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NEWS AMERICAN SECURITY COUNCIL from OPERATION ALERT Coordinated By The American Security Council For Release: Wednesday, September 23, 1970 Contact: John M. Fisher, Pres. American Security Council 1101 17th Street, N. W Washington, D. C. 20036 202-296-4587 American Security Council Launches Operation Alert to Warn That Soviets Now Top U.S. In Strategic Military Strength WASHINGTON, D. C. -- The United States has become the Number 2 power in strategic military strength, the American Security Council reported today. Council President John M. Fisher, said that the Soviet Union is now ahead of the United States in strategic missile megatonnage by 10, 330 to 1, 730 and in overall stra- tegic weapons by 3, 500 to 2, 260. This blunt warning was issued today as the Council launched its Operation Alert - a nationwide voter education program. Invitations to participate in Operation Alert are now being mailed by the Council to more than 2,000,000 voters, both Democrats and Republicans, and to 3000 civic organizations. The Operation Alert report features results of three just-completed Council projects: one - an analysis of the U.S.S.R. vs. U.S.A. strategic military balance, two - a National Security Issues Poll-an opinion survey showing that the great majority of Americans favor the security of strategic superiority; three - a National Security Index on the voting record of every member of the present Congress. Fisher explained the principal purposes of Operation Alert as follows: 1. To warn Americans that their country is no longer first, but a fast-slipping second in strategic military power. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library 2 2. To inform Congress and the Administration that the Council's National Security Poll emphatically indicates that the bulk of the American people want the United States to be Number 1 in strategic military power. 3 To urge voters to make national security the priority issue in the 1970 elections by first considering the candidates' positions on these issues. 4. To let President Nixon know that most voters want "Peace Through Strength" and will back him against the "Disarmament Lobby" in regaining military superiority over the Soviet Union. Fisher said that the purpose of the National Security Issues Poll was to determine if Americans really agreed with the large coalition of Senators and Congressmen who are forcing further reductions in defense spending. Their pressure has led to a continuing unilateral disarmament, a reduction of 40% in U. S. megatonnage in the past five years. During the same period, the Soviets have increased their megatonnage by 400%. The Council's Poll, Fisher said, clearly shows that the American people strongly disagree with this disarmament lobby The Poll, which drew replies from 115, 599 persons from every state was conducted through letters to opinion leaders and through straw polls conducte d by 203 newspapers across the nation. According to Fisher, the range of results from different groups on three key Poll questions was: from 82. 07% to 93.53% of Americans believe the United States should maintain military strength greater than that of the Soviet Union and Red China, 76. 77% to 89. 85% believe this country "should have a national objective of victory in Vietnam", and 78. 53% to 93. 53% consider the Safeguard ABM System "necessary for the defense of the United States" Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library 3 Fisher explained that the Council's National Security Index was prepared by comparing the Poll results with the national security voting record of each Member of Congress. Twenty-eight Senators are listed in the Operation Alert report as receiving a National Security Index of 100%, while eighteen received a zero rating. These seven Senators up for re-election scored 100%; Dodd, Fannin, Fong, Hruska, Murphy, Scott and Stennis. These six Senators up for re-election scored zero: Goodell, Hart, Kennedy, Proxmire, Tydings and Williams (N.J.). Fisher said that each of the 2, 000, 000 voters invited to participate in Operation Alert is being asked to involve others. Beyond that, the American Security Council plans to i ntensify its voter education program through full-page ads in more than 200 newspapers and in television spots in prime time. The American Security Council is a non-profit research and educational association concerned solely with issues affecting the national security of the United States. Founded in 1955, it is a broad-based bi-partisan organization working with Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, labor and business, educational institutions and religious groups throughout the United States. -30- The American Security Council - 1101-17th St. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Tel. 296-4587 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library 1 OPERATION ALERT The United States is now Number Two in Strategic Military Power. Most Americans believe that we should try harder. MISSILE MISSILE BUT a large coalition of Senators and Congressmen is try- MEGATONNAGE MEGATONNAGE USA USSR ing to reduce our strength further. Operation Alert is a multi-organization voter education program. Its purpose is to alert American voters to the reality that the United States is falling behind the Soviet Union in nuclear weapons so fast that the 1970 elections may be their last chance to vote for "Peace through Strength." National security issues are so important that all voters should carefully consider the national security positions of each candidate in the 1970 elections. The inside fold shows a National Security Voting Index for each member of Congress. The American Security Council is a non-profit research and education association dealing exclusively with national security problems. All concerned Americans are invited to cooperate in this educational program. Operation Alert is being coordinated by: American Security Council 1101 17th Street Washington, D.C. 20036 NATIONAL STRATEGY COMMITTEE (partial listing) CHAIRMAN G. DUNCAN BAUMAN A. B. McKEE, JR. ROBERT W. GALVIN Publisher, St. Louis Globe-Democrat President, Forest Lumber Company and Chairman of the Board, Motorola, Incorporated ADMIRAL ROBERT L. DENNISON, USN (Ret.) Imperial Valley Lumber Company CO-CHAIRMEN Former Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic DR. ROBERT MORRIS ADMIRAL H. D. FELT, USN (Ret.) THE HONORABLE ELBRIDGE DURBROW President, University of Plano Former Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Former Ambassador DR. NICHOLAS NYARADI DR. WILLARD F. LIBBY PATRICK J. FRAWLEY, JR. Director, School of International Studies Director, Institute of Geophysics, UCLA President, Frawley Enterprises Bradley University GENERAL BERNARD A. SCHRIEVER, USAF (Ret.) VICE ADMIRAL ELTON WATTERS GRENFELL, USN (Ret.) DR. STEFAN T. POSSONY Former Commanding General, Director of International Studies, Former Commander, Atlantic Submarine Fleet Air Force Systems Command Hoover Institution, Stanford University GENERAL PAUL D. HARKINS, USA (Ret.) DR. WILLIAM J. THALER GENERAL THOMAS S. POWER, USAF (Ret.) Former Commanding General, Chairman, Physics Department, Georgetown University U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Former Commander, Strategic Air Command GENERAL NATHAN F. TWINING, USAF (Ret.) BRIG. GEN. ROBERT