Horner, Bell Appointed to 1980s Panel

President Carter has named President Horner and Daniel Bell, professor of Sociology, to sit on the newly-formed Commission on a National Agenda for the 1980s.

Hedley Donovan, a domestic adviser to Carter, suggested Horner and Bell serve on the 24-member panel, which will meet for the first time next month. William J. McGill, committee chairman and former Columbia University President, said Tuesday.

McGill said one other Harvard professor is on a list of 50 names he is considering for additional appointments to the commission, which will issue its report before January, 1981.

Horner said this week she will have "much to contribute to the group's discussions and a great deal to learn," adding "the questions for the 1980s are quite challenging."

Horner said she is concerned about the social limits to growth and the economic triangle of basic research, innovation and production, adding that her work as chairman of a National Science Foundation task force on research would contribute to her understanding of the issues.

She also cited "big issues in elementary and secondary education" and warned about the "great exodus of teachers from public school systems because they find themselves being policemen and not educators."

McGill said that Horner, like Commission member and founding director of Common Cause John Gardner, was chosen because her "scholarly background will be extremely helpful."

Bell, who spent portions of the last three years working on an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development report on "Managing the Future," said the fundamental problem of the 80s is the "development of a new international division of labor."

From 1947-1973, "an economic boom of a dimension and intensity never seen" swept the world. Bell said, adding that the ongoing worldwide recession and the demands of underdeveloped countries will bring about the "entire reorganization of the world economy."

Bell said the worldwide switch from capital-saving to capital-using technologies has strained the economy. "Unless there is some degree of economic growth, you're not going to be able to pay for" new technologies, he said.

Bell said his past experience with similar groups shows that the commission's success and direction will depend on McGill's ability to direct committee members.

McGill said Donovan asked Bell to serve on the commission because of Bell's work on the problems of post-industrial society.

The commission, which will be funded by the Office of Management and Budget, also includes Lane Kirkland, executive vice president of the AFL-CIO, television journalist Bill Moyers, former Pennsylvania Gov. William Scranton and Phillip Handler, president of the National Academy of Sciences.

Secretary of Commerce Juanita Kreps will also join the commission after she leaves her government post, McGill said