CONGRESS Commentary: Congress B Dick Behn

RIPON RIPON ANNUAL DI·NNER May 14, 1977

APRIL 15, 1977 VOL. XIII, No.8 50 cents

A SUNSET LAW FOR CONGRESS Commentary: Congress b Dick Behn

Sen. Howard Baker, Jr. recently pro Commenting on Congress' neurotic posed a return to a citizen-legislature pursuit of purity, the Washington Post's with part-time duties, part-time salar David Broder wrote: ies, and outside occupations. Baker Whenever things got tight in the made his proposal as part of a bid to House and Senate debates, there was add a "sunset" clause to the recently always someone waving a poll and argu nassed Senate Ethics code that severe ing that, whe,ther a particular prohi ly limited the amount of outside in bition made sense or not, the public come that may be earned by senators. demanded it. The ethics debate was Baker's proposal would have automatical the worst example of the abandonment ly terminated the ethics code in 1980. of good judgment to the appeasement His alternative "would enable members to of public opinion I've witnessed since to find out what their cbnstituency ---well, since the same moral fervor thinks and reimmerse themselves in the mixed with fear seized Congress after Ii mainstream of the country's life. ' Watergate and produced the campaign finance "reforms" of 1974. Baker's idea, however, contradicts the predominant trend in Congress which The answer to Congress' problems may is to strengthen and reward incumbents be not to limit outside income but to by narrowing their role as full-time limit congressional terms of office. ombudsmen-legislators. In essence, A limit of five two-years terms for Congress has set up a sort of legisla the House and two six-year terms for tive Civil Service which protects in the Senate may be the only way to cumbents---especially Democratic ones break up the congressional bureaucracy. ---from the indignity of being ousted The power of the incumbency--particular from office. The strict rules of pro ly for Democrats unaffected by the taint cedure, the heavy emoluments and per of Watergate---is so great that only one quisites of office, are intended to Democratic freshman was ousted in 1976. make members behave and thus give them Recent increases in office allotments, tenure. salaries and other privileges have in tensified the problem. The Senate's new ethics code has even given the senators what amounts Congress is more insidious than the to a Hatch Act in reverse by prohibit Civil Service because it concludes its ing them from engaging in non-politi own labor-management deals. It legis cal employment. Instead of relying lates effective job security. As poli on public disclosure and the elector tical scientist Morris P. Fiorina recent ate's good sense to control sena~orial ly wrote in the Washington Monthly, the activities, the Senate has subst1- "primary goal of the typical congressman tuted rules and limits. In so doing, is reelection." Notes Fiorina:" ••• there the Congress has treated itself some is a ~ind of natural selection process what like the kindergartener who is at work in the el~ctoral arena. On av promised a lollipop(pay raise) if he erage, those congressmen who are not won't play in the mud(make money). The primarily interested in reelection will duplicity and stupidity of the Cong not achieve reelection as often as those ress' actions is mind-boggling unless who are interested. ~ve, the people, one remembers the primary goal of con help to'weed out congressmen whose pri gressional ethics: get members reelec mary motivation is not reelection. We ted. admire politicians who courageously adopt the aloof role of the disdnteres~ ted statesman, but we vote for those pol iticians who follow our wishes and do us favors. " The immediate opposition to Baker's proposals for a citizen legislature cen tered on the complexity of problems faced by contemporary congressmen. To day's issues require constant attention. The truth~ as Fiorina points out, is that lawmaking on the momentous prob lems of the day consumes only a third of a congressman's time. The rest is devoted to pork-barreling and casework, both of which are considerably more im portant to a congressman's reelection than how he votes on the B-1 bomber. A congressman is elected to be a law maker but is expected to be an ombudsman. Congress succumbs to a sort of Parkin son's Law of Casework. The more office resources available for casework, the more casework is done, the more it is expected by constituents, the less con stituents rely on other bureaucratic ly more friends among the people of channels, the more Congress emphasizes their districts. Hence, more safe casework to meet constituent needs, the seats." more resources are ftevoted to