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Records of the Office of Staff Secretary (Clinton Administration)
Todd Stern's Files
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SKIND:
coordinate
ply.
4-2-97
send to Desking
Yes
no
C
Chron
-
ID# 212361
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
DATE RECEIVED: APRIL 01, 1997
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: THE HONORABLE BRUCE BABBITT
97 APR 2 PM1:38
SUBJECT: REQUESTS PRESIDENT TO DESIGNATE APR (21-27)
97, AS NATIONAL PARK WEEK
ACTION
DISPOSITION
ROUTE TO:
ACT
DATE
TYPE
C COMPLETED
OFFICE/AGENCY
(STAFF NAME)
CODE YY/MM/DD
RESP
D YY/MM/DD
KATHRYN "KITTY" HIGGINS
ORG 97/04/01
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
Stern, Todd
A 97/04/02
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
/
/
REFERRAL NOTE:
COMMENTS: ENCLOSURE
ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENTS:
MEDIA:L INDIVIDUAL CODES:
MI MAIL
USER CODES: (A)
(B)
(C)
*ACTION CODES:
*DISPOSITION
*OUTGOING
*
*
*
*CORRESPONDENCE:
*
*A-APPROPRIATE ACTION
*A-ANSWERED
*TYPE RESP=INITIALS
*
*C-COMMENT/RECOM
*B-NON-SPEC-REFERRAL
*
OF SIGNER
*
*D-DRAFT RESPONSE
*C-COMPLETED
*
CODE = A
*
*F-FURNISH FACT SHEET *S-SUSPENDED
*COMPLETED = DATE OF
*
*I-INFO COPY/NO ACT NEC*
*
OUTGOING *
*R-DIRECT REPLY W/COPY *
*
*
*S-FOR-SIGNATURE
*
*
*
*X-INTERIM REPLY
*
*
REFER QUESTIONS AND ROUTING UPDATES TO CENTRAL REFERENCE
(ROOM 75,OEOB) EXT-2590
KEEP THIS WORKSHEET ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL INCOMING
LETTER AT ALL TIMES AND SEND COMPLETED RECORD TO RECORDS
MANAGEMENT.
S
# 212361
Auging
THE INTERIOR
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON
March
3.
1849
MAR 25 1997
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
In each of the last 3 years, you helped America celebrate National Park Week by issuing a
Presidential Proclamation.
Plans are underway for this year's event to be celebrated at parks throughout the Nation. We
ask that you designate April 21-27, 1997, as National Park Week. A draft proclamation is
enclosed.
This year marks the 125th anniversary of the creation of America's - and the world's -- first
national park--Yellowstone. The endurance, evolution and strengthening of the "national park
idea" into a system of more than 370 areas visited by 270 million people annually, as well as
the millions more served by National Park Service community-based recreation and historic
preservation programs, is what National Park Week celebrates this year.
National Park Week 1997 will once again coincide with two other events: Earth Day (April 22)
and the National Parks and Conservation Association's annual March for Parks (April 18-21)
in an estimated 1,000 cities and towns in the United States and around the world. This offers
an extraordinary opportunity to coordinate these complementary events and fulfill the promise
of National Park Week as a positive and public vehicle to focus America's attention on our
national parks.
As in the past, the National Park Foundation, is a major partner in National Park Week. The
Foundation and the National Park Service will present several prestigious national awards at a
reception and dinner in Washington, D.C. These include the National Park Ranger Award and
the Partnership Leadership Awards recognizing outstanding National Park Service employees and
the partners with whom they work.
For the second year, we are setting aside the Saturday of National Park Week (April 26) as a
"National Park Volunteer Day."
Thank you for your interest in, and support of, National Park Week.
Respectfully,
Enclosure
NATIONAL PARK WEEK, 1997
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
This year marks the 125th anniversary of the creation of America's -- and the world's -- first
national park -- Yellowstone. The wisdom of those whose foresight protected this magnificent
natural landscape, those who created the national park idea, has endured, strengthened, and
evolved over these 125 years.
Today, from the oldest to the newest not yet open, our system of 374 national parks protects not
only America's unparalleled scenic wonders but our remembrances of those who shaped this
land. In our national parks, America preserves both where we live and who we are.
In America's national parks, we can see ourselves at war and at peace. We are struck by the
innovation of a Thomas Edison and the artistry of a Frederick Law Olmsted. We explore the
remains of ancient civilizations at Mesa Verde and walk the hallways of a Kansas school where
a struggle for civil rights provoked the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown V. Board of
Education. We see those who led this Nation as President and remember those who followed
their leaders into battle to preserve our freedoms.
Beyond the parks themselves, the national park spirit is thriving in thousands of communities
around the country where the National Park Service provides support and technical advice to
create close-to-home recreational opportunities and honor local history through programs like
Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance, the National Register of Historic Places and
National Historic Landmarks.
And, no matter where they work, as the parks and the mandate of the National Park Service
have evolved, the demands on those entrusted with the stewardship of these resources have
become more complex and the skills required of the National Park Service workforce more
sophisticated.
Pristine wilderness or urban beach, the national parks remain a touchstone for the American
public. Every year, millions of visitors flock to our national parks--270 million in 1996. They
come to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; stand over the submerged remains
of USS Arizona; hike the stately rainforests of Olympic; experience the site of the first Women's
Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls in 1848; dream about the fragile plane that carried
Wilbur and Orville Wright off a high dune at Kitty Hawk; and stand silently in the place where
Lincoln died.
Our national parks let us reach out and touch the past. National Park Week this year celebrates
the strength of our singular system of national parks, a system unique in the world.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by
virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby
proclaim April 21-27, 1997, as National Park Week.
JIM DORSKIND:
Please coordinate
the reply.
Sim-
I've spoken with
Rebecca about this, were
not going to do of. can
you do a JSD turndown
letter? Maks phil
LAY
Phil can you
MERICAN
FOR LIFE TO
please have
a response done
CANCER
SOCIETY
TEAM EVENT
IGHT CANCER
March 25, 1997
President Bill Clinton
Washington, D.C.
RE: 1997 Relay for Life
Drew County, Arkansas
Dear Mr. President:
Plans are underway for our 2nd annual Relay for Life which will be
held on Friday, April 25th - Saturday, April 26th at the University
of Arkansas at Monticello campus. Last year over 100 people
participated in our Relay for Life which has now become the
signature event for the American Cancer Society on a national
level. More than 300 people are expected to participate in the
event this year!
I know that I do not have to explain to you the importance of
cancer research. We have both watched or felt this illness destroy
lives and families physically, psychologically, and financially.
As part of our event, we are going to present a city trophy to the
business that raises the most money for the Relay for Life. This
trophy will be a "moving trophy" and will be passed along through
the coming years. We are writing you to request an old worn-out
pair of jogging shoes to be made into the city trophy! I realize
this is an unusual request but we feel that it would be the "hit"
of our event!
If you can be of assistance in this request, we would sincerely
appreciate your generosity. With your help, we are fighting cancer
in our hometown!
Sincerely,
Stany D. Saduh
stacy D. Sanderlin
Relay for Life Committee
Drew County Unit of the American Cancer Society
of % STevE SAVAGE
P.O. Box 240
MONTICELLO, AR 71655
O
(501)367-3436
TOTAL P.02
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY SECRETARY
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
810 VERMONT AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20420
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL SHEET
TO:
NANCY HernReich
FROM:
Hershel Gober
DATE:
COMPANY: ASST To THE PRESIdeNT
3/26/97
FAX NUMBER:
TOTAL NO. OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER:
456-6703
2
PHONE NUMBER:
SENDER'S PHONE NUMBER:
(202) 273-4817
RE:
SENDER'S FAX NUMBER:
(202) 273-4878
URGENT
FOR REVIEW
PLEASE COMMENT
PLEASE REPLY
PLEASE RECYCLE
NOTES/COMMENTS: IS iT Possible To do THIS? THEY
SENT To Me SINCE I Am FROM Monticello.
Huall
5/27 Cc for counselife
wasnet
town 1th
asup
falker
Kathleen M. Whalen
03/28/97 10:01:45 AM
will
Record Type:
Record
about?
ANY
To:
Nancy V. Hernreich/WHO/EOP
cc:
Charles F. Ruff/WHO/EOP
Subject: American Cancer Society event
Chuck forwarded to me the request from the American Cancer Society for an item from the
President for their auction. As we have advised in the past, we generally discourage the President
from participating in charitable auctions. However, if he feels strongly about a particular
organization or has a connection to it, he may send a personal item (such as old tennis shoes), but
2003
not an official item (i.e., something paid for by the government or anything else with the
Presidential seal). It should be forwarded using Bill Clinton stationery as opposed to offical
Presidential stationery.
If you have any questions, please call me at 6-6229.
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
and
THE WHITE HOUSE
4-2-97
WASHINGTON
97 APR 1 PR12:46
March 31, 1997
RECOMMENDED TELEPHONE CALL
TO:
Lute Oison, Head Coach
University of Arizona Wildcats Men's Basketball team
DATE AND TIME:
April 1, 1997, after 5:00 pm EST
RECOMMENDED BY:
Maria Echaveste (Danny Wexler)
PURPOSE:
To congratulate them on winning the 1997 NCAA
Championship.
BACKGROUND:
The Arizona Wildcats won their first NCAA victory with an
incredible 84 -79 overtime victory over last years champion, the
Kentucky Wildcats.
copud
Arizona, (25 - 9) became the first school to beat three top seeds
Echaveste
since seeding was established in 1979. They beat Kansas in the
COS
Southeast region semifinal and North Carolina in the National
semifinal on Saturday night.
Arizona Guard, Miles Simon, was named Most Outstanding
Player of the Final Four. Simon, who averages just under 12
points a game, scored a career high 30 points and hit four free
throws in the final 41 seconds of overtime to capp their victory.
TALKING POINTS:
Congratulations on winning your first NCAA championship.
Your victory was one of the most amazing journey's in tournament history,
going through three number one teams, Kansas, North Carolina and then
Kentucky. They are the winningest teams in NCAA history.
We look forward to seeing you at the White House.
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
520-621-4813 (office)
520-577-2339 (home)
DATE OF SUBMISSION:
April 1, 1997
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
4-2-97.
well
Alleged Launderer Moved Millions
Despite Scrutiny by U.S., Mexico
By CRAIG TORRES
Mexican bank regulators say all Mexi-
And LAURIE HAYS
can banks are cooperating in the probe.
Staff Reporters of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Money laundering experts say Chase
MEXICO CITY - A suspected Mexican
doesn't have any liability for an account
money launderer moved millions of dollars
held by its correspondent bank, but if
through the international banking system,
Chase suspects that bank is participating
including Chase Manhattan Bank, at a
in criminal activities, it may question the
time when his accounts were under scru-
bank and has the right to close the account.
tiny by U.S. and Mexican authorities,
Chase declined to comment on whether it is
people familiar with the matter say.
reviewing Banco Union's account.
There isn't any indication that Chase, a
Foreign banks use their correspondent
unit of Chase Manhattan Corp., knowingly
bank accounts with Chase and other New
abetted a money-laundering scheme. Still,
York money-center banks to settle their
the emerging details suggest that banking
U.S. dollar payment activity. Most of the
and enforcement systems in both countries
dollar payments between banks all over
are highly vulnerable to the sorts of com-
the world go through New York where the
plex multinational transfers that are typi-
Federal Reserve System each night nets
cally used to disguise illicit money.
out the payments through its Clearing
The case, which has become an irritant
House Interbank Payments System. Chase
to U.S.-Mexican relations, involves bank
is a member of that system.
accounts purportedly controlled by Rigo-
U.S. officials have expressed concern
berto Gaxiola Medina, a Mexican citizen
about the possibility that Mexican banks
who was indicted in 1994 on marijuana-
copied
may wittingly or unwittingly be using their
trafficking charges by a federal grand jury
relationships with U.S. banks to launder
in Detroit.
money. Last October, the U.S. Treasury
Mc Larty
Mexican authorities, working with U.S.
issued an alert to banks identifying Mexi-
assistance, subsequently identified some
can bank drafts, which are issued in
S183 million in various peso and dollar
dollars by Mexican banks and payable by
deposits into accounts under the names of
correspondent banks, as a popular tool for
Mr. Gaxiola Medina or his relatives and
money laundering.
alleged associates. But at the time when
The investigation into the banking
the Mexicans seized the accounts Jan. 23,
relationships of the Gaxiola Medinas is
only $16.7 million were in them. U.S.
complicated by the fact that the family has
officials complained publicly that Mexico
many apparently legitimate businesses in
botched the operation by allowing most of
the northern Mexican state of Sonora.
the money to escape the accounts.
Law-enforcement authorities from the
Pedro Garcia Palazuelos, an attorney
U.S. and Mexico say they suspect some
for the family, said in a recent interview
of the money flowing through the accounts
that both the large deposits and account
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1997
may belong to purported drug kingpin
transfers can be explained by the family's
Amado Carrillo Fuentes, said to be Mex-
businesses which are involved in cross-
ico's most-powerful trafficker.
border trade. "They are leaders in buying
Members of the Gaxiola Medina family
and selling wood," said Mr. Garcia. "You
couldn't be reached for comment, but their
will never find a crime against this fam-
attorney has strenuously denied that they
ily."
are involved in drug trafficking or money
Some early results of the Mexicans'
laundering.
investigation appear to cast doubt on U.S.
In the weeks since the dispute became
claims that Mexican officials allowed a
public. Mexican officials have been at-
large sum of money to vanish. Mexican
tempting to trace the route of the money.
officials say that many of the 18 accounts
Authorities here appear especially in-
now under investigation show numerous
terested in a large multistep transfer
transactions that result in large swings in
involving Chase Manhattan and other
account balances. As deposits were made,
banks. In this case, investigators say, $15
the funds began a series of transfers and at
million was transferred from a trust ac-
no time did a total balance of $183 million
count in Banca Serfin, Mexico's third-larg-
ever exist in the accounts, authorities
est bank, to an ordinary account at another
say.
Mexican bank, Banco Union. From there
The Mexicans add that there is little
the funds were wired to an account at
evidence that Mexican officials tipped off
Chase Manhattan Bank in New York that
Mr. Gaxiola Medina to an impending order
clears dollar transactions for Banco Un-
to freeze the accounts, as U.S. officials
ion. Authorities believe the cash was then
have suggested. During a 13-day period it
forwarded to Mercury Bank & Trust Ltd.,
took for Mexico's drug-fighting agency to
the Grand Cayman subsidiary of Grupo
act on freeze orders in January, the ac-
Financiero Bancomer SA.
count balances rose by $15,229,796, to over
Officials at Banca Serfin didn't return
$16 million, Mexican officials say.
telephone calls seeking comment. Ban-
"This was an unnecessary problem
comer declined to comment. Banco Union,
with the U.S. based on misinformation,"
which has been controlled by the Mexican
said a Mexican official embittered by U.S.
government since late 1994, didn't return a
criticism. "We don't need these artificial
telephone call seeking comment.
problems with the U.S."
'97 MAR 31 PM6:58
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
4-2-97
March 31, 1997
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM
: MIKE McCURRY MMc
SUBJECT
: PROPOSAL FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES
Late last year, Richard Ford wrote to you proposing that he
write an article about you for the New York Times Magazine.
Please find attached a copy of the letter.
As his correspondence indicates, Ford is a Pulitzer Prize
winning author and a supporter of yours. He would like to spend
a week with you to provide the New York Times reader with a
behind the scenes look at you and your life as President.
Jack Rosenthal, the editor of the New York Times Magazine,
is extremely interested in this project. A similar piece was
done by John Hersey in 1975 with then President Ford. I have
included a copy of that article for your review.
The Magazine is interested in having Ford spend as much time
with you as possible. Nonetheless, they also understand that
there will also be some groundrules on coverage and
participation. We might also want to explore Ford spending a
week with you when you are travelling and the schedule is more in
the public domain.
Rahm, Doug, Don, Ann and I feel that this project would be a
worthwhile endeavor. Please let me know if you would like me to
proceed with the New York Times.
Thank you.
copied
Cos
mccurry
You Mix that May
by
Theee
aty
1139 Bourbon Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
December 11, 1996
Dear Mr. President,
I propose to write an article for the New York Times Magazine, an article that
focuses on you and that relies on time spent with you. The article would be
reportorial and would include personal observation of you by me. To write the
article I would like to spend a week or perhaps two with and around you, being as
unintrusive as possible.
My qualifications for such a piece of writing are that I have worked as a novelist, a
short story writer, an essayist, and too as a journalist for the past 28 years. This
year I won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for a novel, Independence Day (not the
movie).
My other--I suppose--qualification is that I spent more than half of my growing-up
years in Little Rock. My grandfather, Ben Shelley, ran and I lived in the Marion
Hotel, although my school time was done in Jackson, MS. You and I have a
number of mutual friends from the sixties. I, in fact, spent part of the summer of
1962 in Hope, working as a switchman on the Missouri Pacific. Beyond that, I am a
Democrat, a supporter of yours, etc.
I hope this idea will appeal to you. I cannot know at this early stage what I will find
to write about. But I will try to make it good work, writing that will be faithful to
the truth and useful to its readership.
Goodford Good wishes and congratulations,
Richard Ford
TheNew Hork Times.
me
SECTION
THE PRESIDENT has given me permission to take a kind of voyage
with him - to watch him closely through a working week. I have a unique
opportunity, and at this moment its prospect staggers me I will in fact be
doing something that less than a handful of Mr. Ford's own staff of 533 has
done: I will be with him most of the time, hour in and hour out, through
the whole week's range of his back-breaking routine. BY JOHN HERSEY
THE
PRESID ENT
By John Hersey
MONDAY
A stubborn calm at the center
'I get a lift from his awkwardness. I am glad that he is a
hard case for the hired image-makers The real Gerald
Ford, for better or worse, will always be visible.'
Donald Rumsfeld, with a sheaf of papers under
"Bronco Buster," a cowboy bending to the rise of a.
his arm, opens the staff door to the Oval Office and
violent caraçole, the dark bronze horse under him
nods over his shoulder to me to follow him, and we
seeming to explode with ferocity and joy. Not quite
walk in. The President, seated behind his desk,
so sharply to my left is the utterly still figure be-
greets us; first names come easily to him, and be-
yond the desk, dark-suited, contained, reading some
cause he and I have met before, he uses mine.
document his aide has handed him, pale drifting
It is 8:33. Monday morning. A rainy day.
smoke the only motion there.
Rumsfeld pulls a chair up to a corner of the desk
The President has given me permission to take a
and puts the papers down. I sit against the curving
kind of voyage with him-to watch him closely
east wall of the room, in a straight cane-backed
through a working week I have a unique opportu-
chair. The President, holding a pipe to his mouth
nity, and at this moment its prospect staggers me.
with his left hand, tips a butane lighter into it and
By the time the week is over, I will have been given
puffs up a cloud.
access to a President of the United States of a sort
The Assistant to the President begins talking and
no journalist has ever had. It is already clear that
passing papers across the, desk. A Navy steward in
Mr. Ford is going to be even more open with me
a red coat serves coffee. I am far too excited at
than was Harry Truman when, a quarter of a cen-
first to be able to follow what is being said. I am
tury ago, he allowed me a somewhat similar privi-
conscious of the arching energy, on a table just
lege. I will in fact be doing something that less than
to my left, of Frederick Remington's sculpture,
a handful of Mr. Ford's own staff of 533 has done:
Photographs by George Tames
30
I will be with him, most of the time, hour In and
As the men draw chairs around the desk, the
FORD (holding up an arresting hand): -In time.
hour out, through the whole week's range of his
President rises-what a big man he Is!-steps to a
Ten days or two weeks.
back-breaking routine.
table behind him, picks up four brand new pipes,
NESSEN: What do I say to questions about their
I sit here trying to get my bearings. Charles Will-
still in their store packages, and tosses one to each
dickering for'a lower figure?
son Peale's foxy and sexy old Ben Franklin is
of the pipe smokers, Hartmann, Marsh, Rumsfeld
FORD: In our discussions they suggested a lower
squinting disconcertingly at me from across the
and Nessen, who has just switched from cigarettes.
figure. We believe our figure is right. They have the
room through mod-looking spectacles. Over the
"Someone gave me these. I don't much care for
authority to set the figure. Henry made the point to
mantel one of Peale's seven Washingtons, this por-
that type of pipe," he says. Bright-colored pipes
the group that we. want no part of giving too little.
trait full-length, the face austere and disapproving,
with meerschaum or plastic bowls and elaborate
Better an adequate figure and an honest effort than
looks past me and straight at his distant successor,
cooling stems. Marsh and Rumsfeld, knowing each
too little.
as If wondering, wondering. I am curious about the
other's color preferences, make a swap. The stew-
MARSH: Wasn't it Churchill: "Too little and too
days ahead. I want to know what I suppose every
and is passing coffee again. The President, who
late"?
citizen wants to know. Our country has been
drank tea at breakfast, now takes his second cup of
HARTMANN: The Sudeten Plan. It was when
through,agonies of failed leadership. Are we in the
coffee.
Hitler
hands of steady men now? What is the quality of
NESSEN (glasses parked on top of his head): On
this quiet person murmuring to his'aide? What is
Cambodia. 1 think I'll be getting flak from some
9:50 A.M. The Nessen group departs.
his style, and what secrets, if any, does It encode-
things Humphrey said on "Face the Nation" yester-
Behind the President's big black seat at the desk,
or is all of him right out there on the surface? How
day-that aid wouldn't help the situation even If it
between it and the tall south windows, stands
does he make decisions? Is he bright enough? How
got there. Hubert said he'd seen some C.I.A. cables
wide table, on which, backed by two delicate silver
stubborn is he? Is he at all flexible? Is the office
that came to the same conclusion.
Argand lamps designed for tubular wicks that once
changing him? Has he been able to lift his vision
The Plexiglas-covered globe of the earth beyond
burned whale oll but are now equipped with tiny,
from the boundaries of the Fifth Congressional Dis-
the President's desk suddenly seems to jump up
flame-shaped electric bulbs bravely glimmering In a
trict of Michigan to the full sweep from Maine to
Into full scale. Cambodia. I am all ears. The Presi-
sea of light, there are color photographs of Betty
Hawaii where the electorate lives that had no
dent, who has in recent days seemed to be com-
Ford; of all the Ford children at their father's
chance to choose him?
pletely out of touch with the mood of the country
swearing-in, with Jack in the foreground; of Mike
The figure behind the desk is drenched in the
on: the everlasting suffering of the Asian wars, is in
and his wife Gayle; of Steve and his bright jeep; of
dazzling artificial light of this room. A dark pin-
a tight struggle with Congress-yet again-over
Susan and her cat Shan; and of the family's golden
stripe suit, the lapels Just the right width for this
emergency funds for both Vietnam and Cambodia.
retriever, Liberty, on the White House lawn. Papers
year: a tie slashed with bold diagonal stripes. I
can Imagine Truman's explosion if he had been
that the President must read, most of them in sepa-
search the face, now tilting up from reading. There
crossed on a conviction of his in this way by an old
rate blue folders, are stacked in front of these pic-
is a slight tuck on the lower right cheek, not
friend. No-Ford's tone, when he speaks, is exactly
tures on the table, and Mr. Ford swivels now to
matched on the left. Higher on the left cheek are
the tone he used when he was talking earlier about
pick up the pile and lift It to his desk.
three barely visible bumps, suddenly folded now
ai prospective Under Secretary of Transportation:
He takes a fresh pipe from the top right-hand
into the creases of a smile. Which fades quickly.
his utterance is slow; he pauses long at his mental
drawer of his desk, packs it and lights it. The stew-
At the foot of the long slope of the bald forehead
commas; he never uhs; he speaks as If he means
ard comes in to remove cups and rearrange chairs.
there are stark, slashing horizontal lines of the
just these words and no other words would do.
The President reads a personal communication from
skinfold over the deepset 61-year-old eyes that need
FORD: What I've said was that if no aid was
Secretary of State Kissinger, who is away, shuttling:
no glasses, and, beneath, two darkish puffy semi-
sent, It would be inevitable that the Government
and a long briefing paper for a meeting the Presi-
circles. The eyes seek Rumsfeld's. The strong Im-
would fall; if It was sent, there'd be a 50-50 chance
dent is to have before lunch with Dr. Arthur Burns,
pression I get is of total relaxation: The hand
of survival till the rainy season, or roughly that.
Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board.
guides the pipe as if the pipe were free of gravity.
RUMSFELD: In the senior staff meeting. Brent
After a time, Mr. Ford rings for Terry O'Donnell,
Rumsfeld is explaining something. His hands,
Scowcroft said he knows what Humphrey saw, and
the keeper of the staff door, and asks him to have
held out before him on a plane parallel to the desk
It did not say that even if aid were sent the Gov-
some photographs delivered to Mrs. Ford, for her to
top, sharply chop thumb to thumb, then cut away
emment would fall. But I cautioned Ron about
autograph for friends. Later O'Donnell comes in
from each other, the fingers fanning. Ford listens,
being too blunt here. There are bound to have been
with some commissions to sign, among them the
puffs, says, "Let's get them in here and talk about
differing Interpretations,
certificates of appointment of Carla Hills, the new
It."
FORD: I agree. Point one (he raises a straight
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, who
9:05 A.M. Jack Marsh is in the chair where Rums-
right forefinger), whatever Hubert saw, there could
is to be sworn in at noon on this day, and of John
have been a phrase or a sentence that could have
Dunlop, the new Secretary of Labor, who is to be
feld sat. "You saw the letter." the Counselor asks,
led him horiestly to believe what he was saying,
installed next week.
"from 37 Democrat freshmen opposing any further
aid to Cambodia?"
and point two (his right hand comes up again, the
The President begins reading again.
"I read about It this morning."
forefinger and middle finger raised but bent; the
I feel that no matter how still I sit, I am a dis-
The pipe is clamped in the right side of the
hand is loose), we don't know for sure everybody
traction, and I leave the Oval Office.
mouth. The face gives no message. Strong eye con-
Hubert saw, or for that matter exactly what cables
tact is maintained.
he saw.
I listen to Ron Nessen's briefing on a monitor in
his office. It turns out that after all the time spent
"Here's a letter from 15 Senators"-Marsh reach-
HARTMANN: We do know that the public believes
with the President on Hubert Humphrey and Cam-
es it forward; says it proposes a candidate for
the President gets all the information and others
bodia, there is not a single question from reporters
Under Secretary of Transportation: summarizes the
only partial information. Don't call Hubert a liar.
on the war. Instead there is a ferocious grilling that
man's record; makes it clear that he has been a
Say something like, "The President's best judgment
starts with a question whether the President had
good political soldier.
is
been Informed at any time by William E. Colby,
"Give it to Bill Walker, Jack."
MARSH:
It's significant that he did tip his hat to
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. or by
Beyond the Presidential desk from where I sit, a
you for supplying more information than in the
any other C.L.A. official, "that the late Senator
head of Harry Truman thrusts its feisty challenge
past.
Robert Kennedy had told two associates that he
into the room. The bronze face looks pleased, as if
FORD (leaning back in his shiny black leather
had vetoed or been able to veto a plan-this ques-
saying: Who'd have thought I'd be one of three past
swivel chair): We made a conscious decision that
tion takes a long time to ask because it is a com-
Presidents represented here?
Henry would go before Congress, or maybe a sub-
plicated thing-the C.L.A. plan to contract with the
The third is Abraham Lincoln, who stands, sien-
committee, and give as much information as possi-
Mafia to assassinate Prime Minister Castro."
der and brooding. on a pedestal on the east side of
ble. That led Sparkman to come to his conclusion,
NESSEN (after a pause for thought): I am not
the room, to my right. Ford chose this company of
which was to support the whole package, and it led
going to say anything about that, Jim.
three: Washington, Lincoln, Truman. Mrs. Ford
Clifford: Case to support substantially the whole
Q: Will we ever find out anything about that, or
found the Truman head abandoned in the White
package. Even in that group, though, who got a lot
the previous story about the C.I.A. assassination al-
House warehouse.
of facts, you have differences of opinion.
legations which were asked about last week; that
9:18 A.M. Rumsfeld, Marsh, Hartmann, Nessen and
RUMSFELD: Ron, use Bob's point that we have all
is, is the White House ever going to have anything
Friedersdorf enter for the daily session preparing
the information, and various people using the same
to say about those stories?
Ron Nessen for his briefing of the press. Ever since
information can come to different conclusions.
NESSEN: Right now, I am not going to say any-
Watergate days, reporters' questions in these brief-
NESSEN: Then I'll say, based on the facts you
thing about It, Walt.
(Ings have been searching. prolonged, often fierce-
have, Mr. President, you've concluded that there's
Q: Last week you said a number of things. Why
the sum of all the questions being: Does a President
a 50-50 chance of the Government's being able to
are you not going to say anything about it?
ever tell the truth?
carry on till the rainy season if aid is sent-
NESSEN: I can't.
All during the press conference, reporters keep
a Lift from his awkardness. I am glad that Presi,
fling papers. David Kennerly, the President's per-
coming back and back to this subject, and 14 more
dent Ford is a hard case for the hired image-
sonal photographer, who is bearded and brassy.
times Nessen says, in one phrasing or another, "I
makers. Here his stubbornness will help us all. It
and who well knows that the most abashing eye on
am just not going to talk about that."
is likely that the real Gerald Ford, for better or
earth to men of power is the camera's winking
for worse, will always be visible and audible to
lens, comes in to snap some shots. Kennerly, or one
11:51 K.M. During the meeting with the Nessen
the citizenry, no matter how hard the experts try
of his four assistants, makes a record of every ap-
group, the President asked to see "the latest go-
to disguise him.
pointment the President has, except for those with
round on the Carla Hills thing." and now Bob Hart-
Now he praises Mrs. Hills, refers to the Housing
his closest staff. Perhaps these are "for history" in
mann, who is in charge of speechwriters, and Bob
and Community Development Act of 1974,
and
lieu of the Nixon tapes. Mr. Ford pleases
Orben, one of them, bring in the final draft of
says, "One of Carla's major jobs will be to Impte-
many of his visitors by seeing that they receive
the President's remarks for the swearing-in.
ment. this massive and, I believe, progressive pro-
photographs, later, of themselves in easy intimacy
It suddenly seems that Cambodia and the C.L.A.
gram. Incidentally, Carla's budget for fiscal 1976
with the President of the United States.
might as well be on the moon.
will be $7.1-billioa. That is $1.6-billion more than
The President has a number of questions be
"I thought I might have a little fun with Carla
was given to her predecessor, Jim Lynn. Now K
wants to ask: How soon will there be signs of eco-
to disavow my male chauvinism," the President
that does not dispose of male chauvinism, nothing
nomic recovery. and how strong will It be? Is the
says.
will." (A pretty good laugh.)
money supply going to continue to rise? Fast
"You have to be careful there, Mr. President,"
enough to promote recovery? Not so fast as to re-
Orben says. "That's suddenly a verboten area. In
12:19 P.M. The President walks from the East
ignite inflation? Inflation is slowing down-is this
no part. of the speech do we refer to her as a
Room along the brilliant red carpet of the cross
a permanent reduction or is there still an underly-
woman."
hall, past the flags, past the aggressive Houdon
ing problem of inflation that will reappear when
bust of Joel Barlow, under the twinkling Adam
"Betty's been out in front on this Equal Rights
the economy begins to turn around? What will be
Amendment business, and rd like to get something
the effects of larger-than-budgeted Federal deficits?
in. Can't we do something with the budget side
Dr. Burns, in a quiet, rather high-pitched voice,
of it? You know, like a household budget. Let's
gives the President a thorough explanation of mon-
see." He looks at the text. "The budget gives her
etary and economic trends; the meeting. scheduled
a lot more than was given to Jim Lynn"-ber male
for 30 minutes, lasts 65. Dr. Burns has brought
predecessor, still in the Cabinet as Director of
several charts; on some of them upwardness is
the Office of Management and Budget. "That
DELLO
visible.
doesn't sound like male chauvinism to me. Why
don't you fool around with that?"
1:41 P.M. Enter, breathlessly, Miss Shirley Coth-
ran, of Denton, Tex., Miss America of 1975, who
12:07 P.M. He stands at a lectern on a podium
has had to cool her nifty heels for 40 minutes
in the East Room of the residence, alongside
while the President and Dr.-Burns-were-havi
Secretary-Designate Hills and flanked by her hus-
their téle-à-léte. Miss America is accompanied by
band, her children dressed to the nines, the Vice
Doris Kelly, a young lady who is described as
President, and & ceremonial delegation of Senators
her chaperone; by her Congressman, Ray Roberts:
and Congressmen. The room is murmurous with
and by Mayor Joseph A. Bradway of Atlantic City,
standing guests, Television lights are on. The Pres-
where she was crowned.
Ident places his speech on the lectern, and a re-
The President, apparently bucked up by what
spectful silence falls.
he has heard about money, now seems to have no
"I am in very good company," he starts out,
difficulty whatsoever wrenching his attention away
"welcoming Carla into the Cabinet as Secretary
from the economy.
of Housing and Urban Development. Carla; Mr.
FORD: Nice to meet you, Shirley.
Justice White, who is about to administer the oath;
SHIRLEY
MISS
MISS AMERICA (memorization straining every
HUD Under Secretary Jim Mitchell and I are all
AMERICA
sweet muscle of her face): I have presents here,
AND
graduates of Yale Law School.
DENTON,
sir, for you, and also one for Mrs. Ford.
"Maybe I better not say that too loudly. I can
TEXAS
FORD: My wife and I watch the Miss America con-
imagine a dozen other prospects starting to prac-
test all the time, We really enjoy that on TV.
tice the Whiffenpoof Song. (Half-hearted laugh-
MISS AMERICA: I sure hope you saw it this year.
ter)
That was the best year.
This voice is different from the relaxed one I
FORD: It sure was!
have been hearing all morning. Of course, it is
ROBERTS: My most famous constituent, Mr. Presi-
amplified; perhaps the amplifier has wooden parts.
dent, and, I may say, my most beautiful one.
I have heard that Gerald Ford loves to make
FORD: I thought all the girls down there in Texas
speeches. That he loves to sit for hours at lunch-
"Nice to meet you, Shirley.
I thought all the
looked like this, Ray.
eons eating bad food and listening to worse speech-
girls down there in Texas looked like this."
Now comes a stampede of pool photographers
es than his own. That for years he has been fly-
with still and motion-picture and TV cameras, and
ing here and there across the country carrying the
chandeliers, past the proud Hoban columns like
with hooded lights on long wires. The President
Republican word. Recently he hired a former pro-
marble guardsmen-beyond whose picket line crim-
and his little party are herded toward the east side
ducer for CBS News, Robert Mead, to give him
son-coated musicians of the United States Marine
of the room. David Kennerly, who has grown
pointers, and Mead has been trying to help the
Band, their violins soaring to salute the chief, play
familiar with his boss, says, "Would you mind
President loosen up. He has urged speechwriters
from the score of a moving picture called
"Villa
putting her in the middle, please?" "Not 'her,'
to provide texts early, so the President could read
Rides"-past black ushers, past uniformed
aides,
David," the President says. "Her name is Shirley.
them out loud several times to get his mouth com-
past Secret Service operatives with radio wires
Where are your manners?"
fortably around the written words. "It's hard to
dribbling down from their right ears under their
Miss America runs off to the side to put down
vocal some of those long sentences," Mr. Mead
jacket collars, past notables and bureaucrats and
her purse, which may not look nice in the photos.
says. He has been trying to stamp out some of
toadies, breasting all the pomp with his brisk stride,
While cameras click, the President, taking advan-
Mr. Ford's Grand Rapids pronunciations: "guahran-
which is Foose-haunched and shoulder-floating, like
tage of a briefing, which has informed him that
tee," "judgament." But Gerald Ford has very likely
that of a fettlesome quarterhorse.
