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Republican National Convention Issue RIPON

AUGUST, 1972 Vol. VIII No. 15 ONE DOLLAR

RIPON SOCIETY PROPOSALS FOB RESOLUTIONS and RULES

Party Relor.. Articles by Robert Finch, George Thyss and Daniel Swillinger Also: ~ • Tanya Melich on Media • John McClaughry on Expanded Ownership THE RIPON SOCIETY INC is a RepuJ:>lic.;m research , • policy orgamzatlon whose LETTERS members are young business, academic and professional men and Dear Sir: women. It has national headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, I read with interest a recent editorial of the Ripon chapters in thirteen cities, National Associate members throughout FORUM that identified Joseph M. Crosby as "Nixon's the fifty states, and several affiliated groups of subchapter status. The Society is supported by chapter dues, individual contribu­ State Campaign Chairman". tions and revenues from its publications and contract work. The There is no question in my mind that Joe Crosby, Society offers the following options for annual contribution: Con­ who is a fine man, would make a fine campaign chairman tributor $2S or more; Sustainer $100 or more; Founder $1000 or more. Inquiries about membership and chapter organization should for the President, but the fact is, he isn't. The chairman be addressed to the National Executive Director. of the President's campaign in California is Governor NAnONAL GOVEBNING BOARD Ronald Regan. Mr. Crosby has no official position in the Officers *Howard F. Gillette, Jr., President campaign. *Paul F. Anderson, Chairman of the Boettd Also, to set straight the record, John Ashbrook re­ *Patricia A. Goldman, Chairman of the Executive Committee ceived less than 10 percent of the GOP vote in the June *Howard L. Reiter, Vice President *Edward W. Miller, Treasurer primary. *Ron Speed, Secretary You will be happy to know that the Nixon campaign Boston Pittsburgh in California has not written off the youth vote. In *Martha Reardon 'Murray Dickman fact we are making a vigorous effort to register young Martin A. IJnsky James Groninger Michael W. Christian Stan Sienkiewicz people and to make them aware of the President's record Cambtidg-e which is the most pro-young-people in the history of Joel P. Greene Seattle the Republic: Draft reform, the 18-year-.old vote, the *Bob Stewart 'Tom Alberg Gus Southworth Dick Dykeman move towardi an all-volunteer army, the environmental Chicago Mason D. Morisset protection efforts, the all-out fight against drug abuse, *Jared Kaplan Washington to name a few. Gene L. Armstrong 'Alice Tetelman We are looking forward to the Ripon Society's all- Thomas Russell Larry Finkelstein Detroit Willie Leftwfch out support of the President this fall. ·Dennis Gibson LYN NOFZIGER Stephen Selander At Large Mary E. Low *'Josiah Lee Auspltz Executive Director Hartford "Christoper T. Bayley California Committee Nicholas Norton Christopher W. Beal for the Re-election *Stewart H. McConaughy Robert L. Beal of the President Los Angeles "Robert D. Behn *Michael Halliwell • 'Michael Brewer EDITOR'S NOTE: According to the CGogressiooaJ Thomas A. Brown Jan Bridges Quarterly, nearly complete returns showed Ashbrook with Edward McAniff Ralph Caprio ~eapoHa "Bruce Chapman 9.9 percent of the Republican vote. .John Calms Pamela Curtis Jim Manahan Robert W. DavIdson Kat! Sasseville Christopher DeMuth Correction: The vice chairwoman of the Texas Nashv:llle Evelyn F. Ellis *Robert H. Donaldson Al Felzenberg Democratic State Convention was Eddie Bernice John­ Jerry H. Smith EmU H. Frankel Cary Miller Glenn Gerstell son, not Barbara Jordan aJ'reported in the July FORUM New HClven Ralph J. Heikkinen .Peter V. Baugher "Lee W. Huebner and newsletter. Ms:'Johnson is a state legislative candi­ Jaffrey Miller Philip C. Johnston Melvin Ditman William J. Kilberg datq from Dallas. New Jersey Judith R. Lumb *Richard Zimmer "J. Eugene Marana Nancy Miller Martha McCahill John Brotschol Tanya Melich New York Don Meyer 'Werner Kuhn "John R. Price, Jr. Richard Rahn "John S. Saloma III CONTENTS Richard Scanlan Jim Seil Philadelphia Leah Thayer Special Party Platform Section 'Robert J. Moss R. Quincy White William Horton William Whitten Editorial: Amn~sty and Moderation ...... 3 'Ken Kaiserman Lyndon A.S. Wilson Ex-Officfo At Large 1958: The Republican Platform Legacy 'Ralph C. Loomis, National Executive Director by Howard F. Gillette, Jr...... :...... 4 'George Gilder, Editor of the Bipon FORUM 'Daniel J. Swillinger, National Political Director 1972: Ripon Society Platform Proposals ...... 5 'Richard E. Beeman, Policy Chairman Expanded OWnership "Peter J. Wallison, Finance Chairman 'Robert Gulick, Counsel by John McClaughry ...... 10 *Clalr W. Rodgers, Jr., Counsel Democratic Concention:Monjtoring the TV' Media 'National Executive Committee Member "Past President, Chairman of the Boettd, Or Chairman of the by Tanya Melich ...... :...... 17 ExeCutive Committee The Political Brokers: A Review...... 20 THE RIPON FORUM is published semi-monthly by the Ripon Society, Inc., 14a Eliot Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138. Second class postage rates paid Special Party Reform Section Boston, Massachusetts. Contents are copyrighted © 1972 by the Party Refoim: To DO or not DO Ripon Society, Inc. Correspondence to the Editor is welcomed. In publishing this magazine the Ripon Society seeks to provide by Daniel Swillinger ...... 21 a forum for a spirit of criticism, innovation, and independent think­ ing within the Republican Party. Articles do not necessarily rep­ Duly Noted (a new feature on publications) ...... 23 resent the opinion of the Ripon Society, unless they are explicitly Party Responsibility and Party Reform so lahelled. SUBSCRIPTION RATES are $10 a year, $5 for students, service­ by Robert H. Finch ...... 25 men, and for Peace Corps, Vista and other volunteers. Overseas air mail, $10 extra. Advertising rates on reques!. $10 of any con­ Guest Editorial: Reforming the National Committee tribution to the Ripon Society is credited for a Dubscription to the by George Thyss ...... 26 Ripon FORUM. Editor. George Gilder 14a Eliot Street ...... 27 Dick Behn, Politicul Editor Contributing Editors: Clifford Brown, Glenn Gerstell, Howard Reiter. Ripon Society and Party Reform ...... 28 Circulation Dept.: Judith H. Behn. Art: LesUe Morrill, David Omar White. Correspondents Deryl Howard, North Carolina: StephanIe Mc Cona1lghy, Conn. William K. Woods, Ohio Pagination Note to Convention Readers: !ssueJ Mike Halliwell, California Henri Pell Junod, Ohio James F. McCollum, Jr., Florida Stephen Jones, Okluhomu of the August, 1972 issue of the FORUM which Michael McCre;rr, Idaho Eric R. Blackledge, Oregon Ben Violette, Illinois Richard Ober, Jr., Pexmsylvanlu will be distributed at the GOP National Convention J. Kenneth Doka, Indiana 1)onato Andre D'Andrea, B. I. C.R. Connell, Iowa: Bruce M. Selya, Rhode Island will contain the Special Election '72 Supplement Eric Kames, Kentucky Harris Beach, Jr., So. Carolina James Harrington, Maine Stanford M. Adelstein, S. D. from the July FORUM. Became of the differing Julia M. Renner, Michigan Patrick W. Dunn, Vermont Arthur F. McClure MIssouri Robert R. Murdoch, V~a .' Fred O'BTlen, West Vuguno: page sequences, the supplement is nltmbered pages William Harding, Nebraska Linda Hannaway, Wash.. D.C. Al Fe1zenberg, New Jersey Ken Nikolai, W'JSconsin 13 to 36. Charles O. Ingraham, New York W. Stuart Parsons, Wisconsin EDITORIAL Towards Amnesty And' Moderation The war in Vietnam has gone on too long. For disservice to those who served in Vietnam, let alone Republicans, the moment of judgment has arrived­ their comrades who were wounded or killed there, we judgment on our 1968 platform pledge to "urgently believe compassion is in order for these continuing dedicate our efforts toward restoration of peace both casualties of the Indochina conflict. at home and abroad" and our candidate's pledge to A non-vindictive course is called for, not only by "end the war and win the peace." We hope reports the evidence of government miscalculation and deceit that a negotiated settlement is imminent are correct and revealed in the Pentagon Papers, but further by the our pedge will be redeemed. gross inequities in the Selective Service system which In the meantime, we face another challenge in the have permitted many men legally to evade the draft - years ahead. If we are to succeed as the party which - through exploitation of its statutory loopholes and ended the war, we ought to dedicate ourselves also administrative weaknesses. Moreover, the Supreme to healing the wounds left by the longest and most Court ruled in Welsh v. United States, that one could divisive conflict in American history. We must commit be a conscientious objector without believing in a ourselves to aid the millions of civilian casualties on Supreme Being, a change which greatly broadened the both sides of the Vietnam conflict and to restore the CO classification. But this liberalized reinterpretation land from the devastating ecological effects of prolonged of the war was unavailable to those men drafted during war. At home we should grant conditional amnesty to the period 1964-1970. Unlike some of their younger the thousands of young people who refused, by con­ brothers, these draftees had the choice of fighting in science, to participate in the war. Vietnam, sitting in jail, or heading for Canada. We believe many Republicans have jumped un­ The Ripon Society urges the Republican National wisely to the conclusion that amnesty is a radical posi­ Convention to draft a comprehensive plan for easing tion. On the contrary, to close the door now on the aftermath of U.S. participation in the Vietnam certain forms of amnesty is both to countradict claims War. At a minimum this plan should provide for as­ that we care about reconciliation and to run against suring the financial security of children whose fathers the tide of history. have been killed in Indochina, and a reassessment and George Washington set the precedent for a suc­ augmentation of veterans' benefits (especially with re­ cession of executive pardonings when in 1795 he forgave gard to medical care, job training, and educational those who had taken part in the Whiskey Rebellion of stipends.) Such an approach should be completed by the previous summer. As the first American President a two-level amnesty program. explained in a message to Congress: Though I shall always think it a sacred duty This program first would grant all Selective Service to exercise with firmness and energy the con­ law violators and armed forces deserters automatic im­ stitutional power with which I am vested, yet munity from prosecution if they agreed to perform two my personal feeling is to mingle in the opera­ years of compensating national service in the military, tions of Government every degree of modera­ or in federal, state or nongovernmental public interest tion and tenderness which the national justice, employment (time spent in the armed forces would be dignity, and safety may permit. credited to deserters). Secondly, it would authorize a President Abraham Lincoln was known for the civilian review board to lessen or remit - on a case by generosity of his Civil War amnesty proclamations. case basis - legal liabilities of draft offenders, deserters, Presidents Adams (Pennsylvania insurrectionists), and all other men similarly jeopardized (including war Jefferson ( deserters) , Madison ( deserters) , Jackson criminals). The review board will consider cases where ( deserters), Harrison (Mormons), Cleveland (Mor­ national security and preservation of internal order were mons), and Teddy Roosevelt (Phillipine rebels), also not threatened, and where the personal hardship en­ authored amnesty proclamations. In 1924 Calvin dured by a particular violator seems to justify leniency. Coolidge pardoned more than 100 men who had de­ Such an amnesty proposal is both generous and serted since the World War I Armistice, and nine years prudent. It acts to shorten at least one portion of later, Franklin Roosevelt amnestied 1500 violators of the lamentable legacy of this country's intervention in World War I espionage and draft laws. President Southeast Asia. As Senator Robert Taft Jr. (R-Ohio) Truman authorized a broad amnesty plan, covering both said recently about those who have illegally resisted the World War II and the Korean War. Vietnam draft, "It would be a great mistake for us At present, it is estimated that 70,000 young men forever to foreclose these young men . . . from partici­ have fled the country in order to avoid prosecution for pating in American life." That is a thoroughly Ameri­ draft evasion. An additional 35,000 Gl's are being can sentiment. And it is the attitude which underlies sought for desertion. Over 300 men are now serving that sentiment - Washington's principle of "modera­ sentences for Selective Service offenses, with yet another tion and tenderness" - which must guide us in picking 3900 currently awaiting trial. Without inteoding any up the pieces after Vietnam. 1968

The Republican

Platform Legacy

by Howard F. Gillette, fr.