casework, etc., etc. And the incumbents keep The same thing has happened to Con getting reelected. gress that.happened nearly a hundred years ago in the executive branch: a Given the massive federal bureaucracy, fluctuating spoils system has bee~ re the ombudsman role of Congress is a val placed by a stable spoils system. The uable function. It is also a self-perpe citizen bureaucrat has been replaced tuating, self-aggrandizing and highly by the civil servant and the citizen expensive one. Writing in the March 18 legislator by the legislative master. issue of New Times magazine, Robert The valid arguments ·for~bureaucratic Shrum notes that each representative a~d legislative professionalism have costs $1.5 million per year and running been carried to an extreme. Congress costs more than running Phila delphia. So despite public dissatisfaction with Congress, the Democratic majority Republicans in particular and insur has insulated itself from. that discon gents in general and anyone who believes tent. And the Republican Party is suf in democratizing Congress has a vested, fering from both the excesses of Rich interest in tempering congressional ten ard Nixon and the 'largesse of Congress. ure. The current system demands that incumbents worship at the campaign chapel. Republicans have an inherently frus Only with power can any good be done, trating job in Congress, particularly so getting power becomes more important in the House where they seldom have than doing good. Notes Fiorina: the numbers nor the committee staff The key to the rise of a semipermanent support to make a substantial impact. Washington establishment (and the fall Some of the brightest and most able-- of the non-safe congressional seat) is like Maryland's Gilbert Gude and Penn the following observation: the growth sylvania's Edward Biester---quit last of an activist federal government has year rather than become career con stimulated a change in the mix of con gressmen. Others---like California's gressional activities. Specifically, a Alphonzo Bell and Michigan's Marvin lesser proportion of congressional ef Esch---sought to move up to the Senate fort is now going into programmatic or out. They ended up out. activities and a greater proportion in to pork-barrel and casework activities. The redress of a congressional bal As a result, today's congressmen make ance between the two parties may well rela_tively fewer enemies and relative- require a sunset law for congressmen. Such limits are obviously in the GOP's than Congress because a pres~dent!al partisan interest but they are also in election depends less on constiuuent the national interest as well. The casework and porkbarrelling than does current congressional setup has the that of a congressman. Theinterests ironic,effect of increasing the advan of Republicans lie as much in a cit tages of incumbency while decreasing izen legislature as Carter's lay in a the respect in which Congress as an citizen Presidency. institution is held. Congress is being depoliticized in somewhat the same way The GOP has as much chance of oust critics of the Federal Bureau of Inves ing Democratic incumbents as they do tigation repeatedly demand that it be of firing civil'servants. The rules depoliticized. The net effect of de which Congress has enacted to govenn politicization is to make Congress less ethics and elections are egregiously responsive and more remote. egocentric. To broaden the Republi can base in Congress, the GOP may Jimmy Carter got himself elected have to demand that the base of all President as a sort of citizen-candi~ elected officials be broadened and date. The intended impact was to re their terms shortened. Congressional store public faith in the Presidency. self-importance will die very hard, Republicans will continue to have a far but Democratic euthanasia is a poli greater chance to elect a GOP President tical impossibility ••

colleague, Senator Edmund S. Muskie(D) Ripon: Updale and his votes against some of Muskie's' pet causes over the past year have ex acerbated the problem. The Maine con TENNESSEE Gov. Ray Blanton(D) has I I gressional delegation, although split said he will quit elective politics between two Democratic senators and when his term expires rather than chal lenge Sen. Howard Baker, Jr. (R). "I plan two Republican congressmen, has had a relatively uni~ied approach to the on going back into business. I would state's problems in recent years. Now not be a candidate for the U.S.Senate." The state GOP has chosen attorney Tom that Hathaway has been succeeded as del egation chairman by U.S.Rep. David Em Beasley, who directed the 1974 Lamar ery, Hathaway appears to have black Alexander and 1976 Ford campaigns, to be the next state