ABSTRACT

This chapter describes some of the tactics of survival adopted by administrative organizations. It explores the legislative support seeking; the support seeking of superiors and other persons of prestige; executive compromise and survival; the support seeking of important extra-governmental groups; and public support seeking. Legislative support is sought not simply as protection against extra-governmental groups but also as a protection against higher reaches of the executive hierarchy, including the chief executive and overhead agencies. Even legal limitations on the machinations for survival may have little significance if an administrative organization has strong legislative support. Each administrative agency seeks in its relationships with groups in the legislature, with its own clientele, and with other interested groups to find sources from which it can draw the power it needs to carry on its program and survive. Legislative attitudes toward administrative publicity are illustrated by the reaction of Congressman Disney of Oklahoma to the Interior Department radio dramas on oil conservation.