The 1968 GOP Platform was fashioned at a time the Johnson administration for overreliance on Ameri­ when the nomination of Richard Nixon was immiment can ground forces and for paying inadequate attention but not yet assure"f Chaired by late conservative Sen. to "the political framework on which a successful out­ Everett Dirksen, the Committee on Resolutions achieved come ultimately depends." It promises a strategy of a balance among its vice chairmen between progres­ progressive de-Americanization and pledges "a pro­ sives Walter Hi~kel, Charles Goodell and Hugh gram for peace - neither peace at any price nor a Scott and conservatives Roman Hruska, Louis Nunn camouflaged surrender of legitimate U.S. or allied and Congressman John Rhodes. (Rhodes chairs interests - but a positive program that will offer a this year's committee.) Because of the balance be­ fair and equitable settlement to all, based on the princi­ tween party factions represented on the committee, the ple of self-determination, our national interests and 1968 platform serves as an important barometer to the cause of long-range world peace." the party today. The Republican platform pledges of 1968 have The broad outline of the platform meshes well proved to be not mere rhetoric but working guidelines with the Nixon administration policies to date. Great for much of the Nixon administration. Promises to emphasis is placed on decentralization of government reform the postal service and to set up a new "Efficiency services, particularly through revenue sharing, govern­ Commission" to root out unnecessary and overlapping ment reorganization and a faith in the private and inde­ government functions have been met. The President pendent sectors to help solve these problems - as also kept the platform'S pledge to support the 18- against exclusive reliance on government action. The year-old vote and a volunteer army. Like the platform, section on national defense specifically repudiates the President Nixon has followed the dictum that "our concept of parity in the arms race saying, "We have best hope for enduring peace lies in comprehensive frittered away superior military capabilities, enabling international cooperation," as he has carried his di­ the Soviets to narrow their defense gap, in some areas plomacy personally to Eastern and Western Europe to outstrip us, and to move to cancel our lead entirely and to the Far East. The Administration has begun to by the early seventies." At the same time the foreign encourage, as promised in the platform, more emphasis policy section foreshadows the Moscow summit by on multinational agencies, as the vehicle, and technical pledging to "seek an end to the arms race through in­ assistance, as the means, for foreign aid. ternational agreement. ..." Howard F. Gillette Jr. is national president of the The language of the Vietnam section is dovish, Ripon Society. but it conforms in detail to the Nixon policy. It blames

Ripon Forum 1972 The Ripon Society Platform Proposals

In the following pages, we present platform proposals on setJeral issues which we believe are of special importance to the Republican party this year. Expanded ownership elaborates a theme of the party's fOllnders, embodied in the Homestead Act,. and the other subjects - women, Indians, youth, working people and crim­ inals - afford the possibility of expanding the dimensions of opporttmity and de­ mocracy among grollps which hat1e often been denied the jllst benefits of citizen­ ship. In expanding ownership, democracy and opportunity we can also make possi­ ble the extension of the Republican party into growing new constituencies. Al­ though these issues are not the most ttrgent we face as a nation in this election year. they bear a symbolic importance - and they have suffered a common neglect - that makes them worthy of a special attention here. The text was prepared by Ripon President Howard F. Gillette, Jr. with the assistance of Ripon members Peter Baugher, Richard Beeman, Patricia A. Goldman. Shawn Grogan, Barbara Kilberg, and Claude Williams.

Five weeks ago the Democrats concluded their Nixon Administration. If we have had a function and convention in Miami with the charges that the GOP a role to play, we have seen it fulfilled in the transla­ was the defender of the statltJ qllO while Democrats tion of new policy ideas into political reality. represented the party of change. On the surface they We cannot conceal our concern, however, that seemed to stake a valid claim, offering two relative much of this new direction for America has been cloud­ newcomers to national politics on their ticket after re­ ed by contradictory political claims and rhetoric. Re­ ceiving the nomination from the broadest-based con­ publicans cannot consistently support decentralization vention in recent history. and enhancement of a free market economy while at But a close look at the record reveals that the Re­ the same time running to the financial rescue of mis­ publicans rightfully carry the mantle of change in this managed corporations. Republicans cannot at the same election. At the state and national levels Republicans time enshrine individualism while writing into their are offering new models for government unheard of welfare proposals authoritarian work requirements and by the defenders of the now worn-out New Deal co­ disincentives to work. Republicans cannot claim to of­ alition. Revenue-sharing, welfare reform and govern­ fer equal opportunity for all while embracing programs ment reorganization, all policies advocated by the Ripon which would compromise the greatest single party lega­ Society in the 1960's, offer a fresh perspective in gov­ cy to American history, the 14th Amendment. ernment badly lacking in previous administrations. The Too often Republicans appear to appeal to peo­ President's trips to the People's Republic of China, the ple's fears and prejudices rather than to their aspira­ Soviet Union and the Communist countries of Eastern tions and mutual self-interest. The founding fathers Europe, combined with subsequent programs of trade of our party faced a similar dilemma in attempting to and negotiation, have provided the most concrete evi­ forge a new majority in the 1850's. In opposing the dence that the Cold War is thawing. Democrats, they found themselves attacking immigrants The Republican party hardly defends the status and their life styles on the one hand and the Southern qlfo any more than its opposition. Yet we would fool slave aristocracy on the other hand. Republicans thrived ourselves, if we thought anything but the foundations as a party and as a national political force only after for what President Nixon called a "second American they embraced programs of opportunity - the Home­ revolution" have been laid. It is the task of the Repub­ stead Act, land-grant colleges, the high tariff and eman­ lican platform committee not only to embrace the ini­ cipation. tiatives taken in Washington over the last three years but to project as well a program of reform for the Of course Republicans of the 1970's oppose the 1970's which can gain the confidence and support of Democrats. But along with the rhetoric of partisan the great majority of the American people. politics we need programs equivalent to the Home­ The Ripon Society is proud of the fact that so stead Act and the early civil rights legislation which many of its policy proposals have been embraced by the first made the G.O.P. the party of the majority.

August, 1972 5 Youth: to race, religion, sex or the wealth of acities and insights of the Indian peo­ It is often forgotten that the United their parents. Specifically, we urge Re­ ple." States was founded by the young. publicans: The Ripon Society fully endorses Among the "Founding Fathers" who 1) to endorse the principle, first the major policy proposals of that mes­ signed the Declaration of Indepen­ enunciated by the California Supreme sage: Court in Se,.,.a1lO V. p,.iest, that the dence, twenty were under age 40, 1. To fully repudiate any possibility nine under age 35, and four under quality of a child's education may not of termination of the trust relation­ 30. Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the be made to depend on the wealth of ship between the federal government document itself, was 33. his parents. Through the resources and the Indian people. As President A majority of citizens in the early available to the federal government, Nixon has affirmed, the federal gov­ Republic were under age 30, the last the Administration should assist the ernment's trusteeship responsibility is period until our own in which this states in voluntarily restructuring their the result of solemn and historic ob­ was true. Largely immigrants, they school finance systems to the end that ligations and treaties which have been had consciously broken the past's every child wiJI receive an education entered into by the U.S. government stratifications. One, Michel de Creve­ commensurate with his needs. with the Indian people. The Con· coeur, announced, "The American is 2) to support full implementation gress must specifically repudiate the a new man, who acts upon new prin­ of the Administration initiatives on whole philosophy of termination, as ciples; he must therefore entertain new Higher Education and Desegregation the President has done. ideas and form new opinions." Assistance Act and to back the ruling 2. To encourage self-determination The 18-year-old now has the vote. of the Supreme Court that busing is one legitimate means of achieving de­ through of the right of Indian com­ Along with the vote should come the munities to voluntarily control and segregation. full rights and responsibilities of cit­ operate federal programs. izenship. We urge the Republican Par­ 3) to give highest priority to the 3. To establish an Indian Trust ty, as we urged the President in Sep­ goal of making college and profes­ Counsel Authority with power to pro­ tember, 1969, to establish a Commis­ sional training available to all students vide and guarantee independent legal sion on the Age of Legal Majority regardless of family income. counsel to Indian tribes and communi­ which would consider proposals for 4) to support Administration ef­ ties in land and water disputes. legislation granting "adult" rights forts to redress the denial of equal uniformly at age 18, and suggest areas educational opportunities to Spanish­ 4. To establish in the Department of age-discrimination in the federal surnamed and other students on the of the Interior the position of Assis­ government which can be eliminated basis of their cultural and linguistic tant Secretary for Indian Policy to by new laws or executive order. differences. The scope of these efforts elevate this subject within the Admin­ istration. We believe the Republican party, if ought to be extended to the even more it is truly the "party of the open door," difficult problem of providing equal In addition to the policy of the must open itself more formally to the educational opportunities to American President's message, Ripon strongly ideas of youth. We p~opose establish­ Indian children, many of whom are endorses the following proposals of ment of a President's Youth Advisory still segregated in inferior schools op­ the American Indian Caucus: the im­ Council, made up of young people 18- erated by the Bureau of Indian Aairs. plementation of which we believe nec­ 30, to advise the President on the ef­ cessary for the federal government to Native Americans fulfill its trust responsibility: fect of national policies on the young, Our government and people have 1. That every governmental agency to prepare recommendations for Pres­ been all too slow to recognize the vast commit the necessary funds to im­ idental action, to communicate the contribution to and special position prove the quality of life of all In­ President's view to youth and youth's of the First Americans. As President dian people, regardless of where they views to the President. Nixon said in his ground-breaking reside, to the highest standard of the We believe the idealism and energy July 8, 1970 message on Indian pol­ rest of the country in the areas of of youth can be tapped better than it icy, "The story of the Indian in Amer­ health, housing, education, welfare, now is in the volunteer sector, and con­ ica is something more than the record secuently we propose federal endorse­ of the white man's frequent aggres­ business and job opportunities. ment of a National Foundation for sion, broken agreements, intermittent 2. That the President and Congress Youth Service, to act as a clearing remorse and prolonged failure. It is a support passage of the Menominee house for private and public youth record also of endurance, of survival, Restoration Act which would reverse service projects and the grant serv­ of adaptation and creativity in the face the disastrous effects of termination ice fellowships to those youth who of overwhelming obstacles. It is a rec­ upon the Menominee Tribe, that would otherwise could not affort to take a ord of overwhelming contribution to ensure the Tribe its rights as a trust service job. this country - to its art and culture, people and that would be the first ~on­ Because education is such an im­ to its strength and spirit, to its sense crete action in support of the Presi­ portant part of any young person's of history, and its sense of purpose ... dent's expressed repudiation of ter­ life, we urge full support to provide It is long past time that Indian poli­ mination as a policy. the best possible education to all chil­ cies of the Federal government begin 3. That the government take strong dren on equal terms, without regard to recognize and build upon the cap- and immediate action to halt the

6 Ripon Forum numeroUs violations of Indian treaty occupational safety and health, and The Administration deserves high rights, especially those involving fish­ fully and staff the Occupational Safe­ merits for the development of the ing, hunting, land and water. ty and Health Administration; more concept of affirmative action with re­ 4. That the federal government rec­ strenuous enforcement, including high­ gard to the hiring and upgrading of ognize that the trust responsibility fol­ er fines for violators, are necessary. In minority and female employees by fed­ lows Native Americans, regardless of addition, we recommend an increased eral contractors. where they happen to reside. budget of from $15-$20 million for When the Nixon Administration 5. That the federal government sup­ the National Institute for Occupational took office in 1969, the Office of Fed­ port the allocation of federal surplus Safety and Health. eral Contact Compliance (OFCC) in land to American Indians on a first We believe that every American the Department of Labor, responsible priority basis. worker is entitled to an adequate re­ for monitoring and coordinating the tirement income. The Social Security Government's equal employment pro­ Working People system is designed to provide a floor gram among federal contractors, was We believe the Republican party for retirees; private pension plans are a 25-person operation, able to call ought to pay more attention to the important supplements for social se­ upon only 300 compliance officers in special needs of the working people curity benefits. Approximately 40 mil­ all of government. Today, the OFCC of this country, especially in the fields lion employees are presently covered staff numbers nearly 100, with 1500 of health, employment opportunity and by private pension plans, with project­ compliance officers among the agencies. pension aid. ed assets of $200 billion by 1980. The Philadelphia Plan has proven suc­ cessful, not only in terms of the in­ The National Safety Council esti­ Unfortunately, many pension pro­ creased numbers of minorities now mates that more than 14,000 emplo­ grams have been less than secure in­ yees are killed each year in job-related vestments for employee retirement. participating in the construction trades accidents; more than 2.2 million em­ Business failures, mergers and acquisi­ in Philadelphia, but because the legal framework upon which the require­ ployees are disabled and approximate­ tions have cost many employees their ment of goals and timetables for ly 400,000 are known to suffer job­ pension rights. Runaway plans, inad­ minority and female hire is based, has related illnesses. equate funding and poor plan man­ We applaud the passage of the agement have also taken their toll been successfully tested both in prac­ tice and in the courts. Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety upon those least able to pay. We favor and Health Act and the President's new legislation which would provide Revised Order No.4, issued on stated commitment to its vigorous en­ for improved reporting, disclosure and December 4, 1971, requires non-con­ forcement. But we sadly note that the publication requirements; stronger en­ struction federal contractors to review Administration's oral commitment and forcement procedures are needed; new their workforces for underutilization of its actual performance have not been fiducia.ty and investment standards are minorities and women and to institute of equal vigor. called for. results-oriented procedures, including Between July 1971 and January the use of goals and timetables, to 1972, the Occupational Safety and Civil Rights correct the underutilization found. We Health Administration of the Depart­ The Administration's finest accom­ approve of this order. ment of Labor, reported assessing $1,- plishments in the area of Civil Rights Both the EEOC and the OFCC have 003,250 in fines for some 42,942 vio­ have been in the equal employment issued comprehensive sex and testing lations. This average at only $68 per opportunity field. guidelines which have been upheld by employer. Fewer than 500 inspector We applauded the creation of an the courts. The number of compliance positions are budgeted for fiscal 1973; employment section in the Civil Rights reviews conducted by the OFCC has yet there are nearly 5 million estab­ Division of the Department of Jus­ soared above the 30,000 mark. Uni­ lishments covered under the Act em­ tice and we commend that division's que remedies challenging the seniori­ ploying some 60 million employees. vigorous enforcement of the "pattern ty practices of major corporations and Of the $67.5 million budgeted to the and practice" provisions of the Civil unions have been instituted and novel Labor Department to fill its investiga­ Rights Act of 1964. forums, such as regulatory agencies, tive and enforcement role, nearly half We congratulate the Congress on have been utilized to further equal is allocated to state agencies. Yet the passage of the Equal Employment employment opportunity. the States appear to lack any vision Opportunity Act of 1972. For the first We cannot fail to note the significant or urgency regarding occupational in­ time since its creation, the Equal Em­ blacklog of cases stalled in the EEOC jury and disease. The National In­ ployment Opportunity Commission has administrative process and the dearth stitute for' Occupational Safety and enforcement powers. We are sorry to of contractor debarments secured by Health of HEW is budgeted only note that the Admisistration lobbied the OFCC. Much remains to be done $28.3 million and no authorization has against the "cease and desist" authority towards increasing the effective coor­ been provided for training occupa­ which was included in the original dination among the various civil rights tional health personnel, although the proposal. But we find the legislation agencies. OFFC, in particular, has Act calls for such training. as enacted to be a major step forward been unable to develop a workable We urge the Administration to take in the continuing battle for equal em­ mechanism for monitoring the activi­ seriously its earlier pronouncements on ployment opportunity. ties of the many compliance and con-

