THE RECORD

OCTOBER 14,1975

VOL.1, No.11

LYNDON B. JOHNSON SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

EDITOR Hoyt H. Purvis

SYMPOSIUM PARTICIPANTS DISCUSS STATE OF ARTS

"...Somehow, the scientists always seem to get the penthouse while the arts and humanities get the basement."

—President Lyndon B. Johnson September 29, 1965

Ten years after President Johnson signed legislation which established the National Foundation for the Arts, some of the nation's leading artists and supporters of the arts gathered at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library to reassess the state of the arts.

At the two-day symposium on The Arts: Years of Development, Time of Decision on September 29-30, most of the participants seemed to agree that during the past 10 years the arts have climbed out of the basement. (It should also be noted that many observers feel like scientists no longer get the penthouse. A prominent spokesman decried the level of federal support for scientific research in a talk here only a few days after the arts symposium.) (See Dr. Price Discusses. . . page 4.)

Beverly Sills, the internationally acclaimed soprano, set the tone for the gathering in her keynote address. She said, "The arts are flourishing in this country. There is no crisis in the arts. There is a money crisis."

"Why are we so loathe to change our priorities?" Sills asked. "Why are wars never underfinanced?"

Stating that the defense budget is in the range of $103 billion, she suggested that "we can afford at least $1 billion for the arts."

"We are powerful enough as a nation. We already have sufficient means for destruction of our civilization," Sills said.

"It would seem the creative need of people is at last greater than the destructive need," said Sills, who came to Austin following a performance with the Dallas Symphony.

Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson, in concluding the symposium, said "...The greatest satisfaction for me, as I know it would have been for him [President Johnson], is to see that the legislation signed 10 years ago represented—as he believed—a note deep in the hearts of all the people...and that the goals we set then have been broadened and strengthened through the Nixon and Ford Administrations...It seems to me that we have been seeing a continuing success story that cuts across politics, and—happily—is cutting across geographical boundaries."

Mrs. Johnson said she felt like the country has "been in the midst of a cultural revolution and that the Endowment is working as a sort of yeast in the whole."

Mrs. Johnson referred to having been "totally immersed" during the symposium and it was, indeed a period of total immersion for the large number of persons attending the event.

In between the keynote address by Beverly Sills and Mrs. Johnson's concluding remarks, the participants heard a speech by Hubert Humphrey and three panel discussions. Additionally, the panelists answered numerous questions from the audience.

The program was loaded with prominent figures. In fact, there were so many notable participants in the discussions that it was sometimes difficult for in-depth discussion. Representatives of the major performing and visual arts took part, although there were, for example, no representatives of folk art and culture.

The panel discussion on Art and Politics had to be shifted to the opening session because of the need for Senators Jacob Javits and Claiborne Pell, along with Senator Humphrey to return to Washington earlier than planned. This shift resulted in a shortened time for the discussion.

Both Pell and Javits are strong supporters of the arts and expressed the view that government funding is too low. Javits said, "Even in a period of economic retrenchment we ought to be giving $250 million—three times the present amount—to the arts.

Javits called for broadened public support of the arts at the box office. "Your job is to find a way to bring the public in. The museums are doing this well, but not theatre and music."

Javits said, "State governments are far more derelict than the Federal Government in supporting the arts."

That view was echoed by State Representative Mickey Leland of Houston who called Texas spending for the arts "deplorable" and said, "I wish the people of Texas would rise up and demand more spending for the arts. It gives blacks and Mexican-Americans an opportunity to participate."

Most of the panelists agreed that the spectre of government control of the arts is nonexistent at present. Actor Kirk Douglas, in a lively intervention, said, "We are nowhere near the danger point of government interference with such piddling amounts as have been received."

Douglas suggested, "Let's take off one level of overkill capability and give it to the arts."

Thomas Fichandler, executive director of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., said, "Legislators are far behind the people. People are voting for the arts by their attendance." He cited record crowds at his theatre and at concerts and museums.

Dean William B. Cannon of the LBJ School served as summarizer for the panel. He suggested that although there was not direct censorship, there were indications that "we are perhaps facing a more subtle form of censorship." He referred to comments about a growing arts bureaucracy, narrow decision-making base, and lack of democratization. He noted that there were a number of suggestions for getting more public support and some practical ways of doing that.

Cannon said, "Art and the government have made an accomodation of a good sort. It wasn't clear that it would be that way...We can be satisfied with the base which has been established."

Senator Humphrey, noting the meagre sum of arts funding in the first year ($2.5 million) said, "We have traveled a tremendous distance thus far. Such spending was once regarded by many as foolish and outrageous."

However, Humphrey said that it would be difficult to increase the present level of funding "even though it is totally insufficient."

