER TO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM P. ROGERS FROM RICHARD HELMS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP72-00337R000400040032-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 25, 2005
• Sequence Number: 32
• Content Type: LETTER

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20505
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
The Honorable William P. Rogers
Secretary of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
My dear Mr. Secretary:
You may recall that on .19 May 1970 the Senate passed and
sent to the House S. 782, Senator Ervin`s bill to protect civilian
employees of the Executive Branch in the enjoyment of their
constitutional rights, and to prevent governmental invasion of
their privacy. The bill is now being considered in the House
Post Office and Civil Service Committee, and I understand
may be reported out shortly.
This bill would seem to have a serious impact on personnel
management throughout the Executive Branch of the Government.
Certainly it would, in its present form, create major problems for
those agencies dealing with sensitive security matters.
In view of the concern which I think we share over this
proposed legislation, I am forwarding for your information my
proposed letter to Chairman Henderson, of the Subcommittee on
Manpower and Civil Service of the House Post Office and Civil
Service Committee, responding to his request for my views. As
this letter points out, certain provisions of the bill would directly
conflict with the statutory responsibilities of the Director of Central
Intelligence for protecting intelligence sources and methods, and
data relating to the organization of the Central Intelligence Agency.
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20505
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
The Honorable Melvin R. Laird
Secretary of Defense
Washington, D. C. 20301
My dear Mr. Secretary:
You may recall that on 19 May 1970 the Senate passed and
sent to the House S. 782, Senator Ervin's bill to protect civilian
employees of the Executive Branch in the enjoyment of their
constitutional rights, and to prevent governmental invasion of
their privacy. The bill is now being considered in the House
Post Office and Civil Service Committee, and I understand may
be reported out shortly.
This bill would seem to have a serious impact on personnel
management throughout the Executive Branch of the Government.
Certainly it would, in its present form, create major problems
for those agencies dealing with sensitive security matters.
In view of the concern which I think we share over this
proposed legislation, I am forwarding for your information my
proposed letter to Chairman Henderson, of the Subcommittee on
Manpower and Civil Service of the House Post Office and Civil
Service Committee, responding to his request for my views. As
this letter points out, certain provisions of the bill would directly
conflict with the statutory responsibilities of the Director of Central
Intelligence for protecting intelligence sources and methods, and
data relating to the organization of the Central Intelligence Agency.
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The Honorable John N. Mitchell
Attorney General
Washington, D. C. 20530
My dear Mr. Attorney General:
You may recall that on 19 May 1970 the Senate passed and
sent to the House S. 782, Senator Ervin's bill to protect civilian
employees of the Executive Branch in the enjoyment of their
constitutional rights, and to prevent governmental invasion of
their privacy. The bill is now being considered in the House
Post Office and Civil Service Committee, and I understand may
be reported out shortly.
This bill would seem to have a serious impact on personnel
management throughout the Executive Branch of the Government.
Certainly it would, in its present form, create major problems for
those agencies dealing with sensitive security matters.
In view of the concern which I think we share over this
proposed legislation, I am forwarding for your information my
proposed letter to Chairman Henderson, of the Subcommittee on
Manpower and Civil Service of the House Post Office and Civil
Service Committee, responding to his request for my views. As
this letter points out, certain provisions of the bill would directly
conflict with the statutory responsibilities of the Director of Central
Intelligence for protecting intelligence sources and methods, and
data relating to the organization of the Central Intelligence Agency.
Ft r
4;, TIAL
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The Honorable Robert E. Hampton
Chairman, Civil Service Commission
Washington, D. C. 20415
My dear Mr. Hampton:
You may recall that on 19 May 1970 the Senate passed and
sent to the House S. 782, Senator Ervin's bill to protect civilian
employees of the Executive Branch in the enjoyment of their
constitutional rights, and to prevent governmental invasion of
their privacy. The bill is now being considered in the House
Post Office and Civil Service Committee, and I understand may
be reported out shortly.
This bill would seem to have a serious impact on personnel
management throughout the Executive Branch of the Government.
Certainly it would, in its present form, create major problems for
those agencies dealing with sensitive security matters.
In view of the concern which I think we share over this
proposed legislation, I am forwarding for your information my
proposed letter to Chairman Henderson, of the Subcommittee on
Manpower and Civil Service of the House Post Office and Civil
Service Committee, responding to his request for my views. As
this letter points out, certain provisions of the bill would directly
conflict with the statutory responsibilities of the Director of Central
Intelligence for protecting intelligence sources and methods, and
data relating to the organization of the Central Intelligence Agency.
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The bill also contains other troublesome provisions. It
would, for example:
a. Seriously restrict Executive agencies in
applying reasonable measures to ensure the loyalty and
suitability of personnel occupying sensitive positions or
enjoying access to highly classified information.
b. Permit an employee to refuse to answer any
question which might lead to disciplinary action, unless
counsel or other representative of his choice is present.
c. Authorize an employee or applicant to bring
civil suit in a Federal district court against any official
who allegedly has violated, or threatened to violate, the
law.
Enactment of this legislation I think would result not only in
substantial administrative disruption, but also in opportunities for
deliberate harassment of Executive agencies by disgruntled employees
and organized troublemakers.
My Legislative Counsel, Mr. John M. Maury, will be
available to discuss the matter further with members of your staff
should they wish to contact him.
Sincerely,
Richard Helms
Director
C l II,4L
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 ^ UNCLASSIFIED m INTERNAL
ooroved For Ie%3& Q& ?6/06/06: CIA-RDP72-EII 3fFWWMIbA 2-6 ^ SECRET
ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET
SUBJECT: (Optional)
S. 782 - Ervin Bill
Legislative Counsel
26 June 1970 ST
AT
TO: (Officer designation, room number, and
building)
OFFICER'S
COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whom
INITIALS
to whom. Draw a line across column after each comment.)
The attached letters were
prepared in case it appeared
desirable for us to focus high
level attention in State, Justice,
Defense and the Civil Service
Commission on the problems
created by the Ervin bill.
(Henderson has also asked for
their views.) Henderson's
expression of surprise yesterday
that no other agencies appear
concerned about this legislation
prompts me to recommend that S
the letters be sent.
JobA M. our
Legislative Counsel
AT
7 -00337R000400040032-6
FOR 610 USEDITIONSUS El INTERNAL
SECRET El CONFIDENTIAL ^ USE ONLY ^ UNCLASSIFIED
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