August, 1972 7 tracting agencies. Weare pleased to crimes against innocent persons, it College. Criminal offenders must be see the creation of a multi-agency co­ spends billions of dollars and mil­ trained for productive employment ordinating body established by the lions of man-hours pursuing people rather than more skillful lawlessness. 1972 Act and we are hopeful that im­ who only do things to themselves. 2) Expanded use of contracted serv­ proved coordination of efforts will re­ Instead of building new prisons, at ices for community-based rehabilita­ sult. We oppose merger of the OFCC an estimated cost of $22,000 per in­ tion rather than the extention of exist­ into the EEOC, and are confident that mate just for construction, we believe ing bureaucracies which tend to be these agencies can perform their re­ that more emphasis should be placed sluggish and unimaginative. spective functions without unnecessary on parole, with the added protection 3) Increased funding for the Legal overlap and duplication of effort. of review and appeal from decisions Enforcement and Assistance Admini­ Criminals made by parole boards. California, stration for community-based follow­ Our party has gathered the reputa­ under the leadership of Governor up programs for adult offenders, for tion as a tough law and order party. Ronald Reagan, has already instituted community juvenile delinquency pre­ We believe Republican concern ought a program to allow the equivalent of vention programs, and establishment to go beyond the prosecution and con­ 15,000 criminals, who would ordinari­ of group homes for wayward youths. viction of known criminals to efforts ly have spent time in prison, to live We support efforts to close reform at rehabilitation. in their communities. Instead of spend­ schools which lump youths whose of­ America's prison system, like the ing $6,500 a year to maintain each fenses may range from truancy to current welfare morass, accomplishes prisoner in an institution, it spent $4,- murder. Massachusetts, for instance, only a minimum of the purposes as­ 000 to help him keep out of trouble has taken the lead in closing three signed to it while costing the taxpay­ at home. state reform schools and one of three er untold billions of dollars. While We must help released prisoners county reform schools. the average prisoner and his family make a successful;;'tritnsition to a sat­ 4) Extension of prison and college­ cost the taxpayer as much as $10,000 isfying and rewarding life -in -~ociety. based programs to train offenders a year to support - and juveniles in Halfway houses can help them make for inner-city and professional careers state reform schools cost more - the this adjustment and a revolving loan which make use of the first-hand results of these expenditures is too plan would help them through their knowledge of many minority group often not rehabilitation but embitter­ immediate financial problems, residents for inner city conditions. ed individuals whose probability of From a practical standpoint, there Project Start, operated in cooperation further criminal activity may be as are always likely to be offenders who, with the Department of Health, Ed­ high as 70 to 80 percent. Correctional because of their offenses (~~g: gross ucation and Welfare and Lorton Re­ costs amount to $1 billion a year for cruelty, sexual crimes, molestation), formatory, provides a model for such prisons while juvenile crime costs $4 will have to remain imprisoned- if on­ a program. billion a year. Oearly no simple pal­ ly because the community woUId not 5) Shifts in prison industries and liatives are sufficient to meet a crisis accept their release. And, in some industrial training from such irrele­ which all too frequently explodes in cases involving multiple offenses or vant job placements as the manufac­ the morning heacllines. serious persistent recidivism, -institu­ ture of license plates to meaningful America's pluraliStic society deserves tionalism may offer the onfy effective occupational training for skilled in­ a more worthy alternative to the op­ protection for society. For these per­ dustries. The federal government, par­ pressive institutions' which now serve sons, we favor ~eforms inside prison ticularly, has an opportunity to ex­ to propagate crime r~ther than deter it. - greater openness, better counselling, tend apprenticeship training to minor­ Republicans have always preferred 10- more recreation and living space and ity group men and women whose en­ eally-based, locally-nIn programs which elimination of all forms of torture and trance into skilled occupations is often can be more effective because they are harassment. But, as the President's blocked. more receptive to coinmunity needs, Crime Commission reported, "For the 6) Upgrading prison pay scales so initiatives and diversity. No set of large bulk of offenders .. , institu­ that inmate wages approximate more American institutions is as blatant an tional commitments cause more prob­ closely civilian wages. Under such a example of the anti-pr'Qductive results lems than they solve." Prisons are re­ system, inmate wages would be tax­ of unwieldy bureaucracies than Ameri­ lied on too heavily. We believe, above able and inmates could contribute to ca's prisons. No institutions are in such all, the goal of prison refoim ought the support of their families - sup­ immediate need of decentralization and to be social, not physical, making eve­ port which is now too often the reform. ry effort to encourage prisoners to re­ burden of the nation's welfare system. The Ripon Society believes, in re­ turn to a full and productive role in 7) Repeal of state and federal laws ducing the number of persons sent to society. restricting the scale of prison-made ar­ jail. Legal and social standards need to To this end we propose: ticles. Instead, prison authorities should be re-examined for "victimless" crimes, 1) Increased opportunities for tech­ cooperate more closely with private illegal acts by which the offender nical and college training sucb as pro­ enterprise in the planning of prison affects only himself - gambling, al­ vided in the Lorton Proje'ct between industrial programs and prisoner em­ cholism, drugs, and prostitution. While the Federal Lorton Reformatory in the ployment placement programs. the country is overwhelmed with District of Columbia and Federal City 8) Implementation of a "Philadel-

8 Ripon Fifum '~ phia Plan" for federal and state tainly there is long standing precedent across the country and assure that prisons to insure that an affirmative for such action in the current practice these programs are responsive to par­ plan by the government be introduced of electing both a national committee­ ents. requiring unions to accept incarcerated man and national committeewoman. Ripon further believes that the fol­ prisoners as members and to provide Besides rooting out the sexual dis­ lowing action must be taken in the these prisoners with necessary trades crimination within its own ranks, the area of civil rights for women. Prior­ and skills. Republican Party has a chance to ex­ ities should be given to: 9) Legislative provisions, follow­ pand the opportunities available to 1. Elimination of discrimination ing the example of the District of American women. Republicans across against women in public education. Columbia, for nullification of criminal the country can and should commit 2. Elimination of discrimination records for ex-offenders. themselves to the rapid ratification of against women by all employers re­ 10 ) Extended but discriminate use the Equal Rights Amendment, which ceiving federal contracts. of educational furloughs, weekend has received the strong support of 3. Elimination of discrimination passes and conjugal visits to contribute President Nixon. The Equal Rights against women in labor unions. to the continuing development of nor­ Amendment would reverse discrimina­ Furthermore, legislation should be mal social relationships by offenders. tory legal presumptions and strike amended to extend the jurisdiction of 11) Special treatment facilities for down a host of laws which have both the Civil Rights Commission to in­ the socio-pathic offender with empha­ overtly and covertly circumscribed the clude denial of civil rights on the basis sis on treatment rather than custody. questions of utmost importance to of sex. Title VI of the 1964 Civil A national commission on penal re­ range of choices open to women. The Rights Act should be amended to pro­ form should be formed to oversee the amendment would symbolize our com­ hibit discrimination against women in modernization of America's outdated mitment to the principle of non-dis­ federally-assisted programs. penal system. crimination according to sex, and help We believe also in full economic Since the task of corrections is to root out much of the discrimination rights for women including: make the community safe, then we feel now grounded in social custom. 1. Elimination of all tax inequities the best means to this end is giving It is the position of the Ripon So­ that affect women and children, such the offender a stake in the communi­ ciety, shared, we believe, by a major­ as higher taxes for single men and ty by making a productive, taxpaying ity of American women, that each women. and self-respecting individual of him. woman, in accordance with her con­ 2. Amendment of the Social Securi­ Women science, has the right to decide whether ty Act to provide equitable retirement The American woman is no minor­ or not to have an abortion. We be­ benefits for families with working ity, yet she has suffered the effect of lieve that every woman has the right wives, widows, women heads of house­ widescale legal, social and economic to control her own reproductive and holds and their children. discrimination. We believe the Repub­ sexual ,life. 3. Extension of temporary disabili­ lican party ought to take affirmative The Republican Party and the Nix­ ty benefits to cover pregnancy, child­ action to eliminate those conditions. on Administration should support the birth, miscarriage, abortion and re­ Republicans should unequivocally growth of a system of child develop­ covery. commit themselves to the advancement ment centers that will enrich the po­ 4. Extension of equal pay, minimum of women as full participants in our tential of children in their formative wage, overtime and unemployment in­ society. Women, who make up a little years while freeing their mothers, from surance to cover all workers. over half of our population occupy all income levels, to work if they so 5. Equal treatment for women in very few leadership positions in pol­ choose. Certainly, a working mother's obtaining credit, mortgages, and insur­ itics, business or labor unions. Women day-care expenses should be just as ance in starting businesses and elimin­ are thus usually ignored or excluded deductible as a businessman's enter­ ation of all legal economic discrimina­ from decision-making, even on issues tainment expenses. The present tax tion against women. whose impact is largely upon females. provisions of the Revenue Act of 1971 The Nixon Administration has, es­ Millions of American women to­ allowing up to $4,800 a year in de­ pecially in the last year, begun to day are asking that they be able to ductions for household help and/or make great strides in recruiting women determine their own destinies. They outside day care, is a positive step in into leadership positions in both the are demanding the right to decide this direction. However, that does not executive branch of the Federal gov­ each individual, concerning careers, directly address the need for many ernment and into the Federal regulato­ marriage, life styles, and control over more day care centers than presently ry commissions. Th Republican Party their reproductive potential. exist. The Republican Party should should commend this activity and urge To merit the continued support of give active consideration to the estab­ both the Nixon Administration and American women, the Republican par­ lishment of an investment tax credit Republican governors and mayors to ty should first open up opportunities for the construction, renovation, and/ build on this record. In particular, it for females within party activities, or equipping of facilities for child care is imperative that women be appoint­ mandating, in particular, equal repre­ programs. This, combined with a tax ed to positions on the Cabinet, as sentation by sex in delegate selection deduction, would encourage a diversi­ agency heads, and to vacancies on the and on convention committees. Cer- ty of child development programs Supreme Court.

August, 1972 9 Expanded Ownership A Ripon Theme for the 1970s by John McClaughry

• llli II" II

For a major new theme of Republican domestic policy for 1972 and beyrJnd the Ripon Society turns to one of the oldest of our party's commitments: to the expansion of the ownership of real private property among 0111 nation's citizens. The analysis and recommendations below are adapted from a major study done under the direction of John McClaughry for the Sabre Foundation. Copies of an approximately 60,000 word 108 page abridgment of his mas­ sive report are available from the Ripon Society, for $2 each.

The men who founded the United States - John perty, and who thus favor a public policy of expanding Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison in par­ ownership opportunities to achieve that objective, while ticular - believed that a widespread distribution of at the same time forestalling demands for government property ownership was essential to the establishment of controls and socialization. republican self-government and the preservation of in­ My recommendations for expanding the ownership dividual liberty. of property to those who have little or none of it, are Today the idea of a private property base for free squarely based on this third public policy position. I government and a free society is increasingly called into deal with the ownership both of productive wealth and question. Three general views of public policy exist on of consumer wealth, i.e., homes. It is recognized that this crucial issue. these are quite different kinds of property, but no at­ 1. Those who find the concentration of ownership tempt to assign differing weights has been made. and economic power desirable, as Alexander Hamilton Men like Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Webster, and once did, and oppose any public policy which would Lincoln viewed a widespread distribution of property alter the status quo. ownership not as a goal in itself, but as a means of 2. Those who, in the name of "the people," ad­ achieving other goals of great importance. If every man vocate increased government control of economic pow­ could have a fair chance to acquire and enjoy the own­ er, or even government ownership of the "means of ership of some form of property, these early leaders production. " believed, certain clear benefits would accrue to the in­ 3. Those, as yet few, who believe that free govern­ dividual and to his society: ment and individual liberty must continue to be based Indit1idual Opportunity-The opportunity to ac­ on the widespread ownership of genuine private pro- quire the ownership of property will motivate an

