UF00083691_00117.pdf

UF00083691_00117.txt

UF00083691_00117_pdf.txt

L. 0;. FOUNTAUN m.

.Jm. Conrms of ti): munch 5mm $12312
house at Rut-mutants
lesblngtnn. 14:.

August 16. 1967

Honorable rerris Bryant
Director

Office of Emergency Planning
Washington. D. C.

Dear Governor Bryant:

The newspapers tell me that you intend to return to
Florida one of these days end that Governor Daniel will be
taking over as Director of the Office of Dmergency Planning.
I would like to pose some questions and ideas at this
juncture regarding the Advisory Commission on Intergovern-
mental Relations.

As you may know. my subcommittee in the House launched
the legislation creating the Commission back in 1958 and 1959
along with senator 3d Muskie end a sizeable number of Senators
from both sides of the aisle. It was our intention to provide
a bipartisan and neutral forum properly representative of the
various levels of government, in which problems could be
aired and recommendations presented.

In 1965 Senator Muskie and I convened joint hearings of
our two subcommittees to see how the Commission had worked
out in practice. By and large. the Commission was found to
have performed well. although some suggestions were made for
improvement with which you are familiar. One of the strongest
threads running through the testimony was the extent to which
the Commission enjoyed a reputation for objectivity and
impartiality. due to its not being dominated by any one level
of government but responsive to them all. In my opinion. a

Honorable Parris Bryant
Page 2
August l6. 1967

problem arises in maintaining this posture when the Chairman
is drawn from the Bxecutive Branch of the Pederal Government.
or perhaps even when the Chairman is drawn from other than
the public Member sector of the Commission.

Let me hasten to say that I think you are an outstanding
Chairman. You have given the Commission members able and
impartial leadership. It is a personal pleasure to me to
participate in your meetings and to join in debate on the
various questions. It is in no criticism whatever of you to
say that we have a problem out in the country -- especially
from those not in agreement politically with the President --
and Im not always philosophically in agreement either. Some
of these folks have been inclined to remark that the ACIR

"has been federaliaed. I hope we can eliminate any such
attitude.

On the other hand. there is no question that the Chairman
needs to have access on occasion to the President and must be
a person in whom the President has personal confidence.
Furthermore. the President needs to have his voice heard on
the Commission in connection with the issues. This is not
necessarily assured through the presence of Cabinet officers:
on the other hand. the head of the Office of Emergency
Planning. representing the Executive Office of the President.
can fill this role. But here. it occurs to me that the
chairmanship. when occupied by a representative of the
President's Office. may inhibit rather than strengthen the
argument and vote of the Executive Branch. necessitating
surrender of the Chair in order to present an argument as was
the case at the last meeting.

Let me conclude with a specific proposal that might serve
all of the interests here the President's and the
Commission's as well as yours and your successor at the OIP.

It is this: simultaneously with the changing of the guard at
the OBP. that you be appointed as a public member of the
Commission and continue as Chairman. This would let us keep
our Chairman. and if Governor Daniel remains on the Commission.
(as I hope). he could operate freely. forcibly and vocally.

Honorable Farris Bryant
Page 3
August 16. 1967

as one of the three Executive Branch members. It would solve
this question of 'neutrality" which you and I know is
symbolic rather than substantive, but sticky nevertheless.

Mr. Chairman. I submit these observations solely in
behalf of what I conceive to be the interests of the Commission
as a whole. Please accept along with them my very warm regards

and my personal appreciation for the tremendous job you have
been doing. both in your chairmanship and in your improvement
of relationships with the States -- a field neglected by
several successive administrations.

If you find yourself in sympathy with these views and know
of any way in which I can help effectuate your continuing as
a public member and as the Chairman, please let me know.

Sincerely.

. / t
A "\:/k(.y\

L. H. Fountain

W311)




PAGE 1

Wauuoo e f tie prleil ti eO Auust ifpr,tuia%7e ashingtn, D. .F Dar Goero F ry FFnFa F:

PAGE 2

August 16. 1967 fi Ih pd .XI 1, ~ i1 tl.td hl.ILZt: hl,..td ofr i per ap ev n h h i Ch irt a it drt n fot. t e Le Chha -e t .th t th t o r a usadn C.rOm 1 th .e y.. in .---dt p l t ca l i h h r si e t On te thr adt rei no ut -ta th hira

PAGE 3

Pae3 --gul 16, 1967 dy~~yq.. ... .....yy yy~ as l 11,ne 111 the th ........... ..r.c e b r .I t o l o v thisquetionof neutaliy" hichyouand knw i Yy.oi Y.ather t ynsusanipbt tck hy rhees Mr C a rmn I sbmt th se o se v ti n Y_ ly i beafo htIcneiet eteitrbt fteCmiso