Shirley has studied at North Texas State University
uttered five million words in speeches on and off
In the State Dining Room he receives guests be-
and plans to be an elementary-school guidance
the floor of the House, and as Vice President and
side his new HUD Secretary, and he chats without
counselor, is chatting with her in a low voice.
President, and he is, I am beginning to see, a man
haste with those who push their faces close to his.
"How long will that take?
That's wonderful,
of intransigent habits. Right now, introducing Carla
Fine new buildings you have there.
Hills, he is his old speaking self. Besides, his arms
12:36 P.M. He is back in the Oval Office, at his
"Thirty seconds, please," Assistant Press Secre-
and hands, which all morning have been gliding as
desk, his chin resting on his left hand. Dr. Arthur
tary Bill Roberts calls out to the photographers.
gracefully as the smoke that played games around
Burns, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board,
Then: "Lights, please. Thank you." And out goes
them, have gone rubbery-though it must at least
whose gray hair seems not to be receding but actu-
the pool.
be said that his gestures, unlike Mr. Nixon's, have
ally to be advancing down his forehead, leans over
MISS AMERICA (in haste, sensing that she her-
a direct connection with what he is saying. I get
the end of the desk to the President's right, shuf-
self is being eased toward the door): As I travel
32
around, people ask me about all kinds of things, Mr.
gets. The Chief Justice thinks the courts aren't get-
bathed in brightness and a bit high. I have clearly
President, and I'm only 22 years old, but I really can
ting. or else they're losing, their best Judges on ac-
seen each face, to the very pores, in a flood of
say that I support you in every single thing you
count of this. We have the same problem In the
indirect candlepower that rains down from a pure
do.
Executive Branch, where the ceiling is $36,000.
white ceiling onto the curving off-white walls and
FORD: I really appreciate that, Shirley. Going back
We're losing top people both In the military and
a pale yellow rug and bright: furnishings in shades
to school next fall?
the State Department. Congress is having similar
of gold, green and salmon. But there are also daz-
MISS AMERICA: In January.
problems. The Chief Justice strongly feels that
zling parabolas of power here; authority seems to
FORD: I'm certain that after a hard year It will be
Congress ought to separate out the Judiciary from
be diffused as an aspect of the artificial light in the
welcome.
Congress and the Executive, but' I doubt If this
room, and each person who comes into this heady
MISS AMERICA: Sure hope you have a chance to
will be possible. The political environment is not
glow seems to be rendered EYES, DO slightly tipsy in
visit North Texas State again, sir.
right for Increases. Congress isn't in the mood for
it and by it-people familiar with the room far less
FORD: Real nice to see you, Shirley. Congratu-
them. I myself have suggested a 5 per cent one-
so, of course, than first-time visitors, some of
lations and good luck.
year cap on all Government Increases. Under the
whom visibly goggle and stagger and hold on tight
Miss America looks flustered and puzzled. The
present system the cost-of-living Increase would
as they make their appeals; but even the old hands,
President realizes why, before anyone else in the
amount to something like 9 per cent. If you co-
even the President's closest friends, and even the
room does, possibly even before Miss America her-
ordinate that with 5 per cent Increases in all three
President himself, sitting in bundle of light be
self. "Hey," he says. "Better not leave your purse,
branches, the first-year cost would be $1,159,400
hind the desk of the chief, seem to me to take on
Shirley. We've got some real bad characters around
for the Congress, $1,039,250 for the Judiciary,
a barely perceptible extra shine in the ambiguous
here."
$1,496,725 for the Executive, and-I was aston-
radiant energy that fills this room.
Ished at this-$27,450,000 for the military. An ar-
Gerald Ford wanted, and was entitled tó, an
1:45 P.M. The President has 15 minutes for lunch
rangement like this wouldn't catch the Judiciary
Oval Office In his own style. His wife helped him
before the next scheduled appointment. He ducks
achieve it. Only a few traces remain of the Nixon
into a small private room off the Oval Office that
Oval Office, with Its ostentatious expense-account
Betty Ford has been fixing up for him as a kind of
taste: the Peale Washington; a picture by an UTF-
hideaway.
known artist of the mid-19th century, called "The
President's House"; the vulgar gold. curtains be-
I retire to the staff anteroom. So far I have had
a sense of rushing after the President from one isó-
This room is an egg of
hind the President's desk; the desk itself; and a
few chairs. The vile bugs that fed the tapes are
lated fragment of administration or ceremony or
light there are dazzling
gone; when President Ford learned that a device,
politics or planning to another and another. I realize
though dead, was still embedded in the desk, he
that I am still slightly agog. and that I have sud-
-had It rooted out. Mrs. Ford, assisted by the taste-
denly cut across the grain Into a continuous timber
of the Presidential process. But I wonder: When is
parabolas of power here;
ful Curator of the White House, Clement E. Con-
ger, planned a thoroughgoing redecoration, and
policy made? When is thinking done? How have I
missed scenes of the tense struggle over Cambo-
authority seems to be
while the Presidential couple was in Vladivostok,
the transformation was made.
dian funds? I have seen so many new faces; per-
haps In time I can sort them out. I feel hurried.
diffused as an aspect of
Some exquisite pleces were brought into the
room-a Massachusetts Hepplewhite-style chest of
But here in the anteroom Terry O'Donnell, the
the light in this room, and
drawers, for Instance, on which the Truman head
young man who juggles people and papers In and
stands, with a serpentine front and fan.inlay quad-
out of the Oval Office, and Nell Yates, who keeps,
rants on the drawers; and a Federal card table
the logs and assists O'Donnell, are calm. Come to
each person who comes-
made in Salem, Mass., about 1810, whose top is
think of it, everyone I have seen today has been
supported by a large, carved, gilded, spread-winged
calm. And the center of the calm, its essence and
into this heady glow seems
eagle-the only known table of its kind in Ameri-
source, has obviously been the President. With
ca. Most beautiful of all, to my mind, is a grand-
Truman it was all nervous energy. moral Inten-
sity, emotion in harness, history clamoring for ex-
to be rendered ever SO
father clock, designed by John and Thomas Sey-
mour of Boston in the early 19th century, with
pression. Here the strongest Impression, so far,
fluted columns at the corners and beautiful satin-
is of relaxation.
slightly tipsy in it and by it'
wood inlays: its forceful ticking inexorably marks
the moments of history-and of nonhistory-in this
1:55 P.M. The President, it turns out, has taken
room of light.
only 10 minutes to eat. He calls me in and tells
And so the room now is elegant, but the Presi-
me that It will not be appropriate for me to sit
dent's own territory, on and around his desk, is
in on the next meeting. which is to be in the
simple, and is comfortable for him. Centered on the
Cabinet Room. "This isn't really my party," he
desk in front of him is a metal football, raised from
says: "The Chief Justice asked If he could come
up, but it
would give some relief and then keep
a penholder base, with a plate inscribed SOUTH
in to see me, and we've got the leaders of Con-
them current. I don't know. We're going to have
HIGH FOOTBALL CLUB. It is from the teammates
gress, too. This is a historic get-together. I don't
to work something out to keep our best people in
with whom he still has occasional reunions. To his
know as there's ever been a summit meeting of all
Government."
right, next to the desk, is a side table with shelves
three branches of Government in the White House
like this in recent times-certainly not in my mem-
2:01 P.M. He takes me into the Cabinet Room for
for smoking things. Next to that, on the floor, is the
brown suitcase in which he carries papers back
ory since I became Minority Leader."
the opening moments of the meeting, when the
pool cameramen will In any case be present.
and forth to the residence each evening and on
He motions me to a seat.
Chief Justice Warren Burger, Speaker of the
weekends. His whole family is on the table close
"Let me tell you about the meeting." I am Im-
behind him.
pressed in these few minutes by the President's
House Carl Albert, Senate Majority Leader Mike
courtesy and trust; with one or two exceptions,
Mansfield, Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott,
3:19 P.M. The President is back. Secretary of
members of his staff have been far more cautious
House Minority Leader John Rhodes are waiting for
Health, Education and Welfare Caspar Weinberger
or manipulative than he In dealing with me. He
Mr. Ford. The warmth of the greetings is abound-
and Rumsfeld enter.
really does seem to be an open man. I am touched
ing. Cambodia, energy, taxes-all quarrels are
The President and the Secretary have been to
that he rushed his already meager lunch period in
forgotten. Here enemies seem to be in love.
order to give me this time. I take note, too, as he
FORD: All three branches-
the same party last night.
WEINBERGER: Thanks for last night. That was
talks, of his grasp of the briefing he has had.
A SENATOR: A three-ring circus.
fun.
"We have a tough decision," he says. "There
BURGER (seeing the other two branches in such
FORD: Barbra Streisand's a real good entertainer.
hasn't been increased compensation for the Judici-
intimate embraces): I feel as if I ought to be on
WEINBERGER: She is. rd never known much about
ary since '69, and there has been a 44.5 per cent
the other 'side of the table.
James Caan
Increase in the cost of living since then. This is
FORD: In judgement?
The President, leaning back at ease in his big
particularly serious in the court system, because
BURGER: In the dock!
chair, and placing his hands together, fingertip to
most real fine lawyers get more than the $40,000
Re-entering the Oval Office alone, I feel its great
fingertip, praises the job that Cap, as he calls the
District judges get, or the $42,000 that Appeals
force.
Secretary, has been doing in H.E.W., and asks him
Court judges get, or even the $60,000 that Supreme
This room is an egg of light. I have seen that each
to stay on in the Cabinet.
Court Justices get. or the $62,500 the Chief Justice
person who comes into it is lit up in two senses:
FORD: Every President has to have his own
The New York Times Magazine/April 20, 1975
33
Cabinet and his imprint on a Cabinet, but I never
next week, and the President reads several pages
voted for in Congress in 1945 was on the Marshall
agreed with those demands for wholesale. resigna-
of a draft. Then he breaks off.
Plan-that was a great humanitarian one. If you
tions in 1973.
FORD: The only problem I have with this-and
go back to the post-World-War-II period-the
WEINBERGER: That first Cabinet meeting after
maybe I misinterpret the attitudes of college stu-
Marshall Plan was nonmilitary. The best com-
the '72 election was the most shocking thing I've
dents today-but I think they're moving away from
mencement speech I ever gave was at Mike's com-
ever been, through. Such a contrast to your first
the views of the last five years. I'm concerned
mencement at Wake Forest. I didn't want to lec-
meeting, Mr. President. There wasn't a person
about building rather than tearing apart. We don't
ture them but wanted them to be better than we
who'd been at that earlier meeting who wasn't Im-
want to repeat the mistakes of the sixties-or of
had been. Disciplined freedom-here (reaching for
pressed with the difference.
the thirties. We want them to prepare themselves
his brown sultcase). I have It right here. My
Secretary Weinberger thanks the President for
to avoid those mistakes. We need a subject that's
files are the only ones I trust. Here. (He reads:) "Of
the great honor of his Invitation to stay. He says
meaningful-rd think a foreign-policy topic. Not
course, the young generation knows perfectly well
he is 57 years old, and for seven years he has been
condemning the generation that ran' things the
that we senior citizens were never your age, that
away from "an Income-production situation." His
last 10 years, but looking back to the mistakes
we were born on the threshold of senility, and that
wife, he says, has had a great deal of discomfort
of the thirties and fifties.
whateyer we think we remember about our youth
from osteoarthritis and is anxious to get back to
THEIS: Father Hesburgh,* who was a leader of the
is inaccurate and Irrelevant.
California.
antiwar movement, strongly suggested we
avoid
Southeast Asia. The subject of hunger-
4:40 P.M. Rumsfeld, Marsh and Counsel Buchen
"I didn't know Jane was that adverselý affected,"
talk with the President on sensitive matters of
the President says. "T'm sorry, Cap. Betty has
FORD: I'm not talking about Vietnam or Cambo-
something like that, I guess you know. She's been
dia. I'm talking about a positive approach that
personnel. I am not present.
having some trouble again this week. She has this
this generation of college students shouldn't fall
6:05 P.M. I sit by while Rumsfeld goes over a wide
pinched nerve, you know-gives her a whole lot
into the trap of the college students of the thirties,
range of matters, many of which are ready for the
of discomfort. She has a great 'deal of fortitude,
of being oblivious to Europe's problems and
those
President's initials. Mr. Ford writes with his left
though. She bounces back."
of the rest of the world.
hand, the hand curving above the writing. My
After some further exchanges the Secretary
HARTMANN: The timing's bad. Cambodia is going
thrilled agitation of the morning has given way
again thanks the President for the great compli-
to be coming to a head, and anything you say is
to dazed exhaustion. I am still profoundly dis-
ment, and says he will give an answer very soon.
going to be read by the press as another plea
turbed by what seemed to me the aimlessness of
for aid.
the speechwriting session-though I realize there
3:48 P.M. The President receives Bob Hartmann
The President has put his feet up on his, pipe-
will be another round on the Notre Dame speech,
and three speechwriters, Theis, Friedman and Or-
stand side table. Suggestions from the speechwrit-
perhaps several more rounts. I keep thinking, how-
ben, Two speeches are in the works. One is to be
ers begin to swirl around him, but even I can see
ever, of a speechwriting session of Harry Truman's,
light affair at a dinner of the Radio and Tele-
that an idea has lodged itself in his mind, and
at which most of his principal advisers, Including
vision Correspondents' Association. "It's a fun oc-
is there to stay.
Dean Acheson, were present, and during which
casion,' Orben says. "Nothing serious. They're
"Higher education in the private sector
policy was really and carefully shaped through its
going to have Charlie Byrd, a jazz musician, then
"Office of liaison in the White House for higher
articulation. But now Rumsfeld, with his endless
Bob Hope for 15 or 20 minutes; then you'll follow."
education "College presidents "A quasi-
vocabulary of hand signals-stabbings, long-
FORD (with a laugh that is not altogether com-
governmental agency, where kids can buy tuition
fingered rounding out of abstractions, flat-handed
fortable): Why do I always have to be hooked up
bonds
"Going without dinners, eating rice in
layering of relationships, squarings off, chops,
with Hope and these pros? (Starts reading a pre-
the diaing halls
'Notre Dame prides
Itself
slaps, flicks, pinches, punches, piano playing and R
liminary draft. the again laughs: this is his infec-
on bringing students from abroad. "Peace be-
bit of harp work-gives concise and brisk explana-
tious boomer. ,Then, after a pause): What's this
tween generations
tions of Items he raises, and President Ford, in no
about Judge Crater? Who's Judge Crater?
The Presidential feet come down.
hurry, makes decisions as they are needed.
ORBEN: That's a milking laugh after the big one-
FORD: O.K. Let's think about the theme of stay-
ing involved in the world. You know, Kennedy
7:20 P.M. After 11 hours and 44 minutes of work in
HARTMANN: Judge Crater was a prominent judge
made the Peace Corps proposal at Ann Arbor. I
of the thirties who disappeared, and-
the West Wing (this does not, of course, include
think the Peace Corps, with all its critics, has been
reading done in the residence between 5:30 and
FORD: Why don't we leave that one out?
a good program. The U. S. has had a great record
7:30 in the morning, nor reading to be done there
A serious speech is scheduled for Notre Dame
of being humanitarian. The first foreign policy
later this evening), the President goes "home."
Oval Office meeting: Nessen, Rumsfeld, Hartmann, Marsh, Friedersdorf. Are there any
traces at all of the temper tantrums?
Ford sounds, as always, totally serene."
34
NO
Every-10-days-or-so routine: "The texture of Mr. Ford's hair is extremely fine:
Liberty is her name, and she gets a not inconsiderable number of letters,
Mr. Pitts tries hard to give it the dry look, full on the sides."
all of which are answered. There's also a resident Siamese cat named Shan
With O'Donnell and Rumsfeld. "The style is that of Middle American business-
"He does 20 push-ups and 20 lifts of his torso. He says he falls asleep in
men's in-group fast talk: 'Waffle
honcho
kind of salami-Ing it.'"
10 seconds, sleeps soundly for Tive hours and wakes up fully refreshed."
TUESDAY
A hard-edged conservative voice
1 have seen a first glimpse of another side of the man
who has been SO considerate. Is it an inability to extend
compassion far beyond the faces directly in view?'
7:40 A.M. The President, accompanied by two
as he hands the President a strip of teletype, say-
Secret Service men and a valet. carrying the
ing, "You'll be happy to see that Martha Mitchell is
brown suitcase, arrives from the residence. He
against you."
is dressed today in a flashy suit of bold vertical
The President reads and laughs. "That's a cheery
stripes of shades of gray: he looks a bit drawn
note at 8 in the morning," he says.
this morning. It is raining again.
Hartmann hands him another item-some not-
so-cheery news about conservative Republicans;
7:42 A.M. Brent Scowcroft goes In to show the
and an announcement that the Senate is planning
President dispatches from Henry Kissinger and In-
to recess for Easter In just 10 days-which allows
telligence messages that have accumulated over-
a very short time for the struggles over taxes
night. I am not invited to join them; the President,
and Cambodian aid.
in setting the ground rules for my access to him,
He tells the President that R delegation from
has specifically excluded these daily foreign-policy
the Gridiron Club the Privy Council of
and security sessions.
the Press"-seeks an audience with him to present
Lieutenant General Scowcroft, who is 50, is
a formal invitation to this year's dinner.
Deputy Assistant to the President for National
He gives the President a speech Ford had made
Security Affairs. This though you would
at William and Mary, as possible background
never know it to look at him-that he Is Henry
for an Interview he is to have later in the day
Kissinger's administrative alter ego; when the Sec-
with the editors of Fortune, on the development
retary of State is away, and he is often away, the.
of American institutions.
general alone speaks for him to the President on
Then Hartmann says that Jack Stiles, a Grand
foreign and national-security matters. Short, wiry,
Rapids newspaperman who collaborated with Ford
rooster-quick, with sparkling eyes, he seems a
on "Portrait of the Assassin," a book that was
living model of a sprite that must surely dwell in
a by-product of Ford's service on the Warren
Dr. Henry Kissinger, who cannot possibly be as
Commission, wants some information from the
heavy and lugubrious all the way through as he
President's personal files.
looks and sounds on the outside. As to point of
Now I have a moment of seeing the President
view, Scowcroft does in some eerie way actually
as an author, with the look on his face of one
seem to inhabit Kissinger. The general is a rarity-
who may have a deal in the works.
an Intellectual soldier. He has a Ph.D. from Colum-
THE AUTHOR: M-G-M contacted me about taking
bia in International relations, he has studied at
"Portrait" and making a documentary of it. Buchen
West Point, Lafayette, Georgetown, the Strategic
turned them down. Then M-G-M contacted Jack,
Intelligence School, the Armed Forces Staff College
and he went to California for R day or so.
and the National War College; and he has been an
They want to make three two-hour documentaries,
assistant professor of Russian history at West Point
using "Portrait" as a theme. Our book took the
and professor of political science at the Air Force
testimony of witnesses from the report, and It
Academy.
backed up the commission's finding that Oswald
did it alone. Simon & Schuster's thinking of
8:30 A.M. Robert Trowbridge Hartmann, with whom
republishing it. Jack wants to find out how the
I now enter the Oval Office, is one of the President's
radio and television rights stand. With all these
two Counselors; he is 58. His explicit areas of
charges of assassination plots against Castro and
responsibility are speech-writing and, vaguely, poli-
everything. there may be some interest. I still
Lics, but he is a standing friend of Mr. Ford's
think the way we used the witnesses' testimony
and was his Chief of Staff during the Vice-Presiden-
was: Number One (the forefinger rises to the count).
cy, and he talks about all sorts of things with
more readable than the report and than the other
him' now.! Hearty, bluff, gray-haired, ruddy, he was
books that were critical
once Washington bureau chief for The Los Angeles
The President does not get beyond Number One.
Times, and he is shrewd and accurate in assessing
how the press will respond to whatever the Presi-
8:35 A.M. The senior staff meeting is apparently
dent' does. He has a mischievous look in his eye
lasting somewhat longer than usual this morning,
and Rumsfeld's deputy, Richard Cheney, fills in
for him while he is delayed.
Before breakfast-"Up since 5:30, as on most morn-
Right away, Cheney brings up a sticky Item.
ings," and well into the day's Washington Post.
In his first State of the Union Message, In January,
urging "energy independence," the President asked
SCOWCROFT: I will, Mr. President.
the point of speculation that the C.L.A. may have
Congress to authorize full-scale commercial devel-
FORD: I'm glad we've got Frank Carlucci over.
been involved in one or another Kennedy assassina-
opment of the naval petroleum reserve at Elk
there. He's a good man. Any further word from
tion, or both. What is he to say about all these
Hills, Calif. Out of the blue, a few days later,
Henry?
things?
without having notified the Administration, the
SCOWCROFT: Yes, sir. I'll bring It in later. From
A long discussion ensues, about who is, or
Standard Oil Company of California announced its
Turkey. Not particularly encouraging.
should be, checking out allegations of past plots
intention of pulling its drilling rigs out of Elk Hills
John O. Marsh, Jr., who is 48, and
who,
as
by the C.I.A. The question is not settled here;
in order to avoid possible criticism of its role there.
Counselor, is in over-all charge of the President's
It will be taken forward.
(Elk Hills was one of the reserves involved in the
relations with Congress and with various sectors
And I have seen one way in which policy
Teapot Dome scandal of 1922.) The Navy, Cheney
of the public, including businessmen, women, mi-
is spurred, If not engendered.
says, has not yet found a new operator and be raises
norities and consumers, has a way of pointing
The Rhodes embarrassment is discussed. Rumsfeld
the question whether the reserve should be trans-
at a photograph over the mantel in his office
bitterly says he thinks the Republicans on the
ferred from Navy to Interior Department control.
of his farm in the Virginia hills and with a
Hill have been watching the President slide in
FORD: I'm more interested in getting action,
stanting look just above, and off to one side!
the polls and "are trying to put some light between
getting production, getting oil, than\I am in what
of, his interlocutor's forehead, saying, "That's my.
them and you. Wait till the polls go up again:
agency runs the place. On my next trip west
'little shanty in Strasburg. I'm just a country
then they'll come running."
I want to go out there and see first-hand what
lawyer." Roughly translated, this means: Watch
FORD: John's all right. I don't worry about him.
Elk Hills looks like. I'm disturbed nothing's happen-
out, my friend-take a good grip on your credit
HARTMANN: It's like when I was writing papers
Ing there. rd, like to get some action. We're
cards. Jack Marsh was in Congress with Gerald
for the Republican Policy Committee-remember,
interested in substance, not jurisdiction!
Ford-as a Byrd Democrat. Now calling himself an:
Mr. President?-and we called them Constructive
independent, he is ideologically much the most
Republican Alternative Proposals. It didn't take
8:50 A.M. Donald Rumsfeld, who comes in now,
conservative man in the inner circle on the staff
those clever Democrat lads long to find out what
is by far the most equal of the theoretically
(in the 90th Congress, Gerald Ford voted 63
the Initials spelled.
equal top members of Mr. Ford's staff. He is
per cent of the time with the so-called conservative'
Hearing this, I suddenly remember the paren-
also, at 42, the youngest of them. His gift is for or-
coalition of Republicans and Southern Democrats:
theses marking deleted expletives marching like
ganization. He is the only member of the staff fre-
Marsh voted with the coalition 98 per cent of
an army of ants across the Nixon transcripts,
quenting the Oval Office in whose eye I think I can
the time), yet he seems personally the most sensi-
and I. realize that I have yet to hear-except
see, now and then, behind his fashionable "aviator"
tive and humane man in the group.
in Hartmann's acronym, to cheer the President
glasses with their delicate black rims, a glint that
MARSH: Did you see that they've got this
$6-
up-a single fóur-letter word In this room.
seems to say, "That big leather chak on the
billion bill up there to create jobs? They apparently.
Max L. Friedersdorf, Assistant to the President
other side of the desk looks comfortable. I wonder
put it together quietly in committee.
for Legislative Affairs, gives a report on how
If it would fit me." He is bright, jealous, crafty
By now I have noticed that whereas the Nixon
the President's request for $222-million in emergen-
and fiercely combative; he once captained the Prince-
Insiders used the word "they" when speaking of hos-
cy aid for Cambodia stands in a Senate Foreign
ton wrestling team. He served four terms In Cod-
tile forces, the press, demonstrators, enemies, all who
Relations subcommittee and in a House Foreign
gress; representing the wealthy North Shore above
were considered threatening, this Administration'
Affairs subcommittee, and how the dickering on
Chicago, and his voting record was almost Identical
uses it exclusively for a single, solid and frustrat-
the tax-cut bill is coming along in the House
with Gerald Ford's. He is a Nixon holdover-
dog entity-the Democratic majority in Congress.
Way and Means Committee. Friedersdorf, a tall
campaigned for him in "66, ran the Office of
FORD: Let's get some more information
on
blond Hoosier, a former newspaperman, is in
Economic Opportunity for him awhile, and in
the bill.
complete command of his material; he has pre-
1970 entered the White House as his Counselor
MARSH: I've been talking with some folks from
liminary counts on how the votes will go in various
and Director of his Cost of Living Council. To
Chrysler, and they feel there's maybe too much
committees. The President, thoroughly at home with
Rumsfeld's credit, he eventually was given the
bad news about the economy coming out of here.
Congressional give and take, talks zestfully, pre-
shudders by Haldeman and Ehrlichman, and he had
They were talking about boat shows. They been
dicting how this man and that man will finally come
himself shot out as far away from them as he
doing real well, selling lots and lots of big craft.
down. He names some who are dead set against
could be-to Brussels, as Ambassador to NATO.
Sales are down on the blue-collar lines, the small
him; he speaks their first names with fondness.
President Ford called him home from there. His
boats, but they're real happy over-all. Chrysler boat
The prospects are bleak. It is hard to understand
active hands move as if blown by every gust in his
sales are up and auto sales are down. Maybe we
why the President, who has made so much of
mind-always shaping; shaping. grasping bits of
ought to take hold of some signs
the need for this aid, is not upset.
form out of the chaos of power.
Now Marsh brings up a sensitive matter. The
Now, taking over from Cheney, he reviews
Washington Star has carried a story that Represent-
10:50 K.M. The President receives a young lady
the senior staff meeting and helps the President
ative John Rhodes, the man who succeeded Gerald
who has been designated Maid of Cotton for
plan the rest of the day.
Ford as Minority Leader of the House and an old,
1975. This stunt is & replica of yesterday's reception
friend of his, has announced that House Republicans
of Miss America, except that it has more crassly
9:07 A.M. As Jack Marsh is about to enter the
are going to develop a legislative program of
commercial overtones.
their owa, separate from the President's, He
has
Oval Office, someone hands him an urgent cable
At his press briefing a few minutes later, Ron
for the President's eyes. Marsh reads it. He says
been quoted to the effect that "the days
Republi-
Nessen tells the mediamen about the visit to the
to Terry O'Donnell, "Get General Scowcroft. The
cans can get elected on somebody else's
coattalls
Oval Room of the Maid of Cotton, who in real life
President's going to want to ask him some ques-
are gone, gone forever."
is Miss Kathryn Tenkhoff, of Sikeston, Mo.
tions about this." He enters and hands the paper
MARSH: I'm not that upset about it, Mr. Pres-
NESSEN: Secretary Butz also attended the meeting.
Ident
to the President. It is from Ambassador Frank Car-
Q: Did Butz come over just for that?
The President's face is a mask. I can see no sur-
lucci in Lisbon; and it informs the President of an
NESSEN: Cotton is his area of responsibility.
uprising against the Portuguese Government by air-
prise, no hurt, no anger.
Q: How much cotton do they grow in Missouri?
force units. Scowcroft is soon at attention before
NESSEN: They grow cotton queens in Missouri.
the big desk.
9:20 K.M. The Nessen group comes in.
They grow cotton somewhere else.
NESSEN: I had a big go-round on the C.I.A.
FORD (Unflapped): Do we have any information
in yesterday's briefing. I'd like to ask you this:
11:01 A.M. The first sharp shock of the
week
that their air force has been unhappy?
What are your personal views on the use of
is in store for me.
SCOWCROFT: Not particularly, as a whole. Two
assassination?
Assembled in the Cabinet Room are all the Ad-
or three weeks ago there were some rumors
Here I do see a moment's flash of the Truman
ministration's big guns on the economy and energy:
of a possible coup, primarily, it was thought,
style: Mr. Ford's answer is an immediate reflex.
the President himself; Vice President Nelson Rocke-
in armed forces guarding-
FORD (leaning forward, striking the
edge of
feller; Secretary of the Treasury William Simon;
FORD: Any philosophical differences between
the desk repeatedly with a forefinger)
've been
the President's Cabinet-rank Assistant for Economic
the air-force group and other army units?
assured It's not going on, and I don't
want k
Affairs, William Seidman; the new Secretary of
SCOWCROFT: Not that we know of. As a practical
to go on.
Labor, John Dunlop; James Lynn of the Office
matter, it would be difficult for the air force to
Nessen gives a full account of the ferocity
of Management and Budget; Chairman Alan Green-
mount & coup.
of the questioning in yesterday's briefing. The
span of the Council of Economic Advisers; Chair-
FORD: Keep me posted, Brent.
range of allegations, he says, is widening, to
man Frank Zarb of the Energy Resources Council;
38
Dr. Burns of the Fed; Rumsfeld, Hartmann, Scow-
to get the stimulus as soon as we can.
Why am I shocked? Because in this discussion
croft and some staff assistants.
The meeting lasts for an hour and 15 minutes
I have seen a. first glimpse of another side of
The President asks Secretary Simon for a report
and goes into great detail on issues that are
the man who has been so considerate, so open
on the status of the tax-rebate bill.
quite technical: an Intention to impose countervall-
and so kind to mé as an individual-what seems
SIMON: Mr. Þresident, we're attempting to keep
ing duties on European Community dairy products;
a deep, hard, rigid side. Talking here he has
this to a temporary, one-shot thing. As you know,
proposed Export-Import Bank financing of liquefied
seemed a, million miles away from many Americans
the House has proposed a $21.3-billion rebate
natural-gas facilities abroad; negotiations with
who have been hardworking people all their lives
using more or less our method, but lowering the
Chairman Albert Uliman of the House Ways and
and are now feeling the cruel pinch of hard times.
Income allowance. No one in his right mind believes
Means Committee on the energy bill, and what to
What is It In him? Is It an inability to extend
that when they get going on this it'll be temporary.
compassion far beyond the faces directly in view?
Pan the Senate bill, I went up and testified before
Is It a failure of Imagination? Is It something
the Senate Finance Committee, and I guess &
obdurate he was born with, alongside the energy
ball-park figure of where they'll come out would
and serenity he was born with?
be $25-billion, and you can bet your hat the
Face to face, across the
House won't be able to resist matching those
12:16 P.M. He takes Rockefeller into the Oval
goodies
Cabinet table-'the
Office with him. To my regret I am not Invited
FORD: Any chance of lifting the $200 celling on
to join them—I would have loved to see the
individual rebates?
Immovable Object and the
Immovable Object and the Irresistible Force collide.
SIMON: There's a fair shot of getting $500.
I gather they talk about two things. First,
Mr. President, this whole deal of theirs is more
Irresistible Force.'
the Domestic Council. This body, originally con-
of a welfare thing than anything else. They're
celved as a planning unit in the Executive, de-
making the assumption that low-Income people
volved under Nixon and Ehrlichman into an opera-
should get more than their share of the giveaway.
tional clearinghouse that kept things moving. Ford
It's just a welfare thing, Mr. President.
and his staff early saw a need to restore its
FORD: Let me ask you this: I have two sons
predictive function, because it was obvious that
who worked last summer and earned about $1,500
the President was not by nature a planner. Ford
each. Would they get $100 rebate?
had had a long habit of juggling a multiplicity
SIMON: In my judgment absolutely.
of problems in the Congress that demanded instant
FORD: That's ridiculous.
attention; everything was always on a day-to-
SIMON: If they're typical of young people who
day basis. And he succeeded to the Presidency,
work in the summertime-
as his Counsel Philip Buchen puts it, "under
FORD: It's ridiculous.
a tyranny of urgency." And much as he would
SIMON: I couldn't agree more, Mr. President.
have liked to emulate Truman, he lacked Truman's
SEIDMAN: Essentially It gives them back their
sense of history-lacked a feel for how a decision
Social Security tax.
would look five-or 50-years hence. The thought
SIMON: That's exactly what it does.
was that Rockefeller, having put a Commission on
HARTMANN: But If they go out and spend It-
Critical Choices to work after he resigned from the
FORD: They'll spend it, all right! (Laughter.)
Governorship of New York, might bring a planning
A little later:
competence to the council. Ford appointed James
FORD: What's going on about the oll-depletion
D. Cannon, long a political adviser to Rockefeller,
allowance?
as director of the council, and the two men talk
SIMON: I think they're cutting a deal up there
now about the early stages of Cannon's and the
right now.
Council's work.
FORD (after more discussion): Our position
Second, the C.I.A. Who should investigate?
should be that we do not want a Christmas-tree ЫШ,
with a whole lot of favors and gifts attached
12:35 P.M. The President calls in Alan Greenspan
to it, and we've got to attack the whole Issue
to fill him In on the conversation yesterday with
of including cutting out the oil-depletion allowance
Dr. Burns. Alan Greenspan is a devotee of Ayn
in the tax-stimulus bill.
Rand ("The Fountainhead," "Atlas Shrugged").
This wás the first time I had seen the President
the Objectivist philosopher, and, like her, he advo-
and the Vice President in the same room, They
cates pure laissez-faire capitalism and "rational
now face each other on opposite. sides of the
selfishness."
center of the long Cabinet table. The President,
as usual, is still, controlled, imperturbable. The
12:46 P.M. General Scowcroft goes in for two
Vice President, by contrast, is as active as a
minutes-presumably with the latest word from
2-month-old kitten. He slumps, shoots bolt
Dr. Kissinger.
upright, leans 'to one side, then to the other,
whispers, nods when he agrees, shakes his head
12:48 P.M. Mr. Ford receives Frank Stanton, former
when he differs. Now he speaks up.
vice chairman of the board of CBS, who for a year
ROCKEFELLER: Is It too late to propose an
and a half has chaired a panel, set up jointly
excess-profits tax on the oil companies with an
do about "their" $5.9-billion Emergency Employ-
by the U.S. Advisory Commission on Information
allowance for plowback?
ment Appropriations Act.
and the U.S. Advisory Commission on International
SIMON: It is, sir. We've proposed a windfall-
Mr. Rockefeller with belling tones interrupts
Education and Cultural Affairs, reviewing the op-
profits-tax preference to that.
the Ex-Im discussion with a warning at-supertank-
erations of the U.S. Information Agency, the Voice
FORD: I'm not sure I understand the difference
ers carrying liquefied gas are extremely dangerous.
of America and the Bureau of Cultural Affairs
between a windfall and an excess-profits tax.