10 Ripon Forum individual to employ his best efforts to increase his if any of the personal and moral connotations initially productive skills. It wiII give him an incentive to associated with private property, it would appear that industry, thrift and foresight. As he begins to the role of private property ownership in society-as succeed, he wiII grow in self-respect, personal dig­ historically conceived-may be declining in importance. nity and independence. As Charles Reich has pointed out, civil liberties and Respect for Law and Order-The ownership of the Bill of Rights depend on the existence of private property breeds respect for the law that protects property under the personal and effective control of the rights of private property. Those who OW? pro­ many owners; otherwise, the nation can only move perty are least likely to condone the destructlOn of toward the "public interest state" in which property property and other lawless behavior. will be regulated and controlled in the interest of the supposed majority, while individual liberty becomes not Responsible De11locracy-Those who own pro­ an inherent and defensible human right, but a privilege perty, and are thus subject to ~axation by gov:rn­ bestowed-or withdrawn-by the government of the ment are more likely to be actlve and responslble moment. than those who have nothing. They are citize~s For this reason alone-the basic concern of all those most likely to resist the demogogic appeals for po­ who place a high value upon individual liberty and a litical redistribution of the wealth of others, and to free society-some way must be found to reinstate the insist upon prudence and good management in Private Property State-a nation characterized by a public affairs. In addition, the widespread .own.er­ widespread distribution of genuine property ownership, ship of property would en.sure a perpetual dl~uslOn under the effective control and direction of responsible of political power, essential to the preservation of individuals. liberty. . Economic Advancement-Expandmg the owner­ The present American economy, so distended by giant corporations and financial institutions, can ship of prope~ means t?at the ben:fits of pr~­ perty ownershlp, such as mco~e, capltal appreCi­ hardly be said to resemble a Private Property ation, and collateral value, wlll become avallable State. These large economic aggregations are only to more people, including especi~l!y those of pres­ nominally controlled by individual shareholders; in­ ently low incomes and employabllity. deed, putative individual interests are often reI:resented Economic Education-In acquiring property own­ only by a financial intermediary such as a penslon fund ership an individu.al comes to unde~stand the work­ or mutual fund. They are managed in large part by ings of the Amencan free enterpnse system, and professional managers and technocrats with little or no how he can take part in it to improve his lot. genuine ownership stake. They too often prosper not Patriotism-Property owners will be the first to through the economy of productive scale, but through rise in defense of a nation in which they have a external savings in purchasing, distribution, and financ­ genuine stake, and which preserves their op~ortun­ ing. They are rarely the source of real technological in­ ity to acquire and serure property ownershlp. novation and creativity. They all too often have the effect whether intended or not, of restricting commerce Though some of these beliefs may today give rise and trade, and of forcing the genuine private property to skepticism, in an America vastly different from the owner-the small merchant, farmer, manufacturer, or 18th Century, they nonetheless lay behind a prolo?ged service concern-up against the economic wall. The series of landmark legislative acts to encourage the mde­ scale of their organization has called forth massive or­ pendent ownership .of homes, farms,. and various for~s ganizations of labor and expansions of governmental of business enterpnses. These have mcluded the aboli­ power, developments frequently inimical to individual tion of primogeniture and entail in the new states of liberty. the Union, the Preemption and Homestead Acts of the For forty years, since the heyday of the Liberty 19th Century, the Federal Farm Loan Act of 1916, the League, Americans have been told to identify the great Home Owners Loan Corporation, the National Housing corporations of the nation with the cherished concept of Act and the Bankhead Jones Farm Tenant Act of the "private property." Unfortunately, they exhibit very Thirties, the Small Business Act of 1953, the special little of what was historically conceived as private pro­ impact provisions of the Economic Opportunity Act perty. Worse yet, those who would take over the large ( 1966), and numerous tax measures ranging from the corporations and financial institutions in the name of deductibility of home mortgage interest payments, to "the people" have cultivated a disdain for the idea of favorable treatment for profit sharing trusts, to the private property based upon this association. . Self-Employed Retirement Plan Act. These statutes Restoring private property does not mean protectmg have embodied the vision of the Founding Fathers of a "private enterprise", i.e., General Motors and U.S. nation of owners and proprietors. Steel, against all attack. It most emphatically does not Throughout this long period, of course, what was in­ mean socializing large corporations in the name of "the itially conceived of as private property-the home, the people," a step which could only have grave conse­ farm, the forge, the schooner and viII age st~re-has quences for American liberty. What restoring private given way in importance to the large corporatlOns and property really means, in its broadest sense, is to use financial institutions. Since, as Berle and Means have the power of government to create the conditions, prin­ shown, ownership in these large enterprises carries few cipally through tax policy, which will facilitate the effec-

Attgttst, 1972 11 tive decentralization of huge monolithic economic icy, To obtain this picture in detail, on a regular a~~el?ations, re~tore genuinely free .market competition, basis, sholtld be a function of government. Congress dinun1sh restramts of trade, provide the opportunity Jholtld enact legislation requiring the Secretary of for a reduction of Big Government, and enable the the Treasury to publish, no less than quadrennially, great majority of the citizens of America to once again a Report on the Ownership of Wealth, based on acquire a share of the productive wealth of their coun­ data already aZJailable to tbe Internal Revenue Serl'­ try under their own effective control. ire (thollgh not fully I/tilized) and new data pro­ The rather limited proposals presented here, all dllced by contracted studies. fitting within the present framework of the present economic system, constitute useful and perhaps essen­ Behavioral Research tial first steps towards the achievement of this goal of • The supposed behavioral results from expanding our founding fathers. ownership generally lack any clear-cut empirical justi­ fication, although anecdotal evidence abounds. The A National Policy of Expanded Ownership only clear evidence, in fact, is data showing that home RECOMMENDATION 1. owners take better care of their dwellings than tenants. The President of the United States should declare a Very few empirical investigations have been undertaken national policy of Expanded Ownership: that aery with the express purpose of testing hypotheses about American famuy of working age should haz'e a real­ the relationship of property ownership to thrift, job istic opportunity to acquire the ownership and con­ turnover, economic advancement, alcoholism, anomie, trol of sowe meaningful form of property in a grotl'­ and other behavioral phenomena. ing national ecol10111Y. Unlike the 18th Centmy, when froperty meant onfy a freehold farm, property not/' RECOMMENDATION 4. wcllldes homes, farms, cooperatit'e or condominium The President s/:;01l1d direct the Department of apartments, indivi~ual bllSiness enterprises, shares in Healt\ Educatioll and Welfare to rponsor a behaz·oj­ corporations, memberships in cooperative enterprises, oral research program to clarify the relationships t'ested interests in a profit sharing or retirement plan, between the acquisition and conti11l/ed OtlJller ship of and sal'ings and inJIIYance equities which either hal'e propert)1 and assorted behaz!ioral otJtP"ts. an economic, coliateral, eqltity or lISe z'all/e in ob­ jective economic terms, or which are sllbjecth'ely A Reawakened Understanding tJiewed by the owner as having a symbolic rallte • The idea of an expanded distribution of property equivalent to that historically associated with prira/e ownership does not seem to be a currently salient one property. to the bulk of the American people, although inter­ Improving Present Federal Programs views .with white suburbanites, white urban ethnic group members, urban blacks, and Mexican-Americans RECOMMENDATION 2. In announcing a national policy for Expanded 01l'n­ have produced very interestin.s divergences in view­ ership, the Preside.nt should declare his Admitzistra­ point. Hilaire Belloc foresaw this condition in 1936 tion's support for a large 111111zber of i11lprOl!ementJ when he wrote: in existing Federal programs for home and family · . . Y 0!1 will not get well divided property in any farm ownership, small business, cooperatiz'es, com­ form, whether in land or anything else, unless munity dezJelopment corporations, profit sharing. there is some desire present in the community for and pension plans. This declaration sho1l1d be ac­ its acquirement. There must be some spark left in companied by the recommendation of the necessary the em':;ers if you are to coax them again into legislation to Cong.ress, and the issuance of direr/ireJ flame; you cannot compel people to become eco­ within the Executiz:e branch as needed, nomically free if they do not desire economic free­ dom; if they have so completely lost the instinct for Continuing Economic Research it that they confuse the reception of a secure rev­ • While the concentration of wealth in the top one enue ,with freedom. percent of the popula~ion has apparently declined since Since the Thirties the emphasis seems to have shifted 1890, as of 1962 that one percent owned about 28 per­ from economic freedom - through ownership of pro­ cent of all the individually owned wealth of the nation. ductive property - to economic security: the certainty This concentration does not seem to be declining appre­ of a steady income stream from a job or, more recently, ciably. When the ownership of residences is subtracted from an assured government transfer payment. from the figures, it is clear that the top one percent own There seems to be, on the basis of admittedly scant and control an even greater percentage of produrlil'e evidence, several exceptions to this general finding of wealth. low salience. Minority group members, particularly blacks, seem to have the most heightened awareness of RECOMMENDATION 3. the role of private property in society, feeling that they A clear picture of the trends in the national distl'ibll­ have been systematically excluded from the ownership tion of wealth is essential to the wise dereloplJlent of any significant amount of property and from the and implementation of an Expanded Ownership pol- exercise of the corresponding social and political power.

12 Ripon Forum White urban ethnic group respondents, while ac­ tmsts, namely, by doubling the percelltage of covered cepting the value of private property in the abstract, compensation (to 30%) that an employ,,/' lI/elY contri­ tended to see it more as a burden than as an asset, mainly lJ11te tax free to a trust, by the liberalization of reg!l­ due to neighborhood deterioration, racial problems, job lations that presently discoll1'age a profit sharing tfllsl uncertainty, high property taxes, and Federally-spon­ from acquiring stock in the employer corporation, and sored redevelopment programs. by permitting such trusts to make a1l1111al distriblltions Among students and intellectuals, there seems to be to workers of dividellds receitled 011 their shares in a growing interest in the debilitating effects of large the t1'llst. concentrations of power and property, an attitude that now seems to transcend the limited group of Socialists Pension and Retirement Plans who have argued this point for years. RECOMMENDATION 8. It could be concluded that those who inwardly be­ Congress should amend the Illtemal Rez1e1llie Code to lieve in the importance of private property seem least increase worker eqttity t'altle ill pension alld retire­ aware of ownership as a public policy issue; while ment pla11S by progressing toward greater vesting those who feel excluded from property ownership, or and portability, by establishillg procedll1'es for using who are aggrieved by what they feel are abuses of pro­ t'ested equity for collateral pm'poses, by allowing a perty ownership, seem most concerned about the issue. worker to make tax dedllctiMe contriblltio11S to his This aggrieved group includes a strong element favor­ own pension account, and by making the benefits of ing collective control and ownership. If expanded own­ H.R. 10 retirement pla11S available to employees of ership is to become a pillar of national policy, an companies which have no eqttivalent plall. understanding of its importance to the future of the na­ tion must be regenerated among the American people. The Kelso Models RECOMMENDATION 9. RECOMMENDATION 5. The Secretary of the Treasury, ill cooperatioll with Adoption by the President of a llational policy of the COUllcil of Economic Advisers and the Federal Expanded Ownership will llatttrally promote a Reserve Board, shottld undertake or commission a sharply increased and enriched llational dialogue 011 major study of the economic implications of the this issue. In addition, journalists, editorial writers, "Second Income Plan" advanced by Louis O. Kelso, political theorists, economists, business and profes­ and a careful examination of the workings of por­ sional leaders, and their publications and institutions tio11S of such plan already put into operation. should offer contributions to developing national thought in this area. When this national dialogue has Estate and Gift Taxes reached a large number of informed citizens, the RECOMMENDATION 10. President should consider holding a White:Hollse Conference on Expallded Ownership. The forth­ Congress should enact legislation completely revis­ coming llational Bicentennial offers a tlsefttl frame­ ing the principle of estate alld gift taxation, by com­ work for stich a conference. bining the two present taxes on the transfer of wealth into one integrated tax based not on the size of the New Programs estate or gift, but on the sizes of the individtlal be­ • While it is difficult, even perilous, to recommend qllests and the net worth of the recipient. that new departures be adopted and enacted exactly as outlined, the following recommendations are stated Home Ownership for Lower Income Families without qualification. It is recognized, of course, that RECOMMENDATION 11. further study may reveal difficulties and improvements. The Tllmkey IV program for home ownership nott' 111lder detlelopment at the Department of Housing Capital Formation Plan alld Urban Development should be speedily im­ RECOMMENDATION 6. plemented, with adequate provision for assistance to Congress shottld enact legislation to implement a new homebtlyers; by the end of fiscal year 1974 at Capital Formation plan, principally through amelld­ least 15 percellt of public hot/sing tlnits coming lmder ments to the Internal Rez1enue Code, to encottrage COlltract shottld be through this program. the financing of corporate growth through new equity issues, and to make it attracthle for corporations to National Development Partnership sell tbese isstles to intermediary instittlti01lJ serz'ing RECOMMENDATION 12. as i1ll'estment pools for low alld middle income fam­ The President should i11Spire the formation of a Na­ ilies. tional Development Partnership to Imdertake the re­ Profit Sharing Trusts development of inner city areas in stich a way that the residents of those areas can enjoy a share of the RECOMMENDATION 7. profits from the redevelopment process and the even­ Congress shottld amend the Internal Revenue Code to IIlal ownership of the land in their own neighbor­ prollide more faz'orable treatment of profit sharing hoods: sinUlltaneotls with the beginning of this

August, 1972 13 organization process, the Department of Housing RECOMMENDATION 16. and U,.ban Development, in cooperation with OEO and its Oppo,.ttmity Ftmding Corporation, should The President should request legislation by Congress launch a pilot project in a major U.s. city, !Ising establishing a Commission on Expanded Ownership, p,.esent statutory authority and available appropria­ to be composed of not more than fifteen truly cre­ tions. In addition, Congress should amend section 3 atitle social and economic thinkers from varied back­ of the Housing and U,.ban Development Act of 1968 grOlmds. These persons should be named for thei,. to direct the SeCl"etary to: inherent ability and interest in the area, and 110t fO,. political c01lSiderations or to afford recognition of " ... (3) Require, in consultation with the Director interest groups. The Commission should have extm­ of the Office of Economic Opportunity and other ap­ sive research staff and a budget under its own COl1- propriate officials, that to the greatest extent feasible trol, by Congressional appropriation. The tasks of the people of the area to be redeveloped or renewed the Commission should include a) a continuing as­ shall have the opportunity to acquire ownership of sessmmt of the role of private property ownership in the resulting properties and a share of the profit American society, and ways in which the historical stream reslilling from the new property t'ailies flmctio1lS of private property can be pe1jormed; created." b) . .sponsorship of research on the distribution of wealth, structtlre of the economy, behavioral studies, Home Ownership Equity Insurance economic implications of expanded ownership plans, and related questions; c) the formulation of new RECOMMENDATION 13. pla1lS and methods for expanding ownership oppor­ The Department of Hot/sing and Urban Det'elop- tlmittes, within the private property framework; 111ent shott/d, by the end of fiscal year 1972, transmit d) the sponsorship of activities, such as hearings and to Congress its recommendations for new legislation conferences, designed to promote the discussion of to instlre low and middle income home owners national goals in this area. In particular, the Com­ agai1lSt losing their home ownership equity through mission should sponsor a detailed field investigation death, disability, and involtmtary unemployment, as of ihe expanded ownership det'ices now in operation required by Congress in the Housing and Urban or proposed in other cOlmtries of the world. Developmmt Act of 1968, btlt never performed.