chairman. Beasley fli~s,under his skin. Hathaway is in a b~t~ng mood because he can't deter succeeds Dortch Oldham. mine if Emery or U.S.Rep. William Cohen I CALIFORNIA I Assemblyman Ken Maddy (R~ ~ill oppose him. Hathaway has been sn~p~ng at Cohen---particularly on the has stepped up his gubernatorial maneu Indian claims controversy---but Emery vers in the wake of Attorney General has been the one getting mad. The 1st Evelle Younger's vote for confirmation C.D. congressman wrote Hathaway that of Rose Bird to the California Supreme "'f~ we are not able to separate our Court. Maddy, a moderate who backed responsibilities as elected officials Reagan last year, may be a candidate from our individual political aspira for the former GOP governor's blessing. tions, then we will probably fail to Younger postponed a major fundraiser meet the challenge that has been pre from March to June while a group called "Agricultural. Friends of Ken Maddy" is sented to us by these critical ques-: tions." Hathaway has been reluctant to strengthening his Central Valley base. a agree to a truce. Cohen has settled for a moratorium of another kind' he MAINE Sen William Hathaway's • , • I I I ~sn t d~scussing whether he'll run for upcoming reelection campaign appears to senator or governor. A decision may be making him nervous. Hathaway never come later this spring. has had affectionate ties to his senior

THE RIPON SOCIETY INC Is a Republlccm research m1d Ripon SocIety, unless they are ezplicitly 80 labelled. , :-' poUay orgcmlzatton whose SUBSCRIPTION RATES are $15 a year, $7.50 fo~ studenls, serv members are ycnmg bualnea, academic aDd j)rOlessional men and icemen, and for Peace Cbrps, Vista and other volunteers. Overseas WcmamL. b bas nGtkmal ~ers In DIstrict of Columbia. air mail, $6 extra. Advertising rates on request. Please allow ~ In fifteen cities, Natlolial Assoc:iate members throughout five weeks for address changes. the IifIy states, m1d several affDiated groups of suhc:hcnrter status. SocIety by The Is ~ed chapter dues, fncI1vidua1 c:ontrlbu Edfton. Dick Bahn tiam cmd revenues from lis, puh~ and contract work. THE RIPON FORUM is pu lshed semi-monthly by the Ripon Society, Inc., 800 18th St., N.W., Editorial Board: Washington, D.C. 20005. Second class postage rates paid at Robert D. Behn, Chairman Tanya Mellch Washington, D.C. anci other mailinq oWces. Contents are copy Clifford Brown Robert G. Stewart flghted © 1976 bY1fi8lupon 1:>OClety, iDC. <';orresponuence addressed Robert H. Donaldson Ralph Thayer to the echtor Is welcomed. (Ripon FORUM, Box 226, Charlestown, Mass. 02129.) . Contributing Edftors: CllHord Brown, Glenn Gerstell, W!lUCIDl A. ID pllhJ~ this magazine the Ripgn ~ seeks to provide Koelsch, Daniel J. Swillinger, Josiah Lee Auspitz, Richard W. fuxhn, a rm- far fdeae, well-researched pro and for a spfrit lohn A. Rehfuss, Thomas A. Sargent, Richard Cleveland, Mark of c:rIticfJa. hmovatIon,m1d Independent tIilnkIng within the lie Frazier, Peter Berg, Martln Sours,~and William K. Woods. pahIfam Party. .Articlea do not DecesearIly rep.resent the opinion of the NaIIoDid Govemfng Boani or the EditOrfal Boani Of the Teclmical EiUtor: Brian J. McCarthy Politics: South Dakota ABOUREZK'S LAST STAND

The dec~sion of Sen. James Abourezk Sen. George McGovern in 1974, is being (D) not to seek reelection has,heated urged to stay out of the race. Repub up South Dakota politics well in ad licans reason that Thorsness, is per vance of the 1978 elections. Abourezk, ceived as a one-issue(Vietnam) candi whose pro-Arab, pro-Indian stands have date. They also argue that Thorsness given him a maverick reputation, was had his chance. (He did a creditable already in reelection trouble before job as state chairman, returning the he announced his retirement after one state legislature to Republican con":' term. His 'announced intention to de trol and elected the state's first vote more attention to his family in female Republican public utilities greeted with some skepticism in his commissioner. He was succeeded in home state. It is suggested that when January by Arlene Ham, a former par the letters urging him to reconsider ty vice chairman from Rapid City.) stack up to two feet in his Senate of fice, Abourezk may do just that. Gov. Richard F. Kneip (D) is the Democratic Party's strongest candidate Had Abourezk stayed in the race, he for the Senate seat. His personal probably would have been trounced by life has attracted some public disfav U.S.Rep. Larry Pressler(R-lst). A poll or but such disfavor would be less of commissioned Pressler in January showed a factor in a Senate race than in a him defeating Abourezk, 81-19 percent, gubernatorial contest. The GOP's most in the 1st C.D. and 