LETTER TO MR. RICHARD HELMS FROM JOHN ALEX MCCONE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01086A000900220015-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 4, 2001
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: October 22, 1969
• Content Type: LETTER

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JOHN ALEX M6 CONE
612 SOUTH FLOWER STREET
LOS ANGELES 90017
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
.October 22, 1969
Recently I received a call from Mr. Gilbert Fitzhugh,
chairman of a committee studying the organization of the
Department of Defense. Mr. Fitzhugh asked that I meet
with his committee, and I agreed to do so at 9:30 on Mon-
day morning, November 17.
In talking with Mr. Fitzhugh, I suggested that he send
me an outline of the subject or subjects. his committee would
wish to discuss with me, and that our, discussions be con-
fined to these areas. I pointed out that his committee's
charter was so broad and the entire subject so vast- that a
general discussion would turn out to be nothing more than
a "bull session. "
Although I have not heard from Mr. Fitzhugh as yet,
I have no doubt that he will want to talk about the inter-
relationship of DIA, the Service Intelligence Agencies, and
CIA. If someone in CIA has met with this committee, I
would appreciate knowing the line taken, and if you would
be good enough to have the individual --probably Larry Hous-
ton --call me in the next few days, this would be helpful.
It is also important for me to know just what clearances
have been extended to the Fitzhugh committee. Mr. Fitzhugh
indicated that he and his committee had been cleared for
atomic matters, but I would like to know what clearances
they have in other sensitive areas.
I enjoyed seeing you, I appreciated the briefing, and was
delighted to receive favorable comments around town on the
work you and the Agency are doing. Keep it up!
With warm personal regards.
Mr. Richard Helms
Director
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JOHN ALEX MS CONE
612 SOUTH FLOWER STREET
LOS ANGELES 90017
October 23, 1969
Dear Dick:
Executive Registry
69-5
Since writing you, I have received a communication
from Mr. Gilbert Fitzhugh indicating that his committee
would like to raise the following questions in areas of the
general intelligence field.
1. Do you think the relationships between
the various elements in the intelligence
community are such as to produce the
most efficient response with the fewest
gaps or overlaps.
2. What is your evaluation of the resulting
assessments, estimates, etc.
3. Are the various communications networks
adequate for the purpose.
Items No. 1 and No. 2 give me no problem. Of course,
there is always room for improvement. Gaps should be eliminated
to the extent possible and overlaps might prove more of an insurance
than a disadvantage.
I feel, with few exceptions, that the assessments and
estimates have stood up pretty well. The fact that Bob McNamara
became a 100% convert supports this belief.
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 2 - October 23, 1969
The remaining questions concern inter-relationships
with the DOD and the AEC and I am writing Glenn Seaborg
concerning these matters.
Best regards,
Mr.. Richard Helms
Director
The Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D. C.
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UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL SECRET
OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
TO
NAME AND ADDRESS
DATE
INITIALS
1
The Director
3
4
5
6
ACTION
DIRECT REPLY
PREPARE REPLY
APPROVAL
DISPATCH
RECOMMENDATION
COMMENT
FILE
RETURN
CONCURRENCE
INFORMATION
SIGNATURE
Remarks :
FOLD HERE TO RETURN TO SENDER
FROM: NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NO.
DATE
UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL
SECRET
FORD NO 237 Use previous editions
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