c. RICHARDSON, USAF (Ret.) CLIFFORD F. HOOD Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Former President, United States Steel Corporation Schriever & McKee Associates, Inc. LOYD WRIGHT DR. MONTGOMERY H. JOHNSON ADMIRAL FELIX B. STUMP, USN (Ret.) Past President, The American Bar Association Physicist, Philco-Ford Corporation Former Commander-in-Chief, Pacific MEMBERS JAMES S. KEMPER, JR. DR. EDWARD TELLER President, Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Company Nuclear Scientist GENERAL PAUL D. ADAMS, USA (Ret.) Former Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Strike Command WILLIAM H. KENDALL REAR ADMIRAL CHESTER c. WARD, USN (Ret.) DR. HAROLD M. AGNEW President, Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company Former Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy Director, Weapons Division, THE HONORABLE WILLIAM F. KNOWLAND DR. KENNETH WATSON Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory President and Publisher Oakland Tribune Professor of Physics, LT. GENERAL EDWARD M. ALMOND, USA (Ret.) VICE ADMIRAL FITZHUGH LEE, USN (Ret.) University of California at Berkeley Former Chief of Staff to General Douglas MacArthur Former Commandant of the National War College GENERAL ALBERT C. WEDEMEYER, USA (Ret.) BENNETT ARCHAMBAULT Chief U.S. Strategist, World War II THE HONORABLE CLARE BOOTHE LUCE Chairman of the Board, Stewart-Warner Corporation Former Ambassador DR. EUGENE P. WIGNER PROFESSOR JAMES D. ATKINSON Physicist, Princeton University ADMIRAL BEN MOREELL, CEC, USN (Ret.) Department of Government, Georgetown University Former Chief of Civil Engineers, U.S. Navy MAJOR GENERAL W. A. WORTON, USMC (Ret.) Retired President, American Library of Information Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library STRATEGIC MILITARY BALANCE - U.S.S.R. vs. U.S.A. September 1970 U.S.S.R. U.S.A. Delivery System Delivery Vehicles Megatonnage Delivery Vehicles Megatonnage (Approximate) (Approximate) Early Model ICBMs 220 SS-6s, SS-7s, SS-8s 1,100 54 Titans 270 Small ICBMs 800 SS-11s, SS-13s 800 1,000 Minutemen 1,000 Large ICBMs 300 SS-9s 7,500 0 0 Orbital Bombardment System Developed, probably opera- 30-100 each 0 0 and Fractional OBS tional, number unknown Sub Launched Ballistic 280 SSN-6s, Serbs and Sarks 200 656 Polaris 460 Missiles Sub Launched Cruise 300 Shaddocks 30 0 0 Missiles Intermediate and Medium 700 SS-4s, SS-5s and SS-14s 700 0 0 Range Ballistic Missiles Heavy Bombers 200 Bisons and Bears Variable 550 B-52s Variable Medium Bombers 700 Badgers and Blinders Variable 0 0 Totals* 3,500 10,330 2,260 1,730 *(Megatonnage totals do not include Heavy or Medium Bomber payloads or Orbital Bombardment System Warheads.) SOURCES OF STRATEGIC U.S. STRENGTH OVERSTATED BALANCE FIGURES While there are differences between various sources as to methods of counting strategic strength, the fact is that the The figures shown here have been compiled from a wide total U.S. strength is greatly overstated in this strategic range of public sources such as speeches and testimony balance chart because these are peacetime figures. Since by Secretary of Defense Laird;* congressional committee United States strategic planning is based on deterrence, reports; annual issues of the Military Balance of the Insti- with no real U.S. first strike capability, the more realistic tute for Strategic Studies, London; Department of Defense measure of the U.S. power is that which might be releases; Jane's Fighting Ships, 1970-71, etc. left after a Soviet first strike. Thus, the U.S. side of the The Institute for Strategic Studies and Time** magazine balance should be reduced by 50 to 80 percent. both list Soviet medium bombers in the strategic balance. For example, Secretary Laird estimated that when the The ASC agrees that they should be included because Soviets have 420 SS-9's They could probably destroy 95 these are comparable in range and payload to the B-47, percent of our Minuteman force." At the present rate of the B-58 and the FB-111, all of which have been classified deployment, the Soviets will reach this level before the as "strategic bombers" by the Pentagon. The Soviet Badg- first U.S. ABM sites are operational in 1974 or 1975. ers and Blinders (medium bombers) can bomb the United States, either with air refueling or on one-way missions. Since the Strategic Air Command is no longer keeping B-52's on "airborne alert," the U.S. strategic bomber Soviet Intermediate Range and Medium Range Ballistic force is vulnerable to attack by submarine-launched bal- Missiles are included in the strategic balance by both the listic missiles from the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Institute for Strategic Studies and by Time** magazine. the Pacific Ocean. The reason for this is that SAC would The ASC agrees because they are targeted on the heart have less than fifteen minutes, after missile launch, to get of NATO and on the U.S. forces in Western Europe. its planes off the ground. Submarine-Launched Cruise Missiles (SLCM) are included Also, at least twenty of the forty-one Polaris submarines in the strategic balance because they can be used against are in port or dry dock at any one time and thus highly coastal targets in the United States. The practical differ- vulnerable to attack by submarine-launched cruise or ence between the SLBM and the SLCM is that the 300-500 ballistic missiles. mile range SLCM must be delivered further by submarine. Contrary to some recent reports, MIRVs do not change No megatonnage figures are shown for bombers because the over-all strategic balance. MIRV systems on both of the many different possible bomb loadings which can sides are roughly comparable number-wise. Moreover, vary with range and nature of target. Although the U.S.S.R. MIRVs reduce the total megatonnage payload of an in- has more bombers, the U.S. has a substantial advantage dividual missile. in total bomber payload capacity. The growing imbalance surely makes the U.S. more * Especially April 20, 1970 speech May 4, 1970 vulnerable to blackmail in crisis situations. As the im- balance grows, the Soviets may also be tempted to con- sider a first especially since they are deploying very expensive first strike weapons such as the SS-9. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library STRATEGIC MILITARY BALANCE SOVIET UNION NOW AHEAD OF UNITED STATES IN STRATEGIC MILITARY POWER - GAP WIDENING FAST There has not been an arms race; the Soviets have been As noted in the military balance chart, the U.S.S.R. is running forward at full speed all by themselves. ahead of the U.S. in total number of strategic nuclear de- livery vehicles by 3500 to 2260 and can launch a missile U.S. House Armed Services Committee attack against the United States six times as powerful in Military Procurement Authorization Report. total megatonnage as any the United States could mount April 24, 1970 by missile. Since the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, the United States Thus, in the space of five years-from 1965 to 1970 has been unilaterally disarming by cutting back on both the Soviet Union has virtually quadrupled the total mega- numbers of strategic weapons systems and on deliverable tonnage in its strategic offensive force In that same megatonnage. As soon as the U.S. started cutting back, period the United States reduced its megatonnage the U.S.S.R. started all out to achieve