Community Corporation Act CONCLUSION RECOMMENDATION 14. The Founding Fathers of America based their con­ The President should ask Congress to enact the broad stitutional and political theories on the importance of system of support for community development cor­ widespread private property ownership. The Nation has porations, including Federal chartering, community changed drastically since the agrarian 18th Century, developmmt credit institutions, technical assistance but the underlying principle of private property owner­ and tax provisiotlS, contained in the draft Com­ ship continues to be central to the preservation of in­ IIZ/mity Corporation Act. dividual liberty, a free society, and republican self­ government. Additional Research and Development New circumstances demand new applications of RECOMMENDATION 15. proven principles. New ways must be found to broaden The appropriate agencies of the Federal gotJernment the ownership and control of genuine private property sholtld support research and developmmt in ad­ if a society based on that premise is to continue to exist. ditional program areas, such as: Cable Tele­ The failure to restore the Private Property State can t'iJiOl1, Land Banks, New Towns, Plant Rescue, De­ only lead, as present conditions go w1Corrected, to grad­ fense Conversion, Recreational Industries, and an ual political encroachment on property in the name of Equity Mutual Ftmd, with a dew toward adapting "the people," resulting eventually in a super Welfare ongoing programs to the principle of expanded own­ State, where all may be economically secure, but none ers~ip. will be economically, or socially, or politically, free. This unhappy termination of the American dream Presidential Commission on Expanded Ownership is not inevitable. But unless genuine private property I) Expanding ownership is a major policy theme ownership and control among the great majority of susceptible to many and varied forms of implementa­ the people can be restored and strengthened, further tion. How this implementation may affect the structure motion in that direction appears certain. Perhaps some of society, how it may produce changes in the underly­ substitute can be found for private property as a guaran­ ing assumptions about participation, self-government, tor of individual liberty and economic freedom. But individual motivation, leisure, price stability and a host until such a substitute is brought forward, an effective of other items, should be the subject of long and con­ national policy for restoring a widespread distribution tinuing study by a small, highly qualified, prestigious of genuine private property ownership remains a na­ commiSSion. tional priority of the first magnitude.

14 Ripon Fomm ------~

THE RIPON FORUM MAGAZINIE • Research and Analysis of Public Policy and Academics • Political Commenta,ry • Articles by Prominent Republicans "What FOR UM Subscribers DIDN'T Miss --- JANUARY Ripon Prize Essay: "An Agency for Power Plant Siting," by Barry Mitnick Guest Editorial: "Forging a Republican Majority," by Sen. Charles McC. Mathias "Why Nixon Needs Brooke," by Josiah Lee Auspitz FEBRUARY Ripon Prize Essay: "Crime Without Victims," by Peter Baugher "Humphrey's Rural Assistance Boondoggle," by Oscar Cooley MARCH ''The Embattled Multinationals," by James W. Vaupel Guest Editorial: "Protectionist Proposals - A Prescription for Defeat" by Sec­ retary of Commerce Peter G. Peterson Political Notes on Tennessee, West Virginia, New Jersey and Wisconsin APRIL "Busing and its Alternatives," Ripon Comments Guest Editorial: "No Way, Mr. President," by Sen. Lowell Weicker MAY ''Toward a GOP Governing Strategy," by Josiah Lee Auspitz "Republicans and Youth," by Linda Hannaway Ripon Poll on Nixon Administration's Performance ''The Dilemmas of Revenue Sharing," by Daniel J. Elazar JUNE "Crisis in FAP," by George Gilder "How to Save Welfare Reform," by Jodie Allen "Housing Allowances," by Samuel Sherer JULY 50-State Election Preview ... and coming in September a Ripon Society Analysis of the Nixon Administra­ tion record. The RIPON FORUM NEWSLETTER • Timely Articles on Important Political Developments

• Notes on "People in Politics" ~~~~.~ • Published on the 15th

Attgust, 1972 15 71-4 Productive Assistance: An Alternative - Robert A Roos; 1971 Ripon Public Policy Price, first place Ripon Society essay on Welfare. 8 pp. $0.25. 72-1 Busing and its Alternatives: A proposal for positive commnnlty action - The Ripon Society of Nashville; P'ublications 1972. 34 pp. $1.00.

Draft and MUltary: BOOKS 68-2 SMiC Boondoggle - a report on the Southwestern 66-1 From Disaster to Distinction: The Rebirth of the Military Industrial Complex; 1968. 3 pp. $0.25. RepubHcan Party - paperback; 127 pp. September, 68-3 Two Position Papers on the Draft - 1968. 12 pp. 1966. $1.00. $0.50. 68-1 Our Unfair and Obsolete Draft - by Bruce Chap­ 69-5 ABM Debate: Prelude to a Broader Questioning - man. 1968. $0.75. Alton Frye, Jeremy Stone; May 1969. 16 pp. $0.50. 69-1 The Lessons of Victory - An analysis of the 1968 69-6 The "Complex" Society - a four part study by elections. 400 pp. Paperback $1.95. Hardback $5.50. William D. Phelan, Jan., March, April, May 1969 issues. $3.00. 69-2 Southern RepubHcanism and the New South - John Topping, William Linder. John Lazarek; paper­ 70-5 Three Papers on the U.S. MUitary - Edward L. back; 129 pp. 1969. $2.00. King, from Sept., Oct., Nov. 1970 issues. $2.25. 71-1 Instead of Revolution - proposals for youth. Edited by Howard Reiter. 187 PP. Hardback $5.50. MIscellaneous: 64-3 Idea for the Ripon Society - June 1964.3 pp. $0.15. 68-4 Here's the Rest of Him - A Report on Ronald PAPERS Reagan, June 1968. 24 pp. $1.00. RepubHcanism: 69-7 A Report to the President On a Program for youth co-sponsored by Sen. Howard Baker; 1969. 44 pp. 64-1 A Call to Excellence in Leadership - 9 pp. Jan. $1.00. 1964, July 1967. $0.25. 71-5 Agnew: The Making of a Household Word - How­ 64-2 A Declaration of Conscience - A call for return to ard Baker, 1969. 44 pp. $1.00. basic Republican principles, 4 pp. July 1964. $0.25. 71-5 Agnew: The Making of a Household Word - How­ 70-1 For a Moderate Majority - Josiah Lee Auspitz, ard Reiter, March, 1971, 8 pp. $0.50. from the April 1970 Playboy; 8 pp. $0.25. 71-6 George Romney & Hud - Oct. 1971, 8 pp. reprint 70-2 GOP and the South - an 84-page state by state $0.25. analysis by Michael Lottman, combined July-August, 1970 issue, $2.00. 71-2 On Forg!}ng a Republican Majority - Remarks made Order Form by Sen. Charles Mathias on Dec. 4, 1971 at Ripon's 9th Anniversary Dinner; 3 pp. $0.15. number quantity price

Domestic Policy: 66-2 Government for Tomorrow - a proposal for Revenue Sharing, Nov. 1966. 18 PP. $0.75. 67-1 The Negative Income Tax - 6 pp. April 1967. $0.50. 67-.2 Rights of the Mentally Dl -- 6 pp. February, 1967. $.50. 68-2 Urban Papers - Six position papers on: urban fi­ $10.00 FORUM subscription nancing, neighborhood information centers, welfare, ($5.00 for students, military, Peace Corps jobs, education and housing; August 1968 issue, $1.00. and VISTA) Sub-total 69-3 An Open Letter to the President on Minority 3% Sales tax for Mass. residents only Enterprise - July 1969. 3 pp. $0.15. TOTAL

69-4 The U.S. Farm Problem: Steps to a Free Market­ Name ...... n ...... Dec. 1969. 8 pp. $0.50. Address ...... 70-3 Strategy for Solving the Housing Crisis - Ripon Society of Philadelphia 1970. 8 PP. $0.50. Zip code ...... Check enclosed payable to: 70-4 Institutional Innovation In Homebuilding Codes: o A Road to Reform - Charles Field, April 1970. 6 The Ripon Society pp. $0.50. 14a Eliot Street Cambridge, Massachusetts 02188 71-3 Why Decentralize - A guide for the urban Jeffer­ sonian by Pat Lines; 8 pp., Jan. 1971. 8 pp. $0.50. (This order form is enclosed for your convenience. If you do not wish to mutilate your FORUM, a 72-3 Politics '72 - Special FORUM supplement on elec­ letter will do as well. Just include number, quantity tion races from President to state legislatures in all and price in a decipherable form). 50 states. July, 1972, 24 pp. $1.00.

16 Ripon Fomm Democratic Convention Monitoring the TV Media by Tanya Melich

Television anchormen and floor ence was concerned) the candidate's and often irrelevent. He seemed al­ reporters failed to cover the Demo­ floor managers. The worst oversight ways to be looking for information cratic National Convention, one of was their failure to spot immedi­ about a plot from those who wer<~ the most interesting in television ately that Frank King, head of the "names" rather than using hi~ history, in a manner that would en­ Ohio delegation and one of the ma­ "third-degree" talent on those who hance the public's understanding of jor Humphrey supporters, was pur­ were the convention activists. the nominating process. Their fail­ posely stalling for time. Then there were the shy report­ ures are a public disservice. They The CBS performance equalled ers who upon interviewing floor have a responsibility to do better. NBC's. Walter Cronkite (CBS) managers and the active politicians They did not report exactly or also joked about the confusion in did not know how to probe and lucidly on how the nomination was the McGovern ranks. He failed to follow through when they were lied won. Their coverage, with the ex­ recognize the truth until after the to. For example, Frank Reynolds ception of Tom Pettit (NBC), Dan completion of the roll-call, when ( ABC) seemed unable to articulate Rather (CBS), Roger Mudd (CBS) a McGovern staff member told him why Frank King of Ohio kept say­ and Howard K. Smith (ABC), in­ that the whole ploy had been part ing he just could not get his dele­ dicated little understanding of how of the strategy. Cronkite even then gation together when the delega­ the convention works, how it re­ gave the impression he was not tion kept passing on roll calls. Tom lates to the political process as a sure he believed it. His floor re­ Pettit (NBC) had the same prob­ whole, and of the real meaning of porters did not pick up the devel­ lem when he did not pursue Pierre the ritual of speeches and floor opment until Cronkite tipped them Salinger's obvious lie that he did maneuverings. off. ABC News ignored the story. not know what had happened on the South Carolina vote. A prototype of what was wrong Later, when it was no longer timely, came in the fight to seat the South Howard K. Smith explained what In fairness to the floor reporters, Carolina delegation, the first major had happened, although his pre­ they may have found out what had contest between the McGovern and sentation gave the viewer the feeling happened, and then not appeared anti-McGovern groups. The action that he, too, was not sure it was on the air because the booth pro­ would originate on the floor and all the McGovern strategy. ducers are responsible equally with the reporters had to do was be alert the anchormen for the lack of The problem was that no one news analysis. when it occurred. They were not seemed to have followed or to un­ There was too much trivia, often alert when half-way through the first derstand the importance of the justified as "human interest" stories. roll call, strong McGovern delega­ parliamentary maneuverings. Their The networks have claimed that tions began switching their "yes" to ignorance is difficult to understand convention business was dull and "no" votes and the McGovern strat­ since the strategy had been anal­ viewers would not watch it without egy unfolded. yzed in great detail in the N eUl such diversions. John Chancellor (NBC) spent York Times a few days previously. When a viewer takes the trou­ this crucial period discussing what Instead of systematically analyzing the floor, the floor reporters and ble to watch the convention for might happen later in the evening more than a brief time, however, and commenting that the McGovern anchormen seemed to be aimlessly interviewing and talking about any it is because he is interested in it~ people must have sent wrong sig­ He wants to hear the roll calls, the nals to their supporters. The NBC subject that came to their attention. The anchormen who should have speeches and the parliamentary in­ floor reporters were no better. terchanges, all of these indicators They were conducting interviews acted as guides and arbiters for the floor reporters gave no direction with "stars" about what might hap­ Tanya Melich is a former coordina­ pen later in the evening. None were and very little perspective. tor of the ABC-News election re­ interviewing, or even pursuing (at Mike Wallace's (CBS) inter­ search unit. least as far as the television audi- views were particularly offensive,