If one blew up In an American port, he says,
of the Department of State.
SIMON: Sir, the windfall tax aims like a rifle
the whole city would go up. He paints a vivid
Before each appointment, the President
at crude oil, as opposed to an excess-profits
picture of urban devastation.
is given what is formally called a briefing paper:
tax which would cut across the whole range
The President's Interventions are minor, until
informally, a talking paper. It has three parts:
of an extremely complex system of profit calcula-
the discussion of the Democrats' big bill to provide
a statement of the purpose of the appointment,
tion.
jobs. Here his only Interest is in keeping spending
background and "talking points"-actual language
GREENSPAN: Trying to audit through the profits
down. He proposes the preparation, as quickly
the President might appropriately use.
system of the multinationals would lead you into
as possible, of "an updated scoreboard" on the
a hopeless maze.
budget, reflecting Congressional proposals to spend
In this instance, Mr. Ford has been given the
The Vice President subsides like a balloon with
more and more, and Congressional refusals to
following talking points:
the air escaping.
rescind or defer spending already authorized. He
"(1) I understand that your panel has addressed
FORD: The main thing is to attach as few
stresses more than once the need to dramatize
some of the long-standing issues.
These
amendments as possible to the tax bill, so as
"their" additions to the deficit.
activities play an important role.
"(2) There have been a
port on the deteriorating si-
about some prospective ap-
number of proposals in recent
tuations in Cambodia and
pointments.
years for restructuring our
Vietnam. After about half an
information and cultural acti-
hour, I am admitted.
4:20 P.M. Marsh, Cheney, Ca-
vities.
They are talking about G.L.-
binet Secretary James Con-
Mr. Stanton is then to be
bill education, which the Pres-
nor and Dr. Robert Goldwin
given a chance to make his
Ident apparently wants to cut
enter to warm Mr. Ford up
recommendations- which, in
back, or perhaps cut out al-
for the Fortune interview. Dr.
the event, are that U.S.L.A.'s
together. The tall, rugged-
Goldwin has recently been
information functions be
looking Secretary holds the
appointed a consultant, with
transferred to the State De-
line as well as he can.
a mission of bringing intellec-
partment, that the long-range
FORD: You do get into a
tuals in to see the President:
cultural functions of U.S.I.A.
paradoxical situation. You
So far, he has exposed Ford
THE
and State be combined within
have an all-volunteer service,
to people like Irving Kristol,
State and that the Voice of
but these benefits give an
of the Department of Urban
America be set up as an inde-
incentive to get out.
Values, New York University;
pendent entity under a
SCHLESINGER: They give an
Mrs. Gertrude Himmelfarb,
Government-and-public board.
historian, of City College,
incentive to get in, sir. But
"(3) The scope of your study
New York; Thomas Sowell, an
many will stay. We're attract-
and its recommendations are
eminent black economist, of
ing a different sort of person.
very impressive. I will want
U.C.L.A.; Herbert Storing, a
FORD: Ever thought of of-
to have It studied very care-
political scientist, of the
fering a greater educational
fully
University of Chicago, and
opportunity if they stay in?
"(4) Thank you for your
Edward Banfield, an urban
SCHLESINGER: We do some
efforts
You have made
specialist, of the University
of that now, Mr. President,
a most needed and timely
of Pennsylvania.
but we're going to cut back
contribution."
in preparation for this
on it. English grammar put
Actually, the exchange Is
meeting. Dr. Goldwin has pro-
not basket weaving. for which
far freer and a little less
vided Mr. Ford with the En-
they've gotten credit in the
grammatical than this, but
cyclopedia of American Histo-
past.
all the same, it's the way
ry, edited by Richard B. Mor-
FORD: There are things I
it goes.
ris, et al., and the Encyclopedia
can do to cut off certain
of American Facts and Dates,
1:10 P.M. The President re-
benefits. But we'll have to
edited by Gorton Carruth,
tires for lunch. I join him
go to Congress sooner or la-
with certain pages tabbed. Mr.
for a few minutes in his two-
ter. There has to come a
Ford has done his homework.
A memento-filled hideaway. The hooked-rug seal was made in
time when we end the so-
room hideaway. One room is
There is meandering conver-
Grand Rapids the President's half-sister-in-law.
a small study, the walls of
called Vietnam war, and all
sation on history-one which
which are covered with me-
its extras.
Mr. Truman would never have
mentos, including a huge
SCHLESINGER: We'll get up
needed; or, had he heard it.
trol, We ought to get bet-
meeting. This morning it was
an options paper on the
would have called just too
ter titles for things. The De-
scheduled for 15 minutes and
Presidential seal, which is ac-
lasted an hour.
tually a rug. hooked for the
whole thing.
damned highfalutin.
mocrats come up with titles
The two now discuss several
like Model Cities, and we
FORD: This morning the
President in Grand Rapids by
4:55 P.M. Fortune editors in.
come up with the Ocean
circumstances were rather
his sister Mrs.
other subjects-officers' pay.
Goes pretty well, Mr. Ford
Richard Ford; in one corner
certain personnel decisions,
Dumping Act.
(Considera-
special.
reports afterward.
bly later, after discussion of
RUMSFELD: That's true.
there is a luxurious stuffed.
Thalland, Diego Garcia, Turk-
leather Barcalounger, into
ey.
5:40 P.M. Marsh, Friedesdorf,
19 of 24 options): I must
That's true. But what I'm
which the President occasion-
Suddenly the President
Cannon, Cheney, Lynn, Lynn's
say| on the basis of what
wondering is whether there
ally settles to read.
leans forward, and with a
O.M.B. deputy. Paul O'Neill,
we've been talking about, I
shouldn't be a regular senior
and a couple of other staff
can't see justification for
staff meeting in place of that.
His lunch is served on a
vigor far surpassing any I
members meet with the Pres-
sending up a message on con-
And whether we shouldn't get
tray on a small table beside
have previously seen him
ident to discuss the possibility
sumer protection.
in a somewhat different cast
a desk in the other room.
show, his voice rising almost
Day in and day out, Mr.
to a shout, his forefinger
of sending a message to Con-
In the end, Marsh suggests
of characters - Jim Lynn,
gress on a consumer protec-
that at a Cabinet meeting
Brent, Jack, Bob. It's fine for
Ford eats exactly the same
pounding on the edge of the
desk, he adjures the Secretary
tion bill.
the President might "mandate
Ron to come to you and get
lunch - a ball of cottage
cheese, over which he pours-
to get the Navy going on
Once again, as the group
the departments to concern
your position on things, be-
a small pitcherful of A-1
reviews a Icng options paper,
themselves with consumer
the Elk Hills petroleum re-
yond which he wouldn't go.
I hear in the President's com-
considerations." The Pres-
FORD: As long as he could
Sauce, a sliced onion or a
serve.
ident adds that he might then
get some input from you and
quartered tomato, and a small
FORD: Get up there and
ments the distant, hard-edged,
helping of butter-pecan ice
get the legislation, or we're
negative voice I heard this
also write letters to the chair-
others besides myself-
cream.
going to give that whole deal
morning in the economy-ener-
men of the appropriate com-
RUMSFELD: Sure. He does
"Eating and sleeping." he
to Interior. Tell 'em to get
gy meeting.
mittees, on the need for cer-
that all day every day.
off their cushions up there at
FORD: Is a consumer-protec-
tain reforms in the regulatory
Maybe the senior staff meet-
says to me, "are a waste
of time."
the Navy. The Navy damn
tion bill in any form a viola-
agencies,
ing should be followed by
I tell him that It has ap-
well better get moving. I want
tion of our new policy of
So much for the faraway
a smaller group in here with
peared to me that he likes
limited spending?
consumer.
you to get action. It strikes
you.
me the Navy likes the cushy
6:55
P.M.
Rumsfeld and
CHENEY: Or perhaps you
being President.
LYNN: You're going to get &
do." he says. "It's mainly
little deal they've got out
Cheney come in together for
should preside over the senior
new law, no matter what
the challenge, John. I always
there. I'm going to go and
you put in this. It's almoste
the evening cleanup. At one
staff group.
point:
FORD: Always remembering
have enjoyed facing up to
see Elk Hills, and when I
a certainty they'll have a law.
problems; it's always been a
come back I'm going to be
FORD: Then you get a ques-
RUMSFELD:
This
is
just
that I get more out of
sort of way of life with me-
one of the few people who's
tion: Is it wise for me to
something to think about.
meeting with several people
and you certainly have them
actually seen the place, and
go with a message?
It
occurred to me after
than just one.
I'm going to be in a position
LYNN: Well - to get out in
our meeting this morning
RUMSFELD: I'm just think-
here. I really enjoy getting
with Ron [Nessen] that
ing of the most efficient use
up every morning, looking at
to tell 'em what's what. Now
front with the consumer
the schedule, seeing what the
FORD: On page 2. we ought
began as a session where
of your time.
you get going.
he could get guidance from
FORD: Why don't you think
problems are. I don't long
SCHLESINGER (to his Com-
to hold this for. further study
for the end of the day."
mander in Chief): Yes, sir.
I'd be very hesitant
you, and then the Congres-
it through and come up with
sional side came in, so Max
a plan?
about establishing a consu-
2:03 P.M. Secretary of De-
[Friedesdorf] could get guid-
7:20 P.M. Mr. Ford leaves
3:08 P.M. Rumsfeld, Cheney
mer-representative office in
fense James Schlesinger and
ance, then other voices were
for the residence. Today he
and William N. Walker, Di.
every department. Your agen-
General Scowcroft are closet-
added, so that now it has be-
rector of the Presidential Per-
cy head is going to lose con-
spent four minutes less in
ed with the President, to re-
come a kind of senior staff
his office than yesterday.
sonnel Office, come in to talk
WEDNESDAY
veloes have been standing up recently, how
burst in technology. We
need to get some sort of logos
ever, and indeed, Friedesdorf now reports
that yesterday the Democratic leadership do
built into our planning.
cided it did not have the troops to override
FORD: Jack Stiles [co-au-
Mr. Ford's veto of the 90-day oil-tax delay
thor of "Portrak"] was talk-
Politics That's how it works'
"Just thought I'd toss out a signal to them,
Ing to me about the Idea
Lynn says.
of getting an American elec-
Friedesdorf tells the staff he has some
tronic and aviation and space-
'Why is he so quiet when he loses
other good news, too, for a change-that
industry show set up at Cape
the Senate Fore'gn Relations subcommit
Canaveral. They've got a lot
tee dealing with emergency aid to Cam
of unused space down there
as if nothing really has been
bodia yesterday voted 4 to 3 in favor of
since the cutbacks.
giving the Cambodians $125 million, and
MARSH: A sophisticated
lost and that nothing would
House Foreign Affairs subcommittee split
Disneyland. That's a good
idea.
to 3 on a proposal for somewhat less aid; the
FORD: I think it's a meri-
have been gained, either, if he
Cambodian proposition Is not dead.
torious Idea.
8:40 A.M. In the Oval Office.
9:19 A.M. Most of the discus-
had won?'
RUMSFELD: The slot situation. As you,
sion in the Nessen group this
know, we've been keeping periodic book on
morning Is political. Max
how we're doing on the 10 per cent reduction
Friedesdorf's slightly encour-
7:38 A.M. Here he comes
in the White House staff. We now have 533
the mantel at the bully young
aging news from the Hill
along the walkway. through
chaps he sees at the long
permanents. We're aiming for 490, although
raises questions: how to push
another soggy dawn. He steps
table. Ford's staff, befitting
we budgeted 500 for some leeway. It's very
through as much Cambodian
through a tall door into the
his constant yearning to be
hard; there's constant pressure to add peo-¹
aid as will survive: how to
brightness of the office in
with friends, is horizontal in
ple. Last month we had 17 departures and
get Congress to move on the
a newish three piece suit,
form. Nixon's was pyramidal;
13 arrivals. We have. a sizable percentage to
tax bill; how to get "their"
middling brown with a faint
urgencies mounted the slopes
reduce between now and June.
big-spending bill recommitted.
check, trousers cuffless, and
to Haldeman at the apex, and
FORD: You'll just have to keep the pressure
The President stirs with
when he bends down over
then went in, maybe. Nine
on.
pleasure-it almost seems as
the brown suitcase for some
men of Ford's staff can walk
RUMSFELD: We should be thinking about
if he has suddenly walked
papers and then swings quick.
into the Oval Office at any
the problem of coordinating domestic and
through door into his real
ly toward his desk chair, coat-
time-though there are ob-
foreign policies. This has been a problem in
self. Familiar names: the old
tails flying. you can see that
viously heavy constraints on
our Government since the forties, at least.
horse-trading routines. Even
the pattern of his silk foulard
their doing so: Assistant Rums-
On that business yesterday of the counter-
his hands seem independently
tie, riding a sliver of a tiepin,
feld, Assistant Kissinger (or
vailing duties on European cheese and so
to enjoy themselves now as
is repeated In the lining of
Scowcroft), Counselor Marsh,
on, Simon went ahead on the basis of
they settle Into the little en-
the jacket. He has no less
Counselor Hartmann, Press
domestic pressures- no contact with State,
actments of bargaining they
than three pens clipped in
Secretary Nessen, Counsel
which has to deal with the repercussions in
know so well counting.
the vest pocket over his heart.
Buchen, Assistant (Economy)
the European Economic Community. Some-
weighing, arresting: a finger
The Presidential seal helps
Seidman, Assistant (Budget)
thing to think about.
encircles a thumb (We have
link his white cuffs
Lynn, Assistant (Domestic
9:00 A.M. One of Counselor Marsh's many
that man), knuckles rap the
Like everyone else In the
Council) Cannon. The senior
duties is as White House overseer of plans
desk (Try again), the whole
vicinity, I am energized by
staff comprises these men,
for the Bicentennial in 1976. On the way in
hand flaps (He's hopeless).
the zest of this arrival. I
and they or their deputies,
to his appointment, Marsh, a Virginian chau-
reminiscences about motions
feel the need of & lift. Some
and some others, like Frank
vinist, whispers to me that he thinks of the
to recommit like memories of
bad questions have been
("the Energy Zarb") Zarb,
whole forthcoming celebration not as Bi-
great football games. The
building In my mind. What-
Greenspan and Friedesdorf,
centennial but as Tercentennial-on account
names like candies in his
ever became of the motto
attend: Secretary Simon is
of Bacon's Rebellion against the colonial au-
mouth: Frank, Gale, Hugh,
of "communication concilia-
sometimes present, though
thorities in 1676.
John, AI, Herman, Gaylord,
tion, compromise and cooper-
not today.
MARSH (to the President): They're. getting
Barber, Mike.
ation" with the Congress that
Rumsfeld sits at one end
ready to go with a Wagon Train, a
FORD: That Gale McGee
the President promised on the
of the long table, and he
Freedom Train-all sorts of national pro-
is a stanch guy. I remember
evening after his swearing-.
calls on one man after anoth-
grams, some O.K., some awful. The work-
when Gale and I used to
in? Why does evetything here
er. Whoever has something
load on the Bicentennial is getting pretty
fight tooth and nail for
seem to present itself in terms
on his mind that he thinks
fierce, Mr. President, and I wonder if we could
foreign appropriations. In
of a contest with "them"?
the President either should
set up a task force on it? I'd suggest [Human
those days, old Passman was,
Yet when he loses and "they"
know or should act upon
Resources Assistant] Marrs, Cheney, Goldwin,
adamant against anything
win a round in that struggle,
speaks his piece; others take
[Cabinet Secretary] Connor, [Domestic Coun-
foreign.
What's the next
why Is he so quiet, so unper-
passes.
cil Director] Cannon.
step, Max?
turbed, as If nothing really
Budget's Lynn says that
FORD: Good idea.
FRIEDESDORF: Well, the
has been lost
suggesting
that nothing would have been
yesterday he took the liberty
MARSH: Each state will have one week of
House subcommittee will vote
gained, either If he had won?
of telling some reporters that
national observance, with one night each in
again; of-course,-and the full
the Democrats' $5.9-billion
What is the source and nature
the Kennedy Center. With 50 states, that'll
Senate Committee will vote,
of the deep. hard sound I
emergency spending bill
take just about the whole year. It's.an idea
I believe, on Monday.
would overstimulate the econ-
heard in this kind man's voice
that might suit me, but it sure might not suit
FORD: Anything I can do?
omy and swell the deficit,
you. Once a week!
FRIEDESDORF: Our present
yesterday, the sound that
troubled me so?
and that he would urge the
FORD: The only thing that would suit you
count on the probable vote
President to veto It; perhaps
would' be a 13-week celebration, for the
in the full Senate committee
7:42 A.M. General Scowcroft
some of the staff have seen
original 13 colonies. Right?'
is 7 to 7. with Senator Percy
and David Peterson, of the
the story in this morning's
MARSH: Of which Virginia, sir, was the first.
undecided. I think a call to
C.I.A. White House Support
Post.
Do you know that until 1937, Virginia was a
the Senator would be most
Staff, go In for the daily brief-
Several have. There is some
colony longer than she was a state?
helpful.
Ing.
talk about "how high a pro-
FORD: Some think longer than that.
FORD: Sure. I'll call Chuck.
8:02 A.M. Counselor Hart-
file" the President should
MARSH: We've got to work out a role for
JACK HUSHEN (Nessen's
mann goes in for This daily'
have on vetoes at this stage
you that won't pull you apart.
The
1876
deputy, who is going to have
appointment.
of delicate bargaining. Up to
Centennial theme was technology. Alexander
to take the briefing this morn-
But this morning, I go to
this morning, he has vetoed
Graham Bell introduced the telephone, up in
ing. because Nessen will be
the senior staff meeting. in
25 bills-has been the most
Philadelphia, I think it was. There was the
sitting in on a scheduled Cabi-
a sort of mini-Cabinet room,
prone President since
reciprocating engine. New processes. Meq
net meeting): What am I to
where Teddy Roosevelt glares
Grover Cleveland, the all-time
came on from St. Louis and Akron and Coun:
say about this Republican loy-
down exultantly from over
record holder. Most of his
cil Bluffs, and there was: a great outward
alty oath, to you and the
principals of the party, that
the roll. Senator Allen object-
Continued from Page 54
ed and raised a point of par-s
Representative Anderson and
ters, these young presences
croft and Rumsfeld confer
liamentary inquiry. The Vice
Senator Percy are circulating?
fill the Cabinet Room with
with the President In the Oval
President again then asked
A kind of pledge. of allegiance
a vibrant energy, like that
Office.
for the roll to: be called, and
to the party.
of a ravenous school of fish
again Senator Allen raised the
10:45 A.M. Mr. Ford spends
FORD: Haven't see It. I only
breaking water to feed. They
point of question of parlia
a quarter of an hour preparing
saw; the news story.
surge forward, wink flash
himself for the Cabinet meet-
mentary Inquiry and again
FRIEDESDORF: John Ander-
bulbs, blurt out heartfelt
I asked for the roll to be
ing.
11:04
A.M.-The Presi-
son
mentioned It Monday
couragement and advice. The
called. This is where the con-
dent enters the Cabinet Room.
night
President's cool soon quiets)
troversy really became a pub-
11:05. A.M.-"Camera Oppor-
RUM
value it. does
them.
lic feud. The Senators at that.
SFELD:
A
tunity": Photographers bustle
point gave me a very bad
have is that brings people
Mr. Ford's talking paper
and
shove.
1:07 A.M.-Exit
out
into
the
has offered him some bland
time. But according tó Rule
open, and it
press.
19 in the Senate, on a point
offsets
that
Rhodes stuff
suggestions on how to greet
11:08 A.M.
these winners: "I want to
of parliamentary inquiry, the
about a program independent
FORD: We have a very full
Chair is allowed, at his discre-
of yours.
thank congratulate
plate today, and we should
FORD:
Let's
say,
I'm
grate-
I would like to hear each one
tion, to recognize or not rec-
get started.
ful for this show of strong
of you.
ognize the Senator. At any
He greets two new Secre-
rate, we finally reached an
support
Instead he strikes out on
taries, Carla Hills of HUD and
agreement, There was a two-
HARTMANN
(always the
his own with a brief and
Bill Coleman of Transporta-
hour recess during which a
realist): You don't have that
basic civics lesson-so basic
tion, and reserves time for
compromise was worked out,
yet.
as to be, it seems, quite
a departing Secretary, Peter
and the final agreement was
FORD (trying again): I'm
few grade levels below those
Brennan of Labor, to speak
the Southern route, which is
grateful for the support, and
of his audience; yet he deliver
at the end of the meeting.
the way the majority wanted
I hope as many as possible-
ers the central passage of
He tells the Cabinet that
to go. Everyone was happy-
MARSH: "Loyalty oath" is
this simple lecture with an
with the extension of the Clem-
the conservatives, the liberals,
not what It Is.
intensity of emotion that
ency Board's period of activi-
the Republicans and the Dem-
FORD: I wouldn't use that
have not heard in anything
ty, there has come a sudden
ocrats have all generally
term at all.
he has said up to this. time:
flood of 11,000 new applica-
turned out to be fairly happy
FRIEDESDORF
Or
even
FORD: I think this is
tions for clemency from draft
about it. I have arranged a
"vote of confidence.
wonderful thing for the
evaders and A.W.O.L.'s, with
series of small dinners with
HUSHEN: Jim Lynn came
V.F.W., of which I am a mem-
4,000 to 5,000 more cases ex-
various members of the Sen-
out in the papers urging you
ber, and its Ladies' Auxiliary
pected before the deadline.
ate to make certain that there
to veto the big emergency
to have done. You've been
To save money on the huge
are no hard feelings.
jobs
bill.
Do
you
want
to
here for a week? Then I trust
load of clerical work this will
I might add, Mr. President,
say something about that?
you've seen all three branches
entail, he asks all the depart-
that I am grateful for the
FORD: I do feet an Inclina-
of the Government. This
ments to lend staff personnel
support that you gave me
tion
to
veto
bill
for
$5.9-
Government of ours has three
to the Clemency Board
during this period, both public-
billion.
But
I
don't
want
to
coequal branches. First we
Now he calls on Vice Pres-
ly and privately. I appreciate
get 00 far out la front on
have the Supreme Court,
Ident Rockefeller to give the
it, and I believe and hope
that,
because
some of these
that's the first branch. Then
Cabinet an account of the
I did what you wanted.
smart politicians up there
the Senate and the House
recent drama in the Senate
FORD: At this time, I would
might tack onto the bill some-
of Representatives, that's the
over the filibuster. "I might
like-Earl Butz to tell us what
thing we want a lot-this
second. And then we have
add," Ford says, "that Rocky
has been happening to farm
Cambodia and Vietnam aid.
the President, and the Execu-
handled himself brilliantly."
and food prices, and what
This word of warning from
tive branch, that's the third.
The Vice President rises,
we can expect for the rest
Jim Lynn: Director of O.M.B.
We have a system of checks
brimming with joy. and Dick
of the year. Earl?
-that's & pretty strong sig-
and balances. The founders
Parsons, towering assistant
BUTZ: Well, Mr. President,
nal. That's asifar as rd want
of this Government, those
of his, props up a large chart
it looks like this. There has
to
go
just now
who drafted the Constitution,
on an easel at the end of
been a 14 per cent increase
9:46
A.M. Mr. Ford reads
had very strong feelings that
the
room, and hands Mr.
in price of food in 1974 over
some briefing papers-Cabi-
the best way to protect Indi-
Rockefeller K wooden pointer.
1973. Eighty per cent of that
net meeting coming. Across
vidual freedom and to meet
ROCKEFELLER:
On
increase has come after the
the room, the Seymour grand-
the challenges from day to
Jan
10, I asked the Presi-
product has left the farm.
father clock utters, utters, ut-
day was to keep this system
dent how he wanted Rule
This can be accounted for
ters.
of checks and balances in
22,
which regulates filibus-
by higher wages, higher trans-
each branch strong-and also
ters, handled. The President
portation costs and higher
10:17 A.M. The President
to leave substantial powers
decided that as the presiding
fuel costs. While the increase
goes to the Cabinet Room
in the hands of state and
officer of the Senate, it was
has slowed down some, It
to greet 53 state and national
local governments. I hope
my responsibility and that I
has not stopped during the
winners of the 28th annual
Voice of Democracy script-
you'll go back to your states
should handle it as I saw
first quarter of 1975. It ap-
and sooner or later you'll take
fit. As you can see by the
pears that food prices will
writing contest sponsored by
the Veterans of
Foreign Wars
some part in one of these
chart,
there
are essentially
be up 11/2 per cent to 2 per
branches, whether in the Judi-
two
strategies,
referred to as
cent over the last quarter
and its Ladies Auxiliary, for
which this year, half a million
clary, or as a Senator or
the
Northern and Southern
of 1974. So the increase has
competing
10th-, 11th. and
Congressman, or maybe right
route
Mondale put two
slowed down markedly. It is
here as President, Have a safe
motions In one during this
interesting to note that the
12th-grade students across
period, which is incorrect, and
index of prices paid by farm.
the
country
have
written
trip home, and we'll see you
back here one of these days
that was disallowed: Then
ers is up 12 per cent, but
short broadcast scripts on the
theme "My Responsibility as
hopefully, running things.
Senator Allen put three mo-
the index of prices received.
tions in one which was also
a Citizen."
10:22 A.M. General Scow-
by farmers is down by about
disa lowed. Senator Byrd and
15 per cent. The statis-
As the Chief Executive en-
(Continued on Page 58)
Senator Griffin finally agreed
tic that you will find interest-
on the wording of the motion,
ing is that 17 per cent of
but Mansfield objected.
the take-home pay of the
As we move through these
average American will go for
The President: 'Let's say, I'm
series of steps outlined on
food. This. is down, slightly
grateful for this show of strong sup-
the chart, alternating between
over 1973, and also Interest-
the Northern and Southern
ing to note is that only Cana-
port. Counselor Hartmann (always
routes and various motions,
da and the United States are
the realist): 'You don't have that yet.'
we treached a point where
nations below 20 per cent
I asked for the clerk to call
of take-home pay going for
food. This Can UC add
week, giving the automobile
the amount of sulphuric acid
has a right to know what
the three intone the Lord's
to several things. One-third
Industry until 1978 or even
in the air. Therefore, after
the exact impact, both pros
Prayer together.
of the meals are currently
if Congress will approve-un
much thought and a lot of
and cons, will be of decisions
1:10 P.M. Lunch: cottage
eaten outside of the home.
til 1982 to meet final antipol
'advice, the decision was made
which his Government is mak-
cheese drenched in A-1 Sauce,
Looking toward 1975, we
lution standards.
to stay with the 1975 interim
Ing. It's not just environmen-
and so forth. 1:20 P.M.-Mil-
anticipate a leveling off or
TRAIN: Thank you, Mr.
standard, 1.5 per cent hydro-
tal regulations that raise this
dred Leonard, Mr. Ford's
decline in food prices. There
President. As most of you
carbons as opposed to .9 per
issue, There are literally thou-
executive secretary for 23
will be more beef eaten by
know, it was a very compli
cent, the California standard.
sands of examples. I recall
years, comes Into the hide-
Americans this year by about
cated and controversial issue
This of. course caused con-
the problem we had with the
away to assist him with
7 pounds per capita for
As you know, autos
siderable problems. The
truckers' regulation issued by
private correspondence. 1:35
the year. However, Americans
using catalytic converters cut
health-services industry was
the Department of Transpor-
P.M.-Other paperwork. 1:57
will eat less pork and poultry
down pollutants, give low
not happy. the auto people
tation before you arrived, Bill.
P.M. - Major Robert E.
per person, and the beef will
operating costs, better gas
were not happy. and the May-
I had to make a decision
Barrett, one of the President's
be relatively cheap. Fruits and
consumption and have fewer
ors and Governors were not
on New Year's, when I was
military aides, In for three
vegetables will. generally be
maintenance problems; but It
happy.
on vacation, to let a regula-
minutes on a personal errand.
less expensive, and of course,
has been found that they also
There is considerable dis-
tion go forward because we
2:03 P.M. For the third time
Mr. President, you know
give sulphuric - ack mist,
cussion of the catalytic-con-
were so far down the road
about our peanut problem.
which Is dangerous. So the
verter issue. Vice President
on it. To hold it up would
today, the President enters
We have had one for years.
decision was whether to hold
the Cabinet Room, this time
Rockefeller, having had a nice
have Imposed economic hard-
the line and continue with
to receive the United States
We are up to our ears in
chance to talk, is relatively
ship on the industry, which
peanuts. The area where we
the interim standards, or to
Commission on Civil Rights.
unbouncy todáy, but soon he
had geared up to Implement
will be shortest in everyday
go with the higher standards
Chairman Arthur Flemming,
does sound another of his
the Federal rule. As a result,
diets will be on grain-fed beef.
and run the risk of putting
former Secretary of Health,
alarms.
we are increasing the cost
Mr. President, you can expect
the sulphuric-acid mist in the
Education and Welfare, has
ROCKEFELLER: Mr. Pres,
of trucks and trailers 5 to
a record wheat crop. Since 70
air. Our research indicated
asked for this meeting to dis-
Ident, I fear that this could
7 per cent - It's. some
per cent of all wheat in
that the sulphuric acid was
cuss the current state of Fed-
really become a serious politi-
very large sum: like $200-mil-
America is'winter-grown, that
a very real and dangerous
eral enforcement of civil-
cal problem and perhaps a
lion dollars, I now understand
crop is already In. We have
problem. While it Isn't a na-
liability next year. I know
that this regulation, might
rights law. The President
had a 6 per cent Increase in
tional problem yet, it soon
we will have examples of ga-
force some companies out of
has done his homework,
acreage, and 400 million to
could be, and we really can't
rages catching on fire and
business. have no doubt
and shows his familiarity with
500 million bushels of grain
afford to play the numbers
people burning to death; cars
that many energy regulations
many of the questions Chair-
above last year's crop, so we
game. Through our research
catching on fire, gas stations
create the same kind of dislo-
man Flemming and other
will have record crop. We
we found that desulphuriza-
commission members raise. It
exploding because of the
cations. Therefore, when we
currently have four million
tion was not a good solution,
catalytic converter. If
submit legislation and propo-
does not take him long to
acres in soybean cultivation.
for it would take some two
someone wanted to make this
sals, we must make certain
start talking about Congress:
So we hope, as we look to-
years of research and testing
a political issue in 1976 and
that we know both sides of
FORD: Of course you know
ward 1975, the escalation of
to be prepared. to do that
brought out these gruesome
the story :and what the total
that I have recommended a
food prices is behind us.
on a regular basis. We also
details and stories, they
Impact will be, so we can in-
five-year extension of the vot-
FORD: Are the farmers happy.
found that sulphate traps
would put the burden on your
form the Congress and the
ing-rights law. We may have
Earl?
aren't a solution, and not
back, and they would be ask-
public about everything to do
a problem up there on the
BUTZ:
No sir, they aren't.
something that our technolo-
ing why you didn't tell them
with that particular problem.
Hill. You know the present
Now
the President intro-
gy is readily able to produce:
that this was a problem.
Next the President calls on
act expires Aug. 8. I've not-
duces Administrator Russell
The real concern we had was
TRAIN (later): Mr. Vice
Secretary Schlesinger to brief
ed that several Interested and
Train of the Environmen-
if we moved to the new higher
President, what you say is
influential members of Con-
the Cabinet on the situation
tal Protection Agency to
level of standard, which is
true, perhaps to a certain-
in Cambodia and Vietnam.
gress think something ought
explain
a.
controversial de-
the 9 California-standard, we
extent, and if one carried it
to be added to the act for
The Secretary unwraps
cision
Mr.
Train made last
would actually be doubling
to the extreme, it could be-
the benefit of Spanish-speak-
maps; there is Isome Joshing,
come a political liability.
to the effect that he might
ing citizens; others want to
However, the reports about
extend the act to some pock-
simply use Rocky's filibuster
fires, explosions and death
ets in the North where you
chart, which is still on the
are very fragmented at best.
have alleged discrimination:
easel to make his case.
We simply don't have ade-
others want to extend it to
The Secretary's briefing, the
quate information at this time
the whole country. I don't
discussion that follows it, and
to prove that this is true.
know what the impact will
Secretary Brennan's swan
If we do pull the catalyst
be, but these are knowledge-
off the automobile at this
song, uttered in the street
able and Influential Senators
hardened tones of Hell's
time, we will have an increase
and Congressmen. There
Kitchen, Manhattan, conclude
of three. times in the level,
could be a delay. There are
the meeting.
of pollutants.
some people who don't want
ROCKEFELLER: 1 would
12:44 P.M. The President re-
any voting-rights law at all,
really like to see the President
turns to the Oval Office for
and. there are some who want
take the public into his con-
a chat with Secretary Morton.
it amended. If those two
fidence and Include them in
They discuss Morton's immj-
groups got together fortui-
this information. so they feel
nent
transfer
from
Interior
tously, you could have trouble
like they are sharing in the
to Commerce.
-you might not have the
decisions, and we can assist
12:58
P.M.
Mr
Ford
is
joined
present law extended.
them in making their deter-
by Congressmen John Rhodes
2:42 P.M. The President
minations, and this therefore
and Albert H. Quie for a short
makes his telephone call to
will not become a political
prayer meeting. Mel Laird
Senator Percy.
liability at a future date.
usually joins the group in
FORD (leaning back): Hip
FORD (after 20 minutes' dis-
these habitual devotions,
Chuck
I'm fine, how're
cussion): Last October we de-
which have continued inter-
you?
No. Say, I appre-
cided that an inflation impact
mittently
for
about
seven
ciate the initiative you and
statement should be made
years;
he
Is
unable
to
John Anderson and Bill Milli-
about all new legislation
be present today. The three
ken have taken to support
which we were proposing, and
talk awhile, then each prays
me up there, trying to get
the Congress was proposing.
aloud and alone for about
a few signers here and there.
Maybe we can do the same
a minute, asking for guidance,
Oh gee, that's good, I
thing here. It says something
giving thanks, weaving in his
hadn't heard that.
You
about my basic philospohy
largest concerns, praying not
know, it's good to have a
of government. I think that
only for his own interest or
policy, but If you don't have
"Pamela Jo Baker, this year's Easter Seal child,
we have to implement this
for those of the President,
51 per cent of the vote!
derstandably-very frightened. But when she leaves, her eyes
philosophy, and the consumer
but also for the good of Con-
(Laughs). Chuck, the rea-
are fearless. She has obviously liked that quiet man."
gress and the country. Then
son I called, In addition to
Continued from Page 68
al. But other times you tend
statement that evening after
to be a little slow. Whenever
the swearing-in, and I find
been a member of the minori-
you're doing' humor, don't
the catch. The full sentence
ty. He has a firm habit of
pause In a sentence. Watch
reads: "As President, within
losing-of shrugging off each
Hope. You'll see he really
the limit of basic principles,
setback and of turning to
punches through a line. Don't
my motto towards the Con-
the next day's hopeless task.
pause.
gress is communication, con-
"Fm adaptable, I guess."
(The President tries again.)
ciliation, compromise and
Now I wonder, how adapt-
cooperation." Now I am be-
ORBEN: That's better.
able? In form jor in substance?
ginning to realize the weight
FORD: Is It moving?
In ways of working or the
of the reservation.
