FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE BOARD'S COMMITTEE ON DOCUMENTATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP70-00211R000900230088-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 21, 2012
• Sequence Number: 88
• Publication Date: July 14, 1959
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/25: CIA-RDP70-00211 R000900230088-0
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TO : Chairman, Committee on Documentation,
United States Intelligence Board
FROM : Chairman, Working Group on Common Information
Report Format, CODIB
DATE: 14+ July 1959
SUBJECT: First Annual Report of the United States Intelligence Board's
Committee on Documentation
1. I have reviewed the draft,of this report, CODIB AR-.1, 18 June 1959.
2. To more accurately reflect progress on the common format,
recommend amendment of paragraph e (1), page 9, as follows:
"e. Review grsas made in emblem areas:
(1) Common format:
Encouraging progress was made by the community towards
adoption of a common intelligence report format.
First - The I edopteed, and 25X1
is now using with minor modifications, a sterilized version of
the common format to prepare certain reports The 25X1
system and type of form utilized (a dual ditto-offset waster
set) makes possible for the first time, the simultaneous pre-
paration of both field'and US Headquarters reports by the
Second - The Department of Army (ACSI) has also adopted
(with minor modifications) the common format. Forms are on
order and are due for delivery by 15 August. The Army version,
also a legal sized, dual ditto-offset master set, will" replace
two half-letter size and one small legal size forms previously
used and will completely meet the composite needs of Army, both
in the field and here in Washington with the single typing of a
report. The new forgo and system should be completely operational
on a world wide basis by late summer-early fall. Ditto and
Azeograph processes, both unsatisfaaetoryfrom a Minicard standpoint,
are Ling discontinued at Headquarters by ACSI and a new repro-
dueible system employing Davidson Offset Systems presses will
be substituted.
Third o The one remaining format used by CIA which
does not follow the common format is being revised. This form,
used for the "HOT" CSTD reports, will be installed at about the
same time as the new Army form. While letter, rather than legal
size, it will otherwise be compatible with the acceptable principles
of the common format.,
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/25: CIA-RDP70-00211 R000900230088-0
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/25: CIA-RDP70-00211 R000900230088-0
Fourth - As an experiment, tape techniques for trans-
mission of -the type of report from one large field station
to headquarters has been tested by CIA for several months with
better than adequate effectiveness. Tests will continue and
may be broadened next year. While it is entirely possible
that present interest in such tape techniques for transmission
of reporting from field to headquarters may play a substantial
role in determining future document format and physical character-
istics such as legibility, size and color which currently cause
many microfilming problems, the main effect to date has been one
of speeding up the flow of information and improving the quality
of offset reproduction. Present formats have been successfully
used; thus it is anticipated that modifications will probably
effect set conatrs.ction to a much greater degree than format.
As soon as the Army system become operational, a concerted effort
will be made to push speedy adoption of the common format by other
members of the community. Initial attention will be directed to Navy
and Air Force standardization."
SECRET
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/25: CIA-RDP70-00211 R000900230088-0