Recalling the experience of the 1930s when artists "were put to work in their own disciplines" in the Federal Arts Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), Humphrey suggested that artists could be employed under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA).

The panel discussion on Art and the Participant featured comments by Robert Merrill, star baritone of the Metropolitan Opera, who said the way to create more interest in the arts was to take arts to the people. He said one of his "greatest thrills" was performing at free concerts in public parks.

Michael Straight, deputy chairman of the National Endowment, said the Endowment is "supporting the core of institutions which have continued the great art of the past...and at the same time recognizing the native American productions, the storefront communications productions, the art of the poor people and depressed cultures, which is struggling to come up..."

In opening the symposium, Harry Middleton, director of the LBJ Library, said President Johnson had wanted to make the Library "an active and creative center." Certainly that goal was achieved during the symposium.

FEA'S JOHN HILL TO SPEAK OCTOBER 27

John A. Hill, deputy administrator of the Federal Energy Administration, will speak at the Thompson Conference Center at 5 p.m. on Monday October 27 under the sponsorship of the LBJ School.

Hill, from Midland, Texas, will discuss the experience of the FEA in regulating the energy industries. He will review developments in the period since the international oil embargo and focus on the changing relationships between government and the energy industries.

Hill will also look to the future role of the government in the energy area and offer his views about needed changes.

Prior to accepting his position with the FEA, Hill served as associate director for natural resources of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and before that was deputy director for natural resources. Hill is head of the Administration's Natural Gas Task Force and has actively supported the deregulation of interstate natural gas prices. He has said deregulation is "essential if more gas is going to become available."

The FEA was established in May, 1974, to consolidate and reorganize energy-related functions of government. It replaced the Federal Energy Office (FEO), which had been created in December, 1973, by Executive Order.

"On the Record"

. I. B. Helburn, associate professor of management, and Albert Blum, professor of public affairs, will speak at a brown-bag luncheon in the Student Lounge on Tuesday October 14 at noon. Helburn and Blum will discuss Public Employee Unionism, focusing on the current situation in Austin.

. Dagmar Hamilton, assistant professor of government, will speak to the Austin League of Women Voters on Tuesday, October 14 on The Office of the Executive. Hamilton teaches in the Policy Process Sequence, which includes a section on the Executive. Her talk to the LWV is in connection with the League's current study project on the Executive.

. The Internship Committee will meet with members of the first-year class on Wednesday October 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Student Lounge. "This will be the first meeting of the year for discussion of summer internships and first-year students should plan to attend," Elizabeth Hall, director of student affairs, said. Dr. John Gronouski is chairman of the Internship Committee. Other faculty members are Professors Jurgen Schmandt, Albert Blum, and Lynn Anderson. Hall and Barry Lovelace of the Office of Research are ex-officio members. Cris Klauser and Rick Gentry are members from the second-year class.

. State Senator Lloyd Doggett of Austin will be the speaker at a special student-sponsored brown-bag luncheon in the Student Lounge at noon on Wednesday October 22. Doggett will speak on the proposed new Texas Constitution and other current items of interest in state affairs.

. On Tuesday October 28 at 12 noon there will be a brown-bag luncheon discussion of women's problems, featuring a panel of women from the LBJ School faculty, staff, and student body. The discussion will be in conjunction with a national women's strike scheduled for October 29 and sponsored by the National Organization of Women (NOW), according to Chris Klauser, spokesperson for a group from the LBJ School which is taking part. Details on the program will be included in the next issue of The Record.

. Daniel J. Reed, assistant archivist for Presidential Libraries of the National Archives and Records Service, was the speaker at a brown-bag luncheon in the Student Lounge on Tuesday September 30. Reed, who was here in conjunction with the Arts Symposium, discussed Presidential papers, the role of Presidential Libraries, and other topics.

. George D. Wingate, deputy personnel director, Office of the Governor, will meet with second-year students at noon on Wednesday October 15 in the Student Lounge. Mr. Wingate will discuss such subjects as how to apply for state employment; what kind of qualifications state agencies look for; and the best manner in which to approach state agencies. On Wednesday October 29 at noon, Joe Ondrey of the College of Business Administration will meet with second-year students in the Student Lounge. He will discuss resumes, interviewing, and job applications.

. Dr. Thomas Philpott, associate professor of history, is scheduled to be the speaker at a student-sponsored brown-bag luncheon on Tuesday October 21 at noon in the Student Lounge.

RICHTER DICUSSES LOBBYING

Walter H. Richter, director of government relations for the Association of Texas Electric Cooperatives, spoke at a student-sponsored brown-bag luncheon on October 7. Richter is a former State Senator and has also served as state and regional director of the Office of Economic Opportunity; director of the State Program on Drug Abuse; and as chairman of the Governor's Commission on Aging. He is serving as a district coordinator for the Campaign for the Texas Constitution.