70-30 in the 2nd likely candidate to succeed Kneip is C.D. Pressler is given the lead for Attorney General William Janklow, who the Republican nomination, but should combines a strong law and order image Abourezk resign early---as has also (which pleases rightwingers) with a been rumored---Pressler might have dif deep personal sensitivity to human ficulty winning the nomination from the rights (which pleases moderates). Jank GOP state committee. low has not yet committed himself to the guber~atorial race. If Kneip car Pressler has created a moderate but ries his campaigning skills and poli maverick reputation---particularly tical IOUs down the Senate trail, then through his habit of criticizing fellow Lt. Gov. Harvey Wollman(D) would be Republicans. He has a phenomenal abil the Democratic frontrunner. Wollman ity to say the right thing at the right is an attractive, articulate official time. He was one of only three RepUbli who would be a difficult gubernatorial cans to unseat an incumbent Democrat in target for the GOP. 1974. In 1976, he won an incredible 81 percent of the vote. Behind Janklow, there is a long line of Republican gubernatorial aspirants: His popularity within the GOP is less House Speaker Lowell Hansen, a Sioux than overwhelming. He has not mended Falls bus.line owner; State Sen. Clint his fences---unless barbed wire has been Roberts, a rancher with a Marlboro Man used. His failure to endorse President appeal; LeRoy Hoffman, a wealthy former Ford left a few thorns in Republican opera singer turned farmer; House Major- sides---particularly since Ford narrowly ity Leader Walter'D. Miller; and State lost Pressler's district. Although he Rep. George Mickelson, son of a former is considered too liberal by many party governor. Roberts and Hoffman are very pros, if the party is looking for a win conservative while Mickelson and Hansen ner, Pressler is it. are younger and more moderate.

His closest rival for the nomination, A Pressler Senate run would leave the U.S.Rep. James Abdnor, was defeated by 1st C.D. open to a congressional campaign Abourezk in Pressler's poll. He was by State Treasurer David Volk, a moderate also far behind Pressler in a poll of who ran Ford's primary campaign in the Republican preferences for the nomina state last year. He could be opposed by tion. So far, Abdnor is interested in, Hansen or Ron Williamson, director of but not committed to a race. the South Dakota League of Municipali ties. Williamson could also be a candi Should former GOP State Chairman date in the 2nd C.D. where Rapid city Leo Thorsness enter ,the Senate con Mayor Art LaCroix(the only Indian mayor test, he and Abdnor would split the of a major state city) and Donald Ham, conservative vote and ensure Pressler's husband of the new state chairman, are victory. Thorsness, a former POW Who also possibilities .• ran a strong but losing race aqainst LETTING SOME SUN SHINE ·ON SUNSET Commentary: Degovernment by Robert D. Behn

Editor's Note: The following is ex~ ficial attitudes, and the adoption of cerpted from testimony by Dr. Behn Sunset can signal a reversal of the before the Subcommittee on Intergov assumption about program continuation ernmental Relations of the Senate and termination. But a Sunset Law can Committee on Governmental Affairs. not force such a change. All it can The subcommittee conducted hearings do is give any new attitude an oppor March 29 on proposed federal Sunset tunity to find expression through the le.gislation. legislative decision-making process. What must be changed is a pervasive Sunset Laws are specifically de attitude, not a system of procedures. signed to combat one of the reasons that public policies are difficult ·to After all, a large number of ~ro terminate---that they are designed for grams are already subject .to peri,odic permanence. Indeed, Sunset Laws are expiration of their authorizing legis a direct response to those features lation. Yet that does not mean they of the legislative oversight and bud are terminated. Thus, in addition to getary process that perpetuate govern subjecting all programs ·to periodic ment programs. termination, Sunset would also subject all programs to prior evaluation. Some of these features are quite formal, i.e., permanent and unlimited But the new evaluation process budget authorizations. Others are would be dominated by the same groups less formal but equally consequential, ---the agency that administers the i.e., the practice of incremental bud program, the legislative committees geting. Behind all these, however, is responsible for oversight of the pro a fundamental assumption: a government gram, and the program's constituency program'should continue to exist until ---that controlled the