Evening star., 1951-09-24
Order Being Drafted
To Tighten Security
In Civilian Agencies
BY the Associated Press

The administration shortly will
wrap the shroud of military secur-
ity more tightly around informa-
ton in the civilian end of the
Government.
An executive order, said by
White House spokesmen to be
"in the final drafting stage"
awaits President Truman's sigma
ture.
The proposed order has been
shown in confidence to a small
group of editors who, officials con-
cede, didn't like it. They have not
condemned it publicly, however
Signature Expected.
There is virtually no question,
informed persons said yesterday
but that Mr.. Truman will issue the
order within days or weeks.
1t is aimed particularly at nom
defense agencies and is supported
by Pentagon pressure as a safe
gu d on information concerning
M ]lllzation activity in which
military and civilian agencies must
cooperate closely.
The contents still are an official
secret. These elements are known.
however:
/. 1t will instruct every depart
ment and agency to Classify" as
secret, confidential or otherwise
restricted information vital to the
national security.
2. 1t will spell out uniform safe
guards for handling classified
matter-Specifying which papers
should be locked in safes, which
may not be discussed by telephone,
etc.
3. 1t will make it painfully
clear, according to a Government
source. that classified information
must truly involve national secur-
lty. The order must not be used
TO suppress news which it might be
more convenient to withhold.
4. But it will not attempt to de-
f1ne what information should be
classified, and will leave it to the
Judgment of each of the 60 odd de-
partment and agency heads and
their designated subordinates.
''It Isn't FOolproof."
Such discretionary powers al
ways have been a target of opposi-
ton from newspapermen. In this
case an official familiar with the
pending order acknowledges ''it
isn't foolproof, by a damn sight"
He meant that it is subject to
abuse, possibly to hide blunders or
errors, perhaps to save administra-
tors from being bothered by re-
porters and information seekers.
perhaps through a well-intention-
ed desire to play it safe.
On the other hand, Government
men believe, only handful of
civilian agencies may set up Sc
curity systems. They won't have
TO unless they feel the need.
Outwardly at least, few if any
agencies seem to lack caution. It
is a frequent tendency of civilian
offlcials-as some will admit-to
resolve any doubts about security
oy just reaching for the rubber
stamp marked Secret"
Besides the four familiar grades
OF restraint-"Restricted. Con
fldentlal," Secret" and Top
Secret some ultra-hush rubber
stamps appear now and then.
Some Were "Cosmic."
The grim warning, "Cosmic"
showed on some documents con-
cerning foreign military aid
Other top-secret papers are
marked Ewes Only" which means.
FOR the eyes of the addressee
alone.
A typicai agency hand-picks the
emplores who may handle classi-
fed papers Almost any one can
see restricted" matter but only
q chosen and much-inveStigated
few see "top-secret."
Papers are transmitted in dou-
ble-opaque envelopes. Pentagon
documents arrive at civilian agen-
cles escorted by armed guards.
Only classified ianitors can dis
pose of classified trash.
A number of agencies have the
classification, "a DIN nistratively
restricted" which usually has
nothing tc do with military Sc
curity 1t means merely that the
document concerns an agency
policy still is being hatched-in