COLLECTION FINDING AID



PRESIDENT FORD COMMITTEE RECORDS.

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE FILES, 1975-76



CONTENTS

Introduction | Series Descriptions | Container List

President Ford Committee Records main page


INTRODUCTION

The Administrative Office Files document management and budgetary issues involved in the operation of the President Ford Committee. To a lesser degree, the extant files reflect the deputy chairman of administration's auxiliary responsibility to coordinate the Committee's support operations. In terms of reporting relationships, the deputy chairman had oversight responsibility for the PFC's research, scheduling, communications, volunteer, and convention planning operations. 

In November 1975, Chairman Bo Callaway hired Robert Marik, a former Nixon reelection committee official, as deputy campaign chairman in charge of administration. In addition to acting as the Committee's chief management administrator, Marik worked closely with Callaway on occasional strategic matters, particularly those concerning the development of programs for various special voter groups. One of Marik's first acts as deputy chairman was to appoint Jim Cochran as director of administration. Cochran handled all matters concerning operational support, including the development of the Committee's complex budget control system.

During late 1975 and early 1976, Marik and Cochran focused on developing and implementing systems for correspondence control and budget tracking. They also coordinated the Committee's nation-wide telephone service contract, handled equipment and facilities rental, and developed a security program for the Committee's headquarters building.

After Callaway's departure in March 1976, Royston Hughes replaced Marik as deputy chairman for administration, reporting to Callaway's replacement, Rogers Morton. Hughes was later given the additional title of Committee treasurer in a post-convention organizational shakeup. Cochran remained as administration director throughout the campaign. 

An important function of the Administrative Office staff was the control of the enormous amount of correspondence received and created by the Committee's staff. Barbara Norris supervised these activities from August 1975 until the election. Norris and her staff screened all incoming mail, routed it to the appropriate PFC department for action, and responded directly to many of the general public inquiries. The unit also maintained a central file for the Committee's headquarters staff with various segments arranged by state, date, topic, and correspondent name. While the extant files of the correspondence unit do not appear to be complete, they provide an interesting source for gauging the general public's reaction to Ford's campaign. Several of these correspondence series are also useful for documenting some of Chairman Callaway's activities, particularly during the Committee's early organizational stage.

Another small but interesting series in the Administrative Office Files relates to the work of Stanton Anderson. As the PFC's convention director, Anderson acted as liaison with the Republican National Committee during planning for the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City. While most of Anderson's file concerns routine logistical arrangements in preparation for that event, occasional strategic documents concerning how to win the party's nomination on the convention floor also appear.

Related Materials (December 1991)
For more information on the PFC's appeals to special voter groups see the files of Edward DeBolt in the Chairman's Office File, and records of People for Ford, the Committee's umbrella volunteer organization during the general election campaign.

Researchers should note that the files of Royston Hughes in this series include very little that relates to his role as PFC treasurer during the general election campaign. This documentation is likely included in the files of the Treasurer's Office which is currently unprocessed and not available for research use.


SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Administrative Office: Robert Marik File, 1975-76.  (Boxes B1‑B-3, 1.2 linear feet)
Memoranda, correspondence, financial data, notes, and resumes concerning such PFC administrative matters as budget and fiscal control, candidates for employment, and volunteer recruitment and organization. Also filed here are organizing and strategic plans targeting various special voter groups from early in the primary campaign and a series of memoranda prepared by pollster Robert Teeter in December 1975 concerning voter attitudes. Marik was one of two deputy chairmen reporting directly to Chairman Callaway. 

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

View container list for this series

Administrative Office: Royston Hughes File, 1976. (Boxes B4‑B10, 2.8 linear feet)
Memoranda, correspondence, notes, resumes, advertising copy, schedules, meeting agendas, and printed material. Major topics include budget and administrative matters, legal issues, strategic planning, advertising planning, the delegate monitoring operation, and convention arrangements. The file also reflects Hughes' particular involvement with special voter groups and his efforts to develop congressional support for the President's campaign. Also filed here are correspondence and memoranda drafted by Hughes for Chairman Morton's signature. Hughes replaced Marik as deputy director for administration in April 1975 and also acted as the PFC's treasurer during the general election campaign.

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

View container list for this series

Administrative Office: James Cochran Subject File, 1975-76. (Boxes B11‑B12, 0.8 linear feet)
Memoranda, correspondence, notes, contracts, staff lists, fiscal data, and telephone bills. Topics include PFC personnel, various administrative policies, major vendor contracts, building security, budget allocations for PFC state organizations, and the volunteer program. Cochran was the Committee's administration director and reported directly to the deputy chairman for administration.

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

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Administrative Office: James Cochran Budget File, 1975-76. (Boxes B13‑B14, 0.8 linear feet)
Memoranda, correspondence, budget forms and fiscal data concerning budget projections, fiscal controls and reporting, and administrative budget policies. The file includes budgets for state campaign operations during the general election and detailed information concerning the early primary contests in New Hampshire and Florida.

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

View container list for this series

Administrative Office: Convention File, 1975-76. (Boxes B15‑B17, 1.2 linear feet)
Memoranda, correspondence, contracts, lists, printed material, and various budget forms accumulated by Stanton Anderson and his assistants during planning for the PFC's participation in the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City. The file documents selection of a headquarters site, staff and delegate housing arrangements, advertising, security, and facilities rental. Also included is a detailed outline of all aspects of the planning operation and a strategy report on how Ford could win the nomination on the convention floor.

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

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Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File, 1975-76. (Boxes B18‑B33, 6.0 linear feet)
Alphabetical index of approximately 15,000 individuals who wrote to the PFC headquarters and received a response from Committee staff. For each correspondent, the staff prepared a 3" by 5" index card with the individuals's address, date of response, and an annotation concerning the topic of the contact. Multiple carbon copies of the outgoing letter, and in some cases, the incoming correspondence were filed in one or more of the series described below.

