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THE AUTHOR IS CONCERNED THAT THE USA HAS A SYSTEM OF FLOATING POWER WHEREIN DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS PLAY THE ROLE OF THE NATION'S CHIEF FOREIGN POLICY SPOKESMAN IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. HE BELIEVES THERE IS A CONTINUING NEED TO CURB THE PRESIDENT'S ABILITY TO COMMIT THE ARMED FORCES TO WAR-LIKE ACTIONS WITHOUT APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL.

The chief sources of information for Congress are: (1) radio, TV, press; (2) Presidents' messages and communications to Congress; (3) oral and written reports from executive depts; (4) committee hearings and investigations; (5) committee staff studies; (6) Legislative Reference Service of the Library of Congress; (7) on the spot travel by Congressmen; (8) research reports from major political parties and from their policy committees; (9) research organizations, including the Brookings Institution, Ford Foundation, etc.; (10) lobbyists for labor, business, veterans, etc.; (11) visiting ministers of foreign countries; and (12) personal contacts, especially with constituents. The current trend is for Congress to be less dependent on executive sources for its information, and to increase its own independent information services. J. G. Chall.