888 HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 



outlining his formula for breaking the stalemate. As a result of the 

 committee vote, Teague was pessimistic and bluntly told the President: 



It seems evident that this committee action will be confirmed when the issue 

 comes to the House floor. 



He acknowledged that the President would certainly veto the bill if it 

 came to his desk in the form in which it emerged from the committee, 

 with the increased funds for CRBR. Also, it was no secret that Congress 

 could not muster the necessary two-thirds vote to override the veto, 

 producing another stalemate. "We will wind up this year on dead 

 center," Teague accurately predicted. 



"I hope you agree that any such nonproductive deadlock will be a 

 severe blow to our national interest, as well as the world's best in- 

 terest," Teague told the President. He then made this suggestion: 



Mr. President, very respectfully I suggest there now exists an immediate, im- 

 perative need and opportunity for you to confer personally with the principal execu- 

 tive officers (as distinguished from their Washington representatives) of several of the 

 kev industry and utility firms involved in the breeder reactor technology and at the 

 same time with several of the key Members of Congress who are attempting to get 

 agreement for a workable breeder program acceptable to you. 



This is my urgent, personal request for such a useful discussion with you. Frankly 

 with all respect, I must tell you that industry and congressional leaders seem reluctant 

 to believe my report to them that you do favor a strong breeder program. 



THE SPLIT AMONG THREE CAMPS 



Teague described the three groups and how they felt about the 

 Flowers compromise amendment: (1) those who believed the President 

 really supported a vigorous, viable breeder technology development; 



(2) those who opposed any breeder development and who interpreted 

 the President's proposed "intensified studies and design efforts" as 

 really meaning an intention to kill any significant breeder effort; and 



(3) a majority of the committee who also refused to believe the pro- 

 posed study was intended to produce any positive results. Teague noted 

 that the first two groups supported the Flowers amendment, but the 

 third group was lined up against a compromise. 



Because of "this intense uncertainty" which had produced the 

 impasse, and "this refusal of most Members of Congress and also of 

 industry leaders to believe the assurances that you personally gave to 

 me," Teague concluded to the President: 



So, I am convinced they must learn that directly in at least a brief personal 

 conversation with you. I am confident that such a face-to-face exchange could result 

 in an immense benefit to the Nation, to our energy alternatives program and to your 

 own creative record as President. 



Teague indicated that he had sounded out industry leaders and found 

 them receptive to his suggestion. He told the President that the impor- 

 tant ingredient needed was some form of personal confirmation that the 



