Exemption 1 of the Freedom of Information Act provides for the secret classification of matters that are "specifically required by Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of the national defense or foreign policy." As such, it provides a formidable barrier to the inquisitive citizen or Congress seeking the disclosure of secret documents. The 1974 amendments to the act have partially diminished this barrier, but are inadequate. In chambers inspection of documents should be made mandatory, and counsel for the party seeking disclosure should be allowed to see the disputed papers. Document classification must be revamped and reform along the lines proposed by Senator Mike Gravel is needed to put an end to rampant overclassification. To ensure that the nation's legislators have access to foreign policy and defense information deemed too sensitive for public circulation, Congress must attempt to deflate claims for executive privilege by taking the constitutional battle to the courts, if necessary. (KS)