SCIENCE IN THE \\ Hill HOI M 



625 



Mosher was the prime mover in building a firmer bridge between 

 the committee and Ford as Vice President. As explained by Mosher: 



We felt it was inevitable that very soon he would be making decisions in these 

 areas. We wanted to point out that this was an area where he had a chance to be 

 positive and show leadership. 



Vice President Ford was sworn in as President at noon on August 

 9, 1974. The very next day, Mosher wrote him a personal letter, sug- 

 gesting that he give some thought to reviving a science advisory 

 structure in the White House. Although personally on close and 

 friendly terms with Dr. Stever, Mosher clearly recognized both the 

 personal and institutional problems with Dr. Stever's tenuous posi- 

 tion. Mosher commented that Dr. Stever "by nature is not a pug- 

 nacious, overly aggressive person." Mosher added: 



He's a conciliator. I can't imagine him battering on the door of the White House 

 to see the President if the staff might not choose to let him in. 



While in office, Dr. Stever loyally, consistently, and insistently pro- 

 claimed that everything was hunky-dory and the administrative 

 arrangement he found himself in made a lot of sense. Not until after 

 it was all over did he candidly confess that all was not sweetness and 

 roses. In a 1978 letter to Teague, in a masterpiece of understatement, 

 he admitted: 



It was clear that a closer relationship to the rest of the White House staff and to 

 the President was needed. 



Chairman Teague and President Eord always maintained a close friendship. 