old authoriza it is demonstrated that it should be tion process and guaranteed continua terminated. The purpose of Sunset is tion. All these people may believe to reverse that assumption---to create in the fundamental principle that ev the attitude both inside government ery program should be terminated un and without that any program should less evaluation proves it worthy of terminate unless it is demonstrated continuation; but they will also be that it should be continued. lieve that their program is, without a doubt, very worthy. Thus, the basic question is: will a Sunset Law reverse this assumption? The comments of two agency ad I think not. An assumption is just ministrators in Maryland concerning that---an assumption. It is not sub a state Sunset Law illustrate a point. ject to manipulation by changing pro "I have no obj ection to being re cedures, for the same assumption can viewed," said one. "I object to be informally circumvent a variety of for ing categorized with those who should mal procedures. be candidates for hanging." The head of the barbers' board remarked:"The Executive agencies and legislative concept is good ••• But I'm opposed to committees can be required to evaluate having barbers in this particular periodically everyone of their pro bill. n grams---to prepare.a zero-based or sunset review. But what will they do The challenge of Sunset is not to when their assumptions---that their convince people that automatic and per program is obviously in the public in iodic termination and evaluation is terest---conflicts with the assumption good as a general principle, but that of Sunset's authors? If an evaluation it ought to be applied vigorously and is required, it will be submitted; but rigorously to the programs from which no law can ensure that the evaluation they most directly benefit. be meaningful. A sunset review can al ways conclude that the consequences of Whether or not Sunset is adopted, termination will be a national tragedy. policy termination will require a ter minator. No new procedures can dis The enactment of a new law often guise that a reauthorization vote is Jeflects a shift in both public and of- a vote on termination. It may be stated as a vote on whether or not to tion of other policies to ensure that continue the program, but the clien their own are not terminated. The tele---if no one else--~will make sure result could be that a program that that that everyone voting knows it is might be terminated if it were consid a vote on whether or not to terminate. ered alone could be continued if its If the program to be ended has any supporters were able to arrange coop reasonably organized clientele, there eration with the backers of same less will be a fight over termination. VUlnerable programs. Consequently, termination will Finally, Sunset would not desig still require a terminator. Someone nate outsiders to serve in thecriti will have to make the case for termin cal position of terminator. Indeed, ation---explaining publicly why some Sunset would entrust both the evalua people should be denied benefits that tion of each policy and the advocacy they believe are honestly earned-- of its termination to precisely those and mobilize the termination coalition. legislators who have been most close The terminator, whether successful or ly associated with the policy's past. not, will still make a significant Last year, John W. Gardner of Common number of dedicated and bitter ene Cause argued before this subcommittee mies. that nSubstantial committee reorgan ization, including adoption of a sys Thus, the second question is: will tem of rotation of committee members Sunset create any incentives for poli is a prerequisite to effective Sunset tical leaders to become policy termin oversight. n Yet, there appears to be ators? Again, I fear not. Unless the little support for this critical com enactment of Sunset reflects not only ponent of any Sunset. system. a vague public antipathy to govern mental inefficiency and ineffective This analysis of the Sunset laws nesss, but a clear understanding of is based primarily upon my own tenta the critical role'pf a policy termina tive judgments concerning the termin tor in eliminating inefficient and in ation process. These judgments may effective programs, any terminator will not provide accurate or even informa make many more dedicated enemies than tive descriptions of how public poli friends. Consequently, political lead cies are terminated---nor assist in ers will find it much more rewarding to devote their time and energies to creating new programs---and ensuring the continuation of those programs that most benefit their constituents-- than in termination. Sunset legislation relates direct