Meyer Declares Meat-Axe Approach Ineffective for Influencing Congress

William H. Meyer, the Vermont Democrat who "did a lot of fighting" for disarmament and against defense appropriations during his one term in Congress, gave a group of Tocsin members "a little bit of my thinking" last night.

The sample ranged from practical advice on how to influence Congressmen by talking "in a spirit of moderation," to a gentle shrug of discouragement because "the same things happen" despite changes in Administrations and despite efforts of disarmament groups.

"You've got to help Congressmen and encourage them," Meyer advised. "Be careful about the words you use and don't approach them with a meat axe. That's one reason for your failure to sell your ideas--one reason for the failures in my own life."

But he nodded when a girl interjected, "Sometimes it's hard to keep that tone out when you believe in something so strongly."

Work Within Political Process

Advocates of disarmament should work within the political process, Meyer stressed, because "other methods usually result in some kind of anarchy."

Meyer also cautioned against tying disarmament too closely to a liberal political program. "This is an issue which cuts across the economic lines of liberal and conservative," he noted.

The case for disarmament can be explained simply and persuasively by a comparison, Meyer said. The U.S. and Russia are like two Western ranchers, he remarked, who should find it in their own best interest to submit to a partial rule of law although still trying to out-smart each other.