ORBEN: You're moving
set of the mind?
right along. Put a slash in
What are the basic prin-
3:23, 3:34, 3:49, 3:55, 4:09
after "ridiculous." You could
ciples? This morning I heard
P.M. The President interviews
pause there
the first Barber in pass-
a series of candidates for re-
ing in the Nessen sessión.
FORD: (a little farther on):
placement of this military as-
Who is Barber? He is Barber
"And so far, this has really
sistant. At the end of the
B. Conable Jr. And who might
been a very exciting week
session Dick Cheney, Rums-
he be? He is the Congressman
in Washington. Particularly
feld's deputy,
asks him his
from New York who, in the
in the Congress. On Monday,
preferences.
last full year of Nixon's Pres-
Carl Albert picked up Bella
FORD: 'Who-all on the staff
idency, distinguished himself
Abzug's hat by mistake
interviewed them?
by casting the greatest number
put
it
on
and
disap
CHENEY: Jack, Don, Brent,
of votes in favor of Nixon-
peared for three days!"
backed bills of any member of
[Staff Secretary] Jerry Jones,
ORBEN: Very good.
Jim and I,
Congress. For some reason
FORD: If I get a laugh-
FORD: I'd rather wait and
Barber B. Conable Jr., is not
would it be a good idea to
Cottage cheese, A-1 Sauce, raw vegetables and butter-pecan
now President of the United
get your recommendations.
gesture, as if I'm putting on
Ice, cream: "Eating and sleeping are a waste of time."
States. And what about the
(After a pause): I don't want
a big hat?
man who is President? When
to prejudice you.
ORBEN: I don't think it's
all the ayes and nays were
4:25 P.M. The President calls
necessary. They'll be getting a
thanking you, was because
decision maker on a few
of the vote that's coming up
things, but you still have to
counted, he was the second
me to his desk.
visual picture. But If you're
most faithful to Nixon of all
FORD: I) want ito tell you
more comfortable doing It
Monday, I 'believe It is, on
work with those people-in
Cambodia in the Foreign Rela-
the 435 members of Congress.
about Bob Orben, who's com-
that way
& different relationship. My
only ambition in all those years
The basic principles are
Ing in next. In '68 I had
FORD: It's a little demon-
tions Committee. You know
to represent the Republicans
strative.
about the 4-to-3 support we
was to be Speaker of the
couched in the voting record
at the Gridiron dinner. You're
ORBEN: It wouldn't hurt.
got in the subcommittee for
House. Obviously that was
over the years: against Fed-
a $125-million drawdown for
erat aid to education (1956,
supposed to be funny for 10
not going to, be. So now I'm
5:00 P.M. Rumsfeld in the
1961, 1963, 1965, 1969,
minutes and serious for two,
economic and military sup-
here. tiked that, and 1 tike
evening roundup. The aston-
against Federal support for
you know, rd been to several
port.
I'm hoping that
this. I'm adaptable, I guess.
ishing range of an hour's
water-pollution
of those dinners, and I'd heard
if, after you've looked at it,
"That's the way It works."
programs
business: the Cabinet meet-
(1956, 1960); against creation
two top people misjudge bad-
you can see your way to
Suddenly, after this phone
ing that morning: the
help out in the full committee.
call, I have a sense of links—
of the Office of Economic Ops
Soapy Williams made a
C.I.A.: the meeting yesterday
portunity (1964): against mass
political Ispeech, and John
It would be extremely appre-
of a kind of chain that has
with Chief Justice Burger: the
clated
Chuck, I can't
been there all morning. Nos-
transit (1973); against ending
Lindsay told off-color jokes.
decision of the staff aides
ask
for
talgia about votes to recom-
the bombing of Cambodia
So I thought I'd better get
anything more
on the candidates for military
I
mit. "Strong feelings" about
(1973). For defense spending
some help. I went to George
have not talked to-say,
assistant, and the roles, de-
(consistently): for revenue
Murphy, and he went to Red
while I have you, I'm sure
checks and balances, in the
sired ranks, number and re-
sharing (1972); for cutting off
Skelton, and he got me Bob
you're cognizant of the thing
homily to the kids. "My philo-
sponsibilities of military aides
Jim Pearson and Frank Church
sophy of government" - in
aid to students who partici-
Orben, who'd been writing
in the future: a candidate
pated in campus disruptions
for TV comedians for years.
Yes, the three-year pro-
the Cabinet meeting-which
for a Federal post; some
seemed to come down to mak-
(1968); for the Civil Rights
Well the speech turned out
gram, with termination, vis-
procedural questions; the pos-
Act (1964) and the Voting
to be well-received. Of course,
à-vis South Vietnam. If we
ing sure the consumer under-
sibility of some time off for
could satisfy both Frank as
stands "both pros and cons."
Rights Act (1965) only
my opposition was Hubert,
a staff member; tomorrow's
well as Jim, this might be
after the failure of weaker
and he talked for 24 minutes.
schedule: a half-dozen
Offering up prayers with
a
way
of,
If
his old friend John Rhodes-
substitutes, which he favored:
But Bob comes in nowadays
we can get them
schedule decisions for the fu-
the very man, who has just
for watering down of the
on a consulting basis. He has
to agree,
You're a friend
ture; some administrative
an excellent style, and he's
of Jim Pearson-could you see
announced the plan for a
Voting Rights Act (1969)
questions concerning the
If you can
In 1967 he gave a speech
broadening me out in speech
Let us know,
House Republican legislative
President's secretaries; the
and we'll do our best to coo-
program independent of his.
on the House floor entitled,
work
recruiting of a new deputy for
perate.
(Big laugh.) I can't
Doubts about survival of the
"Why Are We Pulling Our
4:30 P.M. Orben comes in
a Cabinet officer; the need for
disagree with that under any
voting-rights act in the give-
Best Punches in Vietnam?"
with the text or a speech the
some guidance on manage-
circumstances
O.K.,
and-take of the Hill-"know-
He supported Vietnamization.
President 1s to make at a
ment of an agency: Cambodia:
Chuck. Right
Right.
ledgeable and influential
In 1970 he advocated the im-
Gridiron-like dinner of the Ra-
trips that have been planned:
That's
good.
Many,
many
men." And now the phone
peachment of Supreme Court
dio and Television Correspon-
details of an imminent visit to
thanks. Good-by
call: "Chuck, I can't ask for
Justice. William -Douglas.
dents Association -tomor-
the West Coast; attendees at
He hangs up. He turns to
anything more."
Classical Republican con-
row night.
Cabinet meetings: urgent de-
me
and
says:
l'That's the way
The adversary process of
servatism is deeply implanted
FORD (reading aloud from
tails of planning on the econ-
it works."
checks and balances in which
in Gerald Ford. The hard
the text): "I have only one
omy; some non-Government
I remark that it sometimes
Mr. Ford has become chaired
sound I heard yesterday was
thing to say about a program
views on the economy: two
sounds to me as if he misses
as President, all the more
perhaps less a matter of cold-
that calls for me to follow
personal matters. The Pres-
the good old days in Congress.
starkly because he deals with
ness of heart than of glacial
Bob Hope: Who arranged this?
ident also "signs off on"
FORD: When you've worked
a Congress dominated by the
caution. Wariness in a world
Scoop Jackson? It's ridiculous.
the retirement of an Admiral
in a place 25 years you can't
opposition party, merely adds
in which change is rampant.
Bob Hope has enormous stage
and the promotion and reas-
help missing the people-on
new links to old ones. He
The aggressiveness of the de-
presence, superb comedy tim-
signment of two other Admir-
both sides. It's different. Up
believes in this process, He
fensive center-most valuable
ing and the finest writers
als, and gives Rumsfeld three
there you're only one of 435.
has a long habit of playing
man on the team.
in the business. I'm standing
notes on matters that had
Even if you're a leader, you
the national poker game It
And above all, I realize
here in a rented tuxedo-with
come up in meetings he had
have to !work with 434 very
is of his essence. "I liked
there is this: Ever since he
three jokes from Earl Butz!"
had during the day, on which
independent people. They can
that, and I like this."
entered public life in 1949,
ORBEN: I've been playing
he want action.
tell you: no, and you can't
I go back to the press room,
Gerald Ford has been on the
the tapes of your speeches.
6:00 P.M. Paperwork.
do anything about It. Down
and someone digs out for me
losing side. He has always
Your timing at the Alfalfa
here, the President is the final
the text of the President's
(Continued on Page 72)
Club
was fine-conversation-
7:13 P.M. To the residence.
soundly for five hours and
would begin to lock on me
wakes up fully refreshed.
on the fairway, or it would
THURSDAY
"Oh, very occasionally," he
go weak when I was skiing
tells me, "Betty will say, 'Gee,
So in '72, after I got back
you had a bad -night,' but
from China, I had it operated
I'm not cognizant of it. She'll
on, too. The usual cartilage-
Where, deep down, does the poor boy lurk?
complain was restless. Maybe
and-ligaments thing."
it woke her, but It didn't
He gets down on the floor
wake 'me. I sleep very deeply,
and does 20 push-ups and,
and I come back easily."
prone, 20 lifts of his torso;
The junior in Deke, unable to make ends meet,
He dismounts the bike and
with his hands behind his
moves to a machine for
head, to harden his gut.
strengthening thigh and knee
Then, & trifle winded, he
driven to begging from his nonfather of a father.'
muscles; this stands between
drops into a blue leather
the bicycle and a tall corner
lounge chair, an old favorite
cabinet, which holds the
of his, made in Grand Rapids,
trophies of a lifetime of com-
and he lifts his slippered feet
6:00 A.M. He is grinding out
We are in what can only
changed. She is still asleep
petition. He sits on the red
onto a matching footstool and
a mile on his exercise bike, It
be described, amidst the lav-
now in the big bed in the
leather platform of the ma-
resumes reading The Post. "In
is a long mile, an uphill mile,
ish décor of the rest of the
next room.
chine and does 40 knee-lifts
the evénings," he says, look-
because the brake screw is
White House, as the Fords'
The President has been up
with each leg: ón his left foot
ing over the edge of the paper,
turned. down tight. He is in
real home within 'the home.
since 5:30, as on most morn-
is a weight of 40 pounds,
"I'll sit here, Betty'll sit there"
navy blue pajamas and a light
Mr. Ford, pumping away, tells
ings. He has read part of
on his right, 25 pounds. "This
-in an overstuffed chair
blue, short-sleeved, karate-
me, "The Nixons had separate
The Washington Post before
knee" hand indicates the
close by-"and we'll read or
style kimono.
bedrooms; this used to be
Larrived. He is chugging away
right-"I favor a bit." Both
watch television. It's just fam-
"Henry exercises on one
his." But when the Fords
now, his inner motor fully
knees suffered football Inju-
ily in here." Resting on the
of these things," he tells me,
moved in, Betty said she and
engaged, as alert and calm
ries, and the left knee was
spines of three photo albums
"but while. he's riding he
Jerry had shared the same
as if in a Cabinet meeting.
operated on in 1932, "The
in a magazine rack to his
props a book on the handle-
bed for 25 years, and she
He says he falls asleep at
other one gave me problems
right, between the two chairs,
bars and reads."
wasn't about to let that be
night in 10 seconds, sleeps
for 30 years," he says. "It
is a remote-control push-but-
ton box for changing the
"I get my energy," he says,
"Sometimes I do get angry."
channels on a television set
"from my mother. She was
he says. "People feuding-and
and, under it, a paperback
a tremendously energetic per
1 guess this goes back to
copy of "Plain Speaking: An
son, just fantastic. She prob-
experiences I have had in
Oral Biography of Harry S.
ably had more friends than
athletics. A feuding football
Truman," by Merie Miller. The
any woman I ever knew. Ev-
team never got anyplace. A
television set is In a huge
erybody loved her. She was
feuding staff In the White
console built into the corner
a human dynamo in a woman-
House is never going to get
next to the fireplace, which
ly way She wasn't a great
anyplace. It's so senseless.
is to the President's left. Be-
career type: But she was the
Anything that's senseless is
side the President's feet on
most thoughtful person, al-
frustrating and upsets me.
the footstool is a looseleaf
ways writing to people-a
Nothing is more frustrating
notebook Inscribed in gold
note on a birthday calling
letters: "The President's Daily
on some who were in the
News Briefing." The brown
hospital. She just had great
suitcase, for his official pa-
compassion for people, plus
pers, is propped open between
this almost unbe levable ener-
the footstool and the fire-
gy."
'This man came in,
place.
"My very young years, I
and
he was
I leave him while he reads
had a terrible temper," he
the rest of the paper and
says. "My mother detected
a stranger
the staff news summary; and
It and started to get me away
gets dressed.
He said, "I'm your
from being upset and flying
6:55 A.M, He joins me, in
off. the handle. She had a
father.
shirtsleeves, and we walk into
great knack of ridicule one
an overpowering ambiance of
time, and humar. the next,
history in the President's din-
or cajoling, to teach me that
ing room. The walls are paper-
anger-visible, physical anger
ed in huge, lush and wildly in-
-was not the way to meet
accurate scenes of the War of
problems. But then adversity
to me, John, than to have
Independence Washington
staff jealousies. Nothing gets
in athletics also helped teach
in command at the Battle
my mind off what I want
me. Adversity in my personal
of Niagara Falls; the capture
to think about more than to
life; I thought I was madly
of Wechawk Hill by Lafay-
have little petty jealousies in
in love with a very attractive
ette, the surrender of Corn-
staff people. I just can't toler-
gal. It didn't work out. One
wallis at Yorktown, and
ate it, and it's more disturbing
time, I thought-that was the
Washington's triumphal entry
to me than anything. But com-
into Boston printed in
greatest catastrophe in my
petence, loyalty. hard work-
life. It just didn't turn out
France in 1854 by Jean Zuber.
I do think I get those things
A tiny television set is on
to be that way. But going
from the people on my staff."
the dining table; off to the
back to my mother's input:
left of the President's plàce-
She taught me that you don't
We talk quite a lot about
respond in a wild, uncon-
football.
setting A scooped-out half
trolled way; you just better
The last game we
pineapple serves as a bowl
sit back and take & hard
played was with Northwest-
for chunks of its flesh; a
look and try to make the
ern, and I had a very good
tall glass of orange juice and
a thermos-carafe of tea wait
best decision without letting
day against a darned good
for him; a butler brings him
emotions be the controlling
Northwestern guard. Rip
factor."
Whalen. I just gave him fits.
a single toasted muffin with
I knocked him all over the
margarine. The New York
He speaks deliberately,
field. And on the way
Times is on a side table to
without emotion, sometimes
his right, but this morning
back from the Shriners' game,
pausing in midsentence to
he does not read it. We eat
Andy Kerr and Curly Lam-
gather his thoughts, and using
and talk.
beau spent a good share of
my first name often. He is
time trying to talk me into
concerned about whether I
(Continued on Page 82)
am getting enough breakfast.
Dr. Lukash is very strict with
him about his intake of calo-
Continued from Page 76
minutes. Finally he walked
that Lincoln or Cadillac rd
had a great deal to do with
over to where I was working.
seen that he'd bought. And
getting me on, and helping
playing for the Green Bay
Nobody was bothering me.
then after I graduated from
me stay on, some of the char-
Packers. And then Pottsy
'Leslie,' he-said. I didn't an-
Michigan, I went to Yale, of
acter attributes that I think
Clark, who was the head
swer. He said, T'm your fath-
course. And then one time,
I have, and that are impor-
coach of the Detroit Lions,
er.' He said, T'm Leslie King,
out of the blue, I got a letter,
tant. Again, it was good asso-
who had seen some of the
and you're Leslie King Jr.'
-& phone call, or something,
clations-with leaders, with
Michigan games, tried to get
Well, it was kind of shocking.
saying that he was coming
troop members. I was just
me to play for the Lions.
He said, "I would like to take
with his wife, the woman
very fortunate to get into
rd learned a little about
you to lunch.' I said, 'Well,
I had met, with his son by
a stream of athletics, student
sitting on the bench.
In
I'm working, I've got to check
the second marriage-he was
groups-a stream of people
those days, the center had
with the owner.' He said, "I
really my stepbrother.: And
that was good, clear, strong."
to pass the ball, not to
haven't seen you for a good
they were trying to find a
quarterback, but to a tallback.
many years. You don't know
school in the East for him,
He tells me another story:
You really had to pass the
me." So I went to Bill Skougis,
and could they stop by and
"As assistant navigator, I
ball; you had to lead the
stood officer of the deck
and I said, T've got a personal
maybe I could give them some
runner, and had to block at
watches. You had four hours
matter. Will you excuse me?"
advice. So they stopped. I did
the same time, and you played
And he did. My father took
meet the son. And I went to
on and then usually eight
defense, too.
The people
me out to his car, which was
hours off. But it just so hap-
linner with them and gave
that I met.
I had some
parked in the front-a brand-
chem some thoughts about
pened that about Dec. 16
good teammates and good
new Cadillac or Lincoln-and
schools in the East and never
or 17 of 1943, we got caught
coaching, and I've kept those
he introduced me to his wife.
in that terrible typhoon off
saw
them
associations.
The actual
So we, went to lunch. He
the Philippines. We had spent
competition is R pretty good
"My stepfa her," he says,
was then living in Wyoming
the day before refueling and
character builder.
And
"was
the
only
boy in a family
with his wife, and they had
helping in the over-all task-
football is as good a training-
of three girls. His father died
come out to buy a new Cadil-
force refueling operation. I
ground from the team-opera-
lac or Lincoln, which was
at a very young age, I think
had had the midnight to 0400
tion point of view as anything
of a
train crash. So Dad Ford
a beautiful car for those days,
watch, and that was at the
I can think of.
quit school, or had to-never
and they had picked it up
very high point in the ty-
went beyond the eighth grade.
And now he tells a strange
in Detroit and were driving
phoon. I was relieved and
And he really lifted himself
went to hit the
tale. have known that Gerald
back to Wyoming, and they
up by great effort, going step
R. Ford Jr. was not born,
wanted to stop in and see
And that morning I got
by step. He was probably one of
with that name-that his
me. Which he did. And after
about 45 minutes' sleep before
the most respected people in
mother and his natural father,
he had finished lunch, he took
we had our regular morning
the community for civic-
then a Nebraska wool trader,
me back to the school. said
general quarters, a
mindedness,
his integrity,
were divorced when he was
good-by. He said, "Will you
before sunrise. I then went
hard
work.
He always
2 years old and that not
come out and see me in
back to bed, and I had gotten
saw something good in some-
long afterward he was adopt-
Wyoming?" I. said rd think
'back to sleep again. I don't
body even people who had
ed by, and renamed for, the
about
it.
The
hard
know how long. Not very-
part
nothing in common with him.
Grand Rapids paint salesman
was going home that night,
long. All of a sudden, general
We
got
into
a discussion
his mother married. The story:
and how to tell my mother
quarters rang again. And I
about somebody one time, and
"I was, I think, a Junior in
and stepfather. That really
woke. up, and several people
I said, 'Oh, he's no good..
high school in the spring.
worried me, because I had
were dashing down the pas-
He does this, or he does that.'
1930. I worked at a restaurant
sageway yelling, 'Fire, fire,
grown up, since I could re-
And
he
said,
Well, but he
across from South High called
fire!-which I later learned
member, with my stepfather.
also
does
this
which
I
like-
Skougis's. It was a 1929, 1930
had been caused by & plane
It was only a year or two
and
you
ought
to
like.'
hamburger stand with coun-
breaking loose, not adequate-
before this that rd learned I
ters-a dilapidated place. Bill
was not living with my real
"At one stage," he says,
ly tied down, and slamming
Skougis was a shrewd Greek
father. My relationship with
"when I was 8 or 9, I had a
against another, and that
businessman, and he hired as
my stepfather was so close
sligh tendency to stutter,
broke loose another. And
waiters the outstanding foot-
that it never entered my mind
very infrequent, and yet it did
pretty soon they were all roll-
ball players. He hired me my
ing back and forth as the
-not to tell him. It was real
appear once in a while. Some
sophomore year. He paid me"
people alleged at that time
ship rolled at the height of
hard. That was the difficult
$2 plus my lunch-up to 50
part."
that
my being left-handed
the storm. And, unfortunately,
cents a meal-and I worked
also being partly right-handed,
somebody had left some gaso-
from 11:30 to 1:00, through
"My Junior year at Ann
that
the ambidextrous situa-
line In one of the planes,
the noon-hour class periods,
Arbor," he says, "which
tion contributed to the stutter-
and friction sparked it, and
and one night a week from
would be '33-'34, when my
ing
either
the gasoline started a fire,
tendency.
outgrew
7 to TO. I waited on table
stepfather's business had long
it, or it wasn't well-founded.
and these planes as they were
at one of the counters,
gone to pot, he was hanging
But
this
is
an interesting
going back and forth bashed
washed the dishes and
on by his fingernails, my fa-
noticed
it
in
into the air intakes, so instead
thing:
I
never
handled the cash register. My
ther my real father had
of fresh air going down to
myself, until one night I was
working place was right near
been ordered at the time of
the boller room, they took
sitting at dinner in Washing-
the entrance. It was a long,
the divorce to pay my mother
in smoke from the hangar
ton about six months ago, and
narrow restaurant. You came
child maintenance, and he
deck. So we lost 10 or 12
this woman noticed I ate left-
in, and I was on this side
never paid any. I was having
people down in the boiler
handed. She said, 'What else
washing dishes, checking
a terrible time. Sure, I was
room and engine room who
do you do left -handed? I said,
people out. There was a candy
earning my board, and I saved
Just never knew what hit
"I write left-handed.' And she
counter on my. side that went
them
some money working for my
I woke up and
said, 'Do you throw, kick, play
right down the room. There
I was down in officers
stepfather in the summer. But
golf left-handed? I said, 'No.'
were tables and another coun-
it wasn't enough. I wasn't
quarters. And I started up-
She said, 'You're one of the
ter. I was standing there tak-
able to pay my bills-the
have you got a pencil there?
few odd people who do things
ing money, washing dishes,
fraternity, the room where
Here's the carrier, and here
left handed when you sit
and I also had to make cheese
I lived. And.I wrote my father
is the island of the carrier,
down, but you right-handed
sandwiches behind the barr
and asked him if he could
right here. My stateroom with
when you stand up.' I've
rier. This man came in, and
help. And, as I recall, I either
another fellow was down
never gone into It, but this
he stood over there. And he
got no answer. or, if I got
here. When I heard general
woman really perked my In-
was a stranger. Strangers
an answer, he said he couldn't
quarters, got out of the sack,
terest."
didn't come in often. This
do it. I felt that, from what
saw people running, smelled
man stood over there against
I understood, his economic
L.
spent a great deal of
the smoke-I always went
the candy counter. I was busy,
circumstances were such that
time
for a period of about
out of my stateroom up to
yet I couldn't help but notice
he could have been helpful.
four years as a Boy Scout,"
a ladder here and then went
that he stood there for 10
I had that impression. From
he says. "I think scouting
(Continued on Page 90)
Continued from Page 86
because in Congress, which
our married life coincided
out a door there onto the
with, she was strong, self-
flight deck and climbed up
reliant, ran the family, gave
another ladder onto the island
me a chance to do things
structure to my job as officer
that broadened my relation-
of the deck. Well, this time,
ships. And I think she contrib-
the moment I stepped out
uted very substantially in
on the deck, the ship rolled
the opportunities that mate-
way over, and I lost my bal-
rialized in my. becoming Pres-
ance. I went sliding just like
ident. Very loyal. She also
a toboggan: Couldn't have
has the capability of-bringing
lasted more than two or three
you down to earth, once in
seconds, 'cause it was only
a while, when you get some
one hundred and some feet
illusions.
wide. But anyhow, I spread
"My gracious," he says,
out as much as I could. There
looking at his watch. "They'll
was nothing to grab onto
be waiting for me."
But fortunately, around
flight deck, there's a little
7:42 A.M. He emerges from
raised metal rim so that tools
the family room, followed by
won't roll over the side. And
a valet carrying the brown
I hit that with my feet, and
suitcase. In the elevator, I
it spun me around, and
notice-since he now has a
dropped, half in and half out
jacket on-that he is wearing
of the catwalk that goes all
a dark gray double-breasted
the way "around just below
President as father: "Grades are-very important, hut I don't think that's the final way
suit with peaked lapels and
a flight deck fell halfway
to
judge
in and halfway out. If I'd
people." Susan: "Well, that's news!
go
down."
a hairline pinstripe. A Secret
You put restrictions on if my grades
Service man is waiting at
another foot, I'd have
the elevator door to the
the side.: We lost
aboutlive men overboard. For
One, I was always so busy,
with this girl from Connecti-
I was
35, I was pretty well
ground floor corridor. The
just one of those
never really had enough time
cut College, very superior girl
on course and wasn't preoccu-
President briskly steps out
to get involved, and I always
-but it didn't work out. So
Pure happenstance. If
pied. II knew where I was
onto the dazzling crimson
had sort of a focus on, con-
Idhada different angle, dif-
I just forgot being too much
going at least where I want-
carpet that ties together the
erent speed.
centrating on something
interested in marriage. Then
ed
to
try to go. And so our
tunnel-like chain of Hoban's
carecrwisc-focused in that
I met Betty, and she was
lives sort of fitted at that
massive groined arches, which
7: You know," he says, "I
area. And second, I had only
very attractive. She added
stage,
plus a very excellent,
seem designed to bear all the
wasn't married until I was
one serious romance, other
a sense of stability and
broad,
broad relationship. And
weight of the history over-
15. Basically, two reasons.
than the one I had with-Betty,
serenity. And by the time
she has done a super Job,
(Continued on Page 94)
7:44 We pace along past
Continued from Page 90
against any additional milita-
Edith Galt Wilson and-Sarah
"My God, it's the Pres-
ry aid to Cambodia. "You
head; in the recesses of these
Childress Polk, and then out
can say, the President calmly
ident!" a teacher gasps.
Into the open air-the fourth
Mr. Ford, smiling benignly,
arches first ladies hang.
'tells Nessen, "that my reac-
Claudia (Lady Bird) Johnson
rainy day in a row-along the
tion was tremendous disap-
unexcited, taking his time,
is right across the way as
covered walkway beside the
pointment"-which does not
walks into the group and
we start along.
former swimming pool, and
show at all-"that such an
shakes almost every hand,
around Into the Oval Office.
action would be taken despite
and asks earnest questions as
Standing in an open door-
way on the left, opposite
Fifteen minutes late.
the advice of the Congression-
he moves from one to anoth-
Caroline Scott Harrison on
7:47 a.m. Scowcroft and Pet-
al delegation that went out
er. The teachers are losing
the right, is Rear Adm. Wil-
to Cambodia, onto the scene."
feathers in their flutter, but
erson, 8:12 A.M.-Hartmann.
the kids take the whole scene
liam M. Lukash, the Presi-
8:30 A.M. Rumsfeld. 9:07
9:57 A.M. The President
just as calmly as he does.
dent's physician who, with his
A.M.
Marsh.
9:22 A.M.
leaves for a courtesy tour,
The news will spread like
almost hairless head all
Nessen Hartmann, Rumsfeld,
long overdue, of the East
wildfire, first through Pepper
tanned, his figure slim and
Friedesdorf. All the words the
Wing, where Mrs. Ford's staff,
Pike, then through all of Ohio,
lithe, seems to have the health
President spoke at breakfast
the President's Military As-
(Continued on Page 100)
and poise of a hungry
hang like a weil of gauze over
sistant and aides, his organiza-
leopard. A specialist in
these conferences. I keep look-
tion for liaison with the Hill,
gastroenterology, he was
ing closely lat this man who.
and those who handle White
named Assistant Physician to
had such an energetic, compas-
House tours and visitors have
President Nixon in 1969, and,
sionate mother and two fath-
their offices. On the way
being a Michigander with a
ers-or none. Are there any
through the residence, he goes
wife from Grand Rapids, he
traces at all of the temper
upstairs to see how Betty
suits Gerald Ford to a T.
tantrums? Where, deep down,
and Susan are feeling. When
"Good morning, Bill," the
does the poor boy lurk, to
he reaches the East Wing,
President says, in a tone of
whom $2 a week earned at
he shakes 63 staff hands,
voice that would make it ab-
Skougis's dilapidated Joint
ranging from that of Nancy
surd to ask how he feels.
made such a difference? Nes-
Howe, Mrs. Ford's personal
The concern, at the moment,
sen asks what he's to say
assistant, to that of the young
is all for Betty. who has been
about Scoop Jackson's propos-
lady who answers the not
suffering pain this week from
al that Mike Mansfield
inconsiderable number of let-
the mysterious pinched nerve
go to China and negotiate
ters addressed to Shan and
in her neck; which has both-
with Sihariouk. This is an
Liberty, the Fords' Slamese
ered her off, and on for years;
Insolent suggestion-that the
cat and golden retriever.
and for Susan, (who has had
Democrats should simply take
a touch of bronchitis.
over foreign policy from the
On the way through the
FORD:
How's Susan? Seen
President. "The way it's being
open hallway to the Legisla-
her this
morning?
phrased," Rumsfeld says, not
tive Affairs office, he sudden-
LUKASH: Not yet. She had
soothing the sting, "is, 'Why
ly comes on's group of about
a little fever last night. She
aren't you willing to try any-
50 students and teachers from
won't be going to school to-
thing at this stage to get
Brady Middle School, which,
day. I'll be checking up soon.
peace?' But Gerald Ford
I am soon told, stands on
FORD:
Let
me
know
how
sounds, as always, totally ser-
Chagrin Boulevard in Pepper
she is, and Betty, will you?
ene. "I frankly haven't had
Pike, Ohio; this happens to
Give me a call.
a chance to talk with Brent
be the next batch, lined up
LUKASH: Yes,
sir. (Seeing
about that," he quietly says.
behind & barrier, for a White
me with him:)
Did you do
Friedesdorf mentions the bad
House tour.
your exercises this morning?
setback yesterday in the
FORD:
Yes, doctor. Yes,
House, whose Democratic
doctor
caucus voted 189 to 49
and some others, the Pres-
Continued from Page 94
ident gets his message across
that President Ford personally
more explicitly: He believes
the users of the mails should
greets every tour of the White
House.
pay' for the service; he does
not favor larger subsidies,
10:26 A.M. Back to the Oval
which, he says, would transfer
Office. With all his leisurely
costs from postal users to
motion through the morning,
taxpayers at large.
the President has made up
Myron Wright, vice chair-
the 15 minutes of tardiness
man of the Postal Board of
and is now five minutes ahead
Governors, quietly points out
of schedule.
that more than 80 per cent of
10:30 and 11:30 A.M. The
all mail is "business-oriented,"
next two meetings are related
and suggests that the general
to each other. The common
public shouldn't have to subsi-
situation is this:
dize that.
FORD (toward the end of
The cost of postal opera-
the meeting): I want to say
tions has been going up. To
get into the black, the Postal
very firmly, we want equity,
but we can't afford to have
Service either will have to re-
the Inflation re-exploded. I
duce its services and increase
expect the mails to be deliv-
postal rates again in a few
ered. We hope the contract
months, or will need to re-
will be solved, but the malls
ceive larger Federal subsidies.
(strong emphasis) will be
Wages account for 80 per
delivered.
cent of postal costs, and one
reason it has been so hard
During these discussions,
to get the Postal Service out
which have been long and
of politics is that nearly 1
intricate, three shadowy ima-
per cent of the entire working
ges have been hanging like
population of. the country is
smoke in my mind: of the
in the Postal Service: there
junior in Deke at Ann Arbor,
are 700,000 votes there. Postal
unable to make ends meet,
Westmoreland: "There is only one language, that Hanol understands.
If we'd Just send
unions will soon begin nego-
driven to begging for money
our B-52's in there.
Ford: "Unfortunately, the law says we can't do that, Westy."
tiating a new contract; there
from his nonfather of a father;
is talk of a possible strike,
of the assistant navigator
shooting across the tilted
Office, then suddenly lies
they trying to develop the
limit on the number of mem-
trails and mine Haiphong
even though it would be ille-
down on her back at the
shoreline near you there?
bers—
gal. Would the National
deck of the Monterrey and
bor for a month, this wl
President's feet.
WESTMORELAND: There was
FORD: Well, its chairman
very nearly flying into the
atmosphere would change.
Guard be used in that case?
FORD (to Liberty): That's
some opposition from environ-
doesn't want it to get too big.
The President meets first
sea; of Michigan's center giv-
FORD: Unfortunately, the
ing Northwestern's Rip Wha-
not a very nice position for
mentalists. But now the Jews
I can understand that. We'll
says we can't do that, We
with the chairmen and rank-
len fits, knocking him all over
a lady to get into!
have. gotten into it - some
definitely keep you in mind,
2:18 P.M. Personnel Dire
ing minority members of the
the field
The President carefully pins
highly respected people and
though.
House and Senate Post Office
WESTMORELAND: I've been
Bill Walker and Phil Buc
a little brooch, with a Pres-
I believe several houses are
and Civil Service Committees,
12:20 P.M. The President
idential seal on R. on Pamela
under construction.
decorated in 16 foreign
in on a personnel matter.
Representatives David Hend-
receives 5-year-old Pamela Jo
Jo's dress.
FORD: Like Hilton Head?
countries. I know something
2:35 P.M. Jim Cannon 1
erson and Ed Derwinski,
Baker, the model for this
When she leaves in her
WESTMORELAND: Smaller
about
talk about the Domestic C
Senators Gale McGee and
year's Easter Seal poster-a
father's arms, the President
and more exclusive. Some-
They begin to talk about
cil.
Hiram Fong.
curly-haired child who has
calls, "So long. Pam." Her
thing like Seabrook Island.
conditions - about inflation
McGEE: There's no way that
been crippled with cerebral
eyes are fearless now. She
and recession and energy and:
3:03 P.M. The President,
the
30,000 post offices in
palsy since birth, and who
Now, for the first time,
FORD: I've been having a
retary of the Interior Mo
has obviously liked that quiet
this country can pay their
has learned to walk and talk
I have noticed something.
man who was holding her.
hard time getting Congress
Lynn, Zarb. Cannon
way. We have to support
through Easter Seal services.
There Is a certain urge toward
With an effort, she waves.
to act responsibly on Indo-
O'Neill are disposed in
them.
She wears braces on her legs;
mimicry, an echoing effect,
china, Westy. I just learned
and chairs at the fire)
FORD: Could you justify
she totters; and she seems—
12:44 P.M. Gen. William C.
in Gerald Ford. He seems
a few minutes ago that the
end of the Oval Office. ta
a 10 per cent subsidy for
understandably-very fright-
Westmoreland, former com-
anxious always to please; one
full House Committee on
about what the President
those communities that have
ened. With her is Peter Falk,
mander of U.S. forces in Viet-
assumes that as a basic drive
Foreign Affairs rejected the
"the politics of oil." In
postioffices?
star of the TV show "Colum-
nam and former Chief of Staff
in all politicians. But the hint
Cambodia package by a vote
case, of eking oil from
McGEE: Congress doesn't
bo." who is honorary nation-
of the Army, pays a call,
I am: getting now is of some-
of 18 to 15.
outer continental shelf,
think it can stand for another
al chairman of the Easter
deferred since early in the
thing more, some sort of
WESTMORELAND: It's remi-
under the sea off our st
first-class rate increase, be-
Seal drive, her father and
year because the general had
protean need and knack-
niscent of the early days of
The question to be disc
cause we get so much mail
her two Senators, Randolph
a heart attack on Jan. 5.
some part of him becomes
the German military threat.
today is not whether to
on it.
and Byrd.
