BRIEFING OF MR. JAMES E. WEBB, NASA ADMINISTRATOR, ON 24 FEBRUARY 1961

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP33-02415A000200370039-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 9, 1998
• Sequence Number: 39
• Publication Date: February 28, 1961
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Release 2000/08/21 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000200370039-6
IDEA-0193
Copy / of 14
28 February 1961
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT : Briefing of Mr. James E. Webb, NASA Administrator, on 24
February 1961
25X1A9a 1. and the undersigned briefed the new
NASA Administrator, Mr. James E. Webb, on IDEALIST, CORONA, and ARGON in
25X1A9a the latter's office on Friday, 24+ February 1961, In addition,
25X1 A2g 1jjjW. Webb into the ranks of individuals cleared for T, , an
2. The briefing lasted for well over an hour, and Mr. Webb very care-
fully read every word of the briefing material and security forms. My
personal opinion is that we should have little problem with Mr. Webb in
terms of his ability to separate one program and system from the other,
which is a refreshing change in the briefing of high level officials of
other Agencies.
3. Several points were brought up by Mr. Webb in the course of our
discussion which deserve annotation: 25X9A5
a. He intends to make the role of Dr. Deputy
Administrator, coextensive with his own. This is in line with
Mr. Webb's desire to establish Dr. as the emeritus expert
on space technology after his forthcoming retirement. Mr. Webb
25X9A5 also feels that if both he and
qll
can make interlocking
decisions, no problem need wait or the presence of a head man
for solution. 25X9A5
25X98q5
'b. Mr. Webb indicated that he intends to set Dr.
llllllllllllup as General Manager of NASA. This is a new position,
and appears to be analogous to the position of General Manager
of the Atomic Energy Commission. D who is a
scientist, is being selected for this job, since Mr. Webb states
that he wishes to prove to the Nation that scientists can effec-
tively manage a billion dollar a year program without the need
of non-technical administrative supervision.
25X9A5
25X9A5
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c. Mr. Webb said he intends to promote close relations
with the military in an obvious attempt to reduce to a minimum
the friction said to exist between competing civilian and mili-
tary programs and objectives in the field of space. He indicated
that he planned, for example, a weekly luncheon with the Chief of
the Air Staff as a device to ensure better understanding between
NASA and USAF. XX 25X9A5
4+. In connection with the propose cha9nge in position,
he indicated his general desire to have- briefed on everything about
which he had been briefed. Before informally recommending this, however,
25X9A5 he indicated he would like to obtain recurrence in the pro- 25X9A5
posed move. It is my suggestion that a so we should recontact
Mr. Webb to see if he wishes us to proceed with the briefing of
25X1A9a
25X9,5 Mr. Webb also indicated that he might also wish to retain Dr.
former NASA Administrator, as a consultant to move on space mat-
ters, and if CIA desires, on programs where prominent NASA officials were
briefed: i.e. IDEALIST, CORONA, ARGON, etc. Without acceding to this
request, indicated for the time being we should not attempt
to deflect any move to keep ~n the family. 25X9A5
6. On the whole I believe this was a very useful discussion. Mr. Webb
strikes us as a completely receptive and energetic individual whose ques-
tions about our Projects and whose desires to know what is going on in the
intelligence field are considerable. Mr. Webb indicated that he would 25X9A5
shortly seek to have some substantive discussions with and Mr.
25X9A5 on subjects such as the status of the Soviet missile and space pro-
grams and the like. I gained the distinct impression that if Mr. Webb had
been in charge of NASA last summer, the outcome of our problem with the U.2
might well have been different. We advised Mr. Webb that a separate T and
TKH briefing would be provided him by the nirentor. PIC. at a laterrdate.
25X1A9a
DPD-DD/P
CC: Asst to DCI
Asst to DD/P
PIC
Distribution:
1 - ASST CH/]'D
7
- C/DPD/OPS
2 - Asst to DCI
8
- DPD/ADMIN
3 - Asst to DD/P
9
- DPD/SO
4 - PIC (Thomas)
10
- DPD/RI
5 - AC/DPI
6 - C/ DB
25X1 A9a DPD-DD/P /mg Mlii~T
Approved For Release 2000/08/21 : CIA- t P 3 -02415A000200370039-6