DEAR MR. WARREN:

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-05844A000100160026-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 12, 2002
• Sequence Number: 26
• Publication Date: February 23, 1949
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2002/06/28: CIA-RDP78-05844A00
23 February 1949
25X1A9A
25X1
The Honorable LiAdsay C. Warren
Comptroller General
General Accounting Office
Washington 25, D.C.
The Central Intelligence Agency was charged, by Section 102(d)
of the National Security Act of 1947, with the duty to coordinate
such intelligence activities of the Departments and Agencies of the Gov-
ernment as relate to the national security, and to correlate and
evaluate intelligence relating to the national security under the
direction'of the National Security Council. In addition, the Agency
is to perform, for the benefit of the existing intelligence agencies,
such additional services of common concern as the National Security
Council determines can be more efficiently accomplished centrally.
Since our estaa..blishment, it has become apparent that the
increasingly irn ortant field of scientific intelligence demands special
and immediate attention. There has been a gap in this field which the
Agency, under the specific direction of the National Security Council,
has been attempting to fill by all available means. A prime difficulty
has been met in obtaining a person with the requisite technical knowledge,
experience, and ability to coordinate scientific intelligence throughout
the various interested Agencies. TLis special difficulty in recruitment
of scientific personnel was recognized by the Congress when it provided, in
Public Law 758 of the 80th Congress, for the establishment of a limited
number of positions in the National Military Establishment, for which the
compensation would not be less than $10,000 per annum nor more than
$15,000 per annum.
It is noted that positions which may be established, under that law,
by the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Secretary
of the Air Force, are to be established within their respective Departments,
but that the positions which the Secretary of Defense is authorized to
establish, are not so limited and are to effectuate "any and all other
activities of the National Military Establishment which requires the services
of specially qualified scientific or 1,rofessional -personnel."
The National. Military Establishment is deeply interested in the coordination
and correlation of scientific intelligence, but there are various other
Government Agencies outside the National Military Establishment which are
equally interested.
I wish to iropose the following question for your opinion as to
legality of the exoenditures involved. There is on the staff of this
Approved F
 Approved For Release Z00210.612.8.: CI-jRDP,7:'8-0,58,#44AO00100160026-6
25X1A9A Agency, Dr. I I who, we believe, meets all the requirements
for the top coordinator of scientific intelligence. He has begin with this
Agency but a short time at the grade of P-8. We have been informed that
one of the P-9 positions, which the Secretary of Defense is authorized to
25X1A9A establish, is available to Dr. at a rate of compensation which is
proposed to be at $15,000 per annum. We have discussed the matter with the
Office of the Secretary of Defense and are agreeable to the transfer of Dr.
25X1A9A 0 to the P-9 position, if he is thereupon assigned the function of
coordinator of scientific intelligence for all interested Agencies.
The Office of the Secretary of Defense agrees to this assignment
but has pointed out that the function of such a coordinator is a central
service of common concern to all existing intelligence.:age'ncies, and that
while it therefore relates to activities of the National' Military Establishment
in a direct manner, such coordination is a function bf this Agency. Tb.ey
therefore propose that such an assignment should be made only if... the ,Office
of the Secretary of Defense is reimbursed by this Agency for the full salary
25X1A9A of Dr.
This arrangement is not only satisfactory to the Central Intelligence
Agency, but I strongly sup-oort it as an opportunity to obtain the services of
the best qualified person available for an extremely im-)ortant and difficult
-position. I have been advised that there appear to be no specific statutory
prohibitions to such a reimbursement, but I feel that as the situation may be
novel, we should have the benefit of your advice before concluding arrange-
ments and making any payments thereunder. I wish to stress that this is proposed
only as a temporary expedient as we have introduced legislation to support
the Agency's activities which would authorize, among other things, the
establishment in the Agency of three such scientific P-9 -positions. But, as
stated above, the need is pressing and we must ,proceed with the scientific
intelligence program.
As we, at all times, wish not to publicize the activities and
personnel of the Agency, I would greatly appreciate confidential treatment
of thes subject.
Sincerely ,'ours,
LRHouston:mao
cc: Director
Acting Executive
Signer a s Chrono
Central Records
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R. H. HILLE TKOETTER
Rear Admiral, USN
Director of Central Intelligence.
Approved For Release 2002/06128-a CIAc-RDPZ8-05,$44 4000100160026-6'