strategic military by more than 40% superiority. Secretary of Defense Melvin E. Laird As the ASC's National Strategy Committee pointed out in Associated Press Annual Luncheon its June, 1967 strategic balance report, prepared at the April 20, 1970 request of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee: "The preponderance of evidence points to the con- In the case of ballistic missile submarines, the Soviets clusion that the Soviet Union is succeeding in its have assigned priority to surpassing our U.S. Polaris massive drive toward strategic military superiority and fleet We know they are patrolling in areas off the that the United States is cooperating in this effort by coast of the United States, presumably with each bat- slowing down its side of the arms race." tery of 16 missiles targeted on our cities. In this 1967 report, the National Strategy Committee con- cluded that by 1971 the U.S.S.R. could be as far ahead of Joint Committee on Atomic Energy the U.S. as the U.S. was ahead of the U.S.S.R. in 1962. Congress of the United States Report on Naval Nuclear Propulsion Secretary Laird has made strenuous efforts to alert Amer- Program. Released July 16, 1970 ica to the hard realities of our declining strategic strength. He now seems to be gradually correcting the erroneous public view, projected by Secretaries McNamara and Clif- "Those of responsible opinion in the United States are ford, that "all is well" on the strategic front. worried about the military posture and budget of the U.S. Navy, which is considered to be inadequate to meet However, Secretary Laird hasn't yet convinced many world-wide national and international commitments members of the U.S. Senate and has had to reduce his While the USA has been severely reducing her Navy, the budget requests in order to get them appropriated. Even Soviet Union continues maritime expansion at a rapid so, the Senate has been reducing the defense budget rate It seems that once in her stride there is no further and has been just barely approving the requests stopping the Soviet Union in her naval progress The for a limited Safeguard ABM defense against enemy missiles. [spectacular] expansion of Soviet maritime power was a military phenomenon of the 1960's which looks like ris- As Vice President Spiro T. Agnew said on August 20, ing to a flood tide in the 1970's 1970, "In the current fiscal year the expenditures for de- Raymond V.B. Blackman, Editor fense, as a percentage of the Gross National Product, will Jane's Fighting Ships, 1970-71 be the lowest since 1950." Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES POLL In a true democracy, decisions on such vital matters as Poll. The response of the 42,946 who did both is shown military preparedness should reflect the will of the people. under "A" below. Therefore, we must ask, "does the trend toward uni- The response of the 45,456 who participated in the Poll, lateral disarmament represent the will of most Americans, but did not become members of the Advisory Board is or the will of special interest pressure groups?" listed under "B" below. In seeking the answer to this question, the American From July 1 to August 31, 1970, 203 newspapers in 44 Security Council conducted a National Security Issues Poll states published the Poll. These newspapers ranged in size from the St. Louis Globe Democrat and the San with a final total of 115,559 participants. Francisco Examiner to small town newspapers. The re- sponse of 27,197 readers is shown under "C" below. From March 1 to August 31, 1970, the Council invited opinion leaders representing the full range of domestic It is clear from the results of this Poll and the results of political viewpoint to serve on its National Voter Advisory other polls that most of the American people want the Board and to participate in the National Security Issues security of military superiority and oppose isolationism. NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES POLL RESULTS AGREE % DISAGREE % UNDECIDED % A B C A B C A B C 1. The Safeguard anti-ballistic missile defense system (ABM) is 93.19 78.53 80.39 1.26 11.47 10.58 5.55 10.00 9.03 necessary for the defense of the United States. 2. The United States should maintain military strength greater 93.53 82.07 84.75 2.07 10.73 9.85 4.40 7.20 5.40 than that of the Soviet Union and Red China. 3. Communists and other revolutionaries should be permitted 1.20 9.69 4.79 97.77 88.28 92.66 1.03 2.03 2.55 to teach in tax-supported educational Institutions. 4. Communists and other revolutionàries should be permitted .58 4.78 1,32 99.00 93.05 96.04 .42 2.17 2.64 to hold sensitive positions in defense facilities. 5. The United States should have a national objective of victory 93.46 80.64 80.04 2.47 11.09 11.53 4.07 8.27 8.43 in the cold war. 6. The United States needs a "Freedom Academy" to train 73.09 56.91 47.25 6.61 16.46 26.40 20.30 26.63 26.35 leaders for new forms of nonmilitary conflict. 7 The U.S. should help the people of Czechoslovakia, Hungary, 71.95 57.10 52.97 9.85 20.80 28.48 18.20 22.10 18.55 Cuba and other captive nations in their struggle for freedom. 8. The United States should have a national objective of victory 89.85 76.77 78.16 3.18 13.70 14.09 6.97 9.53 7.75 in Vietnam. 9. The United States should give economic aid to foreign gov- 2.07 8.87 5.41 93.05 85.57 89.99 4.88 5.56 4.60 ernments even if they are Communist or pro-Communist. 10. The United States should extend diplomatic recognition to 10.27 20.85 21.74 76.35 66.55 66.88 13.38 12.60 11,38 Red China. A. National Voter Advisory Board-42,946 members. B. Mail poll-45,456 participants. C. Newspaper poll-27,197 readers. NATIONAL VOTER ADVISORY BOARD (partial listing of 42,946 members) Walter R. Beardsley, Chairman, Miles Laboratories, Inc. Richard A. Goodson, President, Sister Natalie Palagyi, Superior General, Dr. H. Russell Beatty, President, Wentworth Institute Southwestern Bell Telephone Company Sisters of Social Service Arch N. Booth, Executive Vice President, J. Peter Grace, President, W. R. Grace and Co. J. Milton Patrick, Immediate Past National Commander, Chamber of Commerce of U.S. Elisha Gray, Chairman of the Board, American Legion The Honorable Spruille Braden, Former Ambassador Whirlpool Corporation The Honorable William D. Pawley, former Ambassador Dr. Frank R. Brown, Dean, Hood Theological Seminary The Honorable Durwood Hall, U.S. Congressman Admiral Arthur W .Radford, USN (Ret.), The Honorable Joel Broynill, U.S. Congressman Robert P. Hanrahan, Superintendent of Schools, former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff L. B. Burger, Chairman, Westinghouse Air Brake Cook County, Illinois Dr. Robert G. Rayburn, President, Dr. Cordas C. Burnett, President, Bethany Bible College Z. C. R. Hansen, Chairman & President, Covenant Theological Seminary Henri G. Busignies, Senior Vice President, Mack Trucks, Inc. Archbishop Nikon Rklitzky, International Telephone & Telegraph Corporation Dr. Charles P. Hogarth, President, Russian Orthodox Church James Cagney, Actor Mississippi State College for Women The Hon. James Rothstein, Majority Leader of the Colonel John T. Carlton, USAR, Executive Director, John M. Houchin, President, South Dakota House of Representatives Reserve Officers Association of the U.S. Phillips Petroleum Company Frank 0. Sherrill, President, Joseph A. Carrera, Senior Vice President, Dr. John