Arranged alphabetically by correspondent name.

View container list for this series

Administrative Office: Correspondence Chronological File, 1975-76. (Boxes B34‑B44, 4.4 linear feet)
A chronological file of carbons of outgoing letters prepared by various PFC staff. Most of the letters dated 1975 went out signed by Chairman Callaway or his office staff. The file for 1976 also includes miscellaneous letters drafted by the research staff, the administrative deputy chairman, correspondence unit director Barbara Norris, and Chairmen Morton and Baker. While the file from the early campaign period includes some substantive documentation of early organizational activities, much of this series is routine, reflecting the PFC's response to inquiries from the general public. Many of the incoming letters which initiated these responses are filed in the state correspondence file and the general comments file described below.

Arranged chronologically.

View container list for this series

Administrative Office: Correspondence State File, 1975-76 (Boxes B45‑B73, 28.0 linear feet)
File of letters received by the PFC from the general public with carbons of staff responses. Topics include requests for campaign material, general comments of support, suggestions for alternative election strategies, offers to volunteer, and inquiries concerning possible employment in the campaign organization. Another copy of the carbon response filed in this series appears in the chronological correspondence file described above.

Arranged alphabetically by state.

NOTE: This file is available on a review on request basis

View container list for this series

Administrative Office: Correspondence Topical File, 1975-76. (Boxes B74‑B83, 10.0 linear feet)
File of public mail received by the PFC on various subjects with a carbon of the staff response attached. Most of the letters were requests from the public for information regarding President Ford's position on a particular issue. Also included are offers of campaign services and suggested slogans. Topics include abortion, child welfare, common situs picketing, the economy, the environment, foreign policy, gun control, Henry Kissinger, selection of a vice presidential running mate, senior citizens, and veterans issues. Another copy of the carbon response filed in this series appears in the chronological correspondence file described above.

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

View container list for this series

Administrative Office: General Comments Correspondence File, 1975-76. (Boxes B84‑B90, 2.8 linear feet)
File of letters received by the PFC from the general public about campaign conduct and strategy. A carbon of the staff response, in most instances a form letter, is attached. Another copy of the carbon response filed in this series appears in the chronological correspondence file described above.

Arranged chronologically.

NOTE: This file is available on a review on request basis

View container list for this series

Administrative Office: Alphabetical Correspondence File, 1975-1976. (Boxes B91‑B93, 1.2 linear feet)
File of miscellaneous letters received by the PFC from the general public concerning a variety of campaign issues with a carbon of the staff response attached. Many of the letters are messages of congratulation to Bo Callaway on his appointment as PFC chairman. Another copy of the carbon response filed in this series appears in the chronological correspondence file described above.

Arranged chronologically.

View container list for this series


CONTAINER LIST

Box B1 - Administrative Office: Robert Marik Files

Box B2 - Administrative Office: Robert Marik Files

Box B3 - Administrative Office: Robert Marik Files

Box B4 - Administrative Office: Royston Hughes Files

Box B5 - Administrative Office: Royston Hughes Files

Box B6 - Administrative Office: Royston Hughes Files

Box B7 - Administrative Office: Royston Hughes Files

Box B8 - Administrative Office: Royston Hughes Files

Box B9 - Administrative Office: Royston Hughes Files

Box B10 - Administrative Office: Royston Hughes Files

Box B11 - Administrative Office: James Cochran Subject File

Box B12 - Administrative Office: James Cochran Subject File

Box B13 - Administrative Office: James Cochran Budget File

Box B14 - Administrative Office: James Cochran Budget File

Box B15 - Administrative Office: Convention File

Box B16 - Administrative Office: Convention File

Box B17 - Administrative Office: Convention File

Box B18 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File

Box B19 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File

Box B20 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File

Box B21 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File

Box B22 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File

Box B23 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File

Box B24 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File

Box B25 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File

Box B26 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File

Box B27 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File

Box B28 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File

Box B29 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File

Box B30 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File

Box B31 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File

Box B32 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File

Box B33 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Card File

Box B34 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Chronological File

Box B35 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Chronological File

Box B36 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Chronological File

Box B37 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Chronological File

Box B38 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Chronological File

Box B39 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Chronological File

Box B40 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Chronological File

Box B41 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Chronological File

Box B42 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Chronological File

Box B43 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Chronological File

Box B44 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Chronological File

Box B45 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B46 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B47 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B48 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B49 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B50 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B51 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B52 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B53 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B54 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B55 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B56 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B57 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B58 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B59 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B60 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B61 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B62 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B63 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B64 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B65 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B66 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B67 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B68 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B69 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B70 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B71 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B72 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B73 - Administrative Office: Correspondence State File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B74 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Topical File

Box B75 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Topical File

Box B76 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Topical File

Box B77 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Topical File

Box B78 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Topical File

Box B79 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Topical File

Box B80 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Topical File

Box B81 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Topical File

Box B82 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Topical File

Box B83 - Administrative Office: Correspondence Topical File

Box B84 - Administrative Office: General Comments Correspondence File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B85 - Administrative Office: General Comments Correspondence File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B86 - Administrative Office: General Comments Correspondence File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B87 - Administrative Office: General Comments Correspondence File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B88 - Administrative Office: General Comments Correspondence File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B89 - Administrative Office: General Comments Correspondence File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B90 - Administrative Office: General Comments Correspondence File

(Note: Folders with the titles struck through are not yet open to research, but can be added to the Library's review queue.)

Box B91 - Administrative Office: Alphabetical Correspondence File

Box B92 - Administrative Office: Alphabetical Correspondence File

Box B93 - Administrative Office: Alphabetical Correspondence File