Letter from Allen W. Dulles to Honorable Gordon H. Scherer regarding Thomas H. Eickhoff

This document is a formal letter dated October 4, 1955, from Allen W. Dulles, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, to the Honorable Gordon H. Scherer of the House of Representatives. The letter serves as a response to Representative Scherer regarding an inquiry forwarded by a constituent, Thomas H. Eickhoff. Mr. Eickhoff had apparently raised concerns involving George Adamski’s book, 'Inside The Space Ships,' and potential issues of mail fraud. Director Dulles clarifies that the questions raised by Mr. Eickhoff fall outside the jurisdiction of the CIA. He cites Section 102(d) of the National Security Act of 1947 to explain that the Agency lacks police, subpoena, and law enforcement powers, as well as internal-security functions. Furthermore, Dulles notes that it is Agency policy not to comment on the veracity of published materials or the authenticity of images contained within such books. He concludes by suggesting that the subject matter of Mr. Adamski's book would be more appropriately addressed by the Department of Defense or the National Science Foundation. The letter concludes with the return of Mr. Eickhoff's original correspondence to Representative Scherer for his files.