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This file contains:
To: Bob Haldeman From: Bill Spencer Re: Appointment with Kenneth L. Thompson. 1 Page. [Memo], 4/6/1962
To: Kenneth L. Thompson From: H. R. Haldeman. Re: Appointment. 1 Page. [Letter], 4/9/1962
To: Carter Barber From: Bob Haldeman Re: CPA Task Force. 1 Page. [Memo], 4/9/1962
To: H. R. Haldeman From: Barbara Remers. Re: Mr. Thompsons arrival in Los Angeles. 1 Page. [Letter], 4/11/1962
Note From H. I. Flournoy concerning meeting with Thompson. 1 Page. [Memo], n/a
Disscussion Draft: Proposal to organize a Nixon Task Force on State Finances By Kenneth L. Thompson. 8 Pages. [Letter], 2/26/1962
To: Kenneth L. Thompson From: H. R. Haldeman. Re: Appointment. Duplicate Copy not scanned. 1 Page. [Letter], 4/9/1962
To: Carter Barber From: Bob Haldeman. Re: CPA Task Force. 1 Page [Memo], 4/9/1962
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26128095
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WHSF: Returned, 63-15
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26128095
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WHSF: Returned, 63-15
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This file contains:
To: Bob Haldeman From: Bill Spencer Re: Appointment with Kenneth L. Thompson. 1 Page. [Memo], 4/6/1962
To: Kenneth L. Thompson From: H. R. Haldeman. Re: Appointment. 1 Page. [Letter], 4/9/1962
To: Carter Barber From: Bob Haldeman Re: CPA Task Force. 1 Page. [Memo], 4/9/1962
To: H. R. Haldeman From: Barbara Remers. Re: Mr. Thompsons arrival in Los Angeles. 1 Page. [Letter], 4/11/1962
Note From H. I. Flournoy concerning meeting with Thompson. 1 Page. [Memo], n/a
Disscussion Draft: Proposal to organize a Nixon Task Force on State Finances By Kenneth L. Thompson. 8 Pages. [Letter], 2/26/1962
To: Kenneth L. Thompson From: H. R. Haldeman. Re: Appointment. Duplicate Copy not scanned. 1 Page. [Letter], 4/9/1962
To: Carter Barber From: Bob Haldeman. Re: CPA Task Force. 1 Page [Memo], 4/9/1962
citationUrl
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Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
Returned White House Special Files
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
White House Special Files Collection
Folder List
Box Number
Folder Number
Document Date
Document Type
Document Description
63
15
04/06/1962
Memo
To: Bob Haldeman From: Bill Spencer
Re: Appointment with Kenneth L.
Thompson. 1 Page.
63
15
04/09/1962
Letter
To: Kenneth L. Thompson From: H. R.
Haldeman. Re: Appointment. 1 Page.
63
15
04/09/1962
Memo
To: Carter Barber From: Bob Haldeman
Re: CPA Task Force. 1 Page.
63
15
04/11/1962
Letter
To: H. R. Haldeman From: Barbara
Remers. Re: Mr. Thompsons arrival in Los
Angeles.
1 Page.
63
15
n/a
Memo
Note From H. I. Flournoy concerning
meeting with Thompson. 1 Page.
63
15
02/26/1962
Letter
Disscussion Draft: Proposal to organize a
Nixon Task Force on State Finances By
Kenneth L. Thompson. 8 Pages.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Page 1 of 2
Box Number Folder Number Document Date
Document Type
Document Description
63
15
04/09/1962
Letter
To: Kenneth L. Thompson From: H.R.
Haldeman. Re: Appointment. Duplicate
Copy not scanned. 1 Page.
63
15
04/09/1962
Memo
To: Carter Barber From: Bob Haldeman.
Re: CPA Task Force. 1 Page
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Page 2 of 2
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Nixon for Governor
To:
Date:
Bob Haldeman
April 6, 1962
From:
Bill Spencer
Subject:
Distribution:
Kenneth L. Thompson, the gentleman in charge of the CPA task force, is
most anxious to have an appointment with you on or about Tuesday, April 24th
when he plans to be in Los Angeles. If this appears possible please let
me know or correspond with him directly. His address is Thompson, Dechow,
Johanson & Reich, 1330 Broadway, Oakland, California (TE 4-5400).
