LETTER TO LT. COL. RICHARD J. RIDDELL FROM HARRY S. ALDRICH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-01034R000200090021-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 17, 2006
• Sequence Number: 21
• Publication Date: September 5, 1945
• Content Type: LETTER

Transcribed 21 T"?"y 1952 12,733U
ffvp Fo,16elease 2006/02/07: CIA-RDP83-01034R000200090021-8 OSS
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OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES
NEAR EAST THEATER OF QPERATICHS
CAIRO, ETGPT
& pe tenber
e
appr..,Ve, fear X-Aaasa through
Lt. Col. Richard J. Riddell, the Hd STOPI:CAL RVIEIJ PRAM of
Director of Collection & Liaisont,-h Intelligence kgenc
Office of strategic Services
Washington, D. C. lJ~t 41,1.
This is a TEMPI 1 1 DO U ENT
only for the use
The record copy has et?~:~ : ;~ ; ,-, -:~; ,P, ~,8' z-~ P, ~
released to National Archives
under the HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM.
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Date
We received General Donovan's letter to the Director of the
Budget Bureau and are laying our plans accordingly. It is a
great relief to have something definite at last and also to know
that the gauge of battle regarding a future organization has
been thrown to those who have the responsibility for final
decision in the matter.
I attended a dinner a few nights ago given by Mr. Tuck for
the Wickersham Committee. I started discussion on exactly this
subject at my part of the table. I was glad to know that the
Congressmen had been thinking about future intelligence and
that their travels, particularly in the Balkans and Middle East,
had quickened their senses to its importance. Mr. Dawson of
FEA formed part of our discussion group and nobly aided and
supported me in urging continuation of the type of intelligence
activity that has been carried on by OSS. Mr. Horan, of Washington,
seemed convined that a ccanparable organization was necessary.
Apparently as a result of our long and earnest dinner conversation,
Mr. Wickersham made a point of talking to me afterwards. I sug-
gested that he, upon his return to Washington, make a special
point of conferring with General Magruder as the most outstanding
and able proponent of a national intelligence agency and one who
was completely objective. He asked me for a brief memo to remind
him to do this upon his return to Washington. This I prepared
and had delivered to him at the plane the next morning.
I feel that it will be most valuable for all concerned if
not only Mr. Wickersham but also Mr. Horan could talk with
General Magruder as they differ widely both between themselves and
certainly with us in the setting up of such an organization.
For example - Mr. Horan seemed convinced that it should be under
the State Department; all of us jumped on this idea so vociferously
that--he--was__.o~yiously shaken in his conviction. Mr. Wickersham,
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