A. Howard, President, Rockford College S & W Cafeterias, Inc. Bank of America Claude A. Jessup, Chairman, Sister Irene Socquet, S.S.A., President, Sylvan C. Coleman, Chairman, Continental Trailways Bus System Anna Maria College for Women E. F. Hutton & Company, Inc. Speaker Ernest N. Johnson, Robert C. Sprague, Chairman, Dr. David S. Collier, Director, Speaker of North Dakota House of Representatives Sprague Electric Company Foundation for Foreign Affairs, Inc. Robert L. Jones, President, The Copley Press Ezra J. Stone, Actor, Writer, Director Bing Crosby, Actor, Singer Dr. Walter H. Judd, former member of Congress Jerome A. Straka, Chairman, Chesebrough-Ponds, Inc. The Honorable Peter Dominick, U.S. Senator Charles H. Kellstadt, Chairman, Dwight H. Swanson, President, William L. Davis, Jr., President, General Development Corp. lowa Power & Light Company Emerson Electric Company Donald B. Lourie, Chairman of the Board, The Honorable Strom Thurmond, U.S. Senator The Honorable Thomas Dodd, U.S. Senator Quaker Oats Company William K. Todd, President, Rockford Morning Star Gaylord Donnelley, Chairman of the Board, Dr. Charles W. Lowry, President, Foundation for Dr. A. P. Torrence, President, R. R. Donnelley & Sons Religious Action in the Social & Civil Order Tennessee A & I State University Mrs. Cathryn L. K. Dorney, Executive Director, Edgar F. Luckenbach, Jr., President, George W. Waters, Executive Vice President, American Education Association Luckenbach Steamship Company American Express Company James c. Ellsworth, Senior Vice President, Dr. John P. Maurer, President, Southeastern University John Wayne, Actor, Producer United California Bank Daniel D. McCracken, Chairman, Monsignor Nicholas H. Wegner, Director, Boys Town The Honorable Paul J. Fannin, U.S. Senator Computer Professionals Against ABM William H. Weldon, Publisher, Shelton Fisher, President, McGraw-Hill, Inc. H. C. McDonald, President, News Tribune Corporation Bishop A. L. Fletcher, Little Rock Diocese Eugene, Oregon, City Council Colonel T. R. Wert, USMCR (Ret.), Executive Secretary, Mother Jane Frances, Roger Milliken, President, Deering-Milliken Inc. Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association Motherhouse of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart Dr. John D. Millett, Chancellor, Ohio Board of Regents George S. Wheaton, Chairman, Dillingham Corporation Dr. Carl A. Frische, President, The Honorable John M. Murphy, U.S. Congressman Dr. Ernest L. Wilkinson, President, Sperry Gyroscope Company Reverend David Nettleton, Sr., President, Brigham Young University Roland E. Fulton, President, Faith Baptist Bible College Dr. Benjamin C. Willis, Retired Superintendent of Employers' Association of Greater Chicago Arthur C. Nielsen, Sr., Chairman, Schools, Chicago, Illinois Dr. Vernon F. Galliano, President, A. C. Nielsen Company The Reverend Victor R. Yanitelli, Sn., President, Nicholls State College Saint Peter's College Affiliations shown for purposes of Identification only. The Honorable Sam Yorty, Mayor, Los Angeles Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON September 18, 1970 MEMORANDUM TO CHUCK COLSON That national security index is excellent material -- can you send one to Bill Safire, Bryce Harlow and Martin Anderson -- - for the Vice President's campaign tour. Thanks. Pat Buchanan and 9/18/70 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library September 17, 1970 MEMORANDUM FOR AL HAIG Thought you would be interested in the attached. Perhaps you would like to have someone attend. Charles W. Colson Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library September 17, 1970 MEMORANDUM FOR: Tom Huston Jeb Magruder Lyn Nofziger What can we find out about this? Charles W. Colson Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library PROPOSAL FOR A WEEKEND OF NATIONAL REFLECTION ON: "WHAT IS NATIONAL SECURITY", OCTOBER 16-18, 1970 Attached hereto is a copy of captioned proposal which sets forth the background on the need for this activity. This proposal calls for "a weekend of national inspection and introspection on the question, 'What is National Security?'" It advances the idea that national security encompasses such questions as domestic security, security of individual communities as well as foreign policy and the military industrial complex. This document also notes there is a need to make the 1970 Congressional elections a real test. The proposal envisions using the media for documentaries and notes that "corporate resources will be solicited and utilized." Possible topics for documentaries would include such items as transition of the economy to domestic oriented operations rather than military, the National Security Council, the Central Intelligence Agency and a myriad of subjects dealing with costs of government and military projects. This proposal was distributed by one Ed Helm, 521B 2nd Street, N. E., Washington, D. C., 2002. His phone number was listed as (202) 544-6783. He also let it be known that he could be contacted at (202) 628-7061, extension 225. This individual's full name is Edward G. Helm. Helm is a graduate student at the University of Maryland and his home address is in care of his father, George E. Helm, '1145 Mid-Ocean Circle Drive, Sarasota, New York. Helm also noted that one Marsha Scott could also be contacted for information regarding this proposal at telephone number 225-4846 or (202) 628-7061, extension 284. It is noted that the telephone number 225-4846 is that of Senator J. William Fulbright, at the United States Senate. Telephone number 628-7061 is that of the Georgetown University Law School, 506 E Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. It has been determined that Helm is not a professor or legal intern at this institution, but that calls have been referred to him at the Georgetown Law Journal office although he is not known there. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library Proposal for a Weekend of National Reflection on: "What is National Security", October 16-18, 1970 Regarding Marsha Scott, this individual may be identical with a person of the same name born on June 27, 1947, in Lake Village, Arkansas. She attended Colorado Woman's College, Denver, Colorado, from September, 1965, to May 27, 1966, at which time she was dropped from the roles for academic reasons. In 1968, she was employed as a clerk in the Little Rock, Arkansas, office of Senator Fulbright. As of December, 1968, she became an Assistant Clerk, United States Senate, Foreign Relations Committee, Washington, D. C. Enclosure - 2 - Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library September 17, 1970 MEMORANDUM FOR JIM KEOGH The information enclosed here might be of some value to you and your people. I have more copies, if you want them. Charles W. Colson Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library September 17, 1970 MEMORANDUM FOR JEB MAGRUDER This information might be useful. Do you have any ideas on distri- bution? Charles W. Colson Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library September 17, 1970 MEMORANDUM FOR PAT BUCHANAN This might come in handy for some of the Vice President's speeches. Chuck Colson Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library September 17, 1970 MEMORANDUM FOR BRYCE HARLOW This might come in handy for some of the Vice President's speeches. Charles