As you know I am optimistic about the prospects for this CPA group.
us
April 9, 1962
Dear Mr. Thompson:
Bill Spenser has written
me that you are planning to be in Les Angales on
Tuesday, April 24th.
I would like very much to
X date 1
X I
L
see you and go over plans for the CPA Task Force. At
the same time, I would like to include some of cur
Spencer X I
research people in the meeting.
File: S & I - Accountants
I would suggest you telephone
me upon your arrival here so that we can arrange to
get together.
Mind regards.
Sincerely,
H. R. Haldeman
Mr. Kenneth L. Thompson
Thompson, Dechow, Johanson & Reich
1330 Breadway
Oakland, California
ce: Mr. Wm. Spencer
Carter Barber
4-9-62
Bob Haldeman
CPA Task Force
Mr. Kenneth Thompson, who is setting up the Accountants' Task Force
for Northern California, will be in Los Angeles on April 24th, He
wants to meet with several of us to outline their program and get some
guidance for state activity. I definitely think you should be present,
and possibly DF and one of the other researchers.
We will set a firm time and place, but you should plan on 10:00 A.M.
Tuesday, April 24th.
01
+
+
KENNETH L. THOMPSON
1330 BROADWAY
OAKLAND 12, CALIFORNIA
April 11, 1962
Mr. H. R. Haldeman
Campaign Manager
Nixon for Governor
3908 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles 5, California
Dear Mr. Haldeman:
Mr. Thompson plans to arrive at the Burbank
Airport on Tuesday, April 24 on Western's flight
403 at 9:04 am. Mr. Robert Decker will meet him
and drive him to downtown Los Angeles. Mr.
Thompson will call you upon his arrival at the
airport to arrange for your meeting.
Sincerely yours,
Barbara Renurs
Barbara Remers, Secretary
Sands like f my offer, parteralarly
since it! it mill be self-frmanced as head
This man also has a good buchyoound faith
stady
A J. Themosy
X b/w fibe my 30 y/m
AM
Discussion Draft
A PROPOSAL TO ORGANIZE A NIXON TASK FORCE CN
STATE FINANCES BY KENNETH L. THUMPSON, CPA.
It is proposed that there be organized a task force on state finances
consisting principally of interested certified public accountants to be of
assistance to Richard M. Nixen in his gubernstorial campaign. The objectives
of this effort would be as follows:
1. The development of a group of men who can be knowledgesble and
articulate in the principal areas of state finance.
As soon
2. An analysis of the major strengths and weaknesses of the present
as poss
expenditure pregrams.
Yes 3. The development of recommendations for corrective action which
could be effected after election.
Yes 4. Previding a sounding board for ideas concerning state finance
advanced by Mr. Nixen.
The special training and skills of the certified public accountant
coupled with sound business judgment accumulated from experience should
produce some highly useful suggestions if this skill and judgment can be
applied to some of the perplexing financial problems of our state. Not
only are there partners in the large national firms in California but
there are local practitioners as well who have had opportunities to acquaint
themselves with the fiscal effairs of California. This task force would
bring together these men for the purpose of making an organized study of
and attack on California's finances.
Organization
The organization would consist of the following:
1. One chairman
2. Two or three vice-chairmen
Page 2
3. Five or six division directors
4. Fifty to sixty task force members
5. One consultant
Two vice-chairmen would each be responsible for Northern and Southern
California. Two or three division directors might be assigned to each vice-
chairman and be responsible for each of the more heavily populated counties
in the state. No one director should have to be responsible for more than
eight or ten task force members so as to limit the problem of communication.
It might even be possible to eliminate the function of division directors
and have task force members report directly to vice-chairmen. In that
event, it might be more desirable to have one vice-chairman responsible for
the San Diego area, another vice-chairman responsible for the Los Angeles
area up to Bakersfield, and the third vice-chairman responsible for Northern
California.