He comes in as an office-
the person he is talking with.
The North Vietnamese are the
the shelf for oil; the
FONG: Would you designate
FORD: (to Falk): My wife
Westmoreland sits ramrod-
seeker-or, as it is decorously
Prussians of the Orient.
tion is who is to gel
someone on your staff for
and I watch your program
put in a briefing paper from
straight; Ford is upright now.
Sihanouk has no clout.
revenues from the oil
liaison with us on this?
Henry Kissinger, to "discuss
Westmoreland talks in cran-
a lot. I get very concerned
FORD: That's my impression,
It has been found. Main
FORD: We will do that
about your personal security
his opportunities for further
ky, clipped tones; Ford is
Westy.
several other states have
I'd like to give the
and safety from time to time.,
Government service."
growing more spare in his
WESTMORELAND: This Jack
the Government, cla
signal that we don't want
FALK: Don't worry about
FORD: I was real sorry to
speech.
son proposal that Mansfield
they own the offshore
a strike, we'll do everything
me. I'll be all right. I have
hear about your heart attack,
FORD: I'll keep my eyes and
go out there and negotiate
and any oil in it. Sec
we can to reach an equitable
to come on the next week.
Westy.
ears open, Westy. Some part-
with Sihanouk-it's ridiculous.
Morton is to testify 1
labor contract. But if there
WESTMORELAND: I was the
time commission.
FORD: How many handi-
FORD: Westy, they're all try-
the Senate Interior and I
is a strike-well, we must
capped children do your servi-
lowest-risk sort of person. No
The President mentions one
ing to find some way to
Affairs Committee tome
move the mail.
ces help?
weight problem. Low choles-
possibility-on which it is ob-
do something that won't be
and wants guidance on
McGEE: Nobody loves us.
FALK: Children and adults.
terol.
vious the general has had his
enough to save the situation
to say.
FORD: I'm learning that fast
Nearly 300,000 this year.
FORD: I've been trying to
eye-but Mr. Ford says there
but'll avoid political blame.
What Interests me It
down here, Gale.
The President takes Pamela
get Betty to go along with
is no vacancy. He has just re-
That's all there is to it.
meeting is its big-bu
Meeting next with Post-
Jo up in his arms, and he
me on buying a place near
placed one person on that
WESTMORELAND: There is
boardroom tone-one
master General Benjamin F.
talks to her softly. Then he
you down there at Hilton
group.
only one language that Hanol
have heard several tin
Bailar, William J. Usery, di-
asks where Liberty is. Some-
Head, but I'm not making
WESTMORELAND
(taken
understands, and that's force.
these days. The options
rector of the Federal Media-
body runs for the dog. Liberty
much progress. How's that
aback): I was given to under-
If we'd just send our B-52's
strangely corporate:
tion and Conciliation Service,
romps widly around the Oval
Kuwaiti project doing? Aren't
stand there was no statutory
in there to bomb the supply
could take all the re
or, if "we" were forced to,
fight each other till they lie
"we" could share it with the
down. I think I can punt
Something Phil Buchen said
coastal states; or, at worst,
tomorrow. That's one frontier
"we" might have to share
to me one day, in talking about
that's out, of; the ball game.
it with all the states. But
That just won't fly. Maybe
the coming to power of his friend,
the Supreme Court is proba-
you can get that under the
bly going to decide that "we"
tent. Roll it around in that
sticks in my mind as a kind of
own the whole smear.
direction. That's a modifica-
motto for the Administration:
MORTON: O.K. Let's ride this
tion I think you could hang
out-till the Court decides.
your hat on. We'll try to
'This is not an era for change.
LYNN: Let's wait, and move
screw the thing down so that
from a position of strength.
It doesn't come leaking out
We'd want to see what we
of the basement windows.
shop by a young, well-dressed
with a can containing 16-
want to buy from the states
4:07
P.M. A young Congress-
man who did not sit down
mm. film entitled "Forward
with a sharing formula.
man from Florida named Lou
in a chair but asked to speak
Together: Gerald Ford
As-
Frey comes in to talk with the
privately with him. They went
sumes the Presidency.' At
The whole style of an Ad-
ministration is revealed in the
President about the possibility
into a back room. The young
9:32, the President stops by
of locating a new solar-energy
man said President Nixon
at the Jefferson Room to pay
phrases that it uses. Need
research program at the Ken-
needed a new barber-would
his respects to à dinner party
We hear more than "take the
hang-out route" and "twist-
nedy Space Center, to offset
Pitts be Interested? He was.
being given by the Storer
ing slowly, slowly in the
recent NASA cutbacks. Frey
The young man was Alexan-
Broadcasting Company for the
bitterly opposed a recent 730-
der Butterfield-who, some
wives of the radio and televi-
wind" to conjure up the entire
man cutback in personnel at
three and a half years later,
sion correspondents who are
nightmare of the Nixon de-
blurted out to investigators
concurrently banqueting In
cline? The style of the Ford
Patrick Air Force Base; un-
Administration is different-
employment in the Cocoa
for a Senate select committee,
the International Ballroom-
Beach area is running about
in apparent inadvertence, that
to which, at 9:42, he proceeds.
it is the style of Middle Amer-
ican businessmen's in-group
11 per cent. Frey is considered
everything that took place in
He goes to the head table.
a Republican comer; he is
Richard Nixon's Oval Office
At 9:45, President Marya Mc-
fast talk. Its root stock is
chairman of the Republican
was recorded on tape. It can
Laughlin of the Radio and
Adam Smith laissez-faire
Research Committee in the
be said that Alexander Butter-
Television Correspondents' As-
wheeling and dealing, onto
which is grafted, to produce
House, and he is thinking
field made possible the hair-
sociation introduces Bob Hope,
about running against Demo-
cut that is now taking place.
who speaks for half an hour
strange fruit, the tone of voice
cratic Senator Lawton Chiles
6:07 P.M. Back to the Oval
and is, fortunately for
Mr
of Eisenhower's Defense Sec-
in 1976. The President, after
retary Charlie (What's good
Office for some paperwork.
Ford, rather peevish and dull.
hearing his appeal, says he
At 10:23, the President begins
for General Motors is good for
can't make any promises, Lou.
6:15 P.M. Maj. Gen. Rich-
speaking:
the country) Wilson, All week
As to the cutbacks in Lou's
and L. Lawson, who is
long I have been noting bell-
FORD (he has listened care-
constituency, they've been a
about to be replaced as the
wether words and phrases,
fully to Hope; he now really
response
to
Congressional
President's Military Assistant,
spoken by Cabinet members
punches through his senten-
bites out of the defense budget.
brings his family in to say
and top advisers, and I have
ces): I have only one thing
Frey suddenly starts talking
just added three new spéci-
good-by.
to say. about a program that
with flashing eyes about
mens here in the outer-con-
something called "ocean ther-
5:24 P.M. Rumsfeld's round-
calls for me to follow Bob
tinental-shelf meeting. Listen:
Hope. Who arranged this?
mal gradient research," a plan
up.
We're going to be nickel-
Scoopi Jackson? (An encourag-
for getting endless amounts
7:07 P.M. To the residence.
and-diming the multination-
Ing explosion of laughter.) It's
of energy out of differences
Mr. Ford takes his supper
als. He can bring most of
ridiculous. (Slash 1 slight
in temperatures in the sea.
on a tray on a small table
his Indians along. Appear-
paure for comedy timing.) Bob
He would like to start this
"In the bedroom, to be with
ancewise. Programs coming
Hope has enormous stage pres-
going in a big way off Florida,
his wife.
down the pike. Down the
ence, superb comedy timing,
in the Gulf Stream.
FORD (taking Frey's fire
9:00 P.M. The President
and the finest writers In the
road. Downstream. Ball-park
figure. They won't be able
calmly): Very Interesting.
boards a motorcade on the
business. (Slash.) "mistanding
to resist matching those
curving driveway of the South
here in a rented tuxedo-with
4:30
goodies. Paint a bigger pic-
P.M. Hartmann, Theis,
Grounds. At 9:03, he arrives
three jokes from Earl Butz
ture. Public posture. Big go-
Friedman, Orben, Casserly
cat the Statler-Hilton, where
(Laughter and applause!)
round. Signed off on. Shop-
come in for another session
"he's greeted by William W.
ping list. They're cutting a
on the Notre Dame speech—
Winspisinger, President of the
10:31 P.M. Remarks con-
deal up there right now. We
into which, in the long run,
Institute for Collective Bar-
cluded. 10:37 P.M. Presi-
don't want a Christmas-tree
the old domino theory makes
gaining, and by Postmaster
dent leaves head table, goes
tax bill. That aims a rifle
its weary way.
General Ballar, and by others.
to motorcade. 10:48 P.M.
straight at crude oil. Afraid
5:25 P.M. Mr. Ford goes
At 9:04 he pauses in a hold-
Motorcade arrives at South
that'll tilt the industry toward
downstairs for a haircut; he
ing area outside the hotel's
Grounds.
the foreign car. They're trying
has one every 10 days or
Congressional Room, waiting
to put some light between
so As Milton Pitts, the White
ito be announced.
About 11:15 P.M. The Pres-
themselves and you. We're
House barber, goes to work
goes to the head table where
ident is seated In his blue
kind of salami-ing it. That's
in the brightly lit shop, the
the famous labor negotiator
chair, feet up on the footstool,
just putting a different gown
President glances at the after-
Ted Kheel presents him with
reading & long and extremely
on the same doll. Consumer-
noon Star and then reads
sculpture entitled "Collec-
complicated briefing paper
ism, Naderism, clean-airism.
over once again his gags for
Live Bargaining: Out of Con-
from the Domestic Council
He's John Dunlop's honcho.
this evening's Radio and Tele-
flict, Accord" by George Se-
on higher education; another,
He's going to waffle it. Pick
vision Correspondents' dinner.
gal, a representation of two
also complex, is on land use.
of the litter. God-dog It. Time
The texture of Mr. Ford's hair
men at a small table in head-
to get our socks pulled up
is extremely fine; Mr. Pitts
to-head parley.
About midnight. The Iron
on that. This could get pretty
tries hard to give it the dry
Man goes to bed, and-if we
auntsie-dancie in the next (ew
look,
full
on! the sides. A
$10 P.M. The President
can believe his own account,
weeks. I'm not married to
quirky
coincidence has
again boards the motorcade
and I, for one, can, knowing
the 5 per cent figure. I'm
brought these two men
and rides to the Washington-
at first hand that he started
not in glue on how far we
together. One afternoon about
(Hilton Hotel. At 9:27, in the
this day under a full head
should go. Let's be stupid,
five years ago, Mr. Pitts, who
Cabinet Room of the hotel,
of steam 18½ hours ago and
if necessary-and I find that
operated four Washington
Charlie Shutt, Washington
hasn't. stopped once since-
very easy, Mr. President. A-
barbershops, one of them in
bureau manager of Hearst
dives into deep, dark waters
game plan and a sound signal.
the Sheraton-Cariton, was ap-
Metrotone News, presents him
In 10 seconds.
Let's let Hollings and Jackson
proached in his Georgetown
week long. of a foreign-policy
trying for -long time to get
FORD: Without knowing the
the Domestic Council to pre-
details, I think we have to
discussion, to say nothing of
FRIDAY
a foreign-policy decision.
pare option papers on these
keep the pressure on.
Lateas, but with the transition
strongly disagree with the po-
Again this morning I attend
In the Domestic Council to the
sition taken in the two Demo-
the senior staff meeting, where
Rockefeller crowd, it's been a
cratic caucuses. I jhope that
But on foreign policy,
I hear two suggestions put
bit chaotic over there, and I'm
wiser heads will prevail in the
forward that exemplify the
áfraid they got the papers to
end.
only Kissinger
staff's efforts to grope their
you very late.
Nessen tests the President
way, from day to day, toward
FORD: Do I know It! I had
on several other positions.
efficiency.
to wait till after the radio-TV
Suddenly there a bad mo-
'I have seen endless meetings of
LYNN: Every proposal to the
dinner last night to read them.
ment; It comes up from no-
President from a department
REleven-thirty at night ain't a
where like a sudden whirling
SIX, eight, ten advisers sitting with
should be tabbed with a run-
Etime to read up on this very
desert dust spout. Nessen has
down of the situation on the
complicated higher-education
been reading from &
news-
the President to
Hill with respect to the issue
hammer out
problem.
paper column; "a White House
involved, and with a clear in-
RUMSFELD: I'd be for no
source" has said something
dication of what the depart-
decision. Let's get an orderly
that Nessen says he thinks
domestic policy.'
ment would intend to do on
look at those issues. I'll put a
may need clarifying, or cor-
the Hill, either absent a de-
stop on the two meetings, and
recting. The President seems
cision from the President on
I'll set up the meeting Jim
to shrug It off.
He comes in half an hour
I suffer now, more than the
the proposal, or with one
Lynn has been wanting. to
RUMSFELD (sharply): Mr.
late this morning, in a dark
President ever seems to suffer,
RUMSFELD: Big issues that
talk about the no-more-spend-
President, I think you should
blue pinstripe. The sixth rainy
from a feeling of having got
are going to be around, and
ing question
read what It quotes Bob Hart-
day In a row. He explains that
behind. My week as a watcher
that should come before the
mann as saying.
he had a dental appointment
is drawing! to a close, and so
President, should be isclated,
9:15 A.M. Marsh goes In; aft-
on the ground floor of the
much that I have seen has
so we make sure he has a
er him, walking haltingly with
Nessen passes the clipping
residence at 7:15, and that
flashed past me, as if in a
chance to see them well ahead
a cane, goes the President's
to Mr. Ford. He starts reading
cleaning his teeth took longer
speeded-up motion picture. I
of time
Counsel, Philip W. Buchen: I
it. He does not light his pipe,
than expected. He smokes
have a feeling of having
am uninvited to follow-and I
does not lift his unitit pipe to
eight pipefuls of tobacco a
missed many glimpses I should
8:55 K.M. Rumsfeld in for his
realize that another direct
his mouth. Hartmann's flushed
day, he says, and that causes
have been able to catch-and
morning conference.
view I have missed this week
face slowly turns to the right;
a-lot-of-staining; sometimes
now; as Brent Scowcroft goes
RUMSFELD: You have meet-
(because everything the Coun-
his lips are pursed, and the
he wishes he could cut down.
into the Oval Office, I am sud-
Ings scheduled for the after-
sel touches seems to be sensi-
habitual twinkle in his eye is
denly sharply aware of one of
noon to discuss policy on
tive) is that of a talk between
replaced by something dan-
8:10 K.M. Scowcroft and
the unseen scenes; I have not
land-use and higher-education
Jerry Ford and Phil Buchen.
gerous, something that can
Peterson go in:
had single direct view, all
legislation: O.M.B. has been
Buchen is Ford's oldest friend
scratch; I remember that he is
and closest confidant in the
rather proud of having & pa-
White House. Three years
perweight of carborundum,
younger than Ford, Buchen,
which is used in abrading
while he was an undergradu-
steel, on his desk: The Presi-
ate. at Michigan, met the fa-
dent hands the clipping to
mous athlete at one of the
Hartmann without comment.
house parties Delta Kappa Ep-
Hartmann glances at it.
silon held each New Year's
HARTMANN: This is what
Eve In Grand Rapids; later he
we used to call in the trade
roomed with Ford while they
"thumb-sucking." When a re-
both took summer courses at
porter doesn't have any facts
the Michigan Law School; later
he sucks his thumb awhile.
still, he became Ford's first
and then he writes down
law partner in Grand Rapids.
whatever comes out of his
He limps from a childhood at-
thumb.
tack of polio; seated, he lifts
But Hartmann is crossing
the weak leg over the strong
and re-crossing his legs.
one to cross them. His rheumy
Rumsfeld's eloquent hands
eyes blink, and the muscles
have a delicate tremor. II
around them move with a re-
watch the President closely,
markable rippling effect, under
mindful of what he told me at
a thin slanting hedge of white
breakfast yesterday: "It's more
eyebrows. When he speaks it
disturbing to me than any-
sounds as If he had BB shot
thing.
rattling around in his larynx;
This is where I really see
and what he says is conserva-
the scope and Influence of his
tive, commonsensical, decent;
self-control. I am so fascinated
the President listens to him.
by his face, which is perfectly
Something Phil Buchen has
peaceful, perfectly serene, that
said to me one day, in talking
I do not catch the exact words
about the coming to power of
he speaks to Don Rumsfeld,
his friend, sticks In my mind
but I cannot miss the equable,
as a kind of motto for the Ad-
firm, unreproachful quality of
ministration: "This is not an
his voice. Then:
era for change."
FORD (in silky tones): Any-
9:35 A.M. The prebriefing
thing else, Ron?
NESSEN: What do I say about
session, with Nessen, Rums-
the conservatives who are
feld, Marsh, Hartmann, Fried-
calling Rockefeller a liability?
ersdorf.
The nasty little twister has
NESSEN: Where do we go
already passed; one can hard-
now, as far as legislative
ly believe it was ever there:
A long, uphill mile with the brake screw turned down tight: "Henry exercises on one of these
strategy on Cambodian aid is
the air is as still as glass. The
things, but while he's riding he props a: book on: the
concerned?
next time Rumsfeld speaks,
his voice is completely normal.
to good long feasts of talk. He
Cambodia, Vietnam, frustra-
with the director of the C.I.A.
tory, that were "coming down
Hartmann rubs the bag under
does not spare the courses.
tions by the Congress.
and the Chairman of the Joint
the pike," James Lynn of the
his right eye with the back of
We learn a great deal from
But now I remember that
Chiefs as attendant nonmem-
Office of Management and
his right hand, and when he
him about food processing, as
when Mr. Ford, first-met with
bers-does not meet on a
Budget, has been trying to get
takes his hand away the be-
practiced both in the Union of
me a month ago to discuss
regular basis and does not set
a precise Interpretation of
nign look has returned.
Soviet Socialist Republics and
this project, he told me (not
policy when It meets. Final
these two sentences.
in the United States of Amer-
then
knowing that the Secre-
10:15 A.M. Nessen group out.
policy, Scowcroft has told me,
This is an uncomfortable
Ica. He grows expansive on
tary
would be in the Middle
is set by the President in con-
Paperwork.
meeting for the President, who
the benefits of mutual visita-
East this; week), "The only
sultation with the Council's
finds himself on' the spot for
10:52 A.M. The President
tion, trade, friendship, cultural
meetings I can' think of that
chairman, who is Henry Kis-
having given Congress a firm
goes into the Cabinet Room to
exchange and détente.
you won't be able to sit in on
singer.
commitment which his ad-
receive a delegation of Soviet
Mr. Ford, maintaining firm
are my talks with Henry."
But that is not all there is
visers had obviously not
officials, led by (it should not
eye contact even during trans-
After that appointment Ron
to it. General Scowcroft is in
thought through! He is pulled
be incredible that stereotypes
lational Interludes, is growing
Nessen softened the blow of
there now with the
Secretary and pushed, in this discussion,
sometimes actually. do show
larger and larger, his chin is
this exclusion by explaining
of-Defense; I can only specu-
by dissonant voices-humahe,
up) a simulacrum of & bear, a
jutting out farther and farther.
to me that nobody, but no-
late that they are discussing
goading, "realistic."
great hugger of a Russian
At last the State Minister
body excepting the Secre-
with the President the deter-
O'NEILL: If you go all the
man, State Minister of the Food
springs to his feet, and Mr.
tary's other self, Brent Scow-
lorating military situation in
way with this, you're going
Industry Voldemar Lein. With
Ford-springs to his feet. The
croft, and occasionally Secre-
Indochina. Earlier this morn-
to have to be against all kinds
him are the ministers of food
State Minister snaps open a
tary of Defense Schlesinger
ing General Scowcroft was in
of things you may not want
production, all looking well
large suitcase of gifts-a huge
- goes in with Henry to
with David Peterson of the
to be against-new medical
fed, for the Ukraine, Belorus-
buffalo carved from a root by
discuss foreign policy with the
C.I.A. These couplings force-
devices, regulation of toxic
sia, Estonia, Armenia, Kazakh-
a peasant, a scarf with
President. General Scowcroft
fully remind me of Dr. Kissin-
substances.
stan, Uzbekistan and the
later confirmed this to me.
ПЕПСИ-КОЛА МИР
ger's dual role-as Secretary
LYNN: Do you want to cele-
Russian Republic. These men
And now this idea suddenly
of State and Assistant to the
brate National Peanut Day?
have just completed a dell-
("Pepsi-Cola" and "peace")
bothers me, and even alarms
President on National Security
GREENSPAN: The real prob-
cious tour. They have been
Affairs.
lem is that there's no way. as
invited by Donald M. Kendall,
Diplomacy, security, foreign
an exact matter, to resolve
chairman of PepsiCo-which
Íntelligence-one daily voice
this.
A substitute program
has established a bottling
'Suddenly there is a bad moment;
for all? To advise a President
isn't a "new" program.
plant in the Soviet Union and
it comes up from nowhere like a
with virtually no experience in
Let's say that large spending
distributes Soviet vodka here
those areas? Why are the Pres-
programs are out, even if they
to see how food is processed
sudden whirling dust spot
ident's domestic advisers.
have a future date on them—
in the United States, and from
Hartmann's flushed face slowly
civilians, not present as a. mat-
'77 or 78-but that you could
sea to shining sea they have
ter of course to speak for the
get small programs under the
visited plants of Horshey
turns
Rumsfeld's eloquent
citizenry on every occasion
tent. Of 1,000 programs, 950
chocolate,- Heinz soups and
when foreign affairs and na-
carined foods, Sara Lee fro-
hands have a delicate tremor
would be small ories you don't
tional security, with their hor-
care about.
zen cakes and pastries, Kraftco
Then the nasty little twister has
rendous potential for eco-
Ever since breakfast yester-
cheese and margarine, Coors
nomic commitment and even
beer, Sun Maid raisins, Roma
already passed; one can hardly
day morning, I have been
armed conflict, are discussed?
looking for signals of stress
wine, Valley Foundry (winery
believe it was ever there.'
Schlesinger and Scowcroft
under the calm exterior. I have
equipment), Bird's Eye foods,
are in with the President for
seen all week that It is not
Maxwell House coffee, Frito-
an hour and a half.
easy for Gerald Ford to be in
Lay potato products, Tropi-
1:05 P.M. The Gridiron Club
the presence of contention;
cana orange juice, Pepsi-Cola
printed on it, an exquisite
me-not the Idea of my own
delegation, eight Grand Pan-
and that, by the same token,
bottling, and Philip Morris
miniature samovar, a very
exile, I mean, but that United
cigarettes.
Jandrums of the Washington
It is not easy for him to make
large pipe, a cup and saucer,
States foreign policy should
news corps, waits on the Pres-
what he refers to, in the lan-
While waiting for the Presi-
an ancient ruble and a bottle
be transacted man-to-man be-
Ident with an invitation to
guage of umpires, as "a tough
dent, the various national food
each of Ambassador and Stol-
tween Henry Kissinger and
their dinner. Photographs,
call." Yet once he has made
ministers have been taking
ichnaya Vodka. By the time
Gerald Ford. I have seen end-
standing with the President.
such a decision, he does not
turns popping in and out of
he gets around to mentioning
less meetings of six, eight, ten
agonize over It; rather, he be-
the chair with the little brass
the vodka, Minister Lein's
advisers sitting with the Pres-
1:10 P.M. Winners of a White
comes convinced of its right-
plate on the back which says,
arms, elbows bent, are flap-
ident to hammer out policy on
House Press Photographer's
ness and is stubborn in Its de-
THE PRESIDENT, while a pal
ping.
the economy and energy and
Contest in to stand beside the
fense, even when, as with the
across the table takes snap-
LEIN (as translated): When
Congressional tactics and
President and have their
Cambodian-aid request, It is
shots of them in the highest
you are tired, President, drink
everything else under the sun;
hotographs phótographed.
unpopular, politically hopeless
seat of power. On the Presi-
a little from these two bot-
there the President has heard
dent's entrance everyone cools
ties and (flap, flap) you will
1:15 P.M. Lunch. That good
and of most Improbable ef-
numerous advisory voices. But
foreign policy is apparently
old cottage cheese, drenched
ficacy.
it and takes a Cabinet mem-
be STRONG!
ber's chair.
FORD (elbows bent, but not
of a different order. Of course,
in that good old A-1 sauce.
I am beginning to be able
to tell when the pressure is
Of all the establishments
quite flapping): I WILL!
Dr. Kissinger has the whole
2:03 P.M. The no-more-spend-
on. He has three laughs: a
the Russians visited, the one
weight of the State Depart-
ing meeting. Lynn, Seldman,
radiant, healthy and catch-
Minister Lein talks about with
11:20 A.M. Secretary Schle-
ment behind him, and I am
Marsh, Hartmann, Buchen,
ing outburst of real mirth; a.
the most ursine joy is Disney
singer and General Scowcroft
told that he does occasionally
Nessen, Scowcroft, Greenspan,
hesitant laugh, expressing
World.
go into the Oval Office; I am
appear at senior staff meet-
Cannon, Friedersdorf, Cheney.
slight embarrassment or iun-
FORD: Did you go in the
not invited.
ings to brief the President's
O'Neill.
certainty; and, rarely, a mild,
Haunted House?
Once again, seeing Kissin-
advisers; but in the formula-
In his State-of-the-Union
monosyllabic utterance of a
LEIN (rolling his eyes in ter-
ger's deputy's back recede as
tion of settled policy, this Pres-
Message two months ago, the
manly giggle, delivered as the
ror): Da! Da! Da!
the door closes, I begin think-
ident, who had a minimal ex-
President said, "I have also
immediate preface to speech
The President makes a set
ing about what I have missed
posure to foreign affairs-I be-
concluded that no more spend-
-which, when I have heard
this week.
fore he came to office, hears,
speech, which is Russianized
Ing programs can be Initiated
it, has seemed to cover flicker-
I am told, only one voice, and
by an American translator:
Why, I wonder, has this
this year, except for energy.
ing anger. Also, when he
& mercurial voice It is, Henry
helpful and beneficial
candid President opened the
Further, I will not hesitate to
touches his face In one of two
Kissinger's. Yes, this is the
General Secretary
door so wide to me on domes-
veto any new spending pro-
ways: thumb under chin, in-
most alerming thought I have
Vladivostok expansion of
tic-policy meetings, and on ap-
grams adopted by the Con-
dex and middle fingers up
had all week.
trade
détente relation-
pointments of all sorts, yet
gress." Aware, for some time,
along the cheek, ring and little
General Scowcroft has told
ship.
excluded me from every con-
of all sorts of proposals, ma-
fingers bent down across the
me that the National Security
Then Minister Lein makes a
sideration of foreign affairs?
for and minor, some of them
mouth; a grasping of chin be-
Council which consists of
speech, which is Englished by
One answer, of course: Dr.
meritorious or even obliga-
tween thumb and forefinger.
the President, the Vice Presi-
a Soviet translator. Minister
Kissinger is away. Another..
dent, the Secretary of State
Lein, it seems, is accustomed
This has been a bad week-
and the Secretary of Defense,
2:56 P.M. He returns to the
"The secret in that kind of
In many respects I think I'm a
Here, as I watch Mr. Ford
FAIDE (putting an arm around
When we send the girls
Oval Office with General
crowd," he says to me on the
better listener than I am a
gradually rise to the level of
the President's shoulders):
over there.
Scowcroft, who is in for 20
way back to the Oval Office,
reader. I have learned to read
intensity and decibels of these
Be a good guy. Mr. President,
minutes.
"is to keep your feet shuffling
fast and to absorb, but there
former hodcarriers and ma-
and listen to just one song
7:17 P.M. The Presid
all the time. You get to your
are certain things you can't
sons and plasterers and brick-
from this Air Force bunch
leaves for the residence, t
3:16 P.M. A few spare min-
destination that way without
do quickly, without talking
layers, I also see them quieted
we've got down there.
ing me with him.
utes, time to rehearse alone a
offending anyone."
them out-at least, I can't. I
by his final Imperturbability.
need more time. We have to
The President is willing to
We go up to the fam
speech he must make during
Thus, I am aware of a prin-
his next appointment.
4:45 P.M. Personnel Director
find time to study, to think.
be a good guy.
quarters on the second flo
ciple of reciprocating influ-
and he settles me in the "I
William N. Walker, brings his
ences always at work with
The aide runs off and soon
5:00 P.M. To the Cabinet
ing room" and excuses hi
4:00 P.M. Mr. Ford goes to
staff of about a dozen into the
this man, He yields, but only
reappears with a quartet that
self; he says he wants
the residence - first to the
Oval Office to meet the Presi-
Room, to meet with retiring
to a certain point; beyond that
calls Itself The Winning Hand,
Secretary of Labor Peter Bren-
check in with Betty. He 8
East Room, where he delivers
dent. This is one small episode
point, he tranquillizes.
belongs to the Arlington,
into the bedroom
the speech, which is pleasant-
in Mr. Ford's obviously genu-
nan and a group of leaders of
chapter of the Society
ine drive toward accessibility
the building trades unions, to
'This "room"
am
in
ly bantering, to 250 editors
5:56 P.M. Former Governor
for the Preservation and En-
and openness. He is charming
talk about the lamentable rate
really just a grouping of fur
and publishers of small-town
William Scranton of Pennsyl-
couragement of Barbershop
and rural weekly and daily
to these staffers, each of
of unemployment-almost 20
ture-a sofa covered In bri
vania, an old friend, into the
Quartet Singing in America,
newspapers, convened in
whom, in his or her way,
per cent-among the members
flowered cotton quilting, so
Oval Office to talk. This is
and comes in several shapes
works hard for him.
of some of those unions. These
easy chairs, a
brass-rai
Washington for the 14th an-
the only strong advisory voice
and sizes of the same light
are big, hearty, tough men,
oval coffee table. superb
P
nual Government Affairs Con-.
I have an opportunity to ask
Mr. Ford will have heard all
blue suit.
ference of the National News-
and as always the President
celain lamps, four fresh flo
him whether his accessibility,
week long expressing views
vibrates to strong chords that
FORD (pointing to Nell Yates,
er arrangements,
no
bo
paper Association: and after-
of which I have been a bene-
even slightly more liberal than
are struck near him.
at the desk by the door to
lying around-at the
end
wards to the State Dining
ficiary, has drawbacks.
his own. All the rest of his
the Oval Office): Sing a sere-
FORD: Pote
Like to wel-
the long, long second-fle
Room, where drinks and a
FORD: It does in some re-
advice has come from people
nade to Nell there.
spread are furnished, and
come your colleagues
loy-
central hall; It seems a cc
either as. conservative as he,
spects, Don Rumsfeld and I
al, dedicated fellows.
What
Out pops a pitch pipe. Then:
room with one wall missi
where he chats-he really
or more so.
are trying to do something
we've tried to do-we think
After a few minutes
does seem to enjoy these oc-
about it. I really should have
it's a better way, though not
They say that-it's a
casions-with some of the
6:24 P.M. Rumsfeld's deputy,
President emerges and s
more time during the day just
necessarily for the building
woman's world, and
he'd like to have me come
newspaper people and their
Dick Cheney, and the Cabinet
to totally concentrate without
trades, I realize-is with a tax
I believe it's true.
Secretary, Jim Connor, take
and meet Betty.
families.
listening My tendency is to
cut if we could just get the
For women like to better
The bedroom is a cheer
As he starts moving to
the evening roundup today.
be more open. Don's tendency
Senators and Congressmen to
men in everything they do.
place; it is in the northw
leave, a moblet closes around
is, thank God, to start closing
move on it.
6:42 P.M. Paperwork.
In politics, science and
corner of the mansion, and
him. He is beseiged for auto-
doors. We've made headway.
BRICKLAYERS' INTERNA-
industry, the girls are
must fill up to the brim n
graphs. The hallway is soon
I think after another few
TIONAL PRESIDENT THOM-
7:11 P.M. The President
always right.
sunlight, as with sweet cic
choked. He signs and signs,
months, we'll squeeze down
AS MURPHY (on the Presi-
emerges in his anteroom,
So I concede they're better
in the daytime-though, CO
smiling and asking friendly
the system, so to speak, so
dent's left, slamming the table
ready to go home. But he is
than we-they've earned
to think of it, there has
questions. In a very few min-
that I can have more time to
with his hand): Why don't you
waylaid there by one of his
the right to fight.
been a moment of sunsh
utes, miraculously, he is swal-
actually think and contem-
just send 'em home?
military aides, who has been
And I'll be on the pier
through this week of A
lowed by the elevator, off to
plate. On the other hand-and
FORD: Sometimes I wish I
downstairs at a farewell party
handing out the.
Ford's having suffered .
the side of the cross hall.
I've argued this with Don-
could, Tom.
for General Lawson,
doughnuts
neck pain. She is in the n
The Winning Hand. a barbershop quartet from Arlington
They say that-it's a woman's world, and I believe it's
Leaving the East Room with Press Secretary Nessen. The Ford style-"controlled, Imperturbable
not by nature a planner."
For women like to better men in everything they do.
bed. She looks frail. Her head
rests on a small cylindrical
pillow. I have an impression
of a sea of whiteness and
lace.
Susan is standing beyond
the bed, in jeans and a Nor-
wegian ski sweater.
Mrs. Ford raises her shoul-
ders with difficulty to reach
and shake my hand across the
expanse of the bed. I am real-
ly glad to meet her; 'have
admired her straightforward-
ness and courage, and J have
had a sense that just as Bess
Truman stood close behind.
her Harry's backbone, so this
woman fans up the warmth in
her Jerry. She has been
watching television. The Pres-
Ident snaps off the set as we
talk.
MRS. FORD (To her hus-
band): Say! Lynda Bird John-
son Robb is writing a book,
and she wants me to name
the person I think is the most
In the Cabinet Room, the President to Soviet State Minister of the Food Industry Voldemar
important American of all
Lein: "Did you go in the Haunted House (at Disney World)? Lein: "Da! Da! Da!"
time. How about helping me?
The President seems about
had ranked about one-third of
is
to make a suggestion, when
lit by candles; dusk has
Rosenthal's,
he
says;
they
the way down from the top
fallen on the bold scenes from
come into the White House
she goes on:
of his class,
the Revolutionary War on the
for fittings. One of the lux-
MRS. FORD: I thought of
FORD: Great guy. He was
walls around us.
uries.
Lincoln, and Jefferson, and of
the Law School faculty mem-
FORD; You watch, John.
We have butter-pecan ice
course old George
ber who was assigned to
When they bring the dinner
cream for dessert. After it, Mr.
SUSAN: What about Ham-
interview me as an applicant."
in Susan's plate and mine
Ford takes tea. He starts
ilton? Adams? John Hay?
He-or somebody-told me
will be all served-rations.
MRS. FORD (looking up at
talking again about enjoying
that in the class I entered
But they'l pass things to you,
the Presidency:
Susan): No, I was thinking
with, which had about 125,
and let you take as much as
only of the top people-the
FORD: I like meeting with
there were 98 or 99 who were
you want. You watch.
giants. (She turns her eyes-
one group to discuss this, and
college Phi Betes, of which I
SUSAN: I've taken off 30
mischievous now back to
the next meeting to discuss
was not one. And they were
pounds.
the President's) Would you
that. I don't really object to
extremely bright. Very able
buy Susan B. Anthony?