W. Colson Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library September 17, 1970 MEMORANDUM FOR LYN NOFZIGER This might come in handy as you try to identify the good guys from the bad guys. Charles W. Colson Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library DRAFT 8/70 OPERATION ALERT PHASE I PURPOSE The purpose of Operation Alert is to warn the American voters that the United States is now number 2 in strategic military power and that the 1970 elections may be the last chance they have to influence the outcome of the Soviet-U. S. confrontation. The Soviet Union has at least 2416 strategic missiles (ICRMs, IR/MRBMs, SLBMs and SLCMs) carrying about 10,326 megatons. The United States has 1710 strategic missiles for a total of 1729 megatons. The Soviets are continuing to deploy missiles while the U. S. has not done so for at least three years. President Nixon is greatly handicapped in trying to meet this threat because a large, highly organized coalition of Republican and Democratic Congressmen is working to reduce the U. S. defense budget and to surrender in South Vietnam. For example, the "Members of Congress for Peace Through Law" has actively sought reduction of the defense budget and an "amendment to end this war" by unilateral withdrawal from Vietnam by June 1971. There are 28 Senate and 70 House members. The "Amendment to End the War Committee" composed of 25 U. S. Senators is promoting the "Amendment to End the War" to terminate all U. S. military operations in South Vietnam by December 31, 1970 and full withdrawal by June 20, 1971. This Committee has raised over $500,000 for a nationwide radio-TV-newspaper advertising campaign to sell the surrender concept and to raise more money. It already has a staff of 40. It is vitally important that the American voter be told both 1)how desperate our strategic situation is becoming and 2) which candidates for Congress in 1970 are working for unilateral disarmament and for surrender in Vietnam. The American voter will not knowingly support either a second best military posture or surrender in Vietnam, but does not yet realize that these are at stake in the 1970 elections. This election may be the last opportunity for the American voter to influence the outcome of the confrontation with Com- munism. The American voters would elect pro-preparedness men to the Senate and House if: 1. They understood that the U. S. is now number two. 2. They had a score card identifying which U. S. Senators and Representatives have voted against strategic preparedness. 3. Pro-preparedness candidates make "peace through strength" their major campaign issue. VOTER EDUCATION CAMPAIGN Operation Alert is planned as the means through which many national and local organizations cooperate to accomplish the above purpose. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library 2. The first step in the campaign is the development of a compact folder which tells: 1. The current strategic military balance. 2. Poll results showing that the overwhelming majority of Americans want military superiority. 3. How members of Congress have voted on national security issues as compared to poll results. 4 Listing of members of Congress who belong to the "Members of Congress for Peace through Law" and the "Amendment to End the War Committee". The campaign would be kicked off with the release of this folder. The press release will feature the National Security Issues Poll which the American Security Council has been conducting since March 1970. This Poll will show the national security views of: 1. Over 40,000 opinion leaders across the country who have joined the American Security Council's National Voter Advisory Board. 2. The readers of newspapers across the country. A total of 285 newspapers' have accepted the American Security Council's invitation to run the National Security Issues Poll. 3. Americans who have participated in other public opinion polls - an analysis of these polls by pollster, Dr. Richard Smolka. OPERATION ALERT will also reach and activate concerned citizens through: 1. Series of luncheons across the country featuring distinguished Americans who will "lay it on the line" as to our poor strategic posture and who is responsible for it. These luncheons would be organized by local chapters or affiliates of the cooperating organizations. As many as possible of these would be held on the same day, probably October 27. 2. Radio, TV and newspaper interviews of these distinguished citizens and other experts on national security. 3. Full page ads offering folder and seeking financial support. 4. Radio and TV spots telling of the threat, offering folder and seek- financial support. 5. Direct mail distribution of folder to politically aware citizens urging use and distribution of booklet and seeking financial support. The American Security Council's National Voter Advisory Board will be especially active in the distribution of the booklet. Target distribution via direct mail - 5,000,000 folders. The American Security Council's experience has shown that the booklets can be distributed by direct mail on a self-supporting basis because Americans do respond to the Council's requests on issues like this. The American Security Council has both the ex- pertise and the reputation to do this. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library 3. For example, the 1,000,000 letters the American Security Council sent out in 1969 with a summary of the National Strategy Committee's report on the ABM together with a "write your Senator and Congress- men" appeal, more than paid for themselves. 6. Distribution of booklet by cooperating organizations and through political party machinery target - 10,000,000 folders. 7. Urging political candidates to make "peace through strength" a key election issue. It should be understood that this campaign is not intended as support of either the Republican or the Democratic party. The net effect will be to support the candidates of either party who are pro-preparedness and who are opposed by candidates who are weak on this issue. The American Security Council's plan for a National Security Index on Senators and Congressmen has been a matter of great concern to the ultra left. For example, James Wechsler, Editor, New York Post, devoted a full column to attacking it. The far left Institute for American Democracy devoted most of its May newsletter to an attack on the American Security Council's Poll and Index. It interprets the purpose of the Index to be the elimination of "seven liberal senators". Here are a few quotes from the Institute for American Democracy blast: "Incumbents getting a low 'Security Index Rating' from an outfit as prestigious as the American Security Council can find this a handicap.' "If any organization is the symbol of and spokesman for the military-industrial complex, it is the American Security Council." "It pursues its propaganda objectives with advertising agency precision and, in the American competitive tradition, plays to win." PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT All person contacted through operation alert will be asked to sign a petition to the President of the United States asking him to follow a policy of "Peace through Strength" and to regain strategic military superiority over the U.S.S.R. