MEMO FOR: REAR ADMIRAL ROBERT L. DENNISON FROM WALTER B. SMITH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R000900080022-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 14, 2003
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: May 16, 1952
• Content Type: MEMO

ER 2-9131-a
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16 . 192
Dennison
I!,I'1nd F'UR: Naval i AA'i~i3eata Robert
President
He=rewith at long last is a una.nimoz.lsly agreed
upon anal~sis and reco,un nd,'tio)zs of Gordon Gray's
re ar ,Y~hich you ,end me arm the direction of the
TFesident.
1 sugg{ st tiat uii 3 analysis bo sent to 4r.
-
Staats of the Buren-11 of the ,~a.d et for any addi
tional comments :,:eriich riiSht be pertinent. I have
talked this over With Steats and this would render
unnecessary a rather lengthy and similar annlY- is o,,
vfhieh the fidget Bureau has been working.
Signed
WALT ?. B. SMILTH
F,nclo sure
k.R 2-9131
(2 copies)
17BS/c
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2cc- signer (rearing w/cony of report
(official w/copy o report
lcc DD/P - ,v/copy of report
(loopy of basic report to DDCI,
1 11 Secy Bruce
1 at Secy Foster
1 it Adm.Souers
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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 organisation 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 itt 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The Board concurs that the report should not be published.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 pablichtion, Mr. Gray was undoubtedly motivated
by the desire to obtain better public comprehension of the Government'a
psychological warfare efforts and to enlist public support in the
solution of the problems involved. The merit of these suggestions
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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 riggesting 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 fcnr 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
miminderstood and deserves some clarification. However, the Director
now site 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. Gray's recommendation,
without conjuring up the objections which a more radical change might
arouse,
Mr. Gray' a 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 would 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, prescribed in your directive of
4 April 191 organizing the Board. 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.
RBC0MMENDATi OAS
You have already taken the recommended action as regards non-
publication of the report.
With respect to the other suggestions in Mr. Gratiy'a report,
the Board respectfully recommends thats (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;
(o) the Director be cared 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.
WALIER B. SMITH
Chairman
Psychological Strategy Board
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