223. Memorandum From the Director of Central Intelligence (Hillenkoetter) to the National Security Council0

SUBJECT

  • National Security Act of 1947
1.
The National Security Act of 1947 established a Central Intelligence Agency under the National Security Council. Section 102 (d) of the Act sets forth the basic functions of that agency to be performed under the direction of the National Security Council. Effective when the Director of Central Intelligence takes office, the National Intelligence Authority is abolished and the personnel, property, records and funds of the Central Intelligence Group are transferred to the Agency. On that date, therefore, the Agency will be prepared to perform its statutory functions, but will be without direction from the National Security Council as specified by the Act. The following recommendations are therefore submitted for consideration by the National Security Council at its first meeting:1
a.
That all directives of the National Intelligence Authority to the Central Intelligence Group be continued in full force and effect. The Agency will function under this authorization until specifically repealed, altered or augmented by the National Security Council, or changed in accordance with the recommendation in paragraph b. below.
b.
That the National Security Council direct the Director of Central Intelligence to submit to the Council within sixty days, proposed authorizations supplanting the former directives of the National Intelligence Authority and specifying his functions and those of the Central Intelligence Agency in accordance with the provisions of the National Security Act of 1947.
R.H. Hillenkoetter 2

Rear Admiral, USN
  1. Source: Truman Library, Papers of Harry S. Truman, President’s Secretary’s Files, Intelligence File. Confidential.
  2. At its first meeting on September 26 the National Security Council approved both recommendations; see Document 225.
  3. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.