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library Estimated Costs Operation Alert - Phase I A. Basic Coordination Costs Directors of organizational relations* $4000 Speech writers 5000 Director of Press Relations* 4000 Media Directors - ad promotion* 4000 Secretaries 4200 Rent 2000 Telephone 5000 Printing* 2500 Travel 5000 Office supplies, postage, miscellaneous office expenses 1500 Furniture and equipment rental* 500 Reserve for contingencies - 15% of above 5655 $43,355 * Cooperating organizations will be asked to loan additional manpower, typewriters and office equipment and to do printing, etc. B. Press Relations In addition to the Director of Press Relations, it is recommended that a public relations firm be engaged $5000 Computer letters to editors and publishers, printing of press releases, newsletter for editors, postage, etc $5000 $10,000 The public relations firm will support the basic staff in arranging radio, TV and press interviews of key Operations Alert people. C. Newspaper ads Target: full page ads in 200 newspapers Ad preparation $1500 Direct mail promotion to: 1. newspaper publishers urging them to carry ads on cooperative basis - i.e. getting paid for the ad out of receipts from ad only. (They will probably get less than their usual page rates) 2. key individuals urging them to sponsor ads in their local papers $2500 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library Cost of servicing replies from cooperative ads 5000 Ads at regular rates New York Times 8400 Los Angeles Times 5424 Chicago Tribune 5160 Washington Evening Star 3070 Washington Post 3831 Washington Daily News 1200 32,065 $41,065 D. Direct Mail Target: 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 computer letters to alert concerned citizens Cost: about $170 per thousand depending upon list rental $850,000 to $1,700,000 Committments have already been made for printing, list rentals, etc at the 2,000,000 level. Contributions and loans will be sought so that the additional 3,000,000 to 7,000,000 can be financed. Since it is expected that these letters will pay for themselves* the loans will be made on the basis that all money returned from the mailing paid for by a loan will first be applied to repaying the loan. But, the person making the loan will expect payment only from the returns. Since there is a risk involved, the loaner will be paid a 10% bonus for the use of his money when enough money comes back to do so. This is equivalent to an interest rate of 120 percent because the turn around time for the money will be only 30 days. Also since this makes the loan a strictly business deal, any loss can be treated as a business loss. * assuming a 2 percent return with an average contribution of $12.00, the returns will be $240 per thousand, or $70 per thousand above the cost. E. Television Spots Development of 90 second spot commercial featuring a nationally known personality such as Bob Hope 10,000 Tests of spot on local stations. If spots pay for themselves, major money will be sought to finance very intensive use of spots with money being repaid from returns. 10,000 $20,000 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library February 8, 1971 MEMORANDUM FOR: ROB ODLE FROM: CHARLES W. COLSON Is there anything that you can quietly do about the attached? I have not and will not acknowledge the letter. Attachment (am Security Council letter Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library February 8, 1971 MEMORANDUM FOR: ROB ODLE FROM: CHARLES W. COLSON Is there anything that you can quietly do about the attached? I have not and will not use the letter. Attachment ( American Security Council ltr 1/30/71) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library MEMORANDUM THE WHITE HOUSE S WASHINGTON December 10, 1970 MEMORANDUM FOR MR. COLSON R FROM ROBERT C ODLE, JR Post Office has promised to keep us up-to-date on the ASC problem. They will be as kind as they can within the context of the law. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON February 9, 1970 MEMO From: FOR Ken CHUCK BeLieu Jun COLSON This is the letter we discussed on the phone today. Suggest you may wish to follow up with Fisher and also with the Vice President (if you think such is appropriate. ) Joan- file Attachment we Security american + file with ABM Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library February 9, 1970 Dear John: Thank you for your thoughtful letter of February 6. Your help on ABM was vital last session and we will need it again. I'll see what we can do to follow up on your request to the Vice President. Sincerely, Kenneth E. BeLieu Deputy Assistant to the President Mr. John M. Fisher President American Security Council 1101 17th Street, N. W. Washington, D. C. 20036 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library AMERICAN SECURITY AMERICAN SECURITY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND RESEARCH CENTER: 123 North Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606 312-263-2784 JOHN M. FISHER WASHINGTON BUREAU: 1101 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 - 202-296-4587 PRESIDENT February 6, 1970 NATIONAL STRATEGY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ROBERT W. GALVIN* Chairman of the Board, Motorola, Incorporated CO-CHAIRMAN ADMIRAL H. D. FELT, USN (Ret.) Mr. Ken BeLieu Former Commander-in-Chief, Pacific CO-CHAIRMAN The White House DR. WILLARD F. LIBBY Director, Institute of Geophysics, UCLA CO-CHAIRMAN Washington, D. C. 20500 GENERAL BERNARD A. SCHRIEVER, USAF (Ret.) Former Commanding General, Air Force Systems Command Dear Ken: CO-CHAIRMAN DR. WILLIAM J. THALER Chairman, Physics Department, Georgetown University We are most grateful for President Nixon's kind letter regarding CO-CHAIRMAN GENERAL NATHAN F. TWINING, USAF (Ret.) our support of the Safeguard ABM. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff CO-CHAIRMAN LOYD WRIGHT Past President, The American Bar Association GENERAL PAUL D. ADAMS, USA (Ret.) I am grateful for the role you must have played in generating Former Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Strike Command this exceptional letter DR. HAROLD M. AGNEW Director, Weapons Division, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory LT. GENERAL EDWARD M. ALMOND, USA (Ret.) It appears that the ABM issue will be fought again and that other Former Chief of Staff to General Douglas MacArthur basic elements of our national security posture will be seriously BENNETT ARCHAMBAULT* Chairman of the Board, threatened in the months and years ahead. Stewart-Warner Corporation PROFESSOR JAMES D. ATKINSON Department of Government, Georgetown University G. DUNCAN BAUMAN Accordingly, we plan a small seminar of the key financial support- Publisher, St. Louis Globe-Democrat PETER BRUCE CLARK ers of the American Security Council and the Institute for American President and Publisher, The Detroit News CHARLES S. CRAIGMILE* Strategy to discuss major programs to better carry out our Retired Chairman of the Board, Belden Corporation "historic role" during the 1970's. This will be held at the Freedom ADMIRAL ROBERT L. DENNISON, USN (Ret.) Former Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic Studies Center March 12-14, 1970. THE HONORABLE ELBRIDGE DURBROW Former Ambassador HENRY DUQUE* Partner-Adams, Duque & Hazeltine I have invited Vice President Agnew to speak to these financial PATRICK J. FRAWLEY, JR.