A,l-gust, 1972 17 of the tone and direction of opinion to be able to understand Gloria ground rules for reporting the con­ within the convention, and, in the Steinem's explanatioo of the wo­ vention. case of the speeches, of the parti­ men's vote on the South Carolina The nature of the convention cular viewpoint of the speaker. He seating issue. Instead of probing makes it impossible for the anchor­ does not need to be entertained by so they could elicit a clearer answer, man to present this framework only cute stories, such as CBS's report­ both jokingly passed over the mat­ once to the audience and expect all ing of the convention's medical fa­ ter as one more quirk of the "weaker viewers to see it. Rather it must be cilities during the middle of the sex." ABC again just ignored the continuously repeated in varying nominating speeches on Wednesday story. contexts by both anchormen and reporters. night. Reporting on the youth and black 2 - The problem of bias in journ­ All three networks ignored most delegations was not much better. alism is as old as the profession of the nominating speeches or pre­ Blacks, outside the well-known, and will always be with us; how­ sented only parts of them. Those were ignored. The young were not, ever, a greater understanding of speaking for Shirley Chisholm and although most of the network's dia­ both sides' positions and an under­ Henry Jackson received almost no logue centered around descriptions standing by the reporters of their coverage. of how they looked or how "they now wanted to work within the own biases could make for more One of the most annoying prac­ system." The patronization, partic­ objective reporting. The anchorman tices was the one of interruption - can aid this process - one network ularly by John Chancellor and Wal­ by the anchormen, the reporters, anchorman already does this - by ter Cronkite, of the young dele­ the booth. Walter Cronkite was the questioning the reporters on the air gates was as embarrassing in its worst offender. Time after time he when their comments become too varieties as they had been toward interrupted roll calls and speeches biased. Good background research the women. As with the women, to add some lloll-sequitltr or to an­ can help here, for often biased re­ the networks did minimal analysis alyze something he had seen. His porting is caused by a failure of of the impact of the youth and constant talking was particularly an­ the reporters to understand the posi­ black caucuses upon the conven­ noying during the parliamentary tions of the other side or sides. tion's decisions. They were biased maneuverings after the South Caro­ in favor of the young and ignored 3 - Better substance comes from bet­ lina vote and during the vote to the- older delegates- and most of the ter research and from reporters determine the seating of the Illinois anti-McGovern staffs. While report~ taking the time to assimilate this delegation. It was impossible to ing of the candidates themselves research to enhance their own in­ ascertain what the votes from indi­ seemed fair, it was biased for Mc­ vestigations. vidual states were on many of these Govern's staff, making it difficult 4 - To improve the reporting of the roll calls. to learn much about the actions formal convention business, there One of the major secondary of the main figures leading the anti­ should be little or no interrupting stories of the convention was the McGovern movement. of roll-calls, there should be a clear impact of the women's movement. explanation of what the roll-call Yet the women were rarely taken Recommendations means, there should be announce­ seriously. David Brinkley (NBC) Several improvements could be ments of totals of all roll-calls and and John Chancellor (NBC) con­ made in TV coverage: an analyses of the inter-relationship stantly made reference to "those wo­ 1 - The anchormen could conscious­ of these roll-calls to the general men on the floor" without explain­ ly set an intelligent tone and theor­ picture. Reporters and anchormen ing what those women were doing. etical framework for the coverage should become familiar with parli­ Despite the South Carolina vote, by providing an explanation of the amentary procedure. the Chisholm candidacy, the abor­ stakes at hand-dealing not only The sophistication of the Amer­ tion issue and the "Sissy" Farent­ with the selection of the nominee ican public has increased through hold (defeated Democratic guber­ and with the issues he represents, its understanding the convention natorial aspirant from Texas) candi­ but also with what coalition he is system, and the networks have less dacy, no anchorman analyzed how trying to join or construct and how reason for interrupting the actual the actions of the women's bloc his actions and statements relate to business of the convention to pro­ were affecting the convention. Wal­ the larger currents in American life. vide "color". Anchormen and the ter Cronkite and Mike Wallace This backgrounder by the anchor­ booth director should establish some were a true anti,feminist team. They men could be developed with the guidelines as to when speeches will made many patronizing remarks a­ reporters and the producers and a­ be aired and under what circum­ cout women but their most blatant greed upon prior to the conven­ stances they will be interrupted or slurs came when they claimed not tion's opening as the theoretical not shown at all.

18 Ripon Forttm What do I.F. Stone, Richard Rovere, Nicholas von Hoffman and Richard Nixon know that you don't know?

They know what's in The Washington Monthly. commented, but Time says it's "must reading at Richard Rovere says it's the White house," and that's good enough for us.) "the best thing of its kind in American life today." The more you know what's going on in Nicholas von Hoffman says Washington, the better chance you have. "it does its specialty­ And if you take advantage of the special offer federal government and below, you'll have an opportunity to catch politics-better than any up with Nixon, Stone, and von Hoffman. other magazine around." You'll get a free copy of Inside the System­ I. F. Stone says it's containing some of the best articles you've "outstanding... responsible missed-anil a seven-month subscription to ..... doesn't go in for half­ The Washington Monthly. A $10.50 total assed hysterics." (Richard Nixon hasn't actually value for only $5.00. .•...... •...... ••.•..••...... •......

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August, 1972 19 BookReview POLITICAL BROKERS Edited by Judith G. Smith Published by Liveright, $6.95 In June 1970, the National Journal printed an article on the Ripon Society which stated that Ripon proved "that an organization can make an impact in Wash­ ington without a large membership, a lot of money or even a prestigious roster of names on a letterhead." Later, the National Journal, the weekly publication of the Washington-based Center for Political Research, combined reports on ten such organizations into a book titled Politkal Brokers: People, Organizations, Money and Power. As the chart below indicates, Ripon is financially a poor cousin of many of the organizations which the National Journal investigated for the book. The organ­ izations run the spectrum of ideology, influence and membership. They are united solely on their hopes to influence both the votes of the electorate and the policy of the government. Political Brokers is not scintillating reading. It is a solid, balanced and econom­ ical analysis of the who, the how, the money, the supporters, the history and the goals of these ten political influence groups. It includes such features as background sketches of organization leaders, group ratings of legislators and report" on political contributions. Although the nature of the material and analysis lends itself to quick dating, the book does offer some insights into: the influence of the John Birch Society on Americans for Constitutional Action; the frustration of Americans for Democratic Action in searching for an active constituency in the 1970's, and the efforts of the Republican National Congressional Committee to finance the "broad range of Re­ Forget everything you've publicans" rather than only the conservative variety. As a who's who, what's what and how's how of American politics, Politkal learned about Republicans, Brokers deserves to be read. But more than that, it's a valuable reference for iden­ Democrats, Independents. tifying the players in America's political games. DICK BEHN ~ The target voter " " ',,' in. '72 is the The Ripon Society is the lowest budget organization inoluded in POLITICAL Ticket-SpIiHer­ BROKERS. Listed below are: the ten organizations (in the order they appear in the book); their expenditures for 1970 (the figure most easy to compare; data for 1971 and this book was not included) and comments. tells how to ORGANIZATION EXPENDITURES for 1970 and COMMENTS reach him! Americans for Democratic $341,000 Action, ADA THE TICKET-spunER: Americans for Constitutional $188,875 A New Force in American Politics Action, ACA by Walter DeVries American Medical Political $693,413 - "However, AMPAC officials say that and V. Lance Tarrance Action Committee, AMPAC for every dollar spent by AMPAC, an estimated Introduction by David S. Broder $4 is raised at the state and local levels." "Brilliantly destroys generations Committee on Political $637,340 - This is what COPE gave to state Education, COPE of AFL-CIO and local political action groups. However, there of conventional wisdom about how are references to $1 million in campaign con­ America votes. The Ticket-Splitter tributions and $1 million in national office opera­ has opened up new vistas in political tions. research techniques and election Business-Industry Political $539,157 strategies." -.lIm Perry, Action Committee, BIPAC Senior Ed., Fhe Na"ona' National Committee fer $832,619 - This is the amount raised by NCEC Obser"er an Effective Congress for candidates and may not be part of its own opera ting budget. "The Ticket Splitter performs the Invaluable service of directing our National Republican $3,200,000 - Of this budget, $439,700 was for Congressional Committee staff salaries. attention to an important segment of the voting population . .• It marshals The Ripon Society $115,670 impressive evidence against the Democratic National $1,617,592 - This figure is from the records of political scientists' standard Image Committee, DNC the Clerk of the House of Representatives. PO­ of the voter." -Howard 1. Reller, LITICAL BROKERS only lists the expenditures for the first 8 months of 1971, $1,124,343. The Ripon FORUM 128 pages. Paper, $2.45; Cloth, $4.95 Common Cause $2,800,000 - This is for the first year of opera­ tion: September 1970 to September 1971. WM. B. EERDMANS Special Ripon Book Club Price: $4.50. Available from Ripon Society, 14A Eliot PUBLISHING CO. St., Cambridge, Mass., 02138. Grand Rapid., Michigan

20 Ripon Forum Proposals for Party Reform:

To DO or Not to DO

by Daniel J Swillinger

The 1972 National Convention will provide Re­ delegate provision, the less populous states are grossly publicans with their best - and perhaps last - op­ overrepresented. As an example, eight states which con­ portunity to open up the party before it is overwhelmed tain 49 percent of the population and gave the Presi­ at the polls by the pro-Democratic votes of under-35, dent 52 percent of his popular vote in 1968 will have issue-oriented voters. only 37 percent of the delegates in Miami Beach. In dedicating the new Republican National Com­ After discussing the unconstitutional aspects of mittee building in January 1971, President Nixon the bonus system with lawyers, and with the assurance called on all Republicans to be the "party of the open of GOP National Chairman Bob Dole that the Repub­ door." It was the most public recognition the Presi­ lican National Committee (RNC) could not change dent has made that new voters were being lost to the the formula, Ripon filed suit on November 8, 1971. Democrats. The President recognized that the GOP On April 28, 1972, the District Court in Washington must open up its membership and cease being the party declared the bonus portion unconstitutional. (See de­ of the unblack, the unpoor, and particularly the un­ tailed story, page 28.) young. The convention must act on the allocation formula Republicans concerned with the party's future are since party rules prohibit any group except the conven­ going to Miami Beach committed to the idea that the tion from changing the formula. A fair formula will party must open up through the allocation, selection· shlft the balance of power in future conventions to and representation of Republican convention delegates. the large swing states, particularly California, New Since 1948 the Republican Party has used essent­ York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas and Illinois. A great­ ially the same formula for determining how many dele­ er number of delegates will generate greater interest gates each state receives. The formula, Rule 30 of the among Republican activists for campaign fundraising 1968 Convention Rules, grants each state four at-large work. The quality of the new allocation formula should delegates, two delegates for each Congressional Dis­ be a clear indication of whether Republicans realize the trict casting at least 12,500 votes for the GOP presi­ importance of the swing states, or whether they will dential or congressional candidate, and six bonus dele­ ignore reality and continue to give disproportionate gates to each state which carries for the Presidential Convention strength to the less populous states. candidate, or elects a governor, senator or a majority Daniel Swillin!?er is national political director of of the congressional delegation. J. the Ripon Society and has been active in party reform Partly because of the uniform number of at-large efforts. delegates, but more importantly because of the bonus

August, 1972 21 The process by which delegates to the convention al;1d three (7, 8 and 9) attempt to provide for more are selected, and their representation by age, sex and representative delegations. See box page 22, for the race on the delegations, received the full glare of pop­ text of the recommendations.) ular attention in both the Democratic pre-convention To date, there has been relatively little conflict and convention activities. Only since the Democratic over recommendations 2 through 6. With rare ex­ Convention has the most meager attention been ceptions, state party rules rather than statutes are af­ focused on the Republican reform committee - which fected, and few states would have to make substantial has been in operation just as long as its Democratic changes. counterpart and which issued its report fully a year Recommendations 7, 8 and 9 have generated the ago. The Delegates and Organizations (DO) Com­ most controversy, among state party leaders, RNC mem­ mittee of the Republican National Committee was bers, congressmen and senators. No.7 is the only re­ appointed by then National Chairman Rogers C. B. commendation which attempts to increase minority Morton as directed by Rule No. 29 adopted by the group representation. The main disagreements, how­ 1968 Convention. (See box, page 22, for Rule No. 29.) ever, come from Republicans who question whether Ably chaired by the national committeewoman the loss of convention committee seats is a sufficient from Missouri, Mrs. Rosemary Ginn, the committee's deterrent to non-compliance and whether it is fair to 16 members began work in early 1969, first on ques­ the small states. tions of procedure at the National Conventions, and At the 1968 Convention, where the rule called then on the broad and crucial questions of how to make for each delegation to have one man and one woman the delegate selection process more open, and how to on each of the four committees, three delegations had increase representation of the now underrepresented no women and 11 others, including New Jersey, had women, minority group members and young people. fewer than four women. Loss of committee seats doesn't On July 23, 1971 the DO Committee presented appear to have a significant impact. its report to the mid-year meeting of the RNC in Den­ At the 1972 Convention, 20 of the 54 delega­ ver. The report contained ten recommendations: two tions have fewer than 16 members, meaning that they {1 and 10) are exhortatory in nature, five (2, 3, 4, 5, could not have full representation on the convention's and 6) recommend changes in selection procedures; four committees even if they wanted to comply. In DO Committee Recommendations The Delegates and Organizations (DO) Committee at a convention held for the purpose of selecting dele­ was set up in accordance with Rule 29 of the 1968 Re­ gates to the Republican National Convention. If alternate publican National Convention: delegates to a convention are selected, the alternate "The Chairman of the Republican National Commit­ delegate shall vote in the absence of the delegate, and tee shall appoint a Committee of the Republican National no delegate shall cast more than a single vote and his Committee to review and study the Rules adopted by alterna te shall cast no more than a single vote in the the 1968 Republican National Convention and the rela­ absence of the delegate. tionship between the Republican National Committee, 6. It is recommended that there shall be no automatic Republican State Committees, and other Republican oro, delegates at any level of the delegate selection proced­ ganizations, and implementation of the provisions of ures who serve by virtues of Party position or elected Rule 32 which provides that participation in a Repub­ office. lican primary, caucus, any meeting or convention held 7. It is recommended that Rule 14(a) of the Rules a­ for the purpose of selecting Delegates for a County or dopted at the 1968 Republican Convention be amended State or National Convention shall in no way be a­ to read as follows: The Delegates from each State, elected bridged for reasons of race, religion, color or national shall select from the delegation their members of the origin, and said Committee shall report with recom­ Resolutions, Credentials, Rules and Order of Business mendations to the next Republican National Convention." and Permanent Organization Committees of the National The DO Committee made the following recommenda­ Convention, one man and one woman, one Delegate under tions: the age of 25, and one Delegate Who Is a member of a 1. It is recommended that in those States where dele­ minority ethnic group for a total of 4 members for each gates are elected through the convention system or a committee, and shall file notice of such selection with combination of convention and primary systems, the the Secretary of the National Committee; provided, how­ precinct, ward, township or' county meetings should be ever, that no Delegate may serve on more thl\1l one open meetings and all citizens who are qualified shall Committee of the National Convention. Alternates may be urged to participate. not serve as members of Convention Committees. 2. To increase participation by all Republicans in the 8. It is recommended that each State endeavor to delegate selection processes, it is recommended that those have equal representation of men and women in its dele­ States using the convention method consider a system gation to the Republican National Convention. whereby district conventions are held on a different com-. 9. It is recommended that each State include in its munity than where the State Convention is held. delegation to. the Republican National Convention dele, 3. It is recommended that alternate delegates, who are gates under 25 years of age in numerical equity to their an important and essential part of each State delegation, voting strength within the State. be elected in the same manner and under the same rules 10. It is recommended that the Republican National as delegates. Committee assist the States in their efforts to inform 4. It is recommended that no delegates or alternate all citizens how they may participate in delegate selec­ delegates shall be required' to pay an assessment as a tion procedures and it is further recommended that the condition of serving as a delegate or alternate delegate Republican National Committee in cooperation with the to the Republican National Convention. States shall prepare instructive material on delegate se­ 5. It is recommended that there shall be no proxies lection methods and make it available to all.

