LETTER TO MR. JAMES C. DUNN FROM WILLIAM J. DONOVAN RE QUESTION OF POST-WAR IN

Created: 11/27/1944

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

OF STRATEGIC SERVICES ^ftKT *CS4V

SECRrTT

weeks ago the President asked rae to give consideration to the question of Post-War ave done in the enclosure.

You may wish to discuss it with Ed Stettinius.

You will note that it providesentral Agency which should direct the policy and manner of collection (and inelieve the Secretary of State should participate) and do the evaluating. As used in the draft, the word 'intelligence1 includes both secret and counter-espionage.

Vrhile the coordination of all intelligence is certtralizod, the executive intelligence is decentralized so that full recognition is given to the propriety and necessity of each executive department having its own operational intelligence.

hink essentialovernment such as ours, the proposed agency is denied all police functions.

Director

Sincerely yours.

OF STRATEGIC SERVICES

/ MR. HOLMES , .

Novemoer lyU,

I FEB5 FOR THE

Pursuant to your note ofave givento the organization of an intelligence service for

In the early days of the war, when the demands uponservices were mainly- in and for military operations, the OSS was placed under the direction of the JCS.

Once our enemies are defeated the demand rill be equally pressing for information that will aid us in solving the problems of peace.

This will require two things:

1. That intelligence control be returned to thethe

he establishmententral authority reporting directly to you, with responsibility to frame intelligenceand to collect and coordinate the intelligence materialby the Executive Branch in-planning and carrying out national policy and strategy.

I attach in the formraft directivehe moans byhink this could be realized without difficulty or loss of time. You will note that coordination ond centralization are placed at the policy level but operational intelligence (that pertaining primarily to Department action) remains within .the existing agencies concerned. The creationentral authority

thus would not conflict with or linit necessary intelligencewithin the Army, Navy, Department of State and other agencies.

In accordance with.your wish, this is set upermanent long-range plan. But you may want to consider whether this (or part of it) should be done now, by executive or legislative action. There are common-sense reasons why you may desire to lay the keel of the ship at once.

The immediate revision and coordination of our presentsystem would effect substantial economies and aid in the more efficient and speedy termination of the war.

Information important to the national defense, being gathered now by certain Departments and agencies, is not being used to full advantage in the war. Coordination at the strategy level would prevent waste, and avoid the present confusion that leads to waste and unnecessary duplication.

Though in the midst of war, we are alsoeriod ofwhich, before we are aware, will take us into the tumult of rehabilitation. An adequate and orderly intelligence system will contribute to informed decisions.

ffe have now in the Government the trained and specialized personnel needed for the task. This talent should not be di^ersed.

William J. Donovan Director

SUBSTANTIVE AUTHORITY NrXESSARY IN ESTABLISHMENTENTRAL INTELLIGENCE SERVICE

In order to coordinate and centralize the policies and actions of tho Government relating to intelligence:

is established in the Executiveentral intelligence service, to be

known asat the head of which

shallirector appointed by the President. The Director shall discharge and perform his functions and duties under.the direction ond supervision of the Subject to the approval of the President, the Director may exercise his powers, authorities and duties through such officials or agencies and in such manner as he may determine.

is established in the

an Advisory Board consisting of the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Navy, and such other members as the President nay subsequently appoint. The Board shall advise and assist the Director with respect to the formulation of basic policies and plans of the

Subject to tho direction and control ofand with any necessary advice andthe other Departments and agencies of theperform thefunctions and duties:

Coordination of the functions of all intelligence' agencies of the Government, and the establishment of such policies and objectives as will assure the integration of national intelligence efforts;

Collection either directly or through existing Government Departments and agencies, of pertinentincluding military, economic, political and scientific, concerning the capabilities, intentions and activities of foreign nations, with particular reference to the effect such matterse upon the national security, policies ond interests of the United States;

Final evaluation, synthesis and dissemination within the Government of the intelligence required to enable the Government to determine policies with rf-spect to national planning and security in peace and war, and the advancement of broad national policy;

(d) Procurement, training and supervision of its intelligence personnel; (je) Subversive operations abroad!)

Determination of policies for and coordination of facilities essential to the collection of information underereof; and

Such other functions and duties relating to intelligence as the President from time to time may direct.

/,. shall have no police

or law-enforcement functions, either at home or abroad.

5- Subject tooreof, existingagencies within the Government shall collect,synthesize and disseminate departmental operating intelligence herein defined as intelligence required by such agencies in the actual performance of their functions and duties..

Director shall be authorized to calland agencies of the Government to furnish

appropriate specialists for such supervisory and functional

positions withinas may be

required.

Government Departments and agencies shall

SpGRfT

make available to the Director such intelligence oaterial as the Director, with the approval of the President, from

time to time may request.

The

operate under

independent budget.

9. In time of war or unlimited national emergency.

programs of the

areas of actual

projected military operations shall be coordinated with military plans and shall be subject to the approval of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Farts of such programs which are to be executedheater of military operations shall be subject to tho control of the Theater Within the limits of such funds as may be made

available to the ho Director

may employ necessary personnel and make provisionsupplies, facilities and services. Thebe assigned, upon the approval of the President,and naval personnel as may be required in theof the functions and duties of the

The Director may provide for the internal organization and

management of thein such manner

as he may determine.

Original document.

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