Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-14
Legal Action
Proposed in
Secrets Leak
BY JOHN A. GILES

~ ~AAN hAe OAALkJ
Grand jury action would be
instituted against writer's who
disclose secret information and
stern discipline melted out to
officers furnishing it under re-
concentrations of Defense De-
partment advisory committee.
However Defense Secretary
Wilson wrote to the committee
that he had serious reservations
against hailing reporters into
court when the military cannot
discover their sources.
Charles A. Coolidge. Boston at
torney and former assistant De-
Tense Secretary. headed the COM
mittee which reviewed the whole
problem of security leaks"
Mr.. Wilson said the proposals
should result in a great i'm
provement" In procedures for
keeping Congress and the pub
lie informed.
Board to Review Report
Nevertheless, he appointed a
three-man Pentagon board to
review the report and also ex-
pressed reservations about an
other recommendation calling
for a "forceful statement out.
lining differences between the
present cold war period and
ordinary peace. The committee
found the differences were not
well understood.
The report was made public
yesterday as a House subcom-
mittee on Government informa-
ton was hearing Government
spokesman contend that security
restrictions are not so tight that
scientists cannot swap informa-
ton If they At themselves into
procedure.
Cites Withholding Tendency
However. the Coolidge COM
mittee found a decided tendency
to use the classification system
(top secret. secret and con-
f1dentiaD to withhold informa-
ton not related to national
security. 1t said that a prime
example related to information
dealing with administrative mat
tiers and advocated use Of the
term "for official use only"
Decentralization has reached
serious proportiones," the report
said, adding that it had become
so ludicrous at times that the
press regarded the classification
stamp with feelings that vary
from indifference to active con-
tempt"
The committee recommended
"a determined attack" on over
classification. spearheaded by
department heads cutting down
the number of persons who may
classify information.
It advocated appointment of
a special official in Mr.. Wilson's
ONCE to direct such q program.
Fears Undermining Effect
The committee got the strong
impression that both civilians
and military having both posi-
ton and rank" were involved
IN the unauthorized disclosure of
security data and that they are
generally motivated by a desire
to further the interest of a
particular service.
1.-THE deplorable thing is that
they should carry their ardor to
the point of undermining the
system on which the Nation
relies for the protection of its
defense secrets and should flout
the discipline which makes all
the services effective" it added.
The committee said the differ
ent service viewpoints should be
made public and advocated APP
pointment of authorized repres-
entatiVes to express service views
without disparraging their sister
services.
The report found that dis
eiplinary action has not been
adequate, even after making
due allowance for the difficulties
generally encountered In identi-
flying those responsible for viola
tons"
Urges Tightening Up
To tighten up the system, It
said the delays in instituting in
vestigations should be eliminated.
1t advocated immediate appoint
ment of courts of inquiry when
leaks occur.
The committee said the Ma
TONS press. radio and television
are fully as loyal to the Nation
as any other segment of our
population.
Indeed. we have run across
instances where information of
high news value has been volun-
tarily withheld. only to have It
'scooped by someone less scru-
pulous."
Four retired officers also we're
members Of the board. They
were Admiral william M.
Fechter. Army Gen. John z.
Hull. Marine Gen. Gerald c.
Thomas and Air 1t. Gen. Idway
H. Edwards.