Comments on proposed ORE Reorganization

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-01082A000200080002-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 6, 2005
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: September 6, 1949
• Content Type: MEMO

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Office Memorand~n ? UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
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Comments on proposed ORE-Reorganization
DATE: 6 September 1949
1. The following remarks are made after only brief access to the re-
organization proposal.
2. The general concept of separating the "estimates" and "analysis"
functions within the regional branch structure rather than divorcing the "estimates"
function from the regional organization appears eminently sound. However, the most
effective procedures and organizational details for operating under this arrange-
ment will require some spelling out. Some of these questions are raised in Para. 3,
below, and certain other general observations are made in subsequent paragraphs.
3. Queries on functions and organizational details:
a. Assignment of "action" on estimates:
1) Will "estimates" projects be assigned for action to the
regional branch of primary concern which will also have
responsibility for effecting requisite coordination within'
ORE; or
2) Will the several regional Estimates Staffs comprise a pool
from which ad hoc "task groups" of appropriate composition
will be organized at. the direction of the EPB?
While either arrangement has its advantages, the first alternative ap-
pears more desirable from the standpoint of maintaining the "chain of command" from
AD/ORE through the regional branch chiefs.
b. Substantive review.
Is the Publications Group to be responsible for substantive review?
It seems to me that it should not be except in a staff capacity
on behalf of AD/ORE or on behalf of the M.
c. Function of the EPB Secretariat.
Without having available a clear definition of the Secretariat's
functions it would appear that the EPB Secretariat should be placed
under the EPB, organizationally. If this is done its functions
might be performed by a section of the Publications Group; or the
Publications Group's functions might be worked into those of a
Secretariat.
d. Distinction between production of global and other national intelli-
gence estimates.
Logically, there is no apparent basis for distinguishing between
global and other national intelligence estimates. While the pro-
posed'organization may be designed to overcome "personality" or
other practical problems, it would appear more consistent to or-
ganize the "global function as part of the Publications Group.
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e. Within the Regional Branch organization., the Estimates Staff
.should include the chiefs of the various divisions in order
to insure a continuing liaison between the estimates and
analysis and research functions.
f. In the ORE organization, "requiremerits",+'..information control",
and administrative functions are provided for under an Opera-
tions Group. Only the information control function is provided
for in the regional branches.
4. The proposed abolishment of the IPB and substitution therefor of the
EPB with much narrower functions (i.e., limited to review of national intelligence
estimates) raises some questions. At the time of its inception, the IPB appeared
to be nothing more than AD/ORE's "staff of commanders" which, regardless of name,
was always available to AD/ORES for consultation. In this sense, the IPB appeared
to be a superfluous organizational concept. However, it is not clear now whether
the proposed reorganization envisages abolishment of the IPB as a superfluous
organization or whether functions were considered to be too broad. The former
would appear to be a valid reason whereas t he.latter would not. For example, pro-
duction will still require as much, or more coordination, as the content of the
estimates themselves.
The functions of the Economics Branch, as understood, would apf_ear to
place it more logically with the Central Research Groups rather than with the Re-
gional Branches.
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Office Memorandum ? UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
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FROM
DATE: 2 September 1949
Proposed organizational Realignment
1. It seems appropriate that my expression of views emphasize comment on
reorganization at the Branch level; consequently, expression of specific views
is confined to this consideration (para. 2, below). This is followed, however,
by miscellaneous general comments offered for such assistance as they may be
(para. 3).
2. The general distinction between "research" and production of "National
intelligence estimates" seems sound. Effectiveness of this distinction probably
also will require distinction in the type of personnel most effectively qualified
to conduct the two related but different activities--very high calibre junior
analysts under competent senior direction for geographical research, and extremely
high calibre functional and regional specialists for regional estimates.
I feel that the Estimates Staff would fulfill the intelligence staff
functionof B/FE's Coordination and Plans Staff, but that it should be larger by
one, and perhaps.two, functional specialists, adequate regional research special-
ists and adequate clerical staff. In addition to producing "intelligence estimates"
it should control the nature'of intelligence research produced for publication
by the research divisions, much as the C and P Staff now does in the review of
production proposals and final drafts.
It seems to me that the "Regional Research Division" might well be
either a Division or Staff for (Regional) Research Coordination and Control. Its
functions could be twofold: (a) regional coordination of research by the geo-
graphic divisions for use by the Estimates Staff, and (b) control of intelli-
gence collection and idesemination forthe Branch and of the administrative aspects
of intelligence production. In these functions it would largely fulfill the re-
sponsibilities assigned to the Control Division in B/FE's plan for the operation
of Intelligence Control. (See "Mission, Organization and Functions of Intelligence
Control, B/FE" dated 12 January 1949, Para. 2 a (2)).
As such it would include "Information. Control" as provided in the
proposed organization, and would serve as either a Division or a staff. At the
moment I tend to feel that its Branch-wide responsibility suggests desirability
of its serving as a staff (i.e., Research Coordination and Control Staff). Also
it,should be responsible for planning intelligence production (e.g., B/FE's
Production Plan) and for determining the Branch's intelligence requirements.
Regional research functions now thought of (and not very clearly in-
dicated) for the Regional Research Division appropriately would be perfomed with-
in and in support of the Estimates Staff.
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The two staffs (Estimates and Research Coordination and Control)
should be under direct supervision of the Deputy Branch Chief (as the C and P
Staff now is). See attached chart.
3. With reference to the rest of the proposed plan the following general
tentative views suggest themselves to me, and expres. for such usefulness as they
may have--
(a) Regarding the proposed Estimates Production Board in lieu of the
Intelligence rroduction Board
Would not a Priorities' and Production Staff, under the IPB, be
appropriate, such staff to consist of
(1) A plans and priorities division to provide the ORE production
plan (present Programs Division of P and P Staff) and to plan
prioritie's for production,
(2) An intelligence production review division to review production
substantively and editorially for consistancy with established
principles, and
(3) a global survey division to perform intelligence estimates of
global scape?
(b) Regarding the "Central Research Groups":
Would not Map Branch more appropriately be in OCD (possibly as a
companion to Biographic Register)? Could not the function's of
the "NIS Branch" best be performed by the Regional Branches (es-
pecially the geographic research divisions) and the intelligence
production review division (para. 3, (a), 2 above)? Because of
its special nature, I have no view on the best location of the
General Division.
4. In spite of the comments above, the proposed plan generally seems sound.
Particularly sound in recognition that ORE must have controlled support of "re-
search" in producing "intelligence estimates." Also desirable is to recognize
that the difference between "research" and "estimates" is a difference in type of
function rather thin one in relative importance and they require somewhat differ-
ently equipped individuals; both are essential to fulfillment of the ORE mission.
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