A Shoestring Man Seeks Legitimacy

"This is a shoestring operation," says Frank Church, who, despite a late start and a money shortage, has won three primaries in three tries. His dream now is to capture Montana and Rhode Island this week, win Ohio next week, and run second to Jerry Brown in California. Few expect him to do all--or even most--of that, but he may well become a factor at the Democratic Convention. On an economy-class flight from Portland, Ore., Church talked to TIME West Coast Bureau Chief Jess Cook:

Q. On what issues do you disagree most sharply with Jimmy Carter?

A. I don't know his stands on many positions. His whole campaign has dealt in generalities as far as I can see.

Q. Where do you disagree with Carter on foreign policy?

A. I agree with the general principles he refers to. But I've had proposals over the years to turn our foreign policy away from established directions. We have to stay out of Asian and African wars when our vital interests are not at stake. We should withdraw all military forces from the mainland of Asia. Long ago I called for an end to bilateral foreign aid programs, which we dish up every year to the tune of $8 billion to $10 billion. I would substitute long-term economic programs in concert with other major countries.

Q. What are your chief differences with Brown?

A. The presidency is no place for on-the-job training. I've always advocated the politics of substance, not the politics of style. All I know about him is the image.

Gf. Are you saying he has too much gall?

A. I don't believe in an instant presidency.

Q. Does that mean yes? A. Yes

Q. Do you rule out Hubert Humphrey's chances for the nomination because he has not entered the primaries?

A. If the convention were to turn to someone who had not gone to the people, then I think that the people would feel that their primary votes had been in vain. It would create a backlash against the primary system. I'll support

Hubert Humphrey if he is nominated, but it would be a serious mistake.

Q. Do you favor the Humphrey-Hawkins full-employment bill?

A. I support it--but it's just a palliative. It isn't the answer unless we want everyone to end up on the Government payroll. What we really need is to rejuvenate our private economy. We should recognize the extent to which we are exporting our jobs through the export of capital. That process is reaching hemorrhage proportions. Yet public policy tilts investment abroad through the tax system and subsidized Government insurance for investments abroad.

Q. Is there a single overriding issue in this campaign?

A. Politically, to re-establish the legitimacy of the Government in the eyes of the people.

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