The President's prediction is
anything unless it interferes
guys.
So I seem to have
soon borne out.
FORD (with a peal of his good
with our family relationship.
had a capability of competing
laugh): There you go again!
Susan has been writing ar-
And that hasn't been too bad.
with whatever competition
ticles for Seventeen, and she
Probably the major test was
there was at each, level; and
The President, Susan, and I
and I talk awhile about Being
at Vail this Christmas, and it
yet I could have enough out-
are seated now in the living
Writers.
wasn't
I suppose some-
side* activities to enjoy a
room. He is on his second
SUSAN: My second piece
body who is hypersensitive
broader spectrum of day-to-
Beefeater martini on the
was
about
Mother's Day -
might say, "Gee, I couldn't do
day living than some of them.
rocks. The delicate subject of
really about the great job my
this, or that." But if you just
But I must say I worked damn
Intellectual competence has
mother has done all these
relax and enjoy It, it doesn't
hard. And I happen to agree
come up.
years. Then they wanted me
make you tense, it doesn't
with people that grades are
FORD: Well, you know, it's
to do Father's Day for June.
make you irritable.
very important, but I don't
an interesting thing, John,
I
said;
That's too much."
think that's the final criterion
SUSAN: Just like when we
I don't know whether grades
FORD:
It's
good discipline-
by which to judge people.
were in Vall. Even though you
are the way to say somebody
writing for deadlines.
did have the Cabinet meet-
SUSAN: Well, that's news!
is bright or dumb or other-
HERSEY: Yes.
FORD (to Susan): Yeah,
ings-when they were over, it
wise. But I've often thought-
SUSAN: The August issue
I've been pushing you, beat-
was like you were back on
when I was in high school,
is going into the works al-
ing you to get good grades,
your vacation.
where the competition was
ready. They want me to write
haven't n
FORD: It worked out very
mediocre, I got a little over a
about my summer. How do I
SUSAN: You put restric-
nicely.
B average. When I went to
know what my plans will
tions on, if my grades go
SUSAN: Secretary Simon
Michigan, I did the same.¹ I
be?
down.
stayed, and we had a good
think at law school-the
Mr. Ford talks about
time with him, He couldn't
same.
We are at dinner. The table
clothes. He gets about three
have been nicer.
I said that Myres McDougal,
suits every two years, he says.
FORD: The only thing that
a professor at the Yale Law
2Professor McDougors notes on that
The one he has on, he says,
is disappointing-I guess any
School, had told me Mr. Ford
interview were: "Good-looking, well
was made by Lloyd's, & tailor
President has this. The Presi-
had fared pretty well there—
dressed, plenty of poise, personality
in Grand Rapids to whom he
dent thinks he has the right
excellent. Informational background
none too good, but he is interested,
went for years-it is out of
answers. The facts of history
4a his four-year Michigan career,
mature and serious of purpose. latel-
style, the lapel is top narrow,
are that he doesn't always-
Mr. Ford camed A's in Decline of
ligence reasonably high. I should
he points out. He can never
but he thinks he does. And he
Rome to 1648, Civilization from 1648,
predict . 74 or 75 average with us.
throw anything out. The blue
would like to implement, he'd
Labor I and American Government.
us no reason for not taking him."
He received C's in English Composi-
The professor's academic prediction
shirt he is wearing. he says,
like to execute-to get things
tion I and II, second French,
was remarkably accurate. Ford's
is Just got it from a
done. But under our system,
Finance, Geography, Money and
average in all subjects was 74.8. He
Washington tallor, Harvey
the Congress has a very def-
Credit, History of the South Since
got 78 in Constitutional Law, 74 in
Rosenthal. The President
inite partnership. Right now
1840 and Psychology of Manage-
Federal Jurisprudence, 79 in Public
Control of Business.
is
meat He got I's in everything else.
now getting his suits from
we are going through an ex-
back to Tuesday, when I was
straordinary trauma in the re-
He is restless. Maybe he Is
Continued from Page 113
first surprised by what seemed
#|ationship between the Con-
as dissatisfied with this last
#gress and the President. I
answer as -have been. He
broadened the spectrum.
to me the hard sound in his
broadened the horizon.
voice; the sound of distance
understand that. I've been on
rings for a butler and asks for
more tea for both of us.
How would he describe a
from ordinary: people-which
the other end of It. But if
Middle American?
seemed so contradictory to
there was one part which I
FORD: A person who is
the direct and unfeigned kind-
would really like to change,
Can he give, in a capsule,
the essence of his political
moderate to conservative,
ness
he was able to offer
It would be the speed with
philosophically; who yet has
whomever he met face to face.
which you could make deci-
philosophy?
compassion for people less
Perhaps I can come at this
sions and carry them out-in
FORD: I happen to
think
well-off than himself; who
from another direction by
foreign policy, particularly
that we should have great
wants to have his country do
way of another contradiction
opportunity for people in this
what is right for everybody;
in him.
We are in the family room
country to get ahead. Hard
who is concerned with the
know, he in his blue, chair, I in
work should be rewarded. I
national security; who is will-
He was famous in Congress
the overstuffed chair next to
don't think people who have
ing to make sacrifices; who is
for his gift of compromise.
It, and the time has come for
had bad breaks should be
willing to work; and who is a
but even some of his good
me to ask him some direct
penalized, but I don't think
lot smarter than most politi-
friends say he is stubborn ut
questions.
you can reward people who
cians give him credit for be-
times. How do these two
don't try.
things go together?
Harry Truman seems to be
ing.
Where does his conserva-
much in his mind. What are
FORD: Iti is paradoxical. I
tism come from?
How can he use the word
the things he admires about
try to rationalize that when I
FORD: I think It
was
the
"compassion" so much-and
him as President?
am stubborn, I am right, and
upbringing in my stepfather's
ask for higher prices for food
FORD: Well, he came from
therefore compromise seems
family-he was a sort of a
stamps?
relatively humble beginnings.
fundamentally wrong. Now I
Horatio Alger In limited
FORD: The trouble with a
He obviously was a man who
suppose to somebody who's
sense. It was my upbringing
lot of these programs, where
knew people, understood peo-
sitting on the other side, when
in a family that had to live,
compassion ought to be the
ple, and worked with people.
I take a firm position, he says,
not an austere, but a moderate
main thrust, is that they get
He had a lot of courage, was
"Well, he's just being stub-
life.
well beyond the properly in-
forthright, didn't hesitate to
born-not necessarily 100 per
How conservative does
he
tended scope. And the net re-
make decisions. Those are the
cent right." But there are oc-
things I admire.
see himself as being?
sult is that when you try to
casions where I will be very
bring them back to focus on
What attributes does he
FORD: Well, I'm conserva.
firm, and stubborn might be
the people who need and de-
feel he brings to the Presi-
tive in that I believe in sav-
another term for it.
serve help - whether food
dency?
talking personally,
stamps, or welfare generally
What are his feelings when
FORD: I don't like to talk
now-I believe in saving,
I
when you try to cut out the
he sjcriticized?
about it. Maybe what I say is
believe in building
through
undeserving so you can give
FORD: When I read or lis-
what I would like to have
effort, On the other hand,
I
more to the people who are
ten to criticism, I try to an-
brought, but
think I
enjoy material things
This
is
really In need, you can't be
alyze whether it's legitimate
bring a responsible decision-
a nice place to live,
and
there
compassionate for the ones
by my standards; and If I
making process, based on a
are many conveniences that
who get cut out, because they
think it's unfair and feel very
great deal of fundamental
are made available
here.
I
shouldn't have been in the
secure in my fudgment, some-
knowledge of how things
enjoy belonging to Burning
program in the first place.
times I'm amused by the criti-
work In our Government. I
Tree. We were talking about
And yet they're the most
cism, sometimes I'm irritated,
consider myself very lucky
clothes-I enjoy nice clothes,
vocal; they're the ones who
but the last thing I'm going to
that I bring this to the White
not flamboyant or extrava-
feel that because they were
do is let anyone know it. But
House, that I have acquired,
gant. I enjoy doing tnice
on something, they ought to
as
long
as
I
feel
that
what
that I have retained, a great
things. But I enjoy these
continue. Really, the ones that
I've done is right, I'm not go-
deal of background in the
things because I worked for
are deserving of compassion
ing to be upset about it and
political process. I know I'm
them.
are the ones that complain the
fly off the handle or change
conscientious. I know I'm a
least: It's the ones who are
my course of action. If the
person who can listen. I be-
Does he think that the ma-
sort of the fringe people who
criticism is fair-and there
lieve I bring out in people I
terial side of the Presidency,
cause the most trouble and
are instances when I might
work with their best qualities.
and its conveniences, won't
get the issue- confused.
have made a mistake-then I
think I have a knack of pick-
get to him?
take it and look it over. If
trig people who have talent.
FORD: I don't think I've
Perhaps I phrased that last
I've made a mistake, I don't
What would he like to be
shown any evidence that they
question badly. I am thinking
hesitate to change.
remembered for?
have, and I don't, see why
FORD: I think that America
they should, I've had a long
went through one of the most
60 years without any of
unbelievable periods in the
this, so these aren't things
last two or three years that
that I couldn't get along with-
we'd ever want to. And I
out in the future.
found myself in a situation
What about the
sense
of
where somebody had to take
power that comes with an
over-internationally, domes-
office like this?
stically, governmentally-and
FORD: I don't enjoy it. I
handle circumstances such as
think I accept It as part of the
had never transpired in this
responsibility. I recognize that
country before. And If I can
it is there, and that I have to
be remembered for restoring
use it judiciously. I don't shy
public confidence in the Pres-
away from it.
Idency, for handling all these
Does he think of himself as
transitional problems respon-
a Middle American?
sibly and effectively, for
FORD: I do see myself as a
achieving decent results do-
Middle American. I have a
mestically as well as Inter-
Michigan background, I went
nationally, regardless of how
to school In Michigan from
Hong I serve, whether It's two
kindergarten through college.
and a half years or six and a
But I've been fortunate
half years, I think that's what
enough to have exposures that
and like on my tombstone.
(Continued on Page 116)
Looking. back, what
mis-
by some of his policies, and by
takes?
the long reach and rigidity of
Continued from Page 117
form, which is a group that
broke off from Dutch Reform
FORD: Well, there's
prob-
his conservatism, I have never-
ably one Incident In retrospect
theless come to like him as-a
who would stop in and see
because it was too liberal. I
me, to criticize, to compli-
would have the ministers from
SATURDAY
I might have handled differ-
man-he has been most kind
ently, and this is the famous
and generous with me; his
ment, to give us problems to
these areas in, and sit down
work on. We could always
with them before they'd talk
challenge to Bill Douglas. But
good laugh, when I have heard
say that I had my office with-
it, has filled me with its en-
about a problem, and they'd
at the time, I was faced with
in 10 miles of every home in
say,- "Can we have a few
The shot
a very difficult practical prob-
ergy and warmth. And so I
the district. People could nev-
moments of prayer?" And
lem within the Republican
am grațeful for this human
er say they couldn't come and
moment, even though It is
we'd pray in the trailer-
party In the House. Bill Doug-
takes off for Atlanta, Georgia
see me. It was the greatest
ugly, for I feel that at last we
sincerely, very devoutly.
las had made some decisions,
political asset in a nonpoliti-
and his married life was dift
have really and truly met.
callway.
Somehow, thinking about
This morning he indulges in
ton lawyer and great-gr
ferent than most many con-
But it is only a moment, as
the trailer, I have lost the
what he calls "sleeping over":
son of President Ruther
servative people were upset
I must hurry on to the next
This picture excites me, and
thread of all the hundreds of
Lithis means that he doesn't
B. Hayes.
about him, and we had very
question.
I interrupt him to exclaim how
questions this week has raised
show up at the Oval Office
strong small, group of very
good it would be If he had a
In my mind. Thinking about
until 8:30. He has a light
Ford teams up with W
conservative
Republicans
in
Does he have any chance to
trailer like that now. I Imag-
schedule today-a chance to
the foursome: settles o
the
Congress.
And
for
a
pe-
talk to poor people?
ine the Presidential trailer in
more than the trailer, really.
"two-dollar-Nassau"-
clear his desk.
riod of about a month or so,
FORD: In this job, I have
remote hamlets, on hot city
Thinking about what seemed
ting deal that can't hurt
had very little. When I was in
streets. He is not interested
for a moment possible but
8:34 A.M. Scowcroft and Pe-
one much. The men do
they kept telling me,
"You
Congress, a great deal. When
obviously is not; thinking
terson in. 8:55 A.M.-Peter-
use golf carts: caddies d
either do something about it,
in my enthusiasm, and at once
I was in Congress, I made a
about the insistent sound of
son out. 9:35°A.M.-Scowcroft
their clubs.
or we're going to offer R mo-
I realize how silly it is-the,
tion of Impeachment, which is
maximum effort, I think that
caution in all that Mr. Ford
out. 9:35 A.M.-Marsh in. 9:50
mobs, security, a nation isn't
On the first few holes,
was helpful, both substantive-
a district.
has been saying this evening;
-A.M.-Marsh out.
a privileged motion of the
President. has a bit of
highest, and we're going to
ly and politically.
And yet, how good it would.
thinking about the hopes that
The day has dawned with
Office in his swingi His
Wouldn't It be now, too?
so many citizens have had for
force a vote." tried to keep
be if in some way he could
an overcast sky. but the fore-
game is very strong: his o
them from going off the deep
FORD: Well, we've thought
a whole new era, after the
speak-not just with Kissinger
cast, at last. is excellent. Now
and putts, more often
about that. and quite frankly
Nixon debacle, in our national
end, and they kept pressuring
and Simon and Morton and
suddenly a dollop of sunlight
not, are too strong; He P
way of looking at things-
and pressuring And then this
I've been intrigued with the
Schlesinger, with Rumsfeld
falls like a promise through
with a wide stance suit
program Giscard has, of hav-
hopes for a time of change
famous Evergreen publication
and Hartmann and Marsh and
rip in the clouds and dilutes
for good hard clouts. The
came out, a very Ill-advised
ing gone to dinner in the
that is evidently not going
Buchen, with importunate pol-
with finer stuff the artificial
is fully out now. There
article by the Justice in a
homes of citizens, or having
to be fought for, or even
iticians and selected intellec-
brilliance of the Oval Office.
breeze with sharp! teeth
people in. I'm a little hesitant
dreamed of, by this man, be-
magazine that I think is por-
tuals-but also, good listener
No more is needed to make
cause in his view, and in that
bite the flags on the grt
nographic by any standards.
about doing it, because it
that he is, Inner mimic that he
the President ring for Terry
So discreet is Burning
of his advisers, "this is not
And that upset me, plus the
looks copycat. Now that I've
is, one-to-one with ordinary
O'Donnell and tell him to line
Country Club that these
an era for change."
pressure from these others. So
talked about it, I think there's
men and women, his constit-
rup some golfing companions
don't even have number
I said to myself, in order to
some merit in it. As to how
uents, from whom he has
The brown suitcase, full
for the afternoon.
them. One is conscious of
keep the Irresponsibles
from
you do
It.
I don't know
somehow drifted so far away.
of papers, sits there like a
reproach. I sense that the
9:50 A.M. Cheney and Green-
eral men, carrying odd-sh
forcing the vote, I will make
if you've ever heard about my
span in. 10:15. A.M.-Green-
cases. ranging In the wi
this speech, and I will not say
trailer operation.
FORD (ignoring my inter-
President is itching to get
on either side of the fair
down to work. I thank him
span out. 10:25 A.M.-Cheney
there should be Impeachment,
What was that?
ruption): On some occasions
out. 11:00 A.M.-Cheney in
and far ahead. Following
but that there ought to
be
a
FORD: That was the smart-
rd be in the trailer until mid-
for dinner, and for his time,
study. Well, I did it. I never
est thing I ever did. Grand
night. It was interesting in
and for his openness. He con-
again. 11:35 A.M.-Cheney out
foursome at a polite dist
demanded his impeachment. I
Rapids was the main area of
siderately goes all the way
again. Paperwork. GRAND-
are Dick Kelser, Chief of
that districti It had many
downstairs in the elevator
FATHER SEYMOUR: Tock.
Presidential Protective
advocated a study. Well, in
the district. After I'd been in
strong, devout, Calvinistic
sion of the Secret Ser
Dutch people. Holland, Mich.
with me, to make sure I will
Tock.
Tock.
retrospect, forgetting the pres-
Congress about six years, I
who is often taken for
sures that were existent
then,
found I was spending 90 per
Zeeland, Mich. In one area
find my way back to the West
1:35 P.M. A motorcade of
President in crowds; L
I suspect It was the one
thing
cent of my time in -Grand
of the district, 90 per cent
Wing, where I left my coat
four cars leaves the South
Cmdr. Stephen Todd,
that was a bit out of
char-
Rapids, and not doing much
of the people were strong
early this morning.
Grounds: the President in a
President's naval aide, CI
acter.
out in the smaller communi-
Protestants not Dutch Re-
FORD: Good night, John.
blue sedan, reading the after-
ing a walkie-talkie, to
What does he say to those
ties in the rural areas. I got
form, but Dutch Christian Re-
See you in the morning!
noon Star as he goes; a Secret
in touch with the White H
who call him a; plodder and a
the Idea of having Jerry Ford's
Service car, which follows the
communications center a
man without charisma?
Main Street office. So we
sedan closely; a staff car: a
times, and Dr. Lukash.
FORD: I kind of resent the
rented a trailer, and I would
car for the photographic pool,
It is the seventh hole,
word "plodder (What
is it
take it to Cedar Springs, and
going along as far as the en-
four:
that one can hear in the care-
we'd advertise that I was go-
strance gate to Burning Tree-
Gerald Ford's huge tee
ful way he says these words?
ing to be there in the morn-
Just in case.
takes off for Atlanta, Gec
There something gathering.
ing. I'd speak, going to the
but the ball has a mind c
something clotting. under the
high school and the grade
The President changes in
own and in midair veers
perfect control. I would put it
school and talking to the kids,
the locker room, then goes to
toward Charleston, South
another way. I'm a determined
and then I'd speak at the
the first tee, wearing now an
olina; on the way there,
person. And If I've got an ob-
Cedar Springs Rotary Club, or
Sold visored cap, brown-on-
ever, it hits a tall tree
Jective, I'll make hours of
Kiwanis this wasn't just
brown saddled golf shoes,
with distinctly Preside
sacrifice whatever efforts
campaign years, off-years as
green pants, and a blue wind-
luck, bounces out to a $
are needed. Some people call
well. I'd walk up and down
breaker of the Pinehurst
did lie in the left rough.
It plodding. The word is some-
the main street for an hour or
Country Club, which he picked
what downgraded, but I'd
so, stopping at stores. And
up when he went there last
There, with a No
rather be a plodder and get
then from 2:30 to & o'clock
year to visit the Golf Hall of
wood, the President con
I'd be in the trailer. And we
Fame and played a round with
so hard that one is force
someplace than have charisma
and not make It.
would have anywhere from 25
the famed inductees. With him
wonder what that
to 125 people come and see
are his good friend William
sphere stands for in his
Now I realize that we have
me Individually in the back
Whyte, a vice president and
The ball rises and rises
shared a moment of strong and
room of the trailer. And I had
Washington lobbyist for
flies as straight and tn
puzzling feelings. Beneath the
my secretary or administrative
United States Steel: Clark Mac-
Air Force 1 nonstop. to
control, I can thear that he is
assistant out front. In the
Gregor, once a fellow Con-
green, to within 10 fee
angry with me, and I am glad
course of two_ months in the
gressman with Ford, later John
the pin.
of It. He has a right to be
fall, maybe three months, rd
Mitchell's successor as chair-
The President cups
angry; I have asked him hard
do It in 25, 30 different places.
man of the Committee to Re-
hands around his mouth
questions, and just now an in-
We would have anywhere
Elect the President and now
exultantly shouts to his
suiting one. For my part, al-
from 1,500 to 2,000 people
Washington-based vice pres-
ner across the fairway:
though I am deeply troubled
(Continued on Page 120)
011 for an afternoon at Burning Tree: "His long game is very
Ident of United Aircraft Corp.
Bill, is that where I'm
strong: his chips and putts, more often than not, too strong."
and Webb Hayes, a Washing-
posed to put it?"
1
I /
4-2-97 I
Cocol-
Sad to dim
for rply. willoust
7 to POTUS once
rply prepared.
Pm
Capian
DEPARTMENT Of * NOUSING
AND ELOPMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20410-0001
March 4, 1997
The President
The White House
,
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
It is with appreciation and regret the I hereby submit my resignation from the position of
Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
While serving this Administration has been a high point for me both personally and
professionally, it is now time for me and my family to return home to San Francisco.
Working at HUD to promote civil rights, increase homeownership and provide affordable
housing has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Not only was the work crucial to
realizing the American dream, but the opportunity to work with former Secretary Henry
Cisneros was an unforgettable experience. Through his boundless passion and
commitment Secretary Cisneros exemplified what it is to be a public servant.
I would also like to congratulate you on your selection of Andrew Cuomo. Having
worked alongside Secretary Cuomo for four years, I know he has the energy, dedication
and vision to transform HUD into an agency for the twenty-first century and beyond.
Lastly, Mr. President, you have my deep appreciation for your constant support and your
nomination of me to the position of Assistant Secretary of Fair Housing and Equal
Opportunity. By giving me the opportunity to serve, you demonstrated that your promise
of an Administration that "looked like America" was real. You sent a message that what
America really stands for is the opportunity for everyone to contribute their strengths to
the greater good. I hope I have served you well.
Working with this Administration has been one of the most significant accomplishments
of my life. You have inspired this nation to be more compassionate, more inclusive, and
more united. I thank you for all the ways in which you've moved this country forward.
Respectfully,
Roberta pus
Røberta Achtenberg
cc: Secretary Cuomo
Altering Labels, Not Clothes,
it. The company's general counsel,
Samuel P. Fried, said The Limited
PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
was "committed to full compliance
China Sidesteps Trade Limits
with the spirit and letter of all legal
4/2/97
requirements of goods into the Unit-
ed States."
Al
After years of prodding from the
By RAYMOND BONNER
International trade laws will con-
United States, trade officials in Hong
HONG KONG - Every day, ship-
tinue to treat Hong Kong and China
Kong have begun to crack down on
loads of clothing cranked out by Chi-
as separate entities for the next sev-
some of the local companies that
na's prodigious textile industry are
en years, with separate quotas, even
export Chinese-made textiles as
unloaded on the docks of this com-
though Hong Kong will become part
their own.
mercial crossroads and taken by
of China this year. "We're waiting to
And for the first time, American
truck to back-alley factories. Nim-
see how it plays out," said one Amer-
customs agents have been allowed to
ble-fingered workers add a few fin-
ican official. "If we don't have the
inspect Hong Kong factories where
ishing touches and, most important,
same level of cooperation, we'll have
false labels are said to be sewn on,
a label that reads, "Made in Hong
to look very hard at what our next
though the agents are allowed into
Kong."
step would be."
factories only if the company per-
Thus altered, the garments are
The quotas themselves are a ves-
mits. They are not allowed to exam-
sent to retailers in Europe and the
tige of a previous era, and will even-
ine a company's books.
United States as the exports of Hong
tually be phased out.
Illustrating the scale of the prob-
Kong in what American officials say
In its annual report on foreign
lem, and the difficulty of curbing it,
is a vast effort to circumvent Euro-
trade barriers, the Clinton Adminis-
American officials and Hong Kong
pean and American limits on im-
tration argues that China's illegal
textile executives point to Penisula
ports of Chinese textiles.
shipments are still a major problem,
Knitters, which is headed by Henry
This clandestine traffic in suits,
but expresses hope that they will be
Tang Ying-yen. He is one of Hong
shirts and gloves has long roiled
reduced under a four-year pact
Kong's most powerful political lead-
trade relations between the 'United
signed this year. That agreement
ers, and he has been implicated in
States and China. And American offi-
lowers China's quota for 14 apparel
export violations.
cials fear that it could expand fur-
and fabric categories and calls for
A few years ago, Mr. Tang was
ther after July 1, when Hong Kong
stronger enforcement measures.
fined $250,000 by the British authori-
comes under Chinese control and
Hong Kong's underused quotas
ties after being caught trying to
movement of goods through the for-
have long provided an opening that
smuggle Chinese-made cashmere
mercolony may become even easier.
many Chinese factories and Hong
sweaters into England, American of-
Billions of dollars are at stake. A
Kong companies cannot resist.
ficials said. The sweaters were des-
painstaking study by the United
In some instances the phony label
tined for the United States, the offi-
States Customs Service found that in
-"Made in Fiji," "Made in Macao"
cials said, where with a "Made in
1992, while China's textile exports
is sewn into the garment before it
England" label they would have
totaled $13 billion, the world's coun-
even leaves the factory in China. In
fetched a far higher price than with a
tries reported importing more than
other cases, once the garments reach
"Made in China" one.
$23 billion worth of textiles from
China.
Hong Kong, the "Made in China"
Mr. Tang is chairman of the Fed-
In a section titled "The China Syn-
label is taken out and replaced with
eration of Hong Kong Industries, a
drome: Clothing That Multiplies En
one that reads, "Made in Hong
quasi-governmental business organi-
Route," the study said that only
Kong." Other times, the labels are
zation, and has been appointed to the
some of the discrepancy could be
sewn in Hong Kong and the garments
executive council that will come into
explained by statistical confusion.
repacked in their original boxes, with
power when Hong Kong reverts to
American officials say the illegal
a piece of tape that says, "Made in
Chinese control on July 1.
exports harm American workers
Hong Kong" slapped over the "Made
The United States is investigating
and the dwindling domestic textile
in China" markings on the outside.
whether Mr. Tang illegally shipped
Trade and employment statistics
four million Chinese-made sweaters
industry. Critics of China also say
suggest the scope of illegal exports
the long history of evading the rules
to the United States last year, Ameri-
The New Times
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1997
through Hong Kong. While Hong
calls into question Beijing's willing-
can officials said. Mr. Tang declined
Kong's textile work force has de-
ness to abide by terms under negoti-
clined by two-thirds in the last dec-
ation, the most important of which
ade, its exports to the United States
involve China's drive to join the
are mysteriously up by almost 50
China 'would
World Trade Organization.
percent, according to Hong Kong
The issue's prominence is another
government data. At least 90 percent
clothe most of the
sign of a major shift in Asia's econ-
of the textiles and garments sold in
omy. Textile manufacturing fueled
the United States with a "Made in
world if we let it.'
the growth of Hong Kong, Taiwan
Hong Kong" label are in fact made in
and Korea after World War II. But
China, said two senior Hong Kong
today, clothing companies in the re-
textile executives, who sell different
gion have shifted their factories to
types of textiles.
to discuss any aspect of either case,
China, where workers are paid $50 a
The three largest Hong Kong ex-
other than to say that he had paid a
porters of men's suits and jackets to
fine in England. "We don't engage in
Continued on Page A4, Column 3
the United States have a combined
transshipping," he said, using the
work force today of some 400, people
term for the illegal exporting of
Continued From Page Al
in the industry say. Yet those compa-
goods originating elsewhere.
nies exported nearly 200,000 suits
Mr. Tang, who said Peninsula
month, as against $1,300 a month in
and jackets to the United States in
Knitters sold "tens of millions of
Hong Kong. American officials say
1994.
dollars" of sweaters to United States
China's textile empire produces far
Hong Kong companies shipped 60
companies annually, dismissed the
more than it can legally export,
million pairs of work gloves to the
issue as a minor problem, the result
copied
though it, too, is facing pressure
United States last year, even though
of a few "unscrupulous operators."
from even lower-wage countries like
the companies employ fewer than
And he called American efforts to
India. China, said one American offi-
100 workers, a senior executive in the
curb it "barbaric."
sperling
cial, "would clothe most of the world
industry said. Nearly all of the gloves
The Customs Service has primary
if we let it."
were in fact made in China, he said.
cos
responsibility to stanch the flow. But
There is no intention to allow that.
In a complaint that runs to nearly
several senior agents said illegal tex-
Nearly all of the world's developed
300 pages, the American Textile
tile exports were not a high priority
nations set limits, or quotas, on the
Manufacturers Association has ac-
for the agency, which also handles
quantity of textiles that they import
cused The Limited Inc., which oper-
higher-profile cases involving drug
from any single country. Those rules
ates retail outlets like Abercrombie
trafficking and money laundering.
reflect the production patterns of an
& Fitch, Victoria's Secret and Lane
Justice Department lawyers find
earlier era, and places like Hong
Bryant, with falsifying documents,
the cases difficult, time-consuming
Kong and Macao are allowed far
smuggling and other violations of
and expensive. And the State Depart-
more exports than they now produce.
American laws to get Chinese-made
ment has been reluctant to be too
goods into the United States via Hong
vocal in its criticism of China or
Kong, say American officials and
Hong Kong, critics of the Adminis-
persons close to the association.
tration's record said.
Guus
The Justice Department and Cus-
One of the most contentious issues
toms Service are investigating the
is whether an American importer
allegations before deciding whether
knows that the garments have been
to file criminal charges against the
made in China and not Hong Kong.
company, the officials said. If the
"They know where the stuff comes
Government does not act, the associ-
from," said an American law en-
ation plans to file a civil action
forcement official. "Proving it in
against The Limited, officials close
court is another matter." The com-
to the institute said.
panies generally insist that they do
The Limited, a publicly held com-
not, saying they buy from Hong Kong
pany based in Columbus, Ohio, would
manufacturers or through Hong
not comment directly on the allega-
Kong agents.
tions. A company official said that he
had heard that the industry had filed
a complaint, but that he had not seen
On Hill, Campaign Duties Seldom Far Away
THE PRESIDENT HAS SE
Lawmakers, Aides Blur Line Between Politics and Official Business
4/2/97
For his last run for office in 1990,
That is not new, Capitol Hill sources
Al
By Dan Morgan
Simon rented a one-room office with a
say. Congressional staffs, almost by
Washington Post Staff Writer
phone on Massachusetts Avenue. A
definition, are run by people with polit-
former aide to a House member told of
When Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo (R-
ical experience that often includes a
using the office of a lobbyist based
N.J.) was campaigning for a second
fund-raising background.
near the Capitol-a fairly common
term last fall in his sprawling district
Biographies of chiefs of staff in the
practice, according to other sources.
House and Senate show they have
in southern New Jersey, he left the
Recent disclosures suggest that
worked in a host of campaign-related
running of his congressional office
abuses may still occur, however. Roll
functions, including teaching in cam-
back in Washington to his chief of
Call newspaper reported last month
paign academies, consulting for the
staff and turned to a paid political con-
that Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.), who
National Republican Congressional
sultant to help with his campaign up
heads a congressional investigation in-
Committee, and serving on political ac-
north.
to Democratic fund-raising abuses,
tion committees for lobbying groups
It was an easy decision made easier
was in his congressional office when he
and trade associations. Terry A. Car-
by the fact that the consultant and the
discussed fund-raising matters with
mack, chief of staff to Rep. Anne Nor-
lobbyist Mark A. Siegel, a Democrat,
chief of staff were the same person:
thup (R-Ky.), is a former chairman of
in 1995 and 1996. A spokesman de-
LoBiondo's longtime close aide and
the Kentucky Republican Party.
nied that Burton had ever solicited
"You always want someone in that
adviser, Mary Annie Harper. From
funds from his office.
job who is in close touch with your
August until November, Harper drew
A Republican committee chairman
constituents," said former senator Sam
a partial government salary while her
who recently telephoned a lobbyist to
Nunn (D-Ga.). "You really have to
Bridgeton, N.J., consulting company,
discuss a fund-raising event was whis-".
have somebody who is politically as-
Harper Associates, was paid $11,250
pering, and the lobbyist asked why.
tute."
out of LoBiondo campaign funds. In
The chairman explained he was calling
For LoBiondo, that bill has been
addition, Harper's 73-year-old mother
from a committee hearing, implying he
filled by Harper ever since LoBiondo
received between $500 and $1,000 a
was using a government line, accord-
served as a county official in New Jer-
month from the campaign.
ing to a congressional source who
sey more than 10 years ago, and
Harper's involvement in her boss's
would not identify the chairman.
through his subsequent service in the
reelection effort while serving in a
Over the years, Congress has
state Assembly before being elected to
taxpayer-funded government job illus-
steadily tightened ethics rules and ex-
Congress on a second try in 1994.
trates how blurred the line between
panded disclosure requirements for
For Harper, that has meant wearing
members and staff. A law dating to the
politics and official duties in Congress
two hats since she started her cam-
1970s bars Senate aides from handling
can be.
paign consulting firm in 1991. In 1993
campaign contributions, except for
and 1994, Harper Associates was paid
GOP leaders have chastised Presi-
three designated members of each of-
thousands of dollars by Christine Todd
dent Clinton for dragging politics into
fice. Rules such as that addressed
Whitman's gubernatorial campaign,
the White House to an unprecedented
some of the blatant abuses in years
the New Jersey Republican State
degree, and they have criticized Vice
past, a freer and easier time in which
Committee and the LoBiondo cam-
President Gore for soliciting cam-
one former House member, Frank
paign. The firm also drew a small sala-
paign contributions by telephone from
Clark (D-Pa.), was indicted for placing
ry from the state of New Jersey while
his office. But on Capitol Hill, walking
11 campaign workers on his congres-
serving LoBiondo in the Assembly, ac-
the fine line between money and poli-
sional payroll and pleaded guilty to re-
cording to Harper's financial disclo-
tics has been refined to a high art.
lated charges.
sure report.
To an extent that would be un-
But the rules still appear to permit a
When LoBiondo defeated Democrat
See CONGRESS, A4, Col.
wide range of practices that, while
permissible, may not seem proper or
Louis Magazzu for the congressional
CONGRESS, From A1
seat in 1994, three other campaign
appropriate to some members of the
workers besides Harper went to work
thinkable in the executive branch, po-
public.
"The constraints on what you can
on LoBiondo's congressional payroll:
litical activity is entrenched in the cul-
Steven W. Wilson was press secretary,
ture of Congress. Ethics rules permit
and can't do are well spelled out. It's
copied
congressional staff members to en-
the issue of perception that is trickier,"
Jennifer B. Leslie became a legislative
said Douglas D. Ritter Jr., chief of staff
aide and Richard van Noord worked in
gage in partisan political activities-as
long as they do not use government
for Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.) and vice
the district office.
Sosnik
president of the Association of Admin-
Leslie quit the staff last summer to
resources and have completed their of-
istrative Assistants.
go back to work for the campaign. Wil-
COS
ficial duties before they begin dialing
for dollars.
Until the House amended the rule
son and van Noord left for other rea-
in January, it was permissible, for ex-
sons.
The way the rules are written and
interpreted, hundreds of congressional
ample, for a House GOP leader to
Harper said she began her part-time
employees perform political work from
hand out campaign checks from tobac-
campaign work in August under an ar-
writing campaign speeches to solicit-
co lobbyists to other members on the
rangement in which she received
ing contributions-and it's all legal.