Operations
Once the task force has been recruited, it is proposed that 8 consultant
be engaged for the purpose of organizing the efforts of the task force and
establishing coordination. Robert D. Decker, CPA has been proposed for this
assignment, and a biographical sketch of Mr. Decker is attached to this
proposal as exhibit A.
Briefly, it is proposed that certain areas of state finance be identified
as study projects which would be undertaken by one or more task force DED-
hers. These members would study their assigned subject and write a brief
report summerizing the facts and submitting recommendations for corrective
action. After a thorough review of each such report by an executive com-
mittee of the task force, the final product would be submitted to Mr. Nixon
for his use in the forthcoming campaign. The study projects would be sub-
Page 3
mitted to Mr. Nixon's campaign director for approval before commencing
work on the projects. Appropriate reference materials would be obtained
by the consultant and supplied to each particular task force member. The
instructions and criteria which each member would apply to his own study
would be developed by the consultant on a uniform basis so that everyone
makes pretty much the same approach to each particular study project.
Here are two examples of possible study projects which might be conducted
by members of the task force:
1. Social Welfare Program - Aid to Needy Children
(Assigned to specific counties throughout the state)
This project consists of an examination of the cost of administering
the Aid to Needy Children program.
During the recent weeks much attention has been focused on the admin-
istration of the various social welfere programs. It has been stated that
the administration of the programs by the counties has resulted in waste
and duplication of effort. At present, the cost of administration is berne
by the county and federal governments. The benefit payments are made from
state funds subvened to the counties. It is proposed that the administre-
tive function be removed from the counties and centralized in the Depart-
ment of Social Welfare of the State of Caliernia. The Governor has been
requested to call a special ression of the 1962 legislature to examine the
problem. Whether the legislature will deal with this problem in 1962 is
problematical, but the 1963 legislature will certainly be asked to act upon
the centralization proposal. Mr. Nixon will undoubtedly be called upon to
take a position on this problem during his campaign.
In general, the statistical information necessary to perform this
project will be found in the budget of the State of California and the
Page: 4
budget of the County of
.
Special consideration
should be given to the growth of administration costs as compared with
total benefit payments and the number of recipients of such benefits, as
determined for the fiscal years ended July 31, 1960, 1961, 1962 (budgeted)
and 1963 (budgeted).
The sole purpose of this study is to determine the magnitude of the
increase in administrative costs in relation to benefit payments and number
of participants of the Aid to Needy Children program. It is not the in-
tention of the Taak Force to deal with the basic philosophy underlying
the Aid to Needy Children program; therefore, your judgment should be sp-
plied solely to the financial aspects of administering the program.
In examining the administrative costs attention should be directed
not only to the growth in dollar cost of administration, but also the
growth in the number of personnel employed. In relating both administrative
cost and personnel factors to the level of benefit payments, consideration
should be given to any change which might have occurred during the period
under examination in the rate of benefit payments.
An interview with your local county welfare director would be very
helpful to you in obtaining the necessary local statistical information
and also his point of view on advantages and disadvantages of the proposed
centralization of the administration of the program.
Based on your examination of the statistical aspects of this project,
please briefly outline on the enclosed questionnaire the conclusions
reached by you. You are requested to approach this problem in much the
same manner as you would deal with the problem of administering a large
department of a commercial enterprise.
Page 5
Similar projects would be assigned to Task Force members in several
counties. They would be asked to examine, on the same basis, the Old Age
Security, the Aid to Needy Blind, and the Aid to Needy Disabled programs.
2. State Goverment Reorganization - Super Agency Concept
This project consists of an examination of the several cabinet type
positions created by the 1961 legislature. Very little explanatory infor-
motion has been published on this subject; however, the financial implica-
tion can be determined from the proposed budget of the State of California
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1963. Also the bill which created the
positions is available for examination. It should be noted that in addition
to the positions authorized in the bill, the Governor has proposed that the
Director of Agriculture be elevated to cabinet status and the Department
of Agriculture removed from the overall supervision of the cabinet officer
for Natural Resources.
The purpose of this study is to determine the incremental cost to the
state of California arising out of the creation of the cabinet positions,
and to examine the organizational structure of the executive branch of
state government. An organization chart of the executive branch, before
and after the so-called reorganization, accompanies this study request.
