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Ford Newsletter, Oct.-Dec. 1951
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Ford Newsletter, Oct.-Dec. 1951
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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This document scanned from Box D1 of the Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
For release October 4, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
The Congressional Record is principally devoted to the legislative proceed-
ings of the House and Senate. Most of the pages are filled with the speeches by
members on the various problems which are under discussion, In addition to all this,
however, there is an Appendix and here is where miscellaneous material is included.
For example, if a Senator wants to preserve for posterity some speech he made at a
meeting at home or if a particular magazine article or newspaper editorial catches
his eye, this material can be inserted in the Appendix of the Congressional Record.
Most of it is pretty heavy stuff and oftentimes not too pertinent, but recently a
Congressman from out West has been inserting the comments or editorials by a fellow
called