House floor.
slightly less than half her regular sala-
Senior staff members can mingle with
The Washington Post has reported
ry of about $80,000 a year.
lobbyists at Washington fund-raising
that a House Commerce Committee
Harper said recently that an attor-
events at which political action com-
staff member who helped draft 1996
ney at the House Committee on Stan-
mittees fork over checks to their boss.
legislation relaxing regulation of the
dards of Official Conduct advised her
Others take a leave of absence or use
securities industry sounded out sever-
that the dual roles were proper "as
vacation time to join the boss's cam-
al securities firms about donating
long as you keep the two-apart." Lo-
paign in election years.
$100,000 to the Republican Party last
Biondo said he approved the arrange-
"While a lot of the staff people are
October. The calls were made from a
ment only after "we made sure we did
technocrats, they all catch on fairly
non-official line at the National Repub-
everything right, and I was satisfied
quickly that if they don't work hard for
lican Congressional Committee, the
we could separate it."
their bosses and be sensitive to financ-
chief political arm of the House GOP,
Harper said she worked in Washing-
ing, among other things, they might
and may not have violated any House
ton when Congress was in session,
not have a job for long" because their
rules. But the committee's chief of
then got into her car and headed for
boss would lose, said former senator
staff ordered the calls stopped after
New Jersey, carrying mail and other
Paul Simon (D-III.).
learning of the approaches.
business with her for the district of-
Both parties have devised elaborate
American University professor
James Thurber says there is a "seam-
fice. Weekends, she said, she worked
systems to avoid the appearance of
abuse. Senators and House members,
less web between campaign managers
in LoBiondo's campaign headquarters.
sometimes accompanied by staff mem-
and lobbyists." And many top congres-
Fund-raising was handled by anoth-
bers, hustle over to their respective
sional aides now serve as managers or
er consultant, she said, while Harper
overseers of campaigns, making it dif-
helped the campaign manager, Sean
party headquarters on Capitol Hill to
ficult at times to avoid conflicts.
Spicer, with the "local political land-
make campaign calls from "private"
Even when the chief of staff doesn't
scape.
Sometimes it was as basic
turf. Some don't even bother to walk
the few blocks from the Capitol. In-
make fund-raising calls, "there's a per-
as how do you get from one town to
ception that he needs to know some-
another."
stead, they just step outside to the
parking lot and use cellular phones to
thing about these efforts and be sup-
A New Jersey Democrat said Harp-
avoid using official lines.
portive of them," said Richard Shapiro,
er was a constant presence at LoBion-
executive director of the Congression-
do's side at all events, and added that
al Management Foundation, a private
voters would have been hard-pressed
organization.
to know whether she was there as
campaign adviser or government aide.
That isn't a distinction that LoBion-
do has trouble with.
The Washington Post
"My chief of staff is someone I rely
on for advice on issues, how things
come together with different positions
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2. 1997
I've taken," he said. "In the campaign,
her role was to help out with issues
and help the campaign manager."
LoBiondo, who had strong support
from the National Rifle Association
and gambling interests with holdings
in the Atlantic City area, was reelect-
ed easily. In November, Harper re-
turned to full-time duties as his chief of
staff.
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
4/2/97
31
POLITICS & POLICY
As Term Limits Take Effect in Maine's Capitol,
Government Seems to Be Doing Just Fine, Thanks
Lobbyists Can't Find an Audience
By DANA MILBANK
the floor-for the first time. "There's more
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Of course, the full effect of the term
openness to consider ideas that used to be
AUGUSTA, Maine - How the mighty
limits may not be felt for a few years, as
dismissed out of hand," Sen. Amero says.
have fallen in the Maine Capitol.
more senior legislators reach their limits
Similarly, a House committee voted to
Until this year, Roger Pouliot, a 16-year
and the impact of new laws can be mea-
oppose a bill allowing the test-driving of
fixture of the state legislature, occupied
sured. In the meantime, the legislature is
unregistered snowmobiles. But when a
seat No. 1 in the House chamber, a front-
more bitterly partisan than before. Some
first-termer who ran a small repair shop
row aisle position that honored his senior-
worry that the inexperienced legislators
complained that the prohibition on test-
ity. Then came enforcement of Maine's
will pass laws haphazardly and won't
driving was keeping him from getting
term-limit law, the first in the U.S. to dump
stand up to interest groups, a powerful
Canadian business, the speech swayed the
legislators from both chambers of a state
governor, and a bureaucracy whose civil
House to reverse the committee's recom-
legislature. Disinclined to leave, Mr. Pou-
servants can serve as long as they like. "I
mendation. New lawmakers "are more
liot begged a job from the House clerk, and
want legislators to be the experts, not the
willing to allow new things to happen,"
now as the official House sound man, he
staff and not lobbyists," says Elizabeth
says House Minority Leader James Don-
sits beside the speaker flicking micro-
Mitchell, a term-limits opponent who be-
nelly, who, at 29 years old and about to hit
phone switches while lawmakers debate.
came House Speaker when more-senior
the limit, jokes that he is "all washed
"The toughest thing is when you've
lawmakers exited, but will be forced out
up."
been a policy maker for 16 years, and now
Mr. Pouliot, 60, sitting in the capitol
herself in 1998.
you're a listener," Mr. Pouliot says from
rotunda as legislators move in and out for
his perch at the controls in the green-car-
Though opponents feared that the loss
votes, knows the feeling. TI ough he thinks
peted House chamber. "I only wish that I
of seasoned legislators would allow lobby-
the real damage of term 1 mits is yet to
could be a player." The man who once
ists to run the show, the opposite seems to
come, he acknowledges the he has suf-
made state commissioners tremble can't*
be true so far. Lobbyist Linda Smith Dyer,
fered more than the legisiature so far.
even make long-distance phone calls.
who has represented trial lawyers in the
"When you're a representative you have
This is doubly tough on Mr. Pouliot
past, says she tried to buttonhole a new
that extra clout," says the former member
because the government seems to be
legislator this session about an issue she
of the all-powerful Appropriations Commit-
operating competently without him and
declines to specify but the lawmaker
tee. Now, "you don't have the power you
about 30 other veterans forced out by the
stopped her in her tracks. "At this point
used to have to move things around."
limits. That represents about a sixth of the
I'm not interested in taking information
Taking advantage of the law's allow-
186 House and Senate seats.
ance for a return after a hiatus, Mr. Pouliot
from lobbyists," the lawmaker said. Ms.
An Infusion of Vitality
will most likely run in 1998 for a seat in
Dyer notes: "They've come in with a little
another district - maybe where somebody
By some measures, this novice legisla-
bit of a cynical bent to them."
else has reached the limit. Though he still
ture is having a banner year - evidence
Another lobbyist, Severin Beliveau,
resents the limits, his humbling in the
that term-limit proponents may have been
sees an opportunity to become the "institu-
political wilderness hasn't been without
right about the value of new blood. Admits
Mr. Pouliot, who sued unsuccessfully to
tional memory," but he, too, feels his job is
merit. "It's been a great learning experi-
keep his seat: "I would say things are
more challenging. Lobbyists "have to per-
ence," he says. "If I run again, I'll know
running smoothly enough."
suade people, talk about the merits in a
how to be better."
The legislature passed the state's S3.8
logical way, not rely on your friends and
billion budget in March, the earliest in
say, 'you killed this bill a few years ago,
modern times in the Pine Tree State. As
let's kill it again,' he says.
part of increased turnover - 40% of legisla-
Mark Lawrence, the Senate president
tors are freshmen-Maine now has its first
and an opponent of limits, says the loss of
female House speaker, and half of the
legislature's leaders are women, the most
veterans has made it "very difficult get-
ever. Lobbyists find they can no longer
ting up to speed." But on the budget, "we
rely on old friends. Lawmakers work
were able to move along so quickly in part
harder. More bills have been filed than
because of term limits, because people
ever before at this stage in the legislative
were inexperienced,' he says. "We asked
session, as long-dead proposals receive
them to work harder than before and they
'HE WALL STREET JOURNAL
WEDNESDAY. APRIL 2, 1997
copied
fresh consideration.
didn't know what they were agreeing to."
Craig Smith
Sally Bryant, who as president of the
To further improve efficiency, law-
League of Women Voters in Maine led the
cis
makers were directed to file bills early - a
lawsuit against term limits, concedes it
record 1,700 have been written so far so
has been a good session. "It just seems like
that committees have more time to decide
they're ready to move on some things,"
she says. In addition to the budget, she
what's important. Committees have been
expects health-care reform and a ciga-
operating five days a week instead of the
rette-tax increase. "A year ago we couldn't
usual three. "These people are hungry and
make a dent" in the opposition to the tax,
eager," says Joy O'Brien, secretary of the
she says.
Senate, where 14 of 35 members are first-
Maine's experience is important be-
termers (though most came from the
cause it is the first to take a broad
House).
term-limits plunge. According to the U.S.
Senate Republican Leader Jane Amero,
Term Limits campaign, of the 20 states
that have adopted limits for state legisla-
one of a minority of officials who approved
tors since 1990 (all but two by voter initia-
of term limits in the first place, says the
tive). Maine and California were the first
place has more of an anything-goes style
to bar lawmakers from office, both with
now. She introduced a bill requiring cars
the 1996 election. But Maine's eight-years-
with windshield wipers running to have
and-out law is the only one so far to remove
their headlights on-an idea that had been
longstanding lawmakers from both cham-
introduced each session for a decade, but
bers of its legislature. California's Senate
died in committee each time. This year,
is still unaffected.
the windshield-wipers measure will reach
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
Insuring
4/2/97
copied
sperling
B. Reed
COS
Children
By STUART AUERBACH
IRWIN, Pa.
odie Gavin's serene middle-class life-
A Full Range of Benefits
style ended in the wreckage of a car
crash that killed her husband, Larry,
The 12-year-old program, now expanded to the entire state
and his brother 3½ years ago on what
and financed largely through a two-cent-a-pack tax on
she now ruefully describes as a
cigarettes, provides health insurance for 60,000 Pennsylvania
"chance-of-a-lifetime family vacation"
children, 26,000 in the 29 counties of western Pennsylvania.
to see relatives in Ireland.
The program provides a full range of health care benefits
The vibrant young wife and mother
including visits to doctor's offices, immunizations, diagnostic
of two young sons was transformed
tests, emergency care, outpatient surgery, dental treatments,
into a 28-year-old widow who was
vision and hearing care, prescription drugs (with a $5
forced to cope without her husband's
co-payment), mental health care and hospitalizations.
paycheck and benefits to pay for all the
While the coverage is free for eligible children, Charles P
normal trappings of life: mortgage pay-
LaVallee, vice president and executive director of the Caring
ments on a neat one-story home, health
Program, calculated the cost of the insurance at $850 a ye
insurance, money for food, clothing
for each enrolled child.
and recreation.
"Covering kids is relatively cheap. Extending coverage to
"We came home and the kids were
more children should not be a big financial burden," said E.
crying. They asked me, 'Will we have to
Richard Brown, director of the University of California at Los
move from our house, Mom?' Gavin
Angeles Center for Health Policy Research, which studied
recalled.
uninsured children in California.
Another big worry was health cover-
The Western Pennsylvania Caring Program has been
age. Her youngest son, Philip, now 6,
replicated in 26 states by Blue Cross Blue Shield. In some
suffers from congenital heart disease
states, including Massachusetts, the program is financed by
that so far has required three opera-
increases in the cigarette tax.
tions. The family had been covered through the husband's
Pennsylvania's children health insurance program is tar-
job as a maintenance supervisor at the University of Pitts-
geted largely to middle-class working families who don't get
burgh. Although Gavin could have continued her husband's
health insurance for their children as part of their employee
policy, the $650-a-month price tag was beyond her income of
benefits and don't earn enough money to buy insurance on
$1,476 a month in Social Security benefits.
their own. They also earn too much to be eligible for
"It was either food on the table or health insurance or pay
Medicaid. Under the Pennsylvania program, a family of four
the mortgage or health insurance. Social Security meant I
earning $28,860-185 percent above the $15,600 poverty
was too rich for medical assistance, and I couldn't afford to
line-qualifies for free health insurance for their children.
buy insurance myself," she said.
In western Pennsylvania, 92 percent of newly enrolled
"Those were really hard times. I didn't know what to do. I
children have parents who work full or part time. This reflects
was afraid we'd all end up on the street somewhere."
the national profile of the uninsured. A UCLA study found
Her most immediate health concern was Philip's heart
that nine of 10 uninsured children in California come from a
problem.
working family and 60 percent of the uninsured children
A relative told Gavin about the Western Pennsylvania
come from families with at least one full-time working parent.
Caring Program for Children, a private community initiative,
The Children's Defense Fund found similar figures in a
administered by the local Blue Cross Blue Shield organiza-
national sampling, as augrowing number of parents are
tions, to provide health insurance to children of parents who
working for employers who no longer offer health insurance
can't afford to buy it themselves but whose income is too high
for children as a benefit.
to qualify for federal-state Medicaid.
A new study released last week by Families USA Founda-
tion, based on federal census data, reported that an estimated
Gavin was able to enroll Philip and Larry, 9, without a
23 million American children were without health insurance
waiting period. Once enrolled they had their own Blue Cross
Blue Shield card; as far as any doctor or hospital knew, they
coverage for at least one month during a two-year period.
"America's uninsured children live in families where the
were members of the health care plan. But the cost of the
insurance was borne not by the Gavin family or a private
breadwinners work hard, pay taxes and play by the rules. But
employer, but by the Caring Program, which is funded
they don't get health coverage on the job, for themselves or
through charitable donations and state funds.
their children. And they can't afford to pay for it out-of-pocket,"
While the Caring Program only covers children from 1 to
said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA.
19, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers low cost coverage to parents
of children in the Caring Program for $730 a year. "I was
Avoiding Trips to the Doctor
devastated by my husband's death. But because of the Caring
A typical situation is that of Susan Din, executive director of
the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce.
See INSURING CHILDREN, Page 12
The Pennsylvania program is
gaining attention as a national
model for covering the growing
The Washington Post
ranks of uninsured children.
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1997
Program, I knew that my children could stay in this house
and that I could clothe them, that I could feed them and that I
could love them," Gavin said.
The Pennsylvania program is gaining attention as a
3
national model for covering the growing ranks of uninsured
children, estimated as totaling 10 million across the nation.
afford physicals if they don't have health
That is what happened with Maurine Cei-
INSURING CHILDREN, From Page 10
dro, 41, who lives with her three children-Sa-
insurance," added Amy Salay, a counselor for
rah, 11, Jason, 13, and Janean, 19-in nearby
"I almost called for help." said the mother
the Ligonier schools who steers children into
Greensburg. They were covered by the Caring
of two teenage daughters.
the Caring Program.
Program for four years after her husband died
"My husband has been out of work for two
in 1992. Although she has a college degree in
years, and I was taking care of a family of four
Founded After Layoffs
theology, she was working low-paying, no-ben-
on my chamber salary of about $20,000 a
efit jobs: part of a crew cleaning houses and
year. We had no insurance for the kids or
The Western Pennsylvania Caring Pro-
offices after they had been damaged by fire
ourselves. There was no way we could have
gram was born after massive layoffs hit the
and soot and as a caregiver at a home for
afforded insurance. It was just food on the
steel mills that had been the bedrock of the
disturbed children. Neither provided health
table and mortgage payments." Din said.
region's economy. Teams of ministers asking
insurance for herself or her children.
"I just kept saying to the kids, 'Don't get
She saw a Caring Program brochure ad
sick.
about the needs of thousands of formerly
vertising free health care for children. "I
Without insurance, Din also avoided going
well-paid laid-off steelworkers were told:
'Don't worry about us. Do something for
thought this was too good to be true. This is
to the doctor. The family was lucky. There were.
our kids,' recalls LaVallee, who was study-
not possible," she said.
no injuries or major illnesses. Her husband,
"Once I knew we had health care cover-
Angie, now has a job with an axle manufactur-
ing for the ministry at the time.
ing company in Michigan, where the family will
The ministers settled on offering a basic
age, I could think about steps I have to take,
because obviously I was their sole support. If
move after the school year is over.
package of primary care health coverage for
children, financed by community donations
we kept on the way we were going, we would
"I can't wait until we get insurance [from
matched by Blue Cross of Western Pennsyl-
be putting out fires for the rest of our lives. It
her husband's new job],' she said. "I haven't
vania and Pennsylvania Blue Shield, now
offered no future."
Ceidro went back to school for her mas
seen a doctor in three years."
merged into a single organization, Highmark
She explained that she didn't sign her
Blue Cross Blue Shield. The Blue Cross Blue
ter's degree in theology. "Having health
children up for the Caring Program because
coverage for the children gave me the oppor-
her family was not destitute. "We had a nice
Shield organizations took an active interest in
tunity to go back to school because I didn't
house and investments we could tap into. We
the program, donating the administrative
See INSURING CHILDREN Page 15
are not like people who don't have anything.
services that keep it going.
There's a lot we could have gone through
In the beginning, the benefits were far
INSURING CHILDREN, From Page 12
before we got to the place where a lot of
from comprehensive-doctors) visits, immu-
people already are," Din said.
nizations, diagnostic tests, emergency care
have to worry about any bad mishaps devastating the family,"
"But I still was afraid to go to the doctor in
and outpatient surgery-but the cost was
she said. Unlike Gavin, she didn't worry about health
case he found something wrong. That could
low, just $13 a month for each child, which
insurance for herself.
wipe us out."
amounts to $156 a year.
In January, after her children had been covered for four
That is a common fear among parents with
LaVallee and others raised the money
years, Ceidro started work as director of pastoral care at
no health insurance for their children. A
from the community by holding bake sales
Jeannette District Memorial Hospital.
and making the rounds of Kiwanis Clubs and
"That's how it works. It got us through that really awful
survey taken for the Caring Program by the
University of Pittsburgh health economists
church groups. They argued that every $156
period," she said. "But in January I called up and said, 'I don't
Judith R. Lave and Edmund Ricci found that
raised from the community would be
need it any more. Make room for three new children.'
matched by the Blues and thus would pro-
The Gavins have been in the program for more than three
three out of four parents of uninsured chil-
dren postpone going to the doctor, preferring
vide health insurance for two children.
years and it has proved its worth. After three operations at
Community fund drives remain a part of
Pittsburgh Children's Hospital, covered by the Caring Pro-
to save that cost to pay for medical care for
their children.
the Caring Program, accounting for $500,000
gram, Philip is behaving like any other rambunctious 6-year-
Because they can't afford it, many parents
to $900,000 a year. But LaVallee said he
old, chasing his older brother Larry, 9, a straight-A student
also put off getting needed treatment for their
quickly realized community support could go
who holds a second-degree red belt in karate.
only so far. The explosive growth for the
"Without health insurance in no way could I treat Philip as
children.
program came in 1993, after Democrat Har-
normal. I have a hard time treating him normally now, but I let
As a result many of the children who come
ris Wofford won a U.S. Senate seat from
him go and I bite my nails. To me he is special, but to an
into the Caring Program have unmet medical
Pennsylvania on a platform favoring national
insurance company he's just medical bills," Gavin said.
needs. The Pittsburgh study found that one in
health insurance. He upset former governor
"When I am sure he is well, then I can figure out what I
four new enrollees needed to see a doctor for
untreated ailments such as asthma, bronchitis,
and U.S. attorney general Dick Thornburgh,
want to do when I grow up," said Gavin, who believes the best
bruised kidneys, depression. diabetes and
and helped put health insurance on the
thing she can do now is be "a full-time mom."
sprained ankles. The illnesses were caught
national agenda for the next three years.
"When that happens we won't need insurance from the
In Pennsylvania, State Rep. Allen Kukov-
Caring Program anymore and someone else can get it."
before they caused permanent damage, and
the researchers said treating them meant the
ich had a bill to expand and enlarge the
children grew up to be healthier adults.
western Pennsylvania program, financing it
More than four of every 10 children en-
with two cents from a 13-cent-a-pack cigarette
rolled in the Caring Program needed dental
tax, which added up to $20 million for the
care and almost two in 10 needed glasses.
program.
The lack of health coverage also affected
"I had the only serious health care bill
The Washington Post
the family's lifestyle. In the study, about 12
around," recalled Kukovich, now a state
percent of the children were forced to restrict
senator. "It was languishing, but all of a
sudden it moved to the front burner. It
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1997
activities such as bike riding and ball playing
because parents feared their children would
passed in five weeks and was signed in 1993."
get hurt.
"We had this Caring Program in western
"They wouldn't let their children engage in
Pennsylvania providing primary care only for
a sport that they feared would lead to an
6,000 children," recalled LaVallee. "All of a
accident and a need for emergency medical
sudden we could provide comprehensive
care they couldn't afford. I was surprised. It
care for 25,000. We got more money in a
had never occurred to me that lacking health
month from the Commonwealth of Pennsyl-
insurance would keep children away from
vania than we got in a year of fund-raising.
playgrounds and out of sports," Ricci said.
For us that was a dream come true
and
But this was no surprise to social workers
enabled us to take the next step."
in the community. "I can't tell you how many
The program has turned out to be a way
parents say, 'Now he can play baseball
station for families, 40 percent of whose
again.' said Kimberly Rodd, an outreach
children move off the program within a
coordinator for St. Michael's of the Valley
year- largely because their families got
Episcopal Church in Ligonier. The church
jobs. Thus the program becomes a bridge to
both raises money and seeks out children for
mainstream coverage.
the program.
"Schools require physicals before a child
can participate in organized sports. They can't
2
Guu BIRLD TR
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
4/2/97
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20500
DATE: Aprilz 2
TO:
Jim D-
FROM: Staff Secretary
Please cound mate
with Jason goldby
to 2st reply
preparent
Trad
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 27, 1997 MAR 31 AM11:58
Erskine --
This is in response to your question about the letter from Cong.
Chris Shays recommending David Rockefeller and Sol Linowitz
for the Medal of Freedom.
My office coordinates the Medal of Freedom process. All
recommendations go in the first instance to Dorskind, who logs
them into a large running list and prepares responses to the
recommenders.
During the course of the next month, I'll be pulling together a
more serious list of around 20 names for the President, in
consultation with a number of people in the White House and
elsewhere. From this list, he'll pick between 10 and 12 names.
I'd be happy to have the Shays letter answered, unless you
prefer to have an answer done for your signature. If you want
to do it, you can just say that you've forwarded the names to
me, according to our usual process, and that the names will be
given serious consideration.
W nole she Todd am yet
1997 MAR 27 PM 52
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
FROM THE CHIEF OF STAFF
Erskine B. Bowles
Doc Number
340
Author / Source
Short Description
Shays, Cong. Christ
Rep. Shays request for Rose Garden Ceremony in June for awarding of
Presidential Medal of Freedom to David Rockefeller and Sol
Description
Send to 1
Send to 2
Send to 3
Send to 4
Send to 5
Todd Stern
Send to Comments
Todd - I have received several letters recommending these two for this award. What is the appropriate follow up? Thank you.
Erskine.
CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT
TODD-
I have received shad litter
remandy There the for the
And - ₹ what is are anyute
freen yo:- -
HOUSE
U.S.
OF
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
REPRESENTATIVE
March 12, 1997
1997
MAR
17
AM
IO:
1
Erskine Bowles
Chief of Staff to the President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Erskine:
I am writing to request your help in holding a Rose
Garden ceremony in June to award the Presidential Medal
of Freedom to David Rockefeller and Sol Linowitz and
honor their work with the International Executive Service
Corps (IESC).
Thirty-three years ago, President Johnson held a similar
Rose Garden ceremony to announce the Government's support
of the important work undertaken by the IESC. In June of
this year, an impressive one million executive days will
have been volunteered. This would be an outstanding
opportunity for President Clinton to honor the two men
who founded the IESC.
The IESC assists enterprises in developing countries by
providing technical and managerial expertise and
intelligence through its network of over 13,000 retired
volunteers. IESC is a private, not-for-profit, volunteer
organization managed by experienced U.S. businessmen,
that provides business development services to clients
around the world. Since IESC was founded, more than
16,000 projects in 120 countries have been completed.
The ESC's work has helped advance two fundamental goals
of American foreign policy: promoting free trade and
encouraging capitalism; and strengthening freedom and
democratic principles.
Congressman
Christopher Shays
Fourth District Connecticut
Both David Rockefeller and Sol Linowitz helped found the
IESC and made significant contributions to this dynamic
volunteer effort. Their work, and that of others, has
Offices
brought untold benefits to poor people of the world,
contributing significantly to economic growth in
10 Middle Street, 11th Floor
underdeveloped countries.
Bridgeport, CT 06604-4223
Government Center
Hobe Gardiner, the President and CEO of IESC, is
888 Washington Boulevard
enthusiastic this bipartisan event can move forward with
Stamford, CT 06901-2927
your help, and has been working with the offices of Mack
1502 Longworth Building
McClarty and Strobe Talbott. Joel White of my staff will
Washington, DC 20515-0704
contact your office this week to see if President Clinton
would be willing to advance this exciting proposal. In
Telephones
Bridgeport 579-5870
Norwalk 866-6469
Stamford 357-8277
/995
5541
Erskine Bowles -- Page 2
the meantime I have enclosed some information on the IESC
and David Rockefeller and Sol Linowitz. Should you have
any questions please contact me or Joel in my Washington
office. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Christopher Shays
Member of Congress
CS:jw
cc: Mack McClarty; Strobe Talbott; Hobart Gardiner
Enclosures
4 -2-97 -2-
Send to Dorsland -
Y es-
no
",
Mrs Sidney Sheldon
10250 sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90077
27 March, 1997
Dear President and Mrs Clinton,
First of all, I would like to tell you how much Sidney and I have enjoyed meeting and
talking with both of you.
Hillary, I remember when we were with you at the Annenberg's for lunch how interested
you were in the local Native Americans.
This is why I am writing to you both
Through Indian Gaming, the tribes that have established gaming casinos on what is
"supposedly" their own land, have been able to get off of welfare, help clothe, feed, better
educate their children, suffer less abuse within the family unit because they finally have
something that eases financial tensions within the household, and have in turn, contributed
greatly to charities within their community, and outside, as expressed in the enclosed
newspaper articles.
But, on May 1, the Federal Government agents have orders to go on to "Native American
governed land", given to them in settlements with the United States Government, and
remove electronic gaming machines.
While many do not agree with gambling, it is permitted in Las Vegas, Reno, Tahoe,
Atlantic City, Virginia City, etc., to name a few areas.
If the Indian Casinos in California are closed, it will be a devasting financial-blow from
which the Tribes may never recover.
If you both and your beautiful daughter could only go to some of the Native American
villages in The United States, you would be shocked to see the poor living conditions that
many of the first citizens of this land are now suffering.
Please let the Native Americans have their pride and their promised land.
Most Sincerely,
Alexander
The Desert Sun
Our voice
Tribes get
no respect
from official
U.S. attorney gets strong thumbs down.
For sheer arrogance, few govern-
ment officials can match the perfor-
mance of U.S. attorney Nora Man-
ella. As the moving force behind the
ill-timed decision to crack down on
Indian tribes offering video machines that she
says are illegal, Manella has taken an unnecessar-
ily hard-line approach. More disturbing, she has
refused requests to meet with tribal representa-
tives to explain her decision. Her stone-walling is
counterproductive and violates the spirit of
government-to-government negotiations that In-
dians were promised by President Clinton and
Attorney General Janet Reno. Manella has shown
a lack of regard for the tribes and for Indian
efforts to provide self-sufficiency for their
people.
Editorial Board
Robert J. Dickey, Publisher
Debora Britz, East Valley Editor
Vikki Porter, Executive Editor
Mary O'Malley, Staff Member
Ray Griffith, Managing Editor
Diane Nieto, Community Member
Keith Carter, Editorial Page Editor
Stephanie Weinberg, Community Member
Tom Tait, Assistant Managing Editor
By THE EDiTORiAL BOARD OF "THE DESERT SUN"
MARCH 30, 1997
The Desert Sun
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1997
SERVING THE COACHELLA VALLEY SINCE1927
40¢ in
Indian gaming
llso
California
160
U.S.
sues
over
'illegal
cases come
games
before justices
The Associated Press
SÄCRAMENTO The
Slot'-like machines:
Casino operations won't be af
Battle lines drawn on video gaming
to develop model compact.
near Coachella we're just going to
fected "Immediately unless tribal
100
Federal officials say more than
"It's absol incredible that
al court since 1992.
have to see how all this plays out,
preme Court decided
Valley tribes among those
officials voluntarily unplug their
30 Indian tribes around California A
this action could be taken at this
In another development Monday
California cases Monday, Truling
targeted after refusal to sign
machines or Manella successfully
Local tribes named the law-
most critical crossroad," said Mark
the U.S. Supreme Court granted
against Panti-abortion protesters;
are illegally operating en estimated
requests a preliminary injunction
sult: Agua Caliente Band of
the publishers of erotic newspapers,
agreement to shut down
15,000 video gaming machines
Nichols, chief executive officer for
huilla Indians, Cabazon Band of
least a partial review of the Rumsey
while isking the Clinton administra-
or temporary restraining order
because none has negotiated fed-
the Cabazon Band of Mission Indi
against the machines.
Mission Indians, Cahuilla Band of
case by asking the Department of
electronic games May 1.
tion consider whether California
erally required compacts, or gam-
bling agreements, with the state.
Mission Indians, Mororigo Band of
ans, which owns Fantasy Springs
Justice to comment on tribal argu-
should be forced to negotiate
'VIOLATION': The lawsuit
Mission Indians, Twenty-Nine
Casino near Indio.
ments that federal law requires Wil-
comes three days after the ninetribes
Tribal representatives argue
Palms Band of Mission Indians,
Five tribes in and near the Coa-
son to negotiate with them.
bling pact with Indian tribes.
The high court also rebuf an
rejected Manella's Feb. 24 request to
that Gov, Pete Wilson is illegally
Spotlight 29 Casino near
chella Valley operate about 4,500
"Ordinarily, a request like that incl
attempt by the San Bernardino
agree to turn off machines by May 1.
refusing to negotiate compacts
Coachella.
video gaming machines and employ
dicates the Supreme Court is serious-
and have been suing him) in feder.
Community College" District to dis
"The intention is to prevent the
2,500 to 3,000 people.
ly considering the case," said Art.
violation of federal law. That's the
WAIT AND SEE: "This type of
Bunce, tribal attorney for the Agua
cipline an instructo
bottem-line.' said -Assistant U.S.,
Among other points, the lawsuit
Tribal representatives said they
civil action should not precipitate a
Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
sexually harassing female students
by using profane*
Eliot F. Krieger, is
contends that gaming mail
angered that the
sudden crisis like thei seeking of air.
vulgar materials class
handling)
the
chines are illegal because more than
five
preliminary injunction," said Gene
Supreme Court: Justices want Clin
The Indian gambling case comesat
named
to
30 tribes are operating them without
Gambale, general counsel to the
ton administration opinion on wheth .
a critical moment in
law,
and
having required gambling
the Band of Mission
Twenty-Nine Band of Mission
er California should be forced
battle. Federal-D prosecutors
agreed to do that?
agreements with Gov. Pete Wilson.
Indians in northern San Diego County
Indians, owners of Spotlight 29 Casino
gotiate with tribes on gaming Address
month told California tribes" to shut
down their roughly slot.ma-
chines by May 1 br face civil penal-
tiest They also said the tribes, which
operate nearly three dozen casinos in
the state, must develop a plan by the
end of March to"stop what they
characterized as illegal gambling.
The Supreme Court's query Mon-
day puts those deadlines in limbo.
Federal law permits the tribes to
allow gambling on reservations
that is available elsewhere in the
state. Federal and state prosecu-
tors say that means the Indians'
popular video slot) machines are
illegal, because the state bars the
machines elsewhere. The tribes say
the video machines are not true
slots and should be permitted? 1
The 1988 law requires tribes to
negotiate agreements, called com-
pacts, with their states before start-
Ing casino-style "gambling/ifThe
compacts determine what kinds of
games and inachines the casinos
can have and how they will thembe
regulated.
The Desert Sun
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1997 I B5*
Our voice
Community
IS a bigloser
in shutdown
Efforts to resolve Indian gaming crisis
should include look at economic impact.
So far much of the concern about a feared
shutdown of video gaming machines on desert-
area Indian casinos has centered on the devastat-
ing economic and political impact on tribes.
But unless three U.S. attorneys in California
withdraw orders calling for tribes across the state to
turn off their machines by May E the ripple effect
will be felt throughout the deser economy,
A Desert Sun study of the economic impact of
Indian gaming estimated that the four area
casinos spend about $20 million a year with valley
businesses. Tribal officials estimated they would
have to cut expenses and employment by about
two- thirds if the plug is pulled on video machines.
The tribes spend money on wide variety of
goods and services, anging from printers, food
and beverage suppliers and computer companies
to construction firms. They also contribute to an
estimated $815,000 a year to local charities,
figure tha also would be reduced drastically
An estimated 1,750 casino jobs M about 2.3
percent of the valley work force - would disappear.
No wonder tho sands of people will show up today
for an Indian gaming rally on the steps of the federal
courthou in Los Angeles. Many taking part will be
employees business owners and workers whose jobs
inpart depend on the casinos.
The tragedy is' that all this is unnecessary.
Before the recent edict by the U.S. attorney,
negotiations between Gov. Pete Wilson and a San
Diego tribe for a model compact that would end
the lengthy legal battle between the state and
India Ins were moving forward on a pösitive notery
Several tribes had indicated they were willing to
change deo machines to comply with court rulings.
PTo get.past this crisis and to restore stability in
Indian gaming industr several things must happen:
Negotiations model compact must be
alloy ed to continue without the threat of a
federally imposed deadline
The state egislature must approve and Wilson
must sign a measure granting the governor authority
to sign gaming compacts with tribes.
Once a model compact is completed, tribes
must be given a reasonable amount of transition
time to make necessary changes in video ma-
chines without disrupting their operations.
Federal officials can put the process back on track
by withdrawing the May 1 deadline immediately
The Desert Sun
SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 1997 *
Across the valley
Battle over
gambling
intensifies
I
n the span of just a few short
years, the gambling halls of
the Coachella Valley's Indi-
an tribes have established
themselves as some of the most
important pistons powering the
engine of the desert economy.
The benefits are clear: 1,330
employees in the valley's three
casino's and another 1,000 work-
ing in surrounding casinos in Ca-
bazon and Anza; $16.2 million in
local goods and services bought
by the three valley casinos;
more than $500,000 in charita-
ble contributions.
But some experts and miss casino
employees fear the casinos
would be forced to close if they
lose a standoff with federal
prosecutors who have given
them until May 1 to turn off
their video gaming machines, by
far the most lucrative of their
games., 10
If that happens, the economic
ripple effect could be profound
throughout the valley.:
Indian gaming/B4-5
(1)
B.S I SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 1997
The Deser
Focus: Indian Gaming
ОШ
Cover
story
piece of Coachella Valley's
ECONOMY
ON THE LINE
tipple effect: Like it or not, many
residents and businesses
STATE
depend on gambling dollars.
By JEFF DILLON and STEVE DIMEGLIO
The Desert Sun
MAIRS
Andy Comperz/The
Cha-ching: Mike Silver of La Quinta plays a video gaming machine at Spotlight 29 Casino in Indi
scenario: Federal
and two others within her Southern
Arguelles said slimmer profit mar-
the golf course."
study of Indian gaming i
cutors obtain a court
Cálifornia district in federal court to
gins could force many to close.
