United States Chamer of Commerce
1971
The Powell Memorandum: When National Chamber Director Eugene B. Sydnor, Jr., became chairman of our Education Committee, he discussed with his neighbor and long-time friend, Lewis F. Powell, Richmond attorney, ways to provide the public a more balanced view of the country's economic system. At Mr. Sydnor's request, Mr. Powell, based on his broad experience as chairman of the Richmond City School Board, as well as the Virginia State Board of Education prepared a memorandum in which he incorporated a number of possible approaches. The memorandum covered a broad range of educational and other activities for study and consideration by the National Chamber. The memorandum was dated August 23, 1971, two months before Mr. Powell was nominated to become a member justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. It has been under study and evaluation by Chamber officers and staff members. Several of its approaches have been put into practice. Others would require substantial new resources to carry out. Recently, Jack Anderson, the syndicated columnist, wrote several columns discussing the memorandum. Mr. Anderson obtained a copy of the memorandum without the knowledge or permission of the National Chamber. Anyone reading the Powell memorandum will easily conclude that it objectively and fairly deals with a very real problem facing the free enterprise system. To give all members of the National Chamber an opportunity to read the memorandum and to allow each to evaluate all the points raised, WASHINGTON REPORT presents the document in its entirety.
Read this work at the World Public Library (library card needed).