* Chairman of the Board, leaders on their responsibilities in the field of national security. Eversharp, Incorporated FRED M. GILLIES* I've enclosed a copy of my letter. Retired Chairman of the Board, Acme Steel Company VICE ADMIRAL ELTON WATTERS GRENFELL, USN (Ret.) Former Commander, Atlantic Submarine Fleet We'd appreciate any help you can give us in getting the Vice GENERAL PAUL D. HARKINS, USA (Ret.) Former Commanding General, President or some other administration spokesman for this U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam CLIFFORD F. HOOD* important occasion. Former President, United States Steel Corporation DR. MONTGOMERY H. JOHNSON Physicist, Philco-Ford Corporation Sincerely, JAMES S. KEMPER, JR.* President, Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Company WILLIAM H. KENDALL* President, Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company THE HONORABLE WILLIAM F. KNOWLAND John Fisher President and Publisher, Oakland Tribune President VICE ADMIRAL FITZHUGH LEE, USN (Ret.) Former Commandant of the National War College GENERAL CURTIS E. LeMAY, USAF (Ret.) Former Air Force Chief of Staff VICE ADMIRAL R. E. LIBBY, USN (Ret.) Former Deputy Chief of Naval Operations DR. STEFAN T. POSSONY MAJOR GENERAL DALE 0. SMITH, REAR ADMIRAL CHESTER C. WARD, THE HONORABLE CLARE BOOTHE LUCE Director of International Studies, USAF (Ret.) USN (Ret.) Former Ambassador Hoover Institution, Stanford University Headmaster, The Graham-Eckes Schools Former Judge Advocate General, U. S. Navy A. B. McKEE, JR.* GENERAL THOMAS S. POWER, ADMIRAL LEWIS L. STRAUSS, USNR (Ret.) DR. KENNETH WATSON President, Forest Lumber Company and USAF (Ret.) Former Chairman, U.S. Atomic Professor of Physics, Imperial Valley Lumber Company Former Commander, Strategic Air Command Energy Commission University of California at Berkeley ADMIRAL BEN MOREELL, CEC, USN (Ret.) BRIG. GEN. ROBERT C. RICHARDSON, ADMIRAL FELIX B. STUMP, USN (Ret.) GENERAL ALBERT C. WEDEMEYER, USA (Ret.) Former Chief of Civil Engineers, U. S. Navy USAF (Ret.) Former Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Chief U.S. Strategist, World War II DR. ROBERT MORRIS Schriever & McKee Associates, Inc. DR. A. B. SUTTLE DR. EUGENE P. WIGNER President, University of Plano IRA G. ROSS Vice President, Research, Physicist, Princeton University DR. NICHOLAS NYARADI President, American Ordnance Association Texas A&M University MAJOR GENERAL W. A. WORTON, USMC (Ret.)* Director, School of International Studies VICE ADMIRAL W. A. SCHOECH, USN (Ret.) DR. EDWARD TELLER Retired President, Bradley University Former Chief of Naval Material Nuclear Scientist American Library of Information *Members of the policy board representing member companies. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library FREEDOM STUDIES CENTER OF THE INSTITUTE FOR AMERICAN STRATEGY FREEDOM STUDIES CENTER BOSTON, VIRGINIA 22713 703-825-1776 February 6, 1970 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Karl R. Bendetsen, Chairman of the Board U.S. Plywood-Champion Paper, Inc. The Honorable Spiro T. Agnew Willard W. Brown President, University Circle Research Center Vice-President of the United States The Honorable Thomas J. Dodd United States Senate The White House Lady Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton Harold F. Falk, Chairman and President, Washington, D. C. 20500 The Falk Corporation John M. Fisher, President and Chief Executive Officer, Institute for American Strategy Patrick J. Frawley, Jr., Chairman of the Board, My dear Mr. Vice-President: Eversharp, Inc. The Reverend Roman Galiardi, O.S.B. President, St. Procopius College *Robert W. Galvin, Vice President, IAS Our key financial supporters are joining with their counter- Chairman of the Board, Motorola, Inc. Fred M. Gillies, Retired Chairman of the Board parts in the American Security Council for a March 12-14 Acme Steel Company The Honorable Mills E. Godwin, Jr. planning session to finalize the broad outlines of our programs Governor of Virginia General Barksdale Hamlett, USA (Ret.) President, for the 1970's. We've timed it to follow the March 11 Republican Norwich University Robert P. Hanrahan, Superintendent of Schools Congressional dinner because some of them will also be attending Cook County, Illinois George R. Hearst, Jr. that function. Publisher, Los Angeles Herald-Examiner The Honorable Craig Hosmer U. S. House of Representatives The Honorable Walter H. Judd, M.D. We invite you to address these financial leaders on the respon- Former Member, U. S. House of Representatives James S. Kemper, Jr., President sibilities of the private sector in the field of national security. Kemper Insurance Companies *Charles. H. G. Kimball, General Counsel, IAS Partner, Ashcraft, Olson, Beach, Kimball, Alexander & Edmonds It would be most appropriate for you to address them because General Howard T. Markey, Vice President, IAS Partner, Parker and Carter 1) you serve on our Advisory Board and 2) President Nixon has The Honorable Karl E. Mundt United States Senate just commended the American Security Council for its "historic Captain Clarence Perry Oakes, Secretary Institute for American Strategy role" in this field. The Honorable Ray Page, Superintendent of Public Instruction State of Illinois Dr. Arthur L. Peterson, President, The American I've enclosed a copy of President Nixon's letter, a brochure Institute for Foreign Trade Henry Regnery, Treasurer, IAS describing the Freedom Studies Center (its old enough that you Chairman of the Board, Henry Regnery Co. Henry Salvatori, Retired Chairman of the Board are still listed as Governor of Maryland) and a copy of a recent Western Geophysical Company of America Dr. A. L. Schilling Washington Evening Star article on the Freedom Studies Center President, North Central College Gerald J. Schipper, M.D. which was picked up by the Associated Press and printed by many John G. Sevcik, President, Burton-Dixie Corporation other newspapers. D. French Slaughter, Jr. Partner, Button, Stratton and Slaughter John Slezak, Chairman of the Board, Kable Printing Company Respectfully, Dr. Kelvin Smith, Retired Chairman of the Board, Lubrizol Corporation D. A. Sullivan, Retired Conference Chairman, Institute for American Strategy Fisher Frank Vignola President, Vignola Furniture Company William W. Weldon, Publisher John M. Fisher News Tribune Company, Inc. General Lawrence H. Whiting, Vice President, IAS President Vice Chairman of the Board, American Furniture Mart Dr. Benjamin C. Willis Retired General Superintendent, Chicago Schools JMF/rbu General Robert E. Wood, Retired Chairman of the Board, Sears, Roebuck and Company James 0. Wright, Chairman of the Board Badger Meter Manufacturing Co. Enclosures *Officers and Members of the Executive Committee Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library AMERICAN SECURITY COUNCIL 123 North Wacker Chicago, Illinois 60606 AMERICAN SECURITY COUNCIL Mr Ken BeLieu The White House Washington, D. C. 20500 HAND DELIVER Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library Lobby Report 7 such regulation for six years; the Senate bill would bar it of 1965 (PL 89-73), cleared by the House for the Presi- indefinitely. dent's signature on Sept. 3. (1969 Weekly Report p. The Tobacco Institute would have preferred a volun- 1784, 1253, 1188, 555) tary withdrawal of cigarette commercials on radio and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). (Repre- television, Kloepfer said, rather than the