this category of classification to matters bearing on military plans and readiness. For somewhat different reasons, it appeared to the Task Force that the category of "Special Access," as applied to areas of research and technology, should be carefully monitored to avoid unduly limiting the number of competent technical minds that provide innovative contributions in the area. In the one case examined (Eighth Card), the Task Force believes that Special Access should never have been applied. In circumstances such as those that prevailed during World War II, when most of the best scientists and engineers were engaged in classified defense research, on a full-time basis, it may be feasible to bring to bear a suitably diverse spectrum of minds and talents even on those areas designated "Special Access." But this would be exceedingly difficult under present-day conditions when so many competent technologists are associated, if at all, only peripherally to military research and development. The more open the areas of investigation, the more dynamic will be our national approach to the exploratory phases of research and development. As a result of limitations on time and staff, the Task Force could not explore all facets of the field of classification. It did, however, attempt to gain an understanding of the way in which classification procedures work at the detailed level in a few cases. The following observations may be made: (1) Although there are many alert and imaginative professional experts engaged in assigning and administering classification, as long as the classified material remains so voluminous it is obvious that routine procedure can become too burdensome. There is also a quite understandable bureaucratic tendency to overclassify and to continue classification too long. If the amount of classified material could be reduced to, say, 10 percent of its present volume, a much more thoughtful and effective control could be established across the board. (2) It was noted that the laboratories in which highly classified work is carried out have been encountering more and more difficulty in recruiting the most brilliant and capable minds. One member of the Task Force made the pessimistic prediction that, if present trends continue for another decade, our national effort in weapons research will become little better than mediocre. In classified work, the increasing isolation and limited accountability to one's scientific peers contribute to this degradation. In addition, it is worth noting that the many scientists and engineers in academic circles who are willing to work on problems related to national defense would find it somewhat easier to do so in the environment which prevails at present if the classified areas were reduced greatly, as the Task Force believes should be the case. (3) The Task Force emphasizes that modifications in the pattern of classification alone will not be a panacea for the difficulties the Defense establishment faces. APPENDIX 7.- INTERAGENCY CLASSIFICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE PROGRESS REPORT, APRIL 1974 INTERAGENCY CLASSIFICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE PROGRESS REPORT Implementation of Executive Order 11652 on APRIL 1974 (643) GSA DC 74.11411 INTERAGENCY CLASSIFICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20408 APR 2 9 1974 The President The White House Dear Mr. President: I am pleased to forward to you the enclosed Annual Progress Under the aegis of the Committee, significant progress has Respectfully, James & Rhoads JAMES B. RHOADS |