Richter spoke of his varying roles in government and politics and described himself as "obsessed with the idea that the key to the business of improving society significantly lies in extensive involvement and effective participation of citizens in the political process."

He said, "not much is being done in educating people as to how to do this."

"One reason I am in lobbying is to increase my insight and awareness as to how lobbyists work," Richter said. "I would like to see this transferred to citizens' lobbying."

He said that although lobbyists are often pictured as "devious creatures and manipulators," this is hardly accurate.

HUNTER THOMPSON SPEAKS

Author-journalist Hunter Thompson will deliver the first lecture in the 1975-76 University of Texas Distinguished Speaker Series on Thursday October 23 at 8 p.m. in the LBJ Library.

Thompson, who is a proponent of a special brand of the "new journalism" which has been called "gonzo journalism", is the national affairs editor for Rolling Stone and author of Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72.

Thompson's speech is sponsored by the Ideas and Issues Committee of the Texas Union. The same series will feature playwright Edward Albee, broadcast journalist Dan Rather, and U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan later in the school year.

PURVIS IN DISCUSSION OF "AN INFORMED PUBLIC"

Hoyt Purvis, director of publications at the LBJ School, recently appeared on the University of Texas radio series, 200 Years, in a panel discussion on "Government and An Informed Public." The program was broadcast on KUT-FM October 10 and on 46 stations in Texas and 49 stations nationally.

Appearing with Purvis were Dr. William Stott, associate professor of American Studies and English, and David Anderson, professor of law.

The panelists discussed the relationship between American government and media.

Purvis who teaches an LBJ School topical seminar on "Government and the Media," said that although the level of official candor in this country is high in comparison with other nations, it is still lower than it should be. "The government is not nearly as accessible as it should be," he said. "A well-informed electorate is critical in a democracy, and the American public does not have all the information it should."

Purvis said that although government officials frequently proclaim support for "openness" in Government, the gap between theory and practice has been apparent from the beginning. He pointed out that at the Constitutional Convention, George Washington reprimanded a delegate for leaving a copy of the proceedings where the press might discover it.

The panelists agreed that some important steps have been taken in recent years to limit Government secrecy, including the "sunshine acts" and freedom of information laws.

Earlier Purvis appeared on a program on "The Role of the Media in Assessing History in the Making" as part of the same series.

Dean William B. Cannon will appear on a forthcoming 200 Years program.

PLANNING CONTINUES FOR CONFERENCE ON WOMEN

Plans are continuing for the conference on Women in Public Life, scheduled for November 10-11 and jointly sponsored by the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and the School of Public Affairs.

The conference is being organized in conjunction with the observance of International Women's Year, and, according to Liz Carpenter, conference coordinator, is "an event planned to inspire women to increased participation in public life at all levels."

Among those scheduled to take part in the conference are Governor Ella Grasso of Connecticut; Hanna Gray, provost of Yale University; U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan; and Elizabeth Reid, first assistant to the Prime Minister of Australia and a speaker at the International Women's Year conference in Mexico City earlier this year.

There will also be a panel discussion on "The Women's Movement Through the Media's Eyes," moderated by Bill and Judith Moyers.

Participants in the LBJ School Policy Research Project on Public Policy on the Status of Women are assisting in the planning of the Conference and will be taking an active part in the program.

DR. PRICE DISCUSSES R&D RELATIONSHIPS

The relationship between research and development and the relative position of the United States in the world of science were subjects of a talk by Dr. Derek Price, Avalon Professor for History of Science at Yale at the LBJ School on October 3.

Price said research in the U. S. is in a "perilous position" and that when research and development (R&D) are separated, "very little is left in the R." He said that only 1 per cent of federal spending is actually used to finance the scientific and technical community when it is separated from the "D".

"We need to disaggregate R&D," Price said, "so we'll know what we're really getting."

Price said, "We should avoid getting hooked on the 'cancer research syndrome'. It is quite clear that simply by large-scale financing of a particular project you will not necessarily get the solution. But you may get some valuable spinoffs and that is important."

Price said, "R&D in the U.S. peaked out in 1967," and added that the U.S. "is very rapidly falling behind other nations in science."

"The growth rate in science is one-half of what it was 10 years ago," Price said. "There is a loss of richness of American ingenuity. We are not deploying our brainpower."

"The young today only have about one-third the chance of getting a job of creative opportunity," he said.

Price said, "Cutbacks in funds and the labor force in academia will affect those at the lowest level—those just beginning—and will cutoff growth."

