Jes' Write, Wire

No Lear-like isolation at the lonely pinnacle of power for Jimmy Carter. At a news conference just before New Year's, Press Secretary Jody Powell let it be known that the President-elect was looking for ways to break out of the "rather strange and unnatural world of staff and press and politicians" he will enter at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. "He does not think it's healthy." Powell suggested that other Americans might have some ideas on how Jimmy could keep in touch with jes' folks and urged them to send their cards and letters to People, P.O. Box 2600, Washington, D.C.

Mail has poured into the Carter transition headquarters by the bushel --more than 5,000 pieces in the first week. The Carter staff announced that the call had yielded over 300 "constructive" suggestions. A sampler:

> Preston Allison, a Henderson, Texas, accountant, wanted the Carters and the Mondales to "devote one Sun day afternoon to calling people all over the country" for a three-minute chat.

> Christina Rood, 14; of Bellevue, Wash., urged "a nationwide broadcast for people my age on your policies. Most of my friends are bored with politics, and I don't think they should be."

> William C. Jamison of Lubbock, Texas, a salesman with a financial-records firm, reckoned that Carter would get "a real feel for the country just by dropping in unannounced everywhere you go. This will enable you to see the country as it really is. Otherwise it will be set up for you."

> David Gevanthor, a New York City executive, proposed a new White House post: Presidential Aide for Liaison, or PAL. Fifty of these PALS would be appointed to tour each of the states in trailers and serve as a "conduit to the White House."

There were suggestions for fireside chats, for town meetings with Carter presiding, for TV talk shows where people could phone in questions for the President. One writer suggested White House "jeans and beans" suppers for ordinary citizens--everybody eat beans, everybody wear jeans. Some wanted Carter to drive his own car in city traffic jams and to do his own shopping at the supermarket--just to keep a feel for prices. Warned Karl Olson of Rockville, Md.: "Don't go to the real exclusive places for lunch like Sans Souci, Trader Vic's or places like that. I suggest McDonald's ... Eat where the people eat."

A six-member task force headed by Powell is sifting through the suggestions. At least one idea is already being given serious consideration: a toll-free phone line to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on which people could ring up the White House for help in solving whatever problems they have with the Government. The proposer, William Forhan of Tracyton, Wash., also suggested that the number should be an easily remembered acronym: PEANUTS.

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