22 Ripon Forum ,..

addition, there is some sentiment for adding a seat ported Humphrey; they just didn't win enough con­ for senior citizens, which would mean five delegates vention and primary votes. from each delegation on each committee, raising the The minority who favor change must contend committee size to 250. It seems unlikely that Recom­ with the advocates of the status quo, who feel they mendation 7 will survive in its present form. don't need the support of the new voters to win Recommendations 8 and 9 are drawing criticism elections. If these advocates prevail, the party will because they attempt to ensure adequate representation have lost the opportunity, without the pressures of of women and young people. Some party leaders are nomination politics, to put itself in the best possible opposed on the grounds that the national party should structural and procedural condition for the inevitable not dictate the makeup of state delegations --­ nomination battle in 1976. \ except by very broad language. Others are opposed The fight for reform is not an ideological one. It because the recommendations set quotas. Other critics is not a fight for control of the party. It is a fight feel that Recommendation 8 does not go far enough by those deeply concerned about the future of the and that women should comprise 50 percent of the party to bring about the changes necessary for the delegates. GOP to compete for 50.1 percent of the votes in an Those who argue that no rules are needed point increasingly sophisticated, educated and independent to the fact that women will comprise about 30 percent electorate. of the GOP delegates, compared to 40 percent under the Democratic mandates. Some states did make con­ scientious efforts to encourage women to seek delegate slots. But in far too many states the percentage of Duly Noted women delegates is more a reflection of a directive Editor's Note: This begins a regular column de­ from the White House and the RNC to present a voted to notes on news books, recent articles and other good image than it is an indication that women are published material which we feel FORUM readers approaching parity with men in party affairs. may find interesting. We welcome suggestions from FORUM readers for inclusion in this column. In a contested selection process many of these Directory of Campaign Resource Materials: com­ women would have been blocked from participation, piled by Arthur Bushkin and Jack Sweeney. Distributed as in the past. Young people and minority group mem­ by the National Committee for an Effective Congress, bers might be represented even more disproportionately 201 Massachusetts Ave., N.E., Suite 114, Washington, at a contested convention. While women are up from D.C. 20002. June, 1972. No price information available. 17 percent in 1968 to 30 percent this year, young "A one-stop shopping guide to important and often overlooked resources available to Congressional candi­ people are up from 1 percent to 10 percent, blacks dates." from 2 percent to 4 percent, and Chicanos from less Reducing Crime and Assuring Justice: compiled by than 1 percent to 2 percent. But many are token dele­ the research and policy committee of the highly re­ gates to balance delegations and will be absent again spected Committee for Economic Development, 477 in 1976 when there are delegation hattles. Madison Ave., New York, New York, 10022. June, 1972. $1.50 The nonpartisan business group calls for legis­ Congressional Efforts lation against handgun ownership; higher funding levels Belatedly, but with great energy, several GOP for correctional programs; legalization of private, un­ senators and congressmen have become involved in organized gambling; and elimination of criminal penal­ ties for the use of marijuana. Like most CED publica­ drafting language for new rules, using the DO report tions, it's progressive in tone and content. as a takeoff point for more precise language, or for The Brooke Report: Sen. Edward Brooke's (R­ language covering areas not touched on by DO re­ Mass.) July newsletter to constituents is devoted almost commendations. They hope to reach a consensus and entirely to foreign policy, indicating that the Bay State present testimony to the Rules Committee. The con­ Senator may be moving to fill part of the gap in for­ eign leadership among Wednesday Group Republicans gressional interest has also caused party leaders to being vacated by Sen. John Shennan Cooper (R-Ky.) recognize the fact that many party members view the "Can the Democrats Win? No," by Kevin P. Phil­ delegate selection process as a key to the party's future. lips. World (Nonnan Cousins' new magazine). August Those delegates, party leaders, officeholders, 1, 1972. "The new Democratic elite is well to the left and activists who want the convention to take affirma­ of the Archie Bunkers of America, and therein lies the coming upheaval that should make the 1968 to 1972 tive action to open up the party now constitute a period one of America's watersheds - as well as a minority. They must contend with opponents who say time of resounding Presidential victories." that the McGovern nomination was a direct result of "The Coming Nixon Victory," by Clark Mac­ Democratic party reforms, even though it seems clear Gregor. Saturday Review (Nonnan Cousins' old mag­ that he was nominated because he was the only major azine). July 29, 1972. "There is the historical fact that a large portion of voters dissatisfied with their party's candidate to take the reforms seriously. There were nominee nevertheless returns to the fold on election many women and blacks and young people who sup- day."

August, 1972 23 Party Reform and Party Responsibility by Robert H Fimh

The much-remarked and much-analyzed malaise that the President the people choose should be able which afflicts this country today is more than just a to put the things he stands for to the test of enacting combination of adolescent Weltschmerz and media them into law. Ever since the 1968 campaign, Presi­ hype. It is based upon a very real and very widespread dent Nixon has labored mightily to make government frustration with the nature and structure of American more workable and accountable. In his 1971 State of political institutions. People want to make a differ­ the Union message, he laid it on the line to the Con­ ence; but they feel that government is indifferent. They gress: "Let's face it. Most Americans today are simply want to feel that their voice is heard; but they feel that fed up with government at all levels. They will not government isn't listening. They want to participate - and they should not - continue to tolerate the gap and they want to count; but they feel isolated and ig­ between promise and performance in government." nored. The President's three major proposals in the area It is on this kind of frustration that strategists of revenue sharing, welfare reform, and government are basing Sen. George McGovern's campaign. And reorganization, have been precisely aimed at getting it is this kind of frustration which accounts for what­ power back to the people whence it comes and where ever popularity his campaign has achieved. it best belongs. But time after time during the I believe that despite the publicity the Democrats' past four years, a Democratic Congress, full of mem­ attempts to deal with this have achieved, we Repub­ bers who purport to be concerned with these same prob­ licans have, in fact, set about addressing it in a far lems, has been forced into the partisan position of more meaningful and practical way. thwarting this administration's proposals. As critical What we seek in America are responsible, respon­ an observer as James Reston remarked, in the Neu' sive, and accountable political parties which reflect and York Times: represent the attitudes and feelings of their members. For more than a year now, (President Nix­ National politics during the last two decades have, on) has sent to Capitol Hill one innovative however, moved in a very different and virtually op­ policy after another; on welfare reform, rev­ site direction. enue-sharing reform, government reform, Since the first Eisenhower Administration, the postal reform, manpower reform, social se­ trend has been to saddle the President with a hostile curity reform, reform of the grants-in-aid Congress and the result has been what David Broder program, and many others. It is not neces­ has dubbed "government by fits and starts." In his sary to agree with his ?roposals in order to seminal book, The Party's Over, Broder points out that concede that taken together they add up a in only four of the 26 elections from 1900 until 1952, serious and impressive effort to transform did the party opposing the President hold a majority the domestic laws of the nation ... and that of either house of Congress. But in five of the ten they deserve a more serious and coherent re­ elections since 1952, the voters have sent opposition sponse than they have got so far from the majorities to both houses of Congress. In fact, Pres­ Democratic Party and the Democratic ma­ ident Nixon was the first President since Zachary Tay­ jority in the Federal Congress. What the lor actually to begin his first term with both the Sen­ Democrats are doing now is merely sniping ate and the House of Representatives controlled by the at the President's programs, and often say­ opposition party. ing some damn silly things in the process. This situation has inevitably led to stalemate and Democratic Reform frustration. The White House hits its head against the After the 1968 Convention, both the Democrats .brick wall of Congress, and the Congress is placed in and the Republicans recognized the necessity to take the unhappy and unwholesome position of voting down into account the demographic and social changes which many of the same proposals which persuaded the voters had been taking place in America during the preced­ ing decade and both anticipated that the composition to send the President to the White House. If it is going to work, our American system needs of their 1972 presidential conventions would be ad­ two responsible national political parties, with leaders justed to reflect those changes. In fact, the basic theme of this adjustment was the recognition of the need for ~ho are accountable to the party and the nation. . Elections should be fought and the issues should newly responsible political parties. be defined so that at least for the first two years of The Democrats appointed the McGovern-Fraser President's term, he has a Congress of his own party. Robert H. Finch is COimselior to the President and Whether this is looked on as giving him the power to formerly was Secretary of Health, Education and Wel­ exercise' his electoral mandate or giving him enough fare and Lieutenant GOt1ernor of California .. rope 'to hang himself, the logic of democracy demands 24 Ripon Forttm t_-______,.,

Commission which met for more than a year before tional massive nonparticipation in party processes, the handing down a guideline for delegate-selection: that authors of the party's reforms paved the way for "affirmative steps to encourage the participation" of its domination by dedicated, organized, and highly blacks, Chicanos, women and young people be taken motivated political minorities. They have simultaneous­ and that delegations to the 1972 conventions be urged ly devastated the influence of the parties' leadership to reflect these minorities in "reasonable relationship and elected officials." to their presence in the population." Nor is other testimony lacking. Haynes Johnson, In theory, the McGovern-Fraser reforms talked reported the results of a special survey of Democratic about "urging" rather than "requiring" and of "rea­ delegates at Miami in the Washington Post, and con­ sonable relationships" rather than "numerical quotas." cluded that "whatever else is new in America politics In fact, however, the very reforms which were meant this year, the old ingredients of money and education to create a more unified and responsible party, were and class still dominated the process." And Tom Wick­ manipulated and exploited by one highly successful er admitted, albeit with tentative approval, that "it is electoral strategy. Instead of making the Democratic essentially true that blacks, women, and the young had Party more unified and responsive, the Mc-Govern­ preferred positions at Miami Beach." Fraser reforms turned it into divided, disciplined tool Republican Reform of a particular candidacy. Senator McGovern and his The Republican Party's Delegates and Organiza­ staff seemed to be the only people who fully under­ tions Committee, which was also set up after the 1968 stood these reforms and took them seriously, so it is convention and aimed at increasing participation in not just coincidental that the winning candidacy was the primary, caucus, delegate, and convention process his own. has proposed some procedural guidelines for our par­ The unseemly disputes at Miami and the bitter ty. Quantitatively, some of them even go beyond the disruption still being played out in the Democratic McGovern-Fraser "reforms." Quantitatively, however, Party across the country have been caused by this sud­ they have good sense to eschew the inherently anti­ den ascendance of new groups whose interests and in­ Democratic quotas which delivered the Democratic clinations are quite different from the present and Party over to the skillful and disciplined manipulation traditional structure of the national Democratic Party. of McGovern strategists. In the strongest and most unmistakable language, The national Democratic organization is still based the DO Committee has recommended selecting alter­ and run by, as it has been for the past four decades, nates in the same manner as delegates, forbidding the old FDR coalition of big labor, farmers, academic proxy voting, removing fees and assessments on del­ intellectuals and the big city party voting blocs. The egates to the national convention and abolishing auto­ new McGovern coalition is built upon liberal and rad­ matic delegates at any level of the delegate selection ical activists, the political and social science intellectual process. Further, the DO Committee recommended and academic establishment, and various militant mi­ that each state delegation include "equal representa­ nority grops. The important point is that this is tion of men and women" and "delegates under 25 in nothing more or less than a new electoral coalition, equity to their voting strength within the state." a new collection of voting blo::s, serving a very defina­ In other words, instead of the DO Committee ble and discernible set of interests. tail wagging the convention dog, DO has made its rec­ We should admire its discipline and learn from ommendations and the reasons for them clear beyond its success, but we should not be taken in by its claims a preadventure. Now it will be up to the delegates of being a whole "new politics" in America. Quite the "in convention assembled," to the planners of the cam­ contrary, for those of us who had hoped that the 197Z paign for the President's election and ultimately to the campaign might be waged upon a new sense of party party itself in the years between 1972 and 1974 and responsibility and accountability, there is both point and between 1974 and 1976, to show how deeply they un­ poignancy to Art Buchwald's recent column about the derstand and appreciate these changes and reforms and new mythical organization which is being set up call­ how determined they are to make the Republican Par­ ed "Democrats for McGovern." ty a responsible, responsive and accountable vehicle for Obsession with mechanics or numerics of delegate effecting them. selection ends up putting the procedural cart before Education and affluence have made Americans the structural horse. I would submit that it is the break­ aware of the rights they possess or interested in ac­ down of the theory and practice of party responsibility quiring the rights which belong to them. New voices, and accountability that has led to the unprecedented many still anguished, all of them concerned, are speak­ and unsettling scale of disenchantment with and drop­ ing up, and are demanding to be heard. Politically, ping-out of politics that we have been discussing. they may seem naive and impractical, strident and self­ A former member of President Johnson's staff righteous, but they are there. They are Americans. And described how actual application of the McGovern re­ now they are voting. Any national party which does forms has exploited rather than remedied this situa­ not take them into account will be failing in its rep­ tion: "utilizing the gap between the theory of full pop­ resentative function. Any national party which does not ular participa.tion in proliferating primaries and open­ seek to deserve and enlist their interests and support precinct caucuses, and the reality of the voters' tradi- must ultimately wither and die. Attgust, 1972 25 Guest Editorial Reforming the National Committee by George Thyss

