Messersmith, G.S., undated

About middle of 1939, while serving as Assistant Secretary of State, was requested by President to coordinate activities of various investigative agencies of the government, such as Military and Naval Intelligence and F.B.I.; these three agencies were often working on the same matter at the same time and duplication not only interfered with best results but was costly; met with heads of various agencies and found some resistance; probably no agencies of government more zealous in protecting what they consider their field; gradually atmosphere eased and as weeks went on all realized that President's directive had been wise; it was this original idea which led to formation of Central Intelligence Agency, which, in spite of its many detractors, does an effective job in insuring national security.