ESS CLIPS Is poss SS_ Oc% -- 718 WEST 5th ST AUSTIN. TEXAS 78701 477.67'55 Journal Commerce, Texas JAN 2 9 1981 Clements takes softer approach at Capito ; 4-1 By JIM DAVIS Harte-Hanks Austin Bureau AUSTIN, Texas — Maybe it is a silly thing to say about a man in his niid-60s, but gov. Bill Clements is growing up. Two years ago he was characterized as the new kid on the block, one with tough-guy ways and more of a lip than hip in the world of Texas politics and government. Clements still is far from being a Little Lord Fauntleroy. Tough is still his image, and it undoubtedly will remain so. But ile has sanded off some of his rougher edges since becoming governor in January 1979. At that time he was the successful millionaire drilling company executive who had just beat the odds and the Democrats to become Texas' first Republican governor in a century. He came into office thinking he was going to run the state like a corporate executive. Power would flow from the top and when the governor wanted something done, someone would find some way to do it. The Texas Legislature, dominated by Democrats, was in no mood for such an executive attitude. The lawmakers like to think of themselves as independent, even af Democratic governors. In 1979 Clements blustered around trying to make the legislators do things his way. He waved his veto stamp in the air and threatened to keep lawmakers in special session until they approved his legislative package of anti-crime bills and initiative and referendum. Austin Viewpoint He talked boldly about cutting 25,000 employees from the state payroll, as he had promised in the heat of the 1978 campaign. Clements is taking a softer approach to the 1981 legislative session. He is making clear where he stands on the issues, but is leaving himself more room for maneuvering and compromising. On his "Governor's Report" television program last week, a reporter tried to pin him down on whether he would veto any emergency pay raise for state employees if it is higher than he wants. Two years ago Clements likely would have stuck out his jaw and declared that possibility to be a certainty. This time he didn't want to commit himself until all the facts are in. On this and other subjects he indicated he wants to leave room for compromise. That is not the direct, do-it-my-way approach that comes naturally to him and is cheered by his more-ardent fans. But he is likely to find that this approach is more suc- cessful in dealing with the Legislature, where getting something done often is more like gradually pushing sticky dough into a pile than casting stones. some say the governor's new approach is tied more to preparing for a 1982 reelection contest than to the 1981 Legislature. They say he is trying to keep on the good side of conservative Democrats whose help he needs for re- election. There also are rumors that Clements will step down voluntarily from the governor's job, possibly to take a high post with the Reagan administration. The male-dominated Legislature is being told that the growing numbers of female state employees are causing problems for the state retirement fund. No accusatory fingers are being pointed, fund officials say, but it is a fact that women tend to live longer than men and so draw retirement benefits longer. Sen. John Traeger of Seguin, sponsor of a bill to give the fund a $16 million shot in the arm, told the State Affairs Committee last week that there are three choices: Discriminate against the hiring of female employees, cut fund director Clayton Garrison's salary or pass legislation to help the fund. The first choice is unconstitutional and the second a joke. So, Traeger indicated the Legislature has no choice. Helping the fund, and the thousands of voters who happen to be present or retired state employees, is a popular legislative pastime. Committee Chairman Ray Farabee of Wichita Falls assigned Traeger's bill to a favorable sub- committee. A related bill by Sen. Grant Jones of Abilene won committee approval 10-1.