MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT FROM WALTER B. SMITH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R000700440001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 24, 2006
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 16, 1952
• Content Type: MF

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON 25, D. C.
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
16 May 1952
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
In compliance with your instructions there is submitted here-
with a general analysis of the report of Mr. Gordon Gray to you
dated 22 February 1952, on the organization and work of the Psycho-
logical Strategy Board. This report with its conclusions and recom-
mendations is concurred in by the three members of the Board.
In his analysis Mr. Gray reviews the events of the past few
years which led to the creation of this new instrument of Government
and traces the development and work of the Board since its inception.
In addition, Mr. Gray has outlined the progress which has been made
in resolving problems arising from the differences among the Govern-
ment agencies concerned and in obtaining a concerted psychological
effort.
The Board concurs that the report should not be published.
In suggesting publication, Mr. Gray was undoubtedly motivated
by the desire to obtain better public comprehension of the Government's
psychological warfare efforts and to enlist public support in the
solution of the problems involved. The merit of these suggestions
NSC review(s) completed
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is fully appreciated but the clear disadvantages from the disclosure
of the sensitive and classified material in the report amply justify
your decision not to publish it.
On the other hand, from its study of the report and in light of
the present world situation, the Board feels that it would be helpful
if at an appropriate opportunity you chose to restate to the country
and to the world the principles and policies guiding our psychological
effort in the cold war as well as the problems that are faced and the
work that has so far been accomplished, including possible reference
to the Board's relation to that work. Such a statement might elaborate
upon certain of the most significant themes of Mr. Gray's report. It
would provide an opportunity to clarify the thinking of certain segments
of the American public and of our allies, who may not yet be fully
persuaded of the scope and vigorous nature of American policy with
respect to the cold war. This would do much to accomplish what we
believe to have been Mr. Gray's objectives in suggesting publication
of the report. It would also provide an opportunity for you publicly
to acknowledge Mr. Gray's contribution to the work of the Board,
Mr. Gray has suggested four specific changes affecting the Board.
These are:
First, that the Director be made Chairman of the Board, possibly
without a vote.
The title Director indicates a somewhat higher level of respon-
sibility than was originally contemplated when the office was first
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created and the scope of the Director's duties has sometimes been
misunderstood and deserves some clarification. However, the Director
now sits with the Board, and as all proceedings are rather informal
and decisions are based on unanimity of opinion, we believe on balance
that no change in the composition of the Board need be made at this
time. Arrangements have been made to rotate the duty of presiding
officer, and for the Director to take his turn in that capacity. This
will accomplish to some extent the purpose of Mr. Grey's recommendation,
without conjuring up the objections which a more radical change might
arouse.
Mr,. Gray's second and third suggested changes contemplated that
the Director sit with the National Security Council as needed, and
that he informally report to the President at regular intervals. The
latter suggestion involves your personal views and preferences. As
to the former the Council has a tendency to grow, and you have had to
trim it down once or twice already. Mr. Gray's purpose vow uld be ac-
complished if the Director attended Council meetings as required and
pursuant to invitation by the Council's Executive Secretary.
Mr. Gray's fourth proposed change is that a member of the joint
Chiefs of Staff should sit with the Board. Having one of the joint
Chiefs or its Chairman attend the Board meetings as a consultant and
military advisor would simply be a strengthening of the representation
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, proscribed in your directive of
4 April 1951 organizing the Hoard. If you approve this suggestion,
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it may be accomplished by invitation to the Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff as the needs of the Board require.
RECOIL,' EIfl)ATI0NS
You have already taken the recommended action as regards non-
publication of the report.
With respect to the other suggestions in Mr. Gra"yy's report,
the Board respectfully recommends that: (a) no change in organiza-
tion be made at this time; (b) the Chairmanship of the Board be
rotated with the Director taking his turn as presiding officer;
(c), the Director be called on to attend National Security Council
meetings as the needs of the Council require and at the invitation
of the Executive Secretary to the Council; and (d) you indicate to
the Joint Chiefs of Staff your approval of having the Chairman, or
one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, meet with the Board as a consultant
and military advisor as the need arises.
WALTER B. SMITH
Chairman
Psychological Strategy Board
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` 9 APR 1952
RAND 14 FORt Dr. Raymond Be Allen
Director of P hological Strategy
Relationship of the Psychological Strategy
Board to the Federal Civil Defense Adminis-
tration activities.
t Wrandum from the Psychological Stratecr
Boa d, dated 2 April 1952, subject as above
T have read with interest your exchange with the Federal
Civil Defense Administrator and cone in your ccnclual or that
the proposed act.'-vitiea are not appropriate to the nission of
the Psychological Strate;-y Board under its present charter,
T shall be glad to talk this matter over further at our
next luncheon.
ALLEN W. DULLES
Acting Director
O/DGI
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