USE OF MCBOO KEYSORT CARDS IN BIOGRAPHIC REGISTER, OFFICE OF COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00951R000400010024-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 5, 2001
• Sequence Number: 24
• Publication Date: May 27, 1949
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2002/06/18 : CIA-RDP84-00951 R000400010024;
Deputy Executive 2~ kiay 1D49
AotinZ Lana ;omont Officer
Ur`'..: of McBoo ICeysort Cards in Biographic Rogistor, Office of
Collection and Dicsomination.
1. In November 1948, at the roquost of the Bxecutivo Assist-
ant Dir:ctor for Collection and Dissomination and Actin; Chiof,
Bio;raphic Register, OCD, evaluatod a proposed procedure 25X1A9a
by , hich the dossier files of Bioeiraphie Register would be changed
from I!.'?ai punched cards to dossier folders. I informally 25X1A9a
reported that s
a, Use of folders would subsequently create a filing
space problem.
b. The deficiencies of the IBM cards system could be
remedied by procedural changes and by establishing a supple-
mental folder system for those few oases which involved a
great deal of information,
2. The Management Office recommendation was rejected and a
folder system was installod. Within six months the deficiency of
this system which was anticipated by Mana;emont Off ico became a
major problem.
3. The Biographic Regis ter then proposed a 5r8 card system on
"'cBoo Xeysort cards. The purpose for using '".cane cards was to per-
..it quicker sorting of cards to by returned to the file. Tho 1:'c^eo
sy r W w s would in no way facili a o they rot:zova, -oft- h cards front the
file or the actual placing of the card in the f ilo. The original
sys Un=it of IBM punchod cards pornitted imochanical removal, sorting
and rofiling of the cards. That system 1w-as also designed to permit
utilization of faesintilo equipment which is on order for OCD.
4. McBee Keysort cards have proven unsatisfactory in many in-
stallations. The ?anagement Offices has consistently discouraged
this utilization in CIA. The limited use of the sorting feature
of L'oBee cards in the Biographic Register operation does not appear
to justify the cost, (not only in cost of the equipment, but in
man hours expanded to effect the syston).
5. The attached memorandum of OCD states that an experiment
with the ',IcBeo cards has proved t:iat those cards are very, s atis-
factory, yet no statistics as to operational gain are included,
Should the Management Office accept this categorical statement?
Approved For Release 2002/06/18 : CIA-RDP84-00951 R0004000
 Approved For Release 2002/06/18 : CIA-RDP84-00951 R000400010024-3
G. Iuo indication is 3~Ivo i as to whether the mcl3ee cards will
bca prepared separately or in conjunction with the code shod;;. Tho
tcn,,q-o ent Office would liko to know If the McBee card hoadin cor?
responds with the coda shoot to porn it simultanoouc transcriptions
or this infor ation.
7. In view of recent oomplainta of Chief, Biorra.phio I oristor,
should the Y7ana orient Office rive carte bla.ncho approval or should
it sock answers to the questions Soo car -move?
0. If you fool alanar;ernent Off ice should approve the use of the
1 ofoo cards, CCI should utilizo discarded oaluip font now in 031 before
purohasin, favr Oquimloft. 25X1A9a
31 may 1949
orient Officers
1. Approve 14:c13eo oyotom.
2. Pilo a copy of above rno3ao; aancI ice' action vith OOD
In case of future diffIeultios roouiting fron zzanv* .1lin tress
to utilize l1 agaruont a olotanco end to aceopt P .nt~ onont
roe oudationn for : rovng .Iiographio Register oporad ons.
25X1A9a
A
1oputy Exocuit1ve
Approved For Release 2002/06/18 : CIA-RDP84-00951 R000400010024-3