Today I had a conference with the members of the new President's Board for Intelligence Activities.1 All were present except Bob Lovett, who is suffering from the flu.2 The other civilian members are Ben Fairless, Dr. Killian of MIT, and Edward L. Ryerson; on the service side are Admiral Connolly, General Hull and Jimmie Doolittle.3 Each will be required to take an oath to reveal nothing to any non-authorized person of any information he may gain while on his task. The charter of the Board I intend to be very broad:
a. To examine the whole intelligence effort of the United States to see that it is possible to make it under the circumstances of today;
b. To see that policies and programs pursued by the CIA and other elements of the intelligence community are sound, effective and economically operated.
c. To report at least semi-anually to the President on the conclusions they have reached in their investigations, and as often as they may desire on any special matter of importance that comes to their attention.
d. By reason of the standing of the members in the country and their wisdom and trustworthiness, to be able to satisfy the President, the Congress and, if necessary, the public, on the value and suitability of our intelligence efforts and to do this without revealing any detail of operations or purpose.4
