Based upon the premise that manufacturing, communications, and computers are the key to productivity, this hearing before the Technology Policy Task Force was held to examine how the federal government interacts with universities, engineering research centers, professional associations, and private businesses in these areas. This document contains the testimony of four individuals involved in these fields. They were: (1) Dr. Richard Nelson, Professor of International Political Economics, Columbia University; (2) Dr. Lewis Branscomb, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University; (3) Larry Sumney, president, Semiconductor Research Committee; and (4) Lawrence C. Seifert, Vice President, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Production Planning, AT&T. (TW)