SECNAV'S PROPOSED DINNER WITH THE HEADS OF GOVERNMENT INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00022R000400070024-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 30, 2004
• Sequence Number: 24
• Publication Date: October 10, 1945
• Content Type: MEMO

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Approved For Release 2004/10/12: CIA-RDP84-000 r~00(400070024-8
SECRET - PRIVATE 10 October 194.5
MEMORANDUM FOR THE AIDE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Subject: SecNav's Proposed Dinner with the Heads of Government
Intelligence Agencies.
1. In loyalty to the Secretary, I think I should inform you of cer-
tain aspects of the Secretary's intention to asx Mr. McCormack, Mr.
Hoover, General Bissell and myself to dinner to discuss a proposed
national intelligence agency.
2. The President, in a letter to the Secretary of State, has directed
the latter to take the lead in developing a comprehensive and coordinated
foreign intelligence program for all Federal agencies concerned with that
type of activity,_and suggested it be done through the creation of an
interdepartmental group heading up under the State Department.
3. The Secretary of the Navy has forwarded to the Secretary of State
JCS 1181/5 which recommends a national intelligence agency under the
Secretaries of State, War and Navy.
4. It, therefore, seems appropriate that official consultation on
this matter should be:
(a) On Cabinet level.
(b) Initiated by the Secretary of State.
5. If this thought is borne in mind, I believe that an informal social
gathering such as the Secretary has in mind would not be inappropriate.
However, I recommend that:
(a)
The Secretary first clear with the Cabinet heads who
are the-superiors of the officials to be invited.
(b) It be understood that the purpose of the meeting is to
inform those present of the others! personal philosophy
and of the forces at play within the government per-
tertaining to a national intelligence agency.
SECRET
RV nntUMENT the central I L,
A
This is a I UVIFUR
only, for the use of DCI/HS. to I ~-r
The record copy has been
feted tQ National Archives
under the HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM.
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Approved For Release 2004/10/12 : CIA-RDP84-00022R000400070024-8
 Approved For Release 2004/10/12 : CIA-RDP84-00022R00b400070024-8
SECRET - PRIVI.TE
SECRET
MEMORANDUM FOR THE AIDE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY (Cant'd)
(c) That no commitments be expected of anyone present,
and that all views expressed be considered strictly
unofficial and off the record.
6. Within the past ten days Brig. Gen. Magruder, head of the Strategic
Services Unit of the War Department, proposed an informal interim
committee to effect liaison as well as to discuss and prepare recommenda-
tions with respect to cooperation in intelligence matters arising from
the implementation of the Executive Order transferring OSS functions to
the State and War Departments. In reply to this proposal Mr. McCormack,
Special Assistant for Research and Intelligence in the Department of
State, stated that he anticipates that the Secretary of State will initiate
action looking toward the creation of a group to function on the problem
of a government-wide intelligence program and that, in the meantime, he
prefers to conduct liaison directly with G-2, MIS and ONI.
7. Mr. Hoover is not in favor of a national intelligence agency. Also,
there probably will be considerable veiled antagonism among some of the
other pro.;;osed guests. It.would be an interesting, but perhaps somewhat un-
congenial, meeting.
8. To get all sides of the story, General Magruder, head of the
Strategic Services Unit under the Assistant Secretary of War, might be
included.
THOS. B. INGLIS
Acting Chief of Naval Intelligence.
Sfill CRKr .
Approved For Release 2004/10/12 : CIA-RDP84-00022R000400070024-8