LETTER TO HONORABLE BRIAN MCMAHON FROM WALTER B. SMITH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R000800110010-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 24, 2004
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: April 17, 1952
• Content Type: LETTER

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Copy
Ian X
on Atomic
Washington, C.
Dear Senator McMahon:
iNFOINIOMON
,
Wat
APR 17 1952
DOCl/EdT NG.
NO CHARM IN CLASS. El
TI DECI.AnifIED
VASS, CHAtaitl) TO TS M ?mil
NEXT REVIEW DATEt
Wilt HO 104
DATIanr.4-20,11W111-
I have received your letter of 31 March 1952, and have given it
most careful consideration. Your concern at the continued incompleteness
of the evidence with respect to progress of the Soviet in the atomic
field and any possible development in the thermo-nuclear field is fully
end completely shared by us here in the Central Intelligence Agency. I
can assure you, and without qualification, that ever since I have been
Director; the Agency, le accordance with policies established by the
Bational 3ecur1.ty Council, has singled out atomic energy intelligence
for a uulgye high priority second only to indications of the imminent
out break of beetilities. We have made some progress. This progress
Is not all I could have hoped. You have suggested eight questions which
In this letter I shall *newer generally with the added suggestion that
in view of the sensitive nature of the abject matter, a more complete
answer should be ferniahed by an oral briefing ehich ve should be glad
to set up for you personally, at your convenience.
Az Indicated Above, atomic energy intelligence bac been singled out
for a unique high priority. we have devoted to this teak the funds and
personnel which we felt could be effectively employed in this work and
have had the benefit of high level fully cleared technical advice from
outside the Agency. In this work we have had the cooperation and
within their respective competencies have depended upon the intelligence
agencies of the State Department and of the Armed Services, as well as
the intelligence staff of the Atomic Energy Commission.
One of the more important of the major eadivisions of the Agency
is the office dove-tad to scientific intelligence, and this office in
tura givea top priority to atomic energy intelligence. Within this
office about twenty people, half of whom are professionals, devote their
fell...time effort* to research and analysis associated with awritt atmAls_
energy intelligence. However, of greater significance is the competence
of the personnel involved and their ability to consider and interpret
the volume of raw information relevant to this field of interest.
DOE review(s) completed.
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bin to segregate the overall expenditure dsvoted to
cc as many psraons other than those in the
cularly those in the field of intelligence
ng both here in the Agency and in our oeveral foreign stations
devote a co portion of their time to this work. Further,
there are many collateral endeavors, which I can explain in an oral
briefing, which are devoted to acquiring the tools and the techniques
which could be ma4e directly applicable to atomic energy intelligence
work. At the moment we have adequate available funds to undertake any
endeavors in this field of atomic intelligence which we feel could be
usefully exploited and I will have certain suggestions to make orally
with regard to more effective coordination of this work. We have of
course the problem of securing on a full-time basis all of the highly
technical trained persons in this field which we would like, but this
is due in part to the fact that they are already engaged on direct work
in the field of production and hence are not available on a full-time
baste. In general outside cleared consultants have been generous of their
time and services when called upon.
I appreciate the spirit of your letter. It will encourage all of
us to give added effort to this all *portant work and will encourage
as, if / see any opportunities of improving the situation, to consult
further with you as to the ways and means of doing so.
Distribution:
AAdressee - Orig. & 1
vtigner - 2
AD/SI - 1
NED/SI -1
Central Records - 1
Faithfully -1
WGNED
Walutr B. Smith
Director
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Mr.
TOP SECRET
This repIy from the Da to Senator Maahan has
been prepared by OSI on the basis of your draft$
(returned herewith) and has been approved by
Mr. HeIms$ OSO. I have reviewed this revision and
feel it is satisfactory.
Noted by ? 001
L.12.'"we 54 -00/c
-
( D AT E )
i FORM NO. 10.101 JAN 1952
(47)
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