ly to very few of the cqnditions that facilitate termination. The institu tion of a Sunset Law would do nothing to enlarge the 'constituency of any particular policy that was a candi date for termination. It would not focus public attention on the harm of any particular policy, nor would it stimulate the creation of appropri ate severance payments to mollify a policy's beneficiaries. Moreover, Sunset might actually abet compromise rather than preclude it, for by requiring a large number of policies to be reauthorized at the same time, Sunset creates an oppor tunity for logrolling. Lobbyists and legislators more concerned about the continuation of their favorite pro grams than in the termination of any others will be more than willing to trade their support for the continua- making intelligent decisions about how they can be. But to the extent Because of equity considerations, this subco~ttee has decided against that th7se judgments are r~y'ea:ling and valJ.c;1, they presage little im testing Sunset on any selected list of pact for a Sunset Law. The diffi spending programs. The beneficiaries of the targeted programs would natural c~lti7s as~ociated with policy ter ly believe that the committee had dis m1nat~on w111 not,b significantly allev1ated, the d1s1ncentives7 for criminated against them. Most of the political leaders to become termina states have enacted Sunset legislation, tors will not be eliminated and the however, have dqne so strictly for reg conditions that facilitate termina ulatory agencies. This might be a use tion will not be created. The enact ful approach for a federal experiment. ment.of a Sunset Law will not result in a significant increase in the There appears to be a vague con termination of government programs. sensus that (more than any other gov ernmental function) many federal reg~ If policy termination is so dif ulatory activities could be eliminated. ficult and rare, and if a Sunset Law Certainly, these are some of the most frequently criticized government .pro will do little to make it easier or grams. A federal Sunset Law for reg more frequent, what can be done about ulatory activities may not, for the . the durability of nublic orocrrams-- ~ct..c"LJ.CU.Li:l.c.Ly J.neII~C"L.LVt;!,- .Ll1~IIJ.cJ.ent:. reasons stated above, result in the duplicative and obsolete ones? Can ' termination of many federal agencies, anything be done to enhance the pros programs or policies. But if Sunset pects for termination? I think so-- cannot work here, it certainly will but I also think that the immediate have little impact on federal spend- benefits will be few. ing programs in general. . The first task has already been Finally, the most profitable undertaken by this subcommittee th~ng that political leaders who are through the hearings that it has held. concerned about the lack of program We know that government programs are termination can do is to terminate a rarely terminated; we need to under program. Every new effort increases stand why this is so and what pre our knowledge of the termination pro cess, and every successful effort ~is71¥ is required to terminate any 1nd1v1dual one. Texmination efforts demonstrates to others that similar can be more successful if would-be undertak!ngs may not be futile. terminators begin with a clearer un derstanding of what must be done to Policy termination is a political achieve success. process, and every termination---even if initiated under Sunset---will be Further, if it is understood how realized only after a major politi few ar the political dividends for un cal fight. It seems more useful, 7 therefore, to focus political re d7rtak1ng any termination effort, ter ~1nators ~ay be rewarded with a few ded- sources directly on the most diffi 1cated fr1ends. Any sig.nificant in cult task, the specific termination crease in program termination will have itself, rather than on altering tO,be preceded by an increased appreci general procedures that will do lit at10n of the difficulties of termination tle to ease the terminator's burden. and ~f the plight of the terminator. Public policies are rarely ter Second, although my best esti- minated more because of our politi mate is that Sunset will have little cal values and the informal arrange impact, the idea would probably be ments of our political system than because of the formal procedures for worth adopting as a limited experiment. governmental decision-making. This We know so little about the termination should not be surprising. Any public process, that the detailed analysis of policy objective is difficult to the consequences of a limited Sunset achieve precisely because policy out provision might be very revealing. The comes are often determined less by