FOREST CONGRESS:

SPURR RECOMMENDS FOREST POLICY

In the keynote address to the recent Sixth American Forest Congress in Washington, D. C., Dr. Stephen H. Spurr, professor of public affairs and of botany, said America's national forest policies should be designed to meet the twin goals of economic well-being and quality of life.

Spurr and Dr. Keith Arnold, associate dean of the LBJ School and director of UT's Division of Natural Resources and Environment, had major roles at the Congress. Arnold was to deliver an address summarizing the Congress.

Speaking on October 7, Spurr stated his belief that "forests can be managed to grow trees for timber and simultaneously to satisfy most hunting, hiking, and camping activities."

Spurr, who has served on a national task force drafting policy proposals for the future of renewable resources, suggested that "forests should be managed for the good of mankind, taking into consideration the need for economic returns and the need to maintain our woodlands as part of the world ecosystem."

He noted that the task of balancing tangible and intangible returns from national forests and of "weighing economic and social benefits from the forest in a single computational model" will be difficult and complex, and will require the greatest talents of the professional forester.

Spurr emphasized that America's national forests should continue to be managed as a renewable natural resource, noting that "constant adjustments" will have to be made to maintain the balanced man-forest ecosystem under changing conditions.

While observing that much of the public equate foresters with "wood butchers," Spurr claimed that foresters need flexible policies to operate under in order to facilitate the balance in the man-forest ecosystem.

With such flexibility, Spurr said, "it may well be that some forests will be overcut while others will be undercut in a given period of time; that some forests will be liquidated while other forests will be withdrawn from exploitative use; and that some forests will be used for many purposes while others will be restricted insofar as man's involvement is concerned."

Spurr, who is a forest ecologist, said he did not favor a rigid national forest policy that would require "arbitrary enforcement of sustained yield practices for small areas on a non-declining even-flow annual basis."

Rather, he said, "if we are truly committed to managing the forests as a renewable natural resource, then it is essential that we define our units of management at some larger level of integration and our period of planning at some reasonable span of years, and that we insist upon a continuous high level of production of goods and services for the defined area and span of time."

Dr. Spurr acknowledged that while the goals of economic well-being and quality of life "can be satisfied to a considerable extent by our public and private forests in the largest sense," the two goals become incompatible at a single place in the forest at a single point of time.

"The cutting of a single large tree supplies all-important wood to commerce," he said, "but it is no longer there to be seen and enjoyed."

He explained that such a parallel does not exist for other natural resources, "at least for the time being."

"Coal and oil were not beautiful before harvest," he pointed out. "Wheat and corn fields have a certain man-formed beauty that is destroyed by harvest, but we know that they will be there again in but a short season after harvest.

"Our emotional stress is over trees," he said. "Joyce Kilmer never wrote a poem about a coal seam."

Dr. Spurr also observed that forest policy must be viewed as only a part of U.S. national policy in general, and he warned the audience of foresters that "we cannot disengage ourselves from the whole."

He pointed out, for example, that foresters should realize U.S. policy on the import and pricing of oil will influence the use of wood as a source of energy and as a chemical feedstock, while U.S. policy on the logging of public lands will affect the cost of housing and the U.S. national balance of trade.

Dr. Spurr said that decisions affecting the value of the dollar relative to foreign currencies may change the recreational habits of Americans, thereby increasing the recreational pressure on public lands.

BRITISH COMMENTATOR TO SPEAK OCTOBER 30

A distinguished British historian and political commentator, Professor Max Beloff, will speak at the LBJ School on Thursday October 30 in the East Campus Lecture Hall.

Beloff will speak on America in the World and the Change of Generations—A British Observer's Comment.

Professor Beloff has contributed to many leading European and American publications, including The New York Times and Foreign Affairs. When his book, Thomas Jefferson and American Democracy, was published in 1948, he admitted that "for a non-American to attempt to enter the field of American historical writing betrays some degree of temerity."

However, the study was well received, and subsequent books include: The Debate on the American Revolution, The American Federal Government, and The United States and the Unity of Europe.

During previous visits to the United States, Beloff was at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton and a Visiting Scholar at the Brookings Institution.

After study and research at Oxford, Beloff began a teaching career at Manchester University. His teaching was interrupted by service in World War II, but afterwards he returned to Manchester to teach American History and he wrote the book that established him as a profound political writer—The Foreign Policy of Soviet Russia.

Later he returned to Oxford and in 1957 was elected to the Gladstone Professorship of Government and Public Administration there. He was instrumental in establishing the study of Soviet politics at Oxford.

In 1975 Beloff became Principal of the new University College at Buckingham, in southern England, an enterprise independent of state aid.