JOURNAL OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL FRIDAY - 15 JANUARY 1954

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91-00682R000200100110-0
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 6, 2004
• Sequence Number: 110
• Publication Date: January 15, 1954
• Content Type: NOTES

Approved For Relea9"004/0 f C) = P91-00682R0002QW 00110-0
Journal
Office of Legislative Counsel
Friday - 15 January 1954
1. In conversation with Robert Smart, Chief Clerk of the House
Armed Services Committee (and a Committee staff man since 1946), he
indicated that this would not be a good year to bring up CIA legislation,
a) because of the general difficulties of the Congressional program in an
election year, and b) because of an undertow of questions regarding CIA,
not all of them hostile, but at least indicating a desire to know more about
CIA. It might be difficult to turn aside such questions if legislative re-
quirements were put forward. Mr. Smart volunteered his opinion that
the Armed Services Committee, through a specially and highly selected
subcommittee, might be an appropriate group to look at CIA, and he
made the point that no one at present could properly answer any questions
about the Agency or come to our defense. Mr. Smart stated "I don't have
to tell you that the best defense is a good offense, and it might be very
wise for Mr. Dulles to say to the Chairman at their luncheon that he
would welcome any look which the Committee might wish to make. " Mr.
Smart thought that the best approach would be to have the Chairman appoint
a three or five man subcommittee, preferably consisting of the Chairman,
Mr. Vinson and Mr. Cole, and with appropriate security safeguards.
2. Chairman Dewey Short, of the House Armed Services Com-
mittee, has accepted our invitation to lunch on 25 January. This is a
change of schedule as Cong. McCormack will not be available on that
date. Discreet inquiry is being made as to whether Chairman Short
wishes to come alone or would welcome having Cong. Vinson at the
luncheon.
CRC, 3/24/2003
Approved For Release 2004/03/18 : CIA-RDP91-00682R000200100110-0