Evening star., 1939-05-21
Unofficial Body Gives Citizen
Way to Aid in Policy Planning
Idea of Vrginian and Editor Already Is Resnonsh1e
for F. S. A. and Two Measures
Adopted by States
BY Ernest g. Havemann.

The citizen who would like ito do
something about 1.-THE 'it" being any
of the social, economic and labor prob
lens perplexing the Nation-may find
the means OF action in new organiza-
ton which held national meeting in
st. Louis recently with none of the
fanfare usually associated with conven-
tlons, but with good deal of serious
and determined purpose.
This is the National Policy Commit
tee, not yet four years old and scarely
known at all in most sections of the
United States. 1t has an impressive
record Of accomplishment and a pros
pect of an even brighter. future.
Although it is merely an informal
group with no paid membership, op-
Grating on nominal budget raised by
"a handful of interested persons the
committee may very we'll be destined
TO meet the obvious need for a method
whereby thoughtful citizens can take a
more intimate part in Government
affairs
Leaders of the committee describe it
as a conduit" which will direct into
the active business of formulating ma
tional policies the energies and talents
OF responsible persons who always have
oeen concerned with these policies. but
have had no way of making their voices
heard. In brief, it might be described a.
an attempt to answer the disheartenlng
question, What can one person do?"
Has Produced Results.
What can be done already has been
demonstrated by the committee The
Farm Security Administration wax
modelled on plan devised by one or
the subcommittees, and so was the new
Arkansas land policy law. Alabama
recently adopted a new merit system
Tor State employees based on recommen-
cations OF one of the groups. and chose
as director of the system one of the
participants in the meetings at which
the recommendations were drafted.
Ihese concrete results of the organiza
ton have been achieved without much
active effort by its members to do more
than make their findings available to
any one who wants them. Leaders of
tne group believe, and experience has
borne them out, in these instances at
least that the recommendations of q
olSlnteresteo body of citizens devoted to
an earnest search for fact and for s,,c
ceSsful policy will inevitably be made
use of by legislators and other public
officials. If not, they at least will re-
celVe sufnclent attention from leaders
OF public opinion to serve as an active
1erment in political thinking.
There are many ways" it is stated
py the committee in pamphlet ex-
planning its objectives, in which alert
and responsible citizens, after careful
formulation of specific policies, can
make their conclusions effective.
Expands Citizens Influence.
10 suggest only few methods of
action. they can operate through the
press. through open meetings, or through
the constituted authorities, and all of
THESE means have been used by indi-
vloual members of National Policy Com
mittee groups.
Moreover, the leavening influence of
lnter-related groups, spread throughout
the country, working simultaneously on
the same problems and drawing into
their circles qualified and devoted in
dividuals, in itself can be and already
Is an achievement. even though 1t is
one which cannot be measured in votes
or in headlines"
The theory behind the organizations
Is one which few persons would deny
that Government policies on all levels
now are frequently haphazard stop