prohibition on sents 90,000 members.) The ACLU opposed provisions of such ads beginning Jan. 1, 1971, as specified in the Senate most of the crime bills to be presented by the Nixon Ad- version of HR 6543. The cigarette manufacturers had re- ministration or in Congress; none cleared Congress in quested an antitrust exemption to allow them to withdraw 1969. Specifically, it opposed the organized crime bill all broadcast advertisements simultaneously (1969 Weekly (S 30), the "no knock" provision of the drug control bill Report p. 2616, 1056, 441) (S 3246), and the District of Columbia crime bills con- Toy Manufacturers of America. (Represents 325 cerning preventive detention and criminal law changes manufacturers.) The group concentrated in 1969 on the (S 2600, S 2869). The group favored extension of the Toy Safety Act (S 1689-PL 91-113), signed Nov 6. The existing Voting Rights Act (PL 89-110) over the Admin- Act was designed to increase protection for children from istration's bill (HR 4249), although it backed several of toys which contained thermal, electrical or mechanical the positions in the President's voting rights package. hazards. The group asked that specific standards be set The group also opposed various bills and amendments as a guide for industry. (1969 Weekly Report p. 2183, 586) dealing with campus demonstrations. The group opposed United States Savings and Loan League. (Repre- a provision added by the House to the military construc- sents 5,000 savings and loan associations.) The league tion authorization bill to bar demonstrations on federal was successful in lobbying efforts for two major pieces of property (HR 13018-PL 91-142); the Senate dropped the legislation passed in 1969. The mortgage credit bill (S section, and conferees upheld the Senate position. (Weekly 2577-PL 91-151) supported by the league included a Report p. 51, 36; 1969 Weekly Report p. 2693, 2613, 1181) provision to increase to $20,000 the savings and loan insurance accounting ceiling, a provision adjusting the American Security Council. (An independent or- cost of account insurance to the same cost level as that of ganization sponsored by business and private contribu- banks, and a provision to make available $4 billion in tions and interested in a strong military and foreign backup support for the Treasury Department to support policy.) The council in 1969 was in the thick of the Con- mortgage lending. The league failed in its attempt to gressional debate over the antiballistic missile (ABM) sys- have approved a Federal Home Loan Bank secondary tem (S 2546-PL 91-121). The organization had supported mortgage market authority and failed to obtain for sav- a ballistic missile defense for several years and in 1969 is- ings and loan associations trustee power in handling sued a widely discussed book, The ABM and the Changed estates. The group also lobbied successfully for provisions Strategic Military Balance, which supported the ABM. in the Tax Reform Act of 1969 (HR 13270-PL 91-172) Some 20,000 copies of this publication were distributed to including a measure maintaining special bad-debt deduc- Members of Congress, journalists, Pentagon officials and tions and liberalizing rules for savings and loans desiring council members. The contents of the book were widely to qualify for those deductions. A league representative used in the Congressional debate and quoted in full-page said the group had not prevented higher taxes from being newspaper ads supporting the ABM during the debate. The imposed on savings and loans, but that taxes under the council also supported the project and other military pro- proposal adopted were not as high as those under some grams on a daily radio program it distributed. A leading other proposals would have been. (1969 Weekly Report commentator on the radio show was former Rep. Walter H. p. 1721, 1493, 1491, 1340, 1135, 1130, 434) Judd (R Minn. 1943-63). (See 1969 Weekly Report p. 845.) Americans for Democratic Action (ADA). (Rep- Citizens resents 75,000 members.) Although the ADA did not succeed in freezing funds for the antiballistic missile American Association of Retired Persons. (Repre- (ABM) system in the military procurement authorization sents 1.8 million retired persons.) The association was bill (S 2546-PL 91-121), its spokesmen felt that the concerned primarily with Social Security legislation in ABM battle served as the opening wedge in "unmasking" 1969. It supported successfully the 15-percent increase military spending to Congressional criticism. The ADA in Social Security included in the Tax Reform Act (HR supported the two-year authorization for the Office of 13270-PL 91-172), as well as additional measures which Economic Opportunity (S 3016-PL 91-177) and the na- were eliminated by Congress from the final legislation. tional commitments resolution (S Res 85). It opposed the The association unsuccessfully sought an updating of nomination of Clement F. Haynsworth Jr. to the Supreme retirement income tax credit authorization included Court and the Administration voting rights bill (HR 4249). originally in S 2968, introduced by Sen. Abraham Ribi- (1969 Weekly Report p. 2682, 2613, 2608, 2310, 1432) coff (D Conn.), and another Ribicoff bill (S 2969), to enable elderly persons who had not qualified for Social Citizens Committee for Postal Reform. (A new Security by January 1969 to receive Medicare benefits. group formed in 1969 to press for postal reform as em- Also unsuccessful was a campaign to have the cost of pre- bodied in the Administration bill (HR 11750).) The House Post Office and Civil Service Committee voted in October scription drugs included in Medicare expenses and to increase the minimum Social Security premium to $120 a against the corporation plan, but by the end of 1969 month. The association also supported a provision per- had not completed marking up another reform bill (HR 4). mitting FHA financing of mobile homes, included in the A spokesman for the committee said the group was "not mortgage credit bill (S 2577-PL 91-151) cleared Dec. 19 unhappy" about the reform bill even though the corpora- for the President's signature, and an extension (HR 11235- tion section was not included in it. (1969 Weekly Report p. PL 91-69) and amendments to the Older Americans Act 1992) COPYRIGHT 1970 CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY INC PAGE 74-Jan. 9, 1970 Reproduction prohibited in whole or in part except by editorial clients Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Dear Mr. Fisher: In surveying the events of the past year it is clear that the passage of the legislation authorizing a Safeguard ABM system was of monumental importance in maintaining our vital national security posture. The American Security Council played a major role in achieving that victory. It was altogether in keeping with the historic role of your organi- zation in supporting programs which assure an adequate defense for the nation. I want you to know that your group's understanding, commitment to the national security and its active support are sources of great strength to me as Commander-in-Chief. I am deeply appreciative of the important work which you have done. With best wishes, Sincerely, Mr. John M. Fisher Executive Director American Security Council 1101 Seventeenth Street, NW. Washington, D.C. 20036 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library