630 HISTORY Ol I III COMMITTE1 ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 



element of our culture as pervasive and important as economics or 

 education or labor or environment. He added that since science and 

 technology were interwoven into all the major missions with which 

 Government is involved, science and technology should also be 

 fabricated concretely and statutorily into the managerial and policy 

 structure of the Government. He decried the ad hoc manner in which 

 the issue had been handled by a succession of administrations. He 

 concluded that a firm policy was needed, plus a dependable and in- 

 fluential advisory system, along with a high-level coordination of 

 those governmental activities relating to science and technology. 



In a companion address immediately following Teague's, Moshcr 

 succinctly underlined the same points which Tcague had made. 

 Moshcr particularly mentioned "all of the hearings, studies, reports, 

 seminars, panel meetings, and contractual efforts" which represented 

 part of the "constant, intense attention" the Science Committee gave 

 to problems of science policy, planning, and organization. 



The Teague-Mosher bill included a Cabinet Department of Re- 

 search and Technology Operations as an umbrella, although it pre- 

 served those science and technology related activities of mission- 

 oriented departments. This concept related somewhat to a proposed 

 Cabinet department advocated by McCormack. 



NUDGING THE WHITE HOUSE TOWARD ACTION 



Having informed the Congress and the public of his intentions, 

 Teague now decided it was time to start nudging the White House 

 toward more positive action. The President had been in office for 8 

 months, surely long enough for a honeymoon. Vice President Rocke- 

 feller had not only made his report, but had been subjected to some 

 sniping from the direction of the Domestic Council. There seemed 

 to be a reduced interest at the White House. Teague wrote the Presi- 

 dent on March 18, 1975, mentioning the Teague-Mosher bill and the 

 discussions with various officials in the executive branch about the 

 bill. Teague pointedly added: 



The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to request that we be informed as soon 

 as possible ot t he nature of your thoughts on the matter and of the appropriate 

 channels through which to discuss them. I know you will understand the indispens- 

 able need for me to inform members of our committee on the views of the Office of 

 the President before we take up any legislation. Since it is my intent to lav plans for 

 hearings promptly, I hope we will be able to meet with your designated representa- 

 tives in the very near future. 



Teague continued to encourage further contacts at the staff 

 level, and on May 1 wrote to Vice President Rockefeller inviting him 



