SURVEY OF INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R001700090015-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 3, 2006
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: November 13, 1951
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2006/11/07: CIA-RDP80R01731 R001700090Yt5-
S-E-C-R-E-T
SECURITY INFORMATION
13 November 1951
Assistant Director for Scientific Intelligence
Assistant Director for Research & Reports
ass1BLaAti ill.rec.i or Ior UQI1ec'Gion. ft v1sb-'.Ti11A4T1_Z1
Assistant Director for Operations
Assistant Director for Special Operations
Assistant Director for Policy Coordinati:
Assistant Director for Personnel
Assistant Director for Communications
SUBJECT: Survey of Interdepartmental Committees
1. Attached is a "Survey of Interdepartmental Com-
mittees" which I submitted to the Director on 17 May 1951
and sent to each Assistant Director. You will note that
there are appended to this report lists of interdepart-
mental committees in which CIA participates either as
chairman or member.
2. It would be appreciated if you could inform me of
any changes in this list as far as your office responsibi--
ities are concerned. This should include names of those
committees which have been abolished as well as those
which have been established since 17 May.
3. In the case of new committees I would appreciate
receiving pertinent information such as; date, authority
and reference for establishment, agencies represented,
name of CIA representatives)(whether member, observer, etc.)",
terms of reference, name and agency of chairman, and other
CIA offices concerned.
JAMES Q. REBER
Assistant Director
Intelligence Coordination
Copy to:
EA/DCI
ADD/A
r) D/ P
Approved For Release 2006/11/07: CIA-RDP80RO1731 8001700090015-3
I/ F]
 ? Approved For Release 2006/11/07: CIA-RDP80R01731 R001700090015-3
S-E-C-R-E-T
SECLIRITY INFORMATION
17 May 1951
MEMORANDUM FOR: TEE DIRECTOR
FROM: Actinf; Assistant Director, Intelligence Coordinatiou~
SUBJECT: Survey of Interdepartmental Committees
1. In making a survey of Interdepartmental Committees in which
CIA has an interest we have attempted to isolate the questions i. which
you are primarily interested. These may be:
a. Question: Do we know what committees there arc:
(1) A list of interdepartmental committees in wMich
CIA has a primary concern, either from the intelligence r
the operations standpoint, and which have been est& jlisie(i
by the NSC, IAC, or CIA.
(2) A list of committees in which CIA participates ,
does not have the primary interest and which were es;tabli:;-i
by agencies other than the IAC or CIA.
(3) A list of those committees which, though frquer.L
referred to, have been found upon investigation to nave bean
terminated or are in the process of termination.
b. Question: Are policy commitments being made in these
interdepartmental committees and if so do the members have in
each case authority to make the commitment?
Answer: It is not believed, from our survey, that "'IA
members of committees are making commitments for the Agency witi(}.s
proper authority. There are frequently occasions in which 7-1 Ci/
member undertakes to perform a task in the mutual interest if ti.(
Committee members which is at the same time in line with t~,:
functional responsibility of this Agency (and morn speciflcull5 ;11
his office). Many of these occur at the working level and, in
should be carried out on, the responsibility of the Assistart D1r-eo)
concerned without reference to higher authority.
c. Questio Do other departments or agencies controa CIA
functions and decisions through the Committee dev:i_ce'
a-E-C-R-E-T
Approved For Release 2006/11/07: CIA-RDP80RO1731 R001700090015-3
 Approved For Release 2006/11/07: CIA-RDP80R01731 R001700090015-3
S-E-C-R-E-T
SECURITY INFORMATION
Answer: This is not believed to be the case. Other
departments cannot control the kind of work CIA does if our neolic-
understand the Agency's functional responsibilities. It is beliefo,,l
that the officers concerned with interdepartmental committee::
are relatively clear on this matter and appreciate the need for
top-level decision in this area. Furthermore the committees
cannot assign workloads even in pursuance of proper responsi-
bilities without the acquiescence of the assignees.
d. Question: Are the interdepartmental committee.; trying to
discharge jointly responsibilities which clearly belong; within a
single agency?
Answer: In general this is not true, although the estab-
lishment of a committee commonly tends to make each administrator
feel more comfortable because his problem is shared and therefore
"solved." In fact, however, the establishment of an interdepart-
mental committee means that a systematic method is sought for con-
sultation with other agencies. A committee may appropriately deal
with problems where effective action requires each member agency
to carry out its particular responsibility in proper timing aid
emphasis with the others. The existence of a committee canno
relieve the responsible official of any of his obligations and in
general this principle is understood.
e. Question: Does adequate coordination require these
committees?
Answer: Yes, in general. In most instances the formr.t
committee is the most effective way of carrying out the required
coordination. There are some cases in which coordination might be
as effectively achieved through other means. Here the continutinca
of a committee rests upon a variety of factors. In those instances
where it is clear that committees are the less effective means of
coordination, this Office, :in conjunction with the other Assistant
Directors, is seeking their elimination. It is notewortn~y tha-:
committees which are embedded in statute or directive are part'-cul rtr
hard to get rid of once they have outlived their usefulness.
f. Question: Are the interdepartmental committees in fac-,
performing effectively and how can they be improved?
Answer: It is doubtful that any committee functions a.-
effectively and as efficiently as we would like.. A summary ste;;e-
ment that we are doing well or badly is not very helpful. What is
required is an examination and thereafter continuing alertness
regarding the effectiveness of each committee and what steps ca-
be taken for improvement. Initially each Assistant Director ha:;
S-E-CRET
Approved For Release 2006/11/07: CIA-RDP80R01731R001700090015-3
 Approved For Release 2006/11/07: CIA-R DP80R01731 R001700090015-3
S-E-C-R-E-T
SECURITY INFORMATION
the responsibility for being concerned and taking proper mea.sur?s
where necessary to see that committees under his own responsibil_i1.
are effective. In addition it is my task to assist the Assistar
Directors and yourself in seeking improvement. Suggestions for
improvement may take different forms. Thus, for example, ix... th?
case of the Watch Committee O/IC in consultation with O/CI as
submitted recommendations to you on what needs to be done and hcw
we should proceed. In other cases suggestions have been mace it
the course of working with the Agency's committee chairmen cr our
representatives.