Why should the Republican party want to improve tween conventions and would be the major ve­ its party structure? The major weaknesses in the pres­ hicle for election management. ent Republican National Committee are: 2. Revise membership of RNC so that it comes 1. The make-up of the committee is based solely closer to a one man, one 1Jote body. Today the on geography and not on population or Repub­ smallest states and the largest states have three lican votes. representatives. If the RNC is to be given more 2. The responsibilities of the committee and mem­ power, the representation should be fairer to bers are not clear. the areas where there are more votes. One meth­ od might be to apportion the RNC on the basis With the advent of television and greater voter of one representative per five congressional dis­ independence, the party must be flexible, modern and tricts or fraction thereof. Under this arrange­ aggressive to be effective. Without some basic changes ment the smallest states would have one repre­ the Republican Party (like the Democrat Party as well) sentative and California and New York would risks its very existence. We might end up with mul­ have nine. The membership would be chosen tiple parties or with increased independent candidacies; by the states, one of whom must be the state individuals running with little responsibility to or help chairman. from a party. 3. Make the rules of the RNC more flexible. The My majoi' recommendation to hald a special con­ RNC is governed by rules adopted at the na­ I'ention in 1974. One of the major pieces of business tional convention. Presently, procedures can on­ of this convention would be to revise the rules for gov­ ly be changed every four years and this must erning the RNC. Other activities could include further be done by the convention. The convention modernizing convention procedure and a rally for the should establish basic guidelines for the RNC 1974 and 1976 elections. I'd hope that a resolution would and allow the committee to have its own by­ be offered and passed at the Miami Beach convention laws. at the end of thiS month instructing the Republican Na­ tional Chairman to call such a convention. 4. Elected officials should be on the National Com­ mittee. Included should be the top two gov­ The prime question to be determined is what ernors, senators and congressmen, by virtue of should be the goals of the National Committee? the positions they hold. - Should it be a loose federation of states? The relationship between the party and the - Should it be simply a communications vehicle? elected officials is one of the most important, - Should it be a method to communicate from na- but most difficult, problems in politics. This is tional to state organizations. Should it merely true at the local, state and national levels. The run the national convention and help elect a party must have a reciprocal relationship with president? major officeholders. If either group ignores the We must determine the central thrust so the struc­ other, both suffer. tural revisions may fall easily into place. If elected officials are on the RNC, they will To me, the test of a party is its ability to present be a part of, but not completely dominate, the a program, to help its candidates win and to implement decision-making. its program. To do this the larty has two difficult 5. Within the RNC there should be an issue or tasks - both a clarifying an unifying role. There­ policy coordinating council that could speak for fore, I'd like to see the major RNC goals include: the party on issues. It would be a method to 1. Coordinate and implement the issue positions amend the platform between conventions. This and policies of the total party. council would include both elected officials and 2. Responsibility for election of all partisan posi­ party officials. The coordinating council could tions. also contain other key leaders such as past Pres­ To achieve these two major goals the committee idents or presidential candidates. must have, in addition to party representation, represen­ The relationship between the party and the tatives from the governors, mayors, Congress and state elected officials on the development and im­ legislatures. The committee must be structured in such plementation of issue positions is a touchy sub­ a way that its responsibility is defined and management ject. The healthiest and most productive solu­ is possible. tion is to have cooperation witliout domination The major recommendations for rules revisions by either group. It is a mistake for the party would be: through the convention or other means to 1. Define the role of the RNC, including its re­ adopt policies and demand the candidate run lationship with the President, the leadership of the Congress, Governors, and the state parties. Ge01'ge Thyss is a former Minnesota State Republican The party would have the responsibility of for­ Chairman. mulating and implementing issue positions be-

26 Ripon Forum his campaign on these positions. ident should name the chairman, the RNC rules Positions must be devefoped jointly. should so state. 6. Clarify the responsibilty of the members. The 3. The assistant chairman should not be appointed state chairman, shall be recognized as the per­ by the chairman. Either the President should son responsible for carrying out the political appoint or the RNC should elect. The role of objectives within that state. The positions of the assistant chairman should not be to be in National Committeeman (NCM) and National charge of "women-type events" as the present Committeewoman (NCW) should be abolished tradition dictates. The assistant chairman should unless the state wishes to continue the position. be a true assistant and should carry commen­ Presently the national committee members tend surate responsibilities. to be considerably more affiuent than most Re­ The above thoughts may not be the correct answers publican workers and other leaders because in or the only changes needed, but they are worth dis­ many states it is a financial sacrifice to serve cussion and consideration. I'm more convinced that on the RNC. The members also tend to be con­ there is need for change more than I am that these spe­ siderably older than average. cific ideas should be adopted. The present system lias The RNC executive committee should be elect­ many problems including the vagueness of its goals ed by the RNC and may include individuals and objectives, its unrepresentative and unmanageable who are not members of the RNC. If elected, nature, its inflexibility and impotence. These weaknes­ they would become members of the committee. ses must be faced and should be remedied. The executive committee could include elected The Republican Party is still a minority party and officials, as long as there are more non-office so needs every possible assistance to assure election vic­ holders on the executive committee. tories. We believe these weaknesses must be addressed or the GOP hopes for a majority status are measura­ 7. The National Committee should have the pow­ bly lessened. er of budget approval, not the Finance Commit­ These recommendations are not based on the tee. Under the present system the fund raisers success or failare of the 1972 presidential election. Win review the budget. This should be a function of or lose, the party should have a more effective vehicle. the political leaders. What should be done now? These major changes would mean the party would Two things. 1) Be sure that the 1972 National have a clear focus on its objectives, responsibilitY would Convention empowers and requests the RNC to call a be clear but BeXlDle, and the RNC would have the cap­ special conventlon in 1974 and 2) start discussions on acity to be a central force on the major issues. the role, weaknesses, and possible changes in the Re­ With such changes the party would start to make publican National Committee. important decisions. It is also possible that issue formulation might be more a part of the committee's work. The President's State of the Union Message in 1970 spelled out a specific, progressive program which 14a ELIOT STREET hasn't up to now made much progress in Congress. It • New York Ripon member Richard Kahn has been is possible that the RNC, if structured with muscle, appointed research director for four Republican congres­ could and should have become a force to adopt and im­ sional candidates in the New York City area. Rahn will head the combined research effort of Congressman Peter plement the program. Peyser and congressional aspi.:rants Jane PlckellM Langley Several other changes that should be considered (running against Congressman Edward Koch), Joseph include: Vergarl (against Congressman Ogden Reid) and Joseph H. Boyd (against Otis G. PIke). Another Ripon member, 1. The state-selected members of the RNC should Werner Kuhn, is also involved in Ms. Langley's cam­ automatically become members of the RNC at paign. Two Ripon members, Berna Gorenstein and Tanya the time they are elected. The recommended MeUch.are involved in Joyce Ahrens campaign for an East Side seat on the State Assembly. Nearby, Glenn timing would be within six months after the Gerstell is managing WJllIam J. ])lamond's campaign for presidential election. another State Assembly seat from the East Side. Under the present arrangement the NCM and • DETROIT - ANN ARBOR: The Michigan chap~r NCW must be nominated by the states just heard Judge Peter B. Spivak, judge for the Common Pleas prior to the national convention and then the Court of Detroit, speak on President Nixon's foreign policy at a July 12 meeting. The chapter also sponsored convention must ratify the committee members. a fundraising reception July 25 for MIke Benner, a candi­ We recommend a change in timing and that date for the State House of Representatives. Renner is neither the convention, nor the RNC, should a young Ann Arbor attorney and Ripon member. have to ratify the election of the representatives • Texas Ripon member John Carlson is an alternate from the states. on the Texas Delegation to GOP National Convention. • Judy Lumb has joined the NGP as an at-large 2. The RNC chairman and the executive commit­ member from Atlanta, Ga. Attorney Thomas M. RusseU, tee should be elected at a specific time for a of the Chicago legal finn of Leibman, Williams, Bennett specific term. Baird, and Minow replaces Broce Fraser as an NGB re: The responsibility for the election of the chair­ presentative from the Chicago Chapter. Pittsburgh's new NGB representative is Bruce Guenther, the chapter's man should be clarified. At the present time research director. Guenther is a research assistant at the election of a chairman is the role of the the University of Pittsburgh and is active in local en­ RNC, and probably its major responsibility, vironmental groups and a recent unsuccessful candidate but when the President is a Republican it is for the GOP nomination for state repre£entative in the assumed that the President will name the chair­ 23rd district. • Ms. Karen Brewster, a member of the Detroit-Ann man. The RNC still goes through a ritual of Arbor Chapter, bas been appointed chai·IWoman of the pretending to name the chairman. If the Pres- Michigan Nixonettes.

August, 1972 27 Suit Ripon Society and Party Reform On April 28, 1972 the U.S. District Court for allocate a uniform number of bonus delegates to the District of Columbia declared unconstitutional qualifying states, with no relation to the state's the formula used to apportion National Convention electoral votes, Republican votes cast, or some delegates among the states. combination of those factors." The court pointed out The decision was the result of a suit brought that as a result of the bonus system, both Alaska by the Ripon Society and 10 individual plaintiffs and California received six additional delegates for against the National Republican Party and the Re­ being carried by Nixon - thus doubling Alaska's publican National Committee challenging the con­ delegation but only increasing California's by 6.7 stitutionality of a formula which over-represented the percent. less populous states at the expense of the more In its opinion, the court said, "The present populous states. bonus system rewards states which have in the past At the 1972 Convention, for example, eight consistently produced Republican victories by giving states which have 49 percent of the population and them greater influence in nominating candidates which cast 52 percent of Richard Nixon's popular and determining party policy at the National Con­ vote in 1968 will have only 37 percent of the dele­ vention. The present bonus system, however, does gates. Or, 37 states which cast only 34 percent of not provide a corresponding incentive to the larger Nixon's popular vote will have over 50 percent of states to produce consistent Republican victories, de­ the 1972 delegates. spite the proportionately greater number of elec­ After consultation with its counsel, Ripon's Na­ toral college votes and elective offices that such tional Executive Committee adopted a resolution on victories would bring within the Republican camp." October 15, 1971 authorizing filing the suit, pend­ The court went on to say that a bonus system ing talks with Republican leaders. After discussions based on the electoral college vote, or Republican with party and elected officials - including National votes, or some combination of these factors, "would Chairman Bob Dole, who assured Ripon that only have greater rationality both in terms of the de­ the Convention itself could change the rules - the cisions of the courts ... and the very policies which suit was commenced on November 8, 1971. defendants [the Republican Party] wish to promote The complaint particularly attacked the GOP by awarding bonus delegates." bonus delegate provision, which gives six bonus del­ As a result of the decision, the Convention will egates to any state which carries for the GOP candi­ have to develop a new formula. Ripon has proposed date for President, Governor, Senator or a majority to the Rules Committee of the RNC a series of of the Congressional seats, regardless of the popula­ formulas based on the principle that delegates should tion of the state or its demonstrated Republican be apportioned on the basis of population and Re­ voting strength. It is this provision which the Court publican voting strength in approximately equal pro­ struck down. The formula results in a situation portions. where each delegate from Illinois would represent Other formulas have been submitted by RNC 37,496 Republicans (defined on the basis of the 1968 members, state chairmen and the DO Committee Presidential vote) while each delegate from Alaska acting informally. Some proposals contain the slight­ would represent 3,133 Republicans, a discrepancy of est possible change in. the present formula - just 12-l. enough to seemingly make them fit the court's de­ In addition to seeking the unconstitutionality cision - while others chart new courses to take ruling, the original complaint also asked for an into account, for example, victories by Republican injunction to prevent the RNC from holding the Governors and Senators. 1972 Convention until the formula issue had been There is also strong sentiment, from large and resolved, since if the formula was declared unfair, small states, for a larger convention, both to assure the Convention would be operating with an uncon­ that any new formula will not cause a reduction in stitutional apportionment. the absolute number of delegates for the smaller However, in early December, immediately be­ states, and to make it easier for all states to open up fore the RNC meeting which was to issue the official their delegations to more women, youth and mi­ Call of the Convention, the plaintiffs and defendants nority group members. agreed that, in return for Ripon agreeing to withdraw Virtually any plan emerging from the RNC Rules its request for an injunction affecting the 1972 Con­ Committee and the Convention Rules Committee vention, the RNC would expedite the proceedings to deliberations which takes into account population and assure a decision well before the Convention. Oral GOP voting strength will be a substantially fairer argument was held on March 9, 1972 before Federal formula. If the plan balances population and voting Judge William B. Jones in Washington, with Judge strength, and builds in a strong incentive by granting Jones issuing his opinion some seven weeks later. additional delegates for votes cast, the apportionment The court struck down the bonus delegate pro­ will not only realistically reflect Republican strengths, vision as violative of the Equal Protection Clause of but will help in the quest for Republican victories by, the 14th Amendment, and enjoined the 1972 Con­ for the first time, providing real incentive for all vention from adopting a formula "which would state party organizations.

28 Ripon Forum