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problems there. But we both knew what the agenda was, and we were both addressing ourselves to the agenda, in well-modulated tones, easily and pleasasntly, as we'd expect two gentlemen to be. But Adam was the realist, and I was the -- in his words, the “childish idealist.”
I said, “No, Adam. I can't go along with you.”
By the way, he was repeating at that time his invitation to me to join him, and be the professional director of this operation, with the understanding that he was going to be in political and economic control, and that we would split the economic benefits. I think Adam --not think, I know -- he even mentioned the sums, that we'd split millions on this.
And I said, “No..”
He then began to tell me why I couldn't win in a fight with him. He said, “Kenneth, you know, in a public fight with me, there's no way you can win..”
And he ticked off the reasons. “First,” he said, “you know, I am chairman of this very powerful committee, and Lyndon Johnson is dependent upon me for his domestic programs, and we are very good friends.” And he pointed to a beautiful telephone, the like of which I haven't seen since -- it was on one of his cocktail tables in this office of his. By the way, the office was like a sitting room, rather large, with chairs, easy chairs and couches and what not. I don't remember a desk in there, but I remember there was a table on which there was this telephone that had about ten buttons, and it wasn't necessary for him to pick up a receiver. He could talk
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