2. It is entirely to be expected that an agency such as CII whic}_
has a sizeable coordinating role should use the formal committee as a
technique or method in achieving coordination. Each administrator must
realize, however, that he remains responsible for matters in his area
whether there is a committee involved or not, The Director's problem,
then, with respect to committees, becomes indistinguishable from the
general problem of supervising the work of the major units of the
Agency.
S-E-C-R-E-T
Approved For Release 2006/11/07: CIA-RDP80R01731 8001700090015-3
 Approved For Release 2006/11/07: CIA-RDP80R01731 R001700090015-3
S-E-C-R-E-T NO
SECURITY INPORMATION
INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEES
LIST I
The following interdepartmental committees in which CIA has t.
primary concern, either from the intelligence or the operations s--.and--
point, have been established by the NSC, IAC, or CIA:
(1) The Intelligence Advisory Committee (DCI, O/M~, 0/I(,)
(2) The U. S. Communications Intelligence Board (0/ CI)
Subcommittees: Security Committee
Intelligence Committee
Collateral Committee
(3) The Watch Committee (0/CI)
(4) Scientific Intelligence Committee (0/SI)
Subcommittees: Joint Atomic Energy Intelligence
Committee
Joint Biological Warfare IntelliencE.
Committee
Joint Chemical Warfare Intelligence
Committee
Joint Electronics Intelligence Ccnaniti-;
Joint Guided Missiles Intelli ence
Committee
Joint Medical Sciences Intelligence
Committee
Joint Aircraft Intelligence Committee
Joint Anti-aircraft Intelligence
Committee
(5) National Intelligence Survey Committee and Subcommittees
for individual chapters
(6)
(7) Interdepartmental Committee for Implementation and
Coordination of NSCID No. 7 (0/0)
(8) 0/PC Consultants (0/PC)
(9) Informal Interagency Map Procurement Coordination
Committee (O/ RR )
(10) Interdepartmental Study of the Soviet Bloc's Dollar
Transactions and Holdings (0/RR)
(11) Ad Hoc Committee on Soviet Logistical Capabilities (;~s
E-C-R-E-T
Approved For Release 2006/11/07: CIA-RDP80RO1731 8001700090015-3
 Approved For Release 2006/11/07: CIA-RDP80R01731 R001700090015-3
S-E-C-R-E-T NW
SECURITY INFORMATION
LIST II
The following committees in which CIA participates but does not
have the primary interest were established by agencies other than the
IAC or CIA.
Category A: Committees in which CIA's role is mainly one ci
substantive intelligence support:
(1) NSC Staff (ONE)
2) U. S. Board on Geographic Names (O/RR)
R ) Export Control Committee and its subcommittees (0/F10
) Special Committee on East-West Trade (0/RR)
5) Interdepartmental Chemical Statistics Committee (0/1~R)
6} Interdepartmental Committee on Internal Security
(7) Committees established by the Research and Developir.ent
Board (O/SI)
Category B: Committees in which CIA's role, while conformirg tc r;?:
one pattern, is mainly other than providing substantive intelligence
support:
1) AFSA Priorities Committee (0/CI)
(2) Interdepartmental Foreign Information Organization (0/1(-
(3) Signal Corps Technical Committee (O/SO)
4) Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee (0/s0)
5) Federal Personnel Council (Adm)
M Statistical Security Committee (Adm)
Policy Committee on Printing (Aden)
Emergency Planning (Adm)
M State-Defense Military Information Control Committee (3u;'
(10) Review Committee on Visual and Audio Material (0/C)
(11) Interdepartmental Committee to Effect the Voluntary
Control of Cnclassified Technological Information ((
(12) Committee on Training Area Specialists (Training;)
* Undergoing reorganization
CIA has observer status
Not yet organized
S-E-C-R-E-T
Approved For Release 2006/11/07: CIA-RDP80RO1731 8001700090015-3
 Approved For Release 2006/11/07: CIA-RDP80RO1731 R001700090015-3
S-E-C-R-E-T
SECURITY INFORMATION
LIST III
LIST OF COMMITTEES TERMINATED OR IN THE PROCESS OF TERMINATION
(1) Working Committee on Transliterations (Far Eastern and
Near Eastern Languages) (0/0)
2) Ad Hoc Committee on Foreign Documents Exploitation (0/:
3) Working Committee on Orthography of European Langu=ages
(L/0)
(4) Interdepartmental Intelligence Committee for Internatior_sil.
Communism (O/RR )
5) Ad Hoc Committee on NSC 86 (DD/P)
6) Plans Division, NSRB (ONE)
7) Joint Soviet Materials Intelligence Committee (SOV%IAT)
(0/0)
(8) Interdepartmental Foreign Information Staff
(9) Interbureau Technical Committee at White Oak, Silver
Spring (O/SI )
(10) Special Committee on Foreign Sources of Strategic
Supplies (0/RE )
(11) Military Liaison Committee for AEC (O/CD)
(12) Psychological Intelligence Committee (O/IC)
In process of termination
CIA association has been terminated though the committee still e.
As far as can be determined, CIA was never associated with 1-'hi.
committee, which still exists
Dormant status under review
S-E-C-R-E-T
Approved For Release 2006/11/07: CIA-RDP80RO1731R001700090015-3