USE OF TAXICABS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81-00755R000100110005-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 11, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 20, 1998
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: July 13, 1949
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 1999/09/08: CIA-RDP81-00755R000100110005-7
SOON
JL%A
JUL :i 3 1949
MEMOR.NDUM FOR:
CHIEF, CONFIDENTTI
FUNDS BRANCH
SUBJECT:
Use of Taxicabs in Washington, D. C.
REFERENCE:
(a)
CFB Memorandum of 23 June 1949 to Budget
Officer and General Counsel, same subject.
1. This office concurs, in general, with your statement in
paragraph 2 of Reference (a) to the effect that claims for reim-
bursement for taxicab fares should be justified on the basis of
security and expediency. In certain instances, however, the
regulations should permit justification for taxicab fares on the
basis of expediency alone.
2. With regard to security as a justification for reimburse-
ment for such claims, it would appear that the mere statement that
the taxicab was used for a covert meeting or mission would be
sufficient. Motor pool vehicles, even with D. C. licenses, cannot
be used on a truly covert mission for the reasons that license
plates may readily be traced and, in all instances, the use of an
easily recognizable Government chauffeur immediately identifies the
vehicle as an official instrument of the Government.
3. Your statement in paragraph 5 of Reference (a) would seem
to constitute ample justification for the use of taxicabs on the
basis of expediency alone, and cognizance should be taken of this
fact in the formulation of the requested policy statement on this
subject.
a. When time is of the essence it is often impossible
to await the arrival of a motor pool vehicle even though
security may not be a factor in the particular mission.
Admittedly, appointments should be scheduled to permit the
use of Government transportation, but in some cases meetings
simply cannot be controlled by CIA officials. On such
occasions claims for taxicab fares should be honored on the
basis that no Government transportation was available.
b. In certain other cases it must be recognized that it
is more efficient and economical to authorize the use of
taxicabs than to insist on the use of motor pool or public
facilities. Particularly is this true when responsible
senior officials attempt to return to their offices from
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official appointments elsewhere. Delays involved in the use
of public transportation or in awaiting a vehicle from the
motor pool are certainly more costly than the small taxicab
fare that is usually incurred under such circumstances.
This is all the more true when several officers might be
involved on a particular trip.
4. While it is recognized that suitable controls must be exer-
cised in the use of taxicabs, it is hoped that the policy that is
finally enunciated on this subject will be sufficiently liberal to
permit the exercise of judgment on the part of the certifying officers
regarding the propriety of allowing such claims on the basis of
security, expediency or economy.
25X1A9a
sistant Director for
Policy Coordination
Approved For Release 19P.W CIA-RDP81-00755R000100110005-7