That approach suggests the casi-
Coachella Valley, many of the
to shut down video
shut down their video gaming
nos contribute only the estimated
try's impacts can only be E
machines, arguing that they violate
Center for gaming
$15 million to $24 million gambled
through anecdotal reports
machines in South-
federal Indian gaming laws.
With seven tribal casinos and
in the valley by tourists and other
alifornia Indian casinos.
At least 18 other tribes around
nearly half the state's 15,000 video
visitors each year.
Vendors
result in the
the state are either unaffected by
gaming machines within its bor-
Money brought into the valley
Casinos aren't all chips, ca:
chella Valley: The Spa
the legal battle or have agreed to
ders, Riverside County has the most
probably circulates twice through
cards. The region's casinos
shut down their machines by May 1.
Indian gaming within California.
what's called a "multiplier effect"
broad range of goods and se
Springs and Spot-
Valley tribes are among those
Three casinos - Spa Casino, Fan-
before it leaves, Husing said. That
from computer supplies to p
29 casinos lose two-
resisting.
tasy Springs and Spotlight 29 - lie
would raise the casino's economic
for buffet tables and from ele
of an estimated
Representatives of the nine
within the Coachella Valley, catering
impact to $30 million to $48 milion.
work to advertising. Most tr
nillion to $120 million,
Southern California tribes plan to
to and employing valley residents.
But Arguelles and his executive
the United States have estat
venue, lay off many of
rally in support of Indian gaming at
Two more gambling halls - Casino
senior consultant, Rob Newman, say
local-preference buying progr
40sthe U.S. District Courthouse in Los
Morongo near Cabazon and Cahuil-
the impact is far greater. They say it's
make their casinos part of th
1,330 employees and
Angeles on Monday, when they will
la Creek near Anza - have less
more important to look at how casi-
community.
their purchasing of
formally accept the legal summons
direct impacts on the valley.
nos spend the money they get.
The region's five Indian C
$32.2 million in
and lawsuit. Tribes have until April
The most important figure in
And they suggest that conserva-
spend $39.8 million a year on
and services.
M
to respond in court.
assessing the impact of the casinos
tively estimated. casino revenues of
and services - about $19.2
But at any time, Manella could ask
is how much money they bring into
$75 million flow through the valley
at businesses in and nea
will definitely
be
can
a federal judge to issue an injunction
the region that otherwise wouldn't
seven times before leaving.
Coachella Valley
said Jesus Arguelles, senior
ordering the tribes to immediately
be spent here, says Highland-based
"Whether you get it from Canada
"It would have a big impac
of Arguelles and Co.,an ect
disconnect the machines.
forecaster John Husing, who does
or Mexico or back east, the spigot is
because we do a lot of print
development and business
"We don't know what's going to
economic projections and analyses
still the $525 million, regardless of
them," said owner Wanda Ma
firm based in Los Ange-
happen, but it will have a major
for Riverside County.
where the water comes from," New-
of the Printing Place in Palm I
will in essence slow.down
negative impact," said Richard
"Whether it's a resort hotel, Eagle
man said.
"We do a lot of rack brochures
development, growth and
Milanovich, tribal council chairman
Mountain Landfill or Indian bingo,
Though the $75 million estimate is
casinos, a lot of marketing
for the Agua Caliente Band of
the question you have to ask is how
only a small fraction of the estimated
like table-top tents, fliers, pc
ther 1,129 jobs and $11.1 mil-
Cahuilla Indians, which owns the
much money is being brought in
$1.3 billion taken in by valley retail
programs. I think it will be ve
spending at Casino Morongo
Spa Casino in Palm Springs.
from outside," Husing said. "To the
stores in 1995, Arguelles said, casi-
astating for the entire valley
Cabazon and Cahuilla Creek
All area tribes said their casinos
extent that a local dollar spent at a
nos have a much larger impact than
casinos lose the machines.
Anza also would be curtailed.
would remain open if they could
local golf course is instead being
retail because casinos spend more
"When my parents come I
Attorney Nora Manella is
offer only poker, bingo and off-track
spent with the Indians, the job
money locally to purchase goods.
visit, they always go out there
seven Riverside County tribes
betting on horse racing, but
being gained is a job being lost at
Without a detailed and objective
Valley™ contractors antic
(2)
The Desert Sun
Focus: Indian Gaming
expanding the existing casinos,
Who's in charge
The casinos aggressively market
projects that have been placed on
Those familiar
themselves outside the Coachella
hold and could be canceled. The
with the dispute
Valley.
r
new
delay will have an impact on JP
say only the follow-
Casino officials acnowledged; in
Reprographics of Palm Desert,
Ing executive
late 1995 that they had tapped out
which makes copies of blueprints
branch officials
the valley market and began aim-
for the casinos and does color
can determine how
ing their advertising and market-
copies for casino brochures.
far the federal gov-
emment cracks
ing efforts toward Riverside, San
"If the casinos lose the machines,
down on Indian
Bernardino and the Los Angeles
it would have a fairly dramatic
gaming:
metropolitan area:-
impact on us," owner Dave Watson
said. "They wouldn't do as much in
President Clinton
Charitable giving
the way of advertising or in expan-
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
The casinos now give at least
sion. Our casino business is not a
Washington, D.C. 20500
$790,000 a year to local charities,
large percentage of our business. It
U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno
ranging from the American Cancer
won't jeopardize my business, but
Department of Justice
Society to youth groups to police
it will have an impact."
10th Street and Constitution Avenue
memorials.
The Agua Calientes said they
NW; Washington, D.C. 20530
Some casinos also sponsor chari-
had planned to spend $32 million
Bruce Babbit, Secretary
ty nights in which a portion of their
on a permanent casino adjacent to
their existing temporary building
Department of Interior
gaming revenues goes to selected
1849 C NW
charities or let community groups
in downtown Palm Springs. Both
Washington, D.C. 20240
use meeting facilities for free,
the Cabazons and Morongos had
Tribal leaders said they would
announced similar expansions.
U.S. Attorney Nora Manella
have to dramatically reduce ore.
There's quite a few people work-
Central District of California
eliminate their charitable giving
ing with them on the planned
312 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
without video gaming revenues.
expansions," said Dennis Chappell,
"We're really just getting to the
owner of Aztec Electric in Palm
point of making fairly significant
Deservand president of the Desert
contributions to charity," said Gene
Contractors Association. "It's going
nals, I would say the vast majority
Gambale, general council for the
to be a loss of quite a few jobs. Most
of the shows would be curtaile
Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mis-
of the casinos are adamant about
sion Indians, owners of Spotlight 29
keeping their work local."
Tourism
Casino. "All these other things that
Hotels, shops and other busi-
should have progressed much fur
Entertainment
nesses that depend on the tourist
ther that are really for the good of
Wayne Newton. Willie Nelson.
trade have long hoped Indian gam-
the community, are taking longer to
Milton Berle.
ing would help bring more, cus-
do because of this present fight."
This trio represents but a few of
tomers to the Coachella Valley
NO
the many entertainers who have
But valley tourism officials say
Public assistance
performed at either Fantasy
they haven't been able to identify
Area Indian tribes frequently
Springs Casino or Spotlight 29
any casino-related increase in the
point to their use of casino rev-
Casino. Add in the numerous box-
number of conventions or individ-
enues and casino-related jobs to get.
ing events (even Don King has
ual tourists coming to the area..
tribal members off welfare; with
staged professional boxing at Fan-
Valley tourism officials say*it's
the indirect effect of employing
tasy Springs), comedy-room acts
difficult, and perhaps impossible,
hundreds of non-Indians.
suchas-Paul Rodriguez and Las-
to distinguish between a tourist
The Morongo Band of Mission
Vegas-style extravaganzas, and the
who does a little gambling while he
Indians announced in 1995 that
two casinos have offered up a bevy
or she is here and a gambler who
Casino Morongo had helped it elim-
ofentertainment.
shops, dines, plays golf and other-
inate welfare on its reservation.
The acts come with a price.
wise behaves like a tourist.
*
The same can be said by the other
he entertainment itself is not a
A definite impact would be at the
tribes, including the Twenty-Nine
biggimoney-making proposition,"
Spa Hotel in Palm Springs the
Palms Band of Mission Indians.
Spotlight). 29's Gambale said.
tribe-owned hotel adjacent to the
"Before this project started, the
"Without the other casino revenues
Spa Casino and at nearby down-
tribe wasn't involved in any other
subsidizing this type of entertain-
town hotels, said Mike Fife, presi-
project," said tribal Chairman
mentritmight not be economically
dent of the Palm Springs Desert
Dean Mike. "Many members lived
feasible to continue it.
Resorts Convention and Visitors
off the reservation and lived off
(the video machines must go,
Bureau.
welfare. This project gave them a
thesd types of acts go with them.
"How wide it spreads, that's
job here and gave them hope. We've
homentertainment in large
what's difficult to determine," Fife
gone from virtually nothing to now
measure is designed to bring peo-
said. "How widely those people go
where we can get stuff - housing,
pleitorthe site so they can play the
out into the retail and restaurant
medical needs, cars, education."
machines and become aware of the
sectors, nobody knows." Y2
"Before this, there was nothing
product here," said Mark Nichols,
Both he and Palm Springs
here. Since 1995, we've enjoyed
chief rexecutive officer for the
Tourism Director Murrell Foster
what comes with it. We can earn a
Cabazon Band of Mission Indians,
agreed the loss of video gaming at
living without the government's
owner of Fantasy Springs. "The
the casinos would probably hurt
help. We've come a long. way. And
only opportunity we have to make
tourism to a small but unidentifi-
now we're concerned that all may
it profitable for us is-in the way of
able degree.
be cut off and we're wondering
themachines. eved 40
"Any time we lose an attraction,
what we are going to do again. Go
Without having the video termi-
it's not good for us," Foster said.
back to where we were before?"
(3)
4-2-97
I
Per Phil Caplan -
Danskind (to should do
response and return,
Bungess
with photo, to be forwarded
to POTUS for signature- -
C Clurland
MICHAEL S. BERMAN
This photograph was Taken by
Bob Burgers of the lnaugue
Vice President Mmbale's photogopher.
firework- - Burgess loss creg
his older is
1713 Forest have Inclean Vinginia
22/0/10m)
Ne Thought the President might
like it
miler
TOUP
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
4-2-97
per our discussion
you murua also review
com staff wells on
what shell w Down
BC
14
PRIVATIZATION:
SAFETY
NET
FOR
$ALE?
AMERICAN FEDERATION
AFSCME®
MUNICIPAL
MPLOYEES
in the public service
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR
815 Sixteenth Street, N.W.
JOHN J. SWEENEY
RICHARD L. TRUMKA
LINDA CHAVEZ-THOMPSON
Washington, D.C 20006
PRESIDENT
SECRETARY-TREASURER
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
(202) 637-5000
Albert Shanker
Edward T. Hanley
Wayne E. Glenn
James E. Hatfield
Vincent R. Sombrotto
Gerald W. McEntee
William H. Bywater
Marvin J. Boede
AFL
CIO
John T. Joyce
Morton Bahr
Robert A. Georgine
Gene Upshaw
CONGRESS OF INDUSTRIAL SECURITY
Jay Mazur
Lenore Miller
John J. Barry
Moe Biller
George J. Kourpias
John N. Sturdivant
Frank Hanley
James J. Norton
Michael Sacco
Ron Carey
Arthur A. Coia
Frank Hurt
Glona T. Johnson
Douglas H. Donty
George F: Becker
Stephen P. Yokich
J. Randolph Babbitt
Clayola Brown
M.A. "Mac" Fleming
Carolyn Forrest
Pat Friend
Michael Goodwin
Joe L Greene
Sonny Hall
Sumi Haru
Carroll Haynes
James LaSala
William Lucy
Leon Lynch
Doug McCarron
Andrew McKenzie
A.L. "Mike" Monroe
Arthur Moore
Arturo S. Rodriguez
Robert A. Scardelletti
Robert E. Wages
Jake West
Alfred K. Whitehead
Andrew L Stem
March 20, 1997
Mr. Bruce Reed
Advisor to the President for
Domestic Policy
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. Reed:
Thank you for arranging the opportunity for us to present our views on the
privatization of the Medicaid and Food Stamp programs. It should be clear from our
discussion that we think the federal government would be ill-advised to permit the
deputation of private companies to administer these public welfare programs for at least
the following reasons:
The Food Stamp Act and Medicaid Place Broad Restrictions on Delegation of
Administrative Functions to Non-Public Employees, and a Waiver of These
Protections Would be Vulnerable in a Legal Challenge.
Discretionary decisionmaking in these two programs is to be performed by public
officials and employees. For example, the statutory language governing certification of
eligibility for food stamps is clear that eligibility determinations must be made by public
employees. Specifically, the Food Stamp Act states that "the State agency personnel
utilized in undertaking
certification shall be employed in accordance with the current
standards for a Merit System of Personnel Administration
" 7 U.S.C. § 2020(e)(6).
The Department of Agriculture's regulations reinforce the fundamental principle that
public employees must conduct certification interviews and certify households for food
stamps:
Mr. Bruce Reed
March 20, 1997
Page 2
State agency employees [employed in accordance with a merit system of
personnel administration] shall perform the [eligibility] interviews required
in § 473.2. Volunteers and other non-State agency employees shall not
conduct certification interviews or certify food stamp applicants.
7 C.F.R. § 272.4(a)(2) (emphasis added).
Similarly, Medicaid requires that States establish or designate a single State
agency for administering their Medicaid plans, and provides that "the determination of
eligibility for medical assistance under the plan shall be made by the State or local agency
administering the State plan" -- that is, by public employees. 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(5).
The accompanying regulations echo this point, directing that the State agency "must not
delegate, to other than its own officials, authority to (i) [e]xercise administrative
discretion in the administration or supervision of the plan, or (ii) [i]ssue policies, rules,
and regulations on program matters." 42 C.F.R. § 431.10(e).¹
The foregoing statutory and regulatory provisions plainly demonstrate Congress'
and the Executive Branch's clear expectation that administrative functions in the Food
Stamps and Medicaid programs are to be handled by public employees -- an expectation
which we believe is firmly grounded in compelling policy arguments, set forth below, in
favor of public administration of public benefits programs. The Administration should
not act in a manner contrary to legislative intent in evaluating proposals implicating these
provisions.
Waiver authority under these programs is limited, and privatization of
discretionary administrative functions will in most instances exceed that authority.
Both the Food Stamps and Medicaid programs authorize waiver of certain requirements
under certain limited circumstances.² The scope of administrative waiver authority is
1
It is worth noting, as we discuss in greater detail below, that one area where HHS has
permitted privatization -- i.e., outstationing of intake functions at hospitals -- remains
overwhelmingly public.
2 It is our understanding that no waiver request has been submitted in connection with the
proposed privatization of numerous programs by the State of Texas. Given the clear statutory
language mandating eligibility determinations by public employees in the Food Stamps and
Mr. Bruce Reed
March 20, 1997
Page 3
constrained by important elements of these programs. Only limited changes in the
provision of services are permitted, subject to individual assessment and approval of a
particular state's waiver request.
The Secretary of USDA may waive requirements of the food stamp program only
for pilot projects of a limited duration and only "to the extent necessary- for the project to
be conducted." 7 U.S.C. § 2026(b)(1)(A), as amended by P.L. 104-193, § 850.
"[I]mprov[ing] program administration" and "allow[ing] greater conformity with the rules
of other programs" are among the permissible purposes of a waiver arguably relevant to
the issue at hand, id., but any such initiative "must be consistent with the food stamp
program goal of providing food assistance to raise levels of nutrition among low-income
individuals." House Rep. 104-725, accompanying H.R. 3734, at 479. Thus, in order to
justify a waiver of the public eligibility determination requirement, the Secretary would
need to demonstrate (1) that the waiver was necessary for the project in question; (2) that
the project furthered a permissible purpose, e.g., that is, that the project would actually
improve program administration; (3) that the project furthers the goal of providing food
assistance to low-income individuals; and (4) that the project is of a limited duration. For
the reasons set forth below, we believe a studied review of an actual request to privatize
eligibility determinations will reveal that contrary to improving program administration,
privatization will in reality have a detrimental effect on program administration as well as
on benefit recipients. Consequently, we believe approval of a waiver request seeking to
privatize eligibility determinations will be vulnerable in any subsequent judicial review.
Similarly, while the Secretary of HHS is permitted to waive requirements of the
Medicaid statute for an "experimental, pilot, or demonstration project" which is "likely to
assist in promoting [statutory objectives]", 42 U.S.C. § 1315(a), that authority is not
without its limits. Rather, "§ 1315(a) plainly obligates the Secretary to evaluate the
merits of a proposed state project, including its scope and its potential impact on [benefit]
recipients." Beno V. Shalala, 30 F.3d 1057, 1068 (9th Cir. 1994). In other words, "[o]n
its face, the statute allows waivers only (1) for experimental, demonstration or pilot
Medicaid programs, it is manifest that no privatization is permissible in those programs unless
the federal government approves a State waiver request following notice, comment, and agency
evaluation of any such request. In any case, we do not believe a waiver permitting privatization
of eligibility determinations would be permissible under the standards set forth in the statutes, as
described in more detail above.
Mr. Bruce Reed
March 20, 1997
Page 4
projects, which (2) in the judgment of the Secretary are likely to assist in promoting the
objectives of the Social Security Act and only (3) for the extent and period she finds
necessary." Id. at 1069 (emphasis added). As with waivers under the Food Stamp
program, we believe careful scrutiny of a proposal to privatize eligibility determinations
in the Medicaid program will reveal that such an approach contravenes the purposes and
objectives of the Social Security Act, compromises a strong policy in favor of public
administration, and negatively impacts Medicaid recipients. Consequently, we believe
such a waiver would be vulnerable under judicial review.
TANF did not alter these fundamental principles. When the Congress passed,
and the President signed, the most sweeping repeal of an entitlement program since the
Social Security Act was passed, Congress stopped short of expanding private
administration and eligibility determinations in the Food Stamp and Medicaid programs
even as they were allowing private actors to play a greater role in former AFDC
functions. For all the changes in administrative procedures which the new law allowed, it
made precious few changes in Food Stamp and Medicaid administration. In fact, while
one version of the 1995 welfare bills struck the merit-based requirement for food stamps,
it was restored in the conference committee. Given this legislative history, it would be
particularly distressing if the Administration now chose to move in a policy direction
which Congress rejected in favor of public provision of services.
Publicly-Funded Benefit Programs Deserve Public Accountability
Federal benefit programs funded by taxpayer dollars, and especially programs of
the magnitude of Food Stamps and Medicaid, deserve full public accountability, which
we believe is best provided through public administration by public employees. Private
contractual arrangements cannot sufficiently assure the requisite level of public
accountability. Moreover, privatization of public benefit eligibility determinations raises
numerous other problems, described in greater detail below. For these reasons, as State
waiver requests are received, we believe the Administration would be well advised to
disapprove requests for private administration and eligibility determinations.
Privatization of Public Benefit Programs Faces an Array of Problems
Discretionary control over access to public programs. As we illustrated in our
discussion, the intake processes around Medicaid and Food Stamps are replete with
instances where personnel are making judgements about the validity of information and
Mr. Bruce Reed
March 20, 1997
Page 5
the weight of various factors. Under private determinations, this discretion is exercised
under the direct influence of financial incentives which may work counter to public goals.
During our discussion, the issue of private control over distribution of public
benefits in the Pell Grant and Guaranteed Student Loan programs was raised. However,
these programs, and the types of private activities conducted under them, are in no way
comparable to Food Stamps and Medicaid. First, it is important to point out that
Congress expressly contemplated significant activity by private actors in these programs,
contrary to the Food Stamp and Medicaid programs. Furthermore, the Pell Grant and
Guaranteed Student Loan programs are extremely small compared to the billions of
dollars spent under Food Stamps and Medicaid. Unlike student loans, food and medicine
are fundamentally more important to survival than are other categories of benefits. The
types of clients and the nature of the decision being made are more complex. What is
more, the incentives under Pell Grants and Guaranteed Student Loans would encourage
oversupply of loans, not restrictions on benefits as would be the case for food stamp or
Medicaid eligibility under private determinations. It is worth noting that just two days
ago Pell Grants were the subject of a Wall Street Journal article highlighting fraud
problems involving overpayment by colleges.
Unlike student aid, the private entities which would be asked to determine Food
Stamp and Medicaid eligibility have no particular expertise in these programs and are
being asked to enter a policy area undergoing dramatic change. Finally, the food stamp
program includes specific, detailed provisions governing the behavior of eligibility
workers (e.g., face-to-face interviews, etc.) and even the facilities in which interviews can
occur (in order to preserve privacy). This detail suggests that the framers of the
legislation understood that the benefits and information they were dealing with are
uniquely sensitive and must be protected through merit-based personnel. Taken together,
the combination of discretion, financial incentives, lack of expertise, and vitally important
benefits argues strongly against private eligibility determination in these programs.
Eligibility determination related to appeals process. It is important to
remember that the lead staff person on eligibility is also responsible for informing clients
of their appeal rights. We believe that allowing private contractors to stand between
clients and the right to appeal will raise serious issues around due process. We fear that
private contractors are both more likely to deny clients due to financial incentives and less
likely to be forthcoming about appeal rights than are public servants.
Mr. Bruce Reed
March 20, 1997
Page 6
Private internal accounting process can disadvantage clients. Particularly in
social service areas, measurement issues influence outcomes. For example, President
Nixon used administrative authority instead of legislation to reduce welfare payments by
changing "quality control" measures to look only at overpayments. Even if states make
no legislative changes, private firms have every reason to monitor themselves only in
ways that reduce payments. Sometimes this will match public goals and sometimes it
will not. These issues are extremely difficult to specify in advance through contract
arrangements, given the control over internal accounting which private firms will always
enjoy.
Contractual boundaries are not as protective as direct public accountability.
Privatization advocates will argue, in the abstract, that private contracts can capture all
contingencies. We don't believe this. It is simply untenable that a written agreement
with private firms can adequately safeguard against all contingencies. The essence of
public, merit-based service provision is the emphasis on public accountability, procedural
guidelines, and extensive written records. Complete protection of public trust through
contract language is unrealistic. Public provision of services acknowledges that all
contingencies cannot be predicted, replacing the rigidity of contracts with direct
democratic accountability. Privatization places supervisors and auditors outside the
process of determinations, forcing them to evaluate reports without being able to assess
the capabilities of the individuals who compiled the information or the validity of the
documents upon which they are based. Line supervisors, on the other hand, are in direct
contact with the individuals responsible for eligibility determination. The accountability
is direct, personal, and informed by practice. In private settings, ultimate accountability
is to shareholders, not elected leaders. Taxpayers don't elect the CEO of Lockheed. It is
the combination of discretion over vital benefits and financial incentives to limit their
distribution that troubles us.
Accurate accounting requires vast monitoring expense. We do not believe it is
possible to effectively monitor contracts in a manner that is less costly than public
provision. Cost estimates for private contracts never fully account for the cost of public
monitoring. Moreover, private contracts run the risk of generating both public and
private layers of management, auditing, and processing functions. If the federal action
allows states to hand off contracts, the federal government will end up spending more on
administrative oversight or risk political and financial problems.
Mr. Bruce Reed
March 20, 1997
Page 7
The potential for fraud and cost over-runs appears high. Current practice
proves that contract monitoring must be taken very seriously. As mentioned in our
meeting, Canadian experience with the same contractors that are pursuing contracts in
Texas raises serious questions about cost over-runs and performance. The Department of
Public Works and Government Services canceled their $44.5 million contract with
Andersen when the company failed to meet its obligations and demanded a doubling of
the contract cost.
Experience in the U.S. also encourages caution. Lockheed and Martin Marietta,
for example, have paid millions of dollars in fines related to bribery lawsuits. In
December, Lockheed Martin paid over $5 million to settle a lawsuit involving
overcharging. In Texas, former state officials have left public service specifically to
pursue more lucrative private contracts. Andersen Consulting's contract for the Child
Support Enforcement Tracking System is currently four years behind schedule and the
contract cost has grown 600 percent. The Texas auditor's report noted that Andersen
underestimated the complexity of the tasks and made insubstantial provisions for a
changing environment.
From the individual level all the way to corporate policy, public monitoring of
private contractors would have to be extremely vigilant -- and even then there will be
problems which involve misuse of federal dollars. Moreover, the cost-sharing
relationships which exist in these programs open the federal government to greater
financial and legal exposure when contracts go awry.
Confidentiality issues. We are concerned that the full extent of confidentiality
problems have not been addressed. Eligibility determiners enter social security data,
unemployment insurance databases, and other public program benefit files. Allowing
private individuals connected to private firms to access these databases raises a wide
range of confidentiality issues, some of which will be unforeseeable.
Private encroachments into Medicaid already go too far. We acknowledge
that private firms are entering new areas related to Medicaid right now. But these
incursions only illustrate the negative consequences. We believe the Administration has
gone too far in allowing private actors to encroach upon the Medicaid program. For
example, new positions called Health Benefits Manager should be public, not private.
The honest broker role may not be "honest" if private, self-interested parties are involved.
Mathematica's evaluation of Medicaid managed care in California (May 1996) illustrates
Mr. Bruce Reed
March 20, 1997
Page 8
this problem. They describe the privatized enrollment process as "chaotic and
problematic". The solution proved even worse:
Recognizing the confusion, DHS allowed providers to assist individuals to
enroll but this actually led to even greater problems. Doctors (and clinics)
worked with patients to complete enrollment forms designating themselves
as primary care provider (in whatever plan they belonged to).
Unfortunately, however, since many clients visit more than one provider,
many clients enrolled in several plans, selected several doctors as their
primary care physicians, or both.
Ultimately, DHS had to step in to untangle the problems and the study notes that "DHS
admits it had too few staff to fully monitor the conversion." With crucial health and
nutrition benefits on the line, we believe it is inappropriate to risk similar problems on a
national scale.
The Outstationing Experience. HCFA has acknowledged the constraints placed
by the Medicaid statute on eligibility determinations. It did so in the context of
promulgating regulations to enforce the requirements of OBRA 1990 that states provide
for the receipt and initial processing of applications of certain persons at locations other
than welfare offices. Such "outstation" locations include certain hospitals and health
clinics. In interpreting what "initial processing" means for purposes of this requirement,
HCFA explained that "[i]f we were to define initial processing to include making a
determination of eligibility, the definition would conflict with the requirement of [42
U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(5)]. Under [that] section, the plan must be administered by a single
State agency and determination of eligibility is restricted by this section to the Medicaid
agency, the title IV-A agency, or SSA when administering the SSI program." Medicaid
and Medicare Guide, para. 42,662 at 41,820.
We question whether HCFA exceeded its authority by bifurcating initial
processing and eligibility determinations in this way, and by permitting initial processing
to be performed by private actors. These eligibility functions are closely related, and do
not lend themselves to such an artificial division of labor, as indicated by the apparent
reluctance of states to utilize private actors at outstations. In any case, outstationing
remains overwhelmingly public. Only a handful of states have health care provider staff
trained to be outstationed eligibility workers. (Medicaid Source Book, CRS, 1993). Two
of the largest programs, Los Angeles County and New York City, use public workers for
Mr. Bruce Reed
March 20, 1997
Page 9
these functions. The State of Ohio outstationed these functions to county public health
providers who were public employees. Similarly, in New Mexico, even though private
workers are involved in application intake, a public welfare worker is on-site and
involved in the process. In other words, even when given the opportunity to privatize,
states are quite reticent, for good reasons, to permit private providers to engage in
eligibility functions.
As the foregoing discussion demonstrates, we believe any decision to expand
private functions within the Medicaid and Food Stamps programs will put federal dollars,
federal agencies, important federal programs, and recipients of federal benefits at risk.
While our discussion last Friday did not focus on the severe impacts on the almost
500,000 public employees whose jobs potentially are in danger, I would like to close this
letter by noting that these are enormous issues in their own right. The public employees
who currently administer the Food Stamps and Medicaid programs are commited public
servants who have devoted their energies and talents to important social programs. They
deserve our appreciation and respect. Privatization of the administration of these
programs could well result in dedicated employees losing their jobs and job-related
benefits, to the advantage of private corporations with an incentive to maximize profits by
keeping wages and benefits as low as possible. However, because we believe proposals
to privatize the administration of Food Stamps and Medicaid fail for the reasons detailed
in this letter, we have not focused here on the extensive worker protections, standards,
and programs that would be required in any privatization initiative.
-
I would appreciate your prompt consideration of these points.
Sincerely,
yerald M. shealekr
Gerald M. Shea
Assistant to the President
cc:
Gene Sperling
Ken Apfel
to NSC for response after you
have seen?
Yes
No
Groupe
AGOUZZAL
JL;51
A LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
MR BILL CLINTON
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
HAVING BEEN INFORMED THROUGH THE MEDIA OF YOUR
RECENT HEALTH PROBLEM, WE HASTEN TO EXTEND TO YOUR
EXCELLENCY OUR HEARTFELT HOPES FOR A FULL RECOVERY.
WE WOULD LIKE ALSO TO AVAIL THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WISH
TO YOUR SISTER COUNTRY OUR SINCEREST HOPES OF
PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY.
LONG LIVE THE MOROCCAN - AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP
a Mr. Brahin Monlay Agouzzal Messaand Ben
to Dorskind after you have seen?
Yes
No
- Coord with Comsel to respond
us X hon
MAR-27-97 THU 13:18 MAURIA J ASPELL
501 a milk 6238182 lest
P.02
MAURIA J. ASPELL, A.C.S.W
TELEPHONE
LICENSED PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER
yough
501/624-4493
FAX 501/623-8182
304 ST, Louis
HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAB 71513
3/22/97
Dear Bill,
Bob Hargram asked me to send
This to you. d 6m happy to do so
since it negatively affects The lines of
many ankanson. Boh has appealed
Though many Channels already with no
results. W Rat stoff The STB from
acting upon The Eighth Cuent Count's
decision ? d must assume political
pressure is being thought to hear.
(Sometimes, d am certain the Love created
a monster who rules without reason or
Compassion- oftentimes - The political machine
in Washingtor.)
Hour's your knee When are you coming
back to Arkanses? d will certainly follow
up on your invitation and let you know
if Beh and d are ever coming up. Take
care, old friend (my damned AARP card anived!)
Love,
Mauna
MAR-27-97 THU 13:18 MAURIA J ASPELL
501 6238182
P.03
March 26, 1997
President Bill Clinton
The White House
Washington, DC
Dear Mr. President:
After a gut wrenching argument with myself, I decided to make a personal
plea to you in hopes of avoiding yet another hardship being imposed on the
people and economy of Pike and Montgomery Counties in Arkansas. Given the
problems of the world, I recognize my request might not deserve the
attention of the President of the United States, but the livelihood of
common folks and the economic well-being of a small spot on the map are
being strangled by corporate greed and bad government policy.
Since it was constructed in the early part of the century, the Norman
Branch rail line, as it is commonly known, has been operated as a single
railroad over the entire 53 miles it extends from Gurdon to Norman. It is
the only rail service available to Amity, Glenwood and Norman.
In the early 1990's Union Pacific sold the line to Arkansas Midland
Railroad (AMR), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Massachusetts based
Pinsley Railroad Company. In December 1993, Pinsley imposed an embargo on
all rail shipments by five of the six shippers located along the line. It
continued to provide service only to International Paper (IP) on the
southern 4 miles of the line near the interchange with Missouri Pacific.
The shippers, the State of Arkansas, the Governor and Union Pacific
Railroad all offered financial assistance which totaled the amount Pinsley
claimed was necessary to rehabilitate the line. The State conditioned its
offer on Pinsley's promise to operate the entire line for five years.
Pinsley refused to make that commitment. It then arbitrarily attempted to
segment the line into a southern section of 4 miles to serve only IP and a
northern section of 49 miles which it intended to abandon altogether.
Pinsley simply cherry picked the most profitable segment and ignored its
common carrier responsibilities to the remaining shippers and communities.
In March 1994, the shippers were forced to establish their own rail
company, the Caddo, Antoine, Little Missouri Railroad (CALM), which
obtained an emergency order from the ICC to enter upon and operate over the
Norman Branch to provide interim service to the communities abandoned by
Pinsley. CALM was able to make the necessary repairs to the line in less
than two weeks for a minimum amount of money.
The shippers then filed an application with the ICC to acquire the entire
Norman Branch line from Pinsley. The line is viable only if it is operated
as a single entity. The profits from the IP shipments must be used to
offset the cost of servicing the other communities. Pinsley resisted the
application because it wanted to selfishly keep the profitable 4 miles
servicing IP. Despite the clear intention of Congress expressed in the
MAR-27-97 THU 13:19 MAURIA J ASPELL
501 6238182
P.04
Page 2
Staggers Rail Act to preserve rail service on secondary railroad lines, the
ICC permitted Pinsley to do as it pleased; to keep the profitable 4 miles
of line and abandon service over the remaining 49 miles. The shippers were
authorized to purchase only the unprofitable section of the line which
Pinsley abandoned. When the shippers refused to accept this decision, the
ICC immediately withdrew the shippers' authority to provide temporary
service to the abandoned communities. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
stayed the ICC's decision and ultimately reversed it in a rather strongly
worded opinion. The facts I am giving you are taken from the findings by
the Eighth Circuit. In September 1996, the matter was remanded to the
Surface Transportation Board (STB), as the successor to the ICC. Despite
our best efforts and support from numerous Senators and Congressmen, the
STB has yet to render its decision on the shippers' application to acquire
the entire line.
While all of this was going on, the shippers complained against Pinsley for
the losses they suffered as a result of the embargo. The damage case was
filed with the ICC on March 21, 1994 and the STB finally issued its
decision on March 5, 1997, in favor of Pinsley. The Board concluded that
"viewed through AMR's eyes" the decision to embargo the line was reasonable
and therefore Pinsley and its subsidiary were not liable for damages.
This recent decision by the STB, coupled with the earlier decision allowing
Pinsley to segment the line, clearly signals a policy preference for the
needs of a rail carrier to the total exclusion of the needs of the shippers
and communities. The ICC/STB has permitted Pinsley to cherry pick the line
for its own economic benefit despite the consequences it will have on the
shippers and communities which have no other way to economically ship their
goods to market.
The effect of that policy will result in two of the major shippers, GS
Roofing Products, Inc. and Gifford-Hill & Company, closing their plants and
relocating elsewhere. Bean Lumber Company will suffer a competitive
disadvantage because of the increased cost to truck its goods to market. A
lot of common folks will lose their jobs, tax revenues will be depleted,
the communities cannot progress, the schools will fall further behind, and
Lord knows what other ripple effects might occur. Pinsley will operate at
a profit blessed by the Government and, when it chooses, simply move on to
other profitable ventures elsewhere. Your Chairman, Linda Morgan, and her
staff believe this to be good policy. Congress does not think so, nor does
the Eighth Circuit. I find no justification for it. It is wrong!
Thank you,my friend, for listening. If you can help, I would appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Bot Bob Hargraves
to Dorskind after you have seen?
Yes
quituit
No -
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AMERICAN to All Parks
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PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL CLUBS
President Bill Clinton & Party
President Game American a. Buliy League