(1976) The R Document by Irving Wallace Page B

whether or not California should ratify the 35th Amendment. The program is called Search for Truth. They have two guests, each giving a different side to some controversial issue. Have you seen it?’
    ‘I’m afraid so,’ said Tynan with a grimace.
    ‘Well, they want you on this one, Vernon. They want you to present the arguments in favor of the 35th. It would be on the same day Chris is addressing the ABA. You could fly out together. I think this exposure would be important for us.’
    ‘Who’s taking the other side?’ asked Tynan. ‘Who’s the other guest?’
    The President consulted the memorandum once more. ‘Tony Pierce,’ said the President.
    Tynan bolted upright in his chair. ‘Mr President, forgive me, but I think it would be a mistake for the Director of the FBI to appear on the same program with a former FBI agent who’s been a traitor to the Bureau. I don’t think I should dignify the views of a lousy Commie like Pierce by being on the same show with him.’
    The President shrugged. ‘If you feel that strongly about it, Vernon, I won’t press you. But I do think the exposure of our own views is important - of great importance - on a national television program like this. One of our team should
    appear ’
    ‘Why not Collins?’ suggested Tynan. ‘He’s going to be out in Los Angeles at that time anyway. He could do the show as well as make his speech. As Attorney General, he should be welcome on the program.’
    President Wadsworth seemed pleased. ‘Good idea,’ he said. ‘Very good idea. I’ll have McKnight call this Miss Evans and confirm Collins as your substitute.’ He bobbed his head thoughtfully. ‘Well, that gives Collins plenty to do out there for our cause. It’s got to be a help.’
    He extended his hand, and Tynan scrambled to his feet to shake it. ‘I’m sure it will, Mr President.’
    ‘Thanks for everything, Vernon.’ He grinned. ‘Well, California, here we come.’ He reached for his telephone. ‘And Attorney General Collins, there you go.’
    *
    In his Department of Justice office, the phone receiver caught between his ear and shoulder, Chris Collins busily wrote the pertinent parts of the President’s instructions on the sheet of paper before him.
    Although making the obligatory agreeable sounds to the President’s proposals, Collins did not like what he had been hearing. He did not mind going to California. It would be Old Home Week, a chance to see his grown son, catch up with friends, get some sunshine. What he did not like was being forced to defend the 35th Amendment publicly, debate it with someone like Tony Pierce, before a nationwide television audience. He had often watched Search for Truth, enjoyed it, but he knew a guest could not equivocate or pussyfoot on that show. The debates often led to terrible wrangles, exaggerated positions, and his seat on the program could be a hot seat.
    Collins felt equal distaste at the idea of appearing on the same platform with Chief Justice Maynard, a man whose libertarian beliefs he respected and whose civil rights decisions he admired, and being forced in Maynard’s presence to take a definite public stand in favor of the 35th Amendment. Until now, Collins had avoided anything more than a mild commitment to the Administration’s policies. Now he
    would have to put it on the line, play the President’s pitchman. Doing so in front of Chief Justice Maynard would be an embarrassment. Still, he had no choice.
    ‘So that’s it, Chris,’ he heard the President say. ‘Have you got it all straight?’
    ‘I think so, Mr President. Next Friday. Los Angeles. One o’clock in the afternoon, Search for Truth at the network studios. Three o’clock, American Bar Association, Century Plaza Hotel.’
    ‘Really bone up for those two. Don’t let Pierce trample all over the 35th. Belt him hard.’
    Collins swallowed. ‘I’ll do my best, Mr President.’
    ‘As for the ABA, prepare a solid speech, Chris. This will be a different