Octogenarian Senator Bucks Disclosure Trend : Thurmond Freely Reports Taking Gifts

In this era of ethical sensitivity, most U.S. senators try to minimize the gifts they must disclose on their annual financial reports.

For example, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) reported only the receipt of a paperweight and a crystal eagle. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) noted that she received a vase, a sugar bowl and creamer, and “a dozen roses” from the Polish Women’s National Alliance.

For Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.), however, receiving gifts apparently involves no political anxiety. On his 1988 disclosure form released Friday, he acknowledged being deluged with gifts ranging from hotel and motel rooms to free plane rides around his state and across the country.

Thurmond, 86, even accepted free eyeglasses, valued at $713, from the Contact Lens Clinic in Columbia, S.C. He reported that his wife, a former beauty queen, also received eyeglasses, contact lenses and treatment from the clinic worth $871.

Contrasts With Others

Contrasted with almost every other senator who filed a 1988 disclosure report, Thurmond said that he frequently accepted free accommodations when he was traveling. He reported receiving lodging 15 times last year for himself or members of his family at the Radisson Hotel in Columbia and twice at the Indigo Inn in Charleston, S.C. The Thurmonds spent two three-day visits at reduced rates at another Charleston hotel.

The senator also got free round-trip airplane rides for himself and his family to the Republican National Convention in New Orleans last August courtesy of a firm identified as RPR & Associates in Columbia, S.C. He or his wife accepted free plane rides within the state on four other occasions.

It is not that Thurmond needs the money. His disclosure report lists assorted assets as well as a retirement income of more than $45,000 and his $89,500 salary as a member of the Senate.

His lack of concern over taking gifts may reflect his political invulnerability. Thurmond has been in elective office for more than half a century. He did not have a serious challenge in 1984 and, should he run for another term in 1990, probably would be a strong favorite to win.

Nor is there any problem with congressional rules. There is no limit on gifts received by members as long as they do not come from persons with a direct interest in legislation.

So, Thurmond finds it convenient to travel on chartered planes to and from speaking engagements and the senator’s hosts seem eager to oblige. The Spartanburg, S.C., Chamber of Commerce, for example, flew Thurmond from Washington and back for one event, according to his report. On another occasion, the American Bakers’ Assn. flew him from his Aiken, S.C., home to Hilton Head, S.C., where he delivered a speech for $2,000, and then took him to Washington.

Thurmond’s travel at others’ expense while he picks up $2,000 speaking fees was demonstrated best by a trip he made in January, 1988, to the Los Angeles area.

His air fare and hotel bills first were picked up by Carl Terzian Associates, a Los Angeles public relations firm that arranged appearances for the senator with its corporate clients. They paid Thurmond a fee and his expenses were later paid on a pro rata basis by the sponsoring firms, Terzian said.

On the trip the octogenarian lawmaker was able to keep up a whirlwind schedule, making 11 speeches in eight days and earning $23,000.

Terzian said that his firm has made similar arrangements for several other senators on behalf of its clients.

Become ‘Marketing Tools’

“We create the audience,” he explained. “What we do is use a senator or member of Congress as a marketing tool for the clients.”

Because his firm does no work for the government or political campaigning or lobbying, Terzian added, it has come to be relied upon by members of Congress who visit the Los Angeles area.

Thurmond flew from Los Angeles to Kona, Hawaii, with his expenses paid by the National Assn. of Broadcasters, which also gave him $2,000 for a speech and paid the bill for air travel back to Augusta, Ga., near his Aiken home.

Overall, he received $35,000 in speaking fees in 1988 and reported that he gave more than half of that amount, or $17,523, to charity.