Your evaluation of the reorganization based on your experiencein
dealing with organizational problems of business concerns is of considerable
importance in this project. It should be borne in mind that while not ex-
plicitly stated in the legislation, it seems clear that one purpose of the
bill WRS to replace the Governor's Council, which is composed of Departmental
Directors, with a cabinet made up of the so-called "Super Agency" directors.
Please briefly outline on the enclosed questionnaire the conclusions
reached by you.
Page 6
It is contemplated that about sixty to seventy-five days will be re-
quired before the final submission of a report to Mr. Nixon can take place.
The following sets forth the nine major steps involved in working on these
study projects:
1. Determination of possible study projects.
2. Determination of availability of reference materials.
3. Determination of feasibility of each study project.
4. Questionnaire preparation.
5. Assignment to individuals and distribution of study projects.
6. Study by individuals.
7. Compilation of completed study projects.
8. Review of completed study projects by executive committee.
9. Submission of completed study projects to Mr. Nixon.
Financing the work of the Task Force
It is estimated that the cost of Mr. Decker's services plus expenses
will be about $2100. This amount is to be reised by solicitation of the
task force itself and their acquaintances in the accounting profession.
Because it seems desirable to obtain approval from the Nixon campaign
director of the proposed study projects, it has been suggested that this
effort be approached in two phases. The first phase would consist of com-
pleting steps one and two of the outline above at an estimated cost of
$750 to $1,000. The writer proposes to organize a ten-man steering can-
mittee to get this effort underway, and one of the primary functions of
the steering committee would be to underwrite on a prorate basis the cost
of the first phase. Once this phase has the approval of Mr. Nixen's cam-
paign director, it should be such easier to recruit the necessary additional
manpower and money required to finance the second phase which would consist
of items three through nine of the outline above.
Page 7
At the present time, a Northern California vice-chairman has been
recruited, and five members of the so-called steering committee have in-
dicated their willingness to guarantee their share of the cost of phase one.
KENNETH L. THOMPSON
1330 Broadway
Oakland 12, California
February 26, 1962
ROBERT D. DECKER
Biographical Sketch
1. Graduate of U.C.L.A., B.S. in accounting
2. Admitted to practice as a C.P.A. in 1954
3. Partner in the firm of Decker & Campbell, CPA's
4. Served from 1958 through December 31, 1959 as Executive
Legislature Secretary of the Joint Legislative Tax Committiee, California
5. Served from January 1, 1950 through August 15, 1961 as Executive
Secretary of the Senate Fact Finding Committee on Revenue &
Taxation, California Legislature
6. Assisted the late Senator James J. McBride in the conduct
of the operations of the Senate Finance Committee, California
Legislature, 1958 through June 10, 1961
7. Served as Campaign Coordinator for Senator Robert J. Lagomarsino,
(R), Ventura, Special Election held in Ventura County on October
3, 1961
8. Served as Administrative Assistant to Senator Robert J
Lagomarsino December 1, 1961 to January 31, 1962.
April 9, 1962
Dear Mr. Thompson:
Bill Spencer has written
me that you are planning to be in Los Angeles on
Tuesday, April 24th.
X
date x #
T
I would like very much to
see you and go over plans for the CPA Task Force. At
the same time, I would like to include some of our
Spencer M I
research people in the meeting.
File: S & I - Accountants
I would suggest you telephone
me upon your arrival here so that we can arrange to
get together.
Kind regards.
Sincerely,
H. R. Haldeman
Mr. Kenneth L. Thompson
Thompson, Dechow, Johanson & Reich
1330 Broadway
Oakland, California
cc: Mr. Wm. Spencer
Carter Barber
4-9-62
Bob Haldeman
CPA Task Force
Mr. Kenneth Thompson, who is setting up the Accountants' Task Force
for Northern California, will be in Los Angeles on April 24th. He
wants to meet with several of us to outline their program and get some
guidance for state activity. I definitely think you should be present,
and possibly DF and one of the other researchers.
We will set a firm time and place, but you should plan on 10:00 A.M.
Tuesday, April 24th.
+
+