Bowling for Federal Dollars

When President Carter vowed to remedy the nation's economic woes in late August with a broad-based "revitalization" scheme, many scoffed at the package's blatant political motivation.

But when scientists, especially those employed by universities, noticed that one $600 million care package had their address on it, suddenly the White House had a new fan club.

Vice President Mondale held its charter meeting in the White House on Tuesday. President Bok and 21 other university leaders, including Paul Gray of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, showed up to suggest how the administration should allocate the funds.

In a prepared presentation, the educators peppered Mondale and White House science adviser Frank Press with general proposals. Bok spoke briefly on the need to aid university libraries.

Although White House staffers who attended said the mood of the gathering was upbeat, Mondale made no promises, and one Harvard official said the University will wait and see just how much money actually arrives on college campuses before officially backing the measure.

President Bok, out of town for most of the week, could not be reached for comment.

Two Harvard scientists said earlier this week that the University needs additional grant money to improve several research facilities, including a laboratory for cancer research on animals.

Under the administration plan, the White House will ask Congress for approximately $225 million in supplemental funds for fiscal year 1981. The rest of the allocations would be added to the budget for fiscal 1982. Congress will not receive the overall Carter plan until January.