resul~s of such a conscious and explicit the procedural and structural insti exper1ment could help Congress decide tutions of government---which are whether to discard the idea or to make relatively easy to modify---than by Sunset permanent and universal---and complex public attitudes, the incen it could suggest how the concept should tives for political behavior, and the be revised or improved. iinformal processes of extra-governmen-: • The New Leadership Fund, a new fund tal decision making (none of which raising vehicle for progressive Repub are subject to central control). If lican candidates, was featured in an the termination of public pOlicies is April 1 article by the New York Times' to increase, it will be the result Warren Weaver. The fund was organized not of changes in governmental pro last year by the Ripon Society and cedures mandated by new laws, but of distributed small contributions to 37 fundamental changes in personal and candidates although a direct mail ap political behavior based on new know peal was not distributed to 25,000 ledge and new values •• persons until this spring. liThe time has come for the American people to apply the hard-learned lessons of gov Contributor Note: Dr. Robert D. Behn ernment corruption and bureaucratic is an qssociate professor of policy bungling. It is time for a people sciences at Duke University's Insti whose patience and income is being tue of Policy Sciences. Behn has overtaxed to speak out, to unite for written on the termination of the the forces of moderation and sanity in Massachusetts reform school system our politics and our government. While and the Department of the Interior's the too-conservative and too-radical dune-preservation program on North have been rallying to make their influ Carolina's outer bank. ence heard for the past decade, rela tively little has been said and done for the man and woman in the middle," New Leadership says in its fundraising Box 22&, Charlestown, Moss. appeal. The Ripon-sponsored group is governed by a six-member National • Nominations for officers of the Ripon Board. Its members include Jeanne Society can be sent to the Society's Cronin, Lee Huebner, Jared Kaplan, Washington office during April. The Frederic R. Kellogg, J. Eugene Marans, Society will hold the annual meeting of and Tanya Melich. The fund's advisory the National Governing Board in New bouncil includes Audrey Colom, Charles York on May 14-15. Sen. Howard Baker, Goodell, Jane Hardaway, Linwood Holton, Jr. will be the featured speaker at and Gerride~ Wheeler. Further informa the Society's dinner at the Princeton tion on the fund can be obtained by Club May 14. Back in Washington, Steve writing New Leadership Fund, 800 18th Livengood has joined Sandy Thompson in Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. staffing Ripon's office. Livengood is assistant to the president and Thompson • New Memphis Chapter president Linda is managing director. Livengood, a Miller was unsuccessful in a recent at former assistant to the city manager of tempt to win appointment to fill a vaca Marietta, represents the growing power cancy on the Memphis City Council. She of Georgia in Washington. was one of three top contenders for the position. Miller is administrative as • Among the recent activities of the sistant for the Tennessee Coordinating Chicago Chapter was a January 20 din Committee of the National Commission on ner meeting on "Reorganizing and Re the Observance of International Women's forming the State Board of Elections." Year. Other Ripon members on the Ten Speakers including Franklin J. Lunding, nessee committee are Happy Jones, Uran Jr., chairman of the State Board of ia Alissandratos, Mary Robinson, and I Elections; State Rep. William L. Kem- Jocelyn Wurzburg, who was named last I piners (R) of Joliet;: State Rep. Mich year to the National Commission. The ael ,1. Madigan (D) of Chicago; and chapter's officers this year include Charles R. Bernardini, chairman of the Bill Gibbons, vice president; Julia Election Reform Committee of the Chi Alissandratos, treasurer; Erma Seaton, cago Council of Lawyers. The Chapter secretary; and John Fisher, research sponsored a debate February 24 between director.. Tom Brock. Bill Robilio, two candidates for mayor of Evanston: and Gibbons are the chapter's NGB mem Aldermen Lola Flamm and Jay Lytle. bers. Another chapter member, Robert U.S.Rep. Tom Railsback was the guest L. Morris, was selected last year to of honor at a cocktail reception March be executive assistant to Memphis May 3. or Wyeth Chandler. FORUM published semi-monthly by the Ripon Society, 1609 Conn. Ave., N.W., Wash ington, D.C. 20009. Second class post age paid at Washington, D.C. and other mailing offices.