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Show tives were then offered for consideration by the Commission on these policy matters, together with the pros and cons of each. In its discussions, the members of the Commission questioned the study project officer who had either prepared or supervised preparation of the report involved, and also questioned and discussed the issues with members of the senior staff. Necessarily, as each subject was taken up, the Commission could only arrive at tentative positions because of the interrelationship among subjects and the bearing that a later subject might have on the one being considered at any particular time. In the policy evaluation papers and in the discussions reference was continually made to tentative positions taken previously so that the Commission could examine the interrelationships and consistencies. From January 1969 through April 1970, the Commission met once a month, except that there were no meetings in March or November 1969, while there were two in each September and October, 1969, and March and April, 1970. The 33 subjects were considered individually and collectively at these 19 meetings in these 16 months. Our next task was to prepare draft material for the final report based on the tentative positions taken previously. In order to maintain the schedule necessary to complete the work on time, the Commission reviewed the first draft text material at its meeting December 12, 1969, before it had completed the review of individual subjects. During the review of draft material, some of the tentative positions were reconsidered and new positions taken. Subsequently, on some matters, the Commission asked that material be rewritten and brought back for its further examination of language. But for all subjects, the Commission had a third opportunity to make new decisions and recommendations when the draft was rewritten in final form after taking into consideration the consensus views expressed during review of the draft chapters which were read aloud with each member having a copy before him. The Director presented the draft material and was questioned by the members who discussed the subject among themselves. Members of the senior staff were called upon as necessary to provide detailed information. The Commission concluded its series of meetings on April 18, 1970, after completing a review of inconsistencies and gaps among the individual subjects. In order to assure that copies of the report are available to all members of Congress and the public when it is submitted to the President, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives not later than June 30, 1970, in accordance with law, it is necessary to deliver the manuscript of the report to the Government Printing Office April 23, 1970. Between now and December 1970, when the Commission must go out of existence, our first major effort will be in seeking the settlement of claims presented by contractors for additional compensation. Simultaneously, we will be planning a series of meetings of opinionmakers to be held after the report is submitted for the purpose of conveying the importance of the public lands to the people of the United States and the potential significance of the Commission's recommendations. This should enable opinionmakers who were not represented on the Commission's Advisory Council, to interpret for their members or audiences the Commission's report, regardless of whether they concur or disagree. It is planned that one meeting will be held for leaders of the news media-as distinguished from the working press for whom we will have a conference at the time the report is submitted-with other meetings to be held to the extent that our funds will allow, in the East, the Midwest, the Rocky Mountain West, and the far West. In addition to the Advisory Council, the Governors' Representatives and the contractors who prepared most of the studies, we called on many individuals as consultants. Some served without compensation. To all of them we express our thanks for their advice and counsel. A listing of these consultants is contained in Attachment No. 5. Except for the work that remains, as outlined above, the Commission's tasks are virtually completed. In addition to the fact that the work is being accomplished within the time schedule established by us, we also note for the record that if our budget request for the 6 months of the next fiscal year is acted on favorably, there will remain $286,000 authorized but unappropriated. The only thing that might upset this favorable condition would be the settlement of claims from contractors for additional compensation. We have some contingency funds, but do not know at this time whether they will be adequate to settle the 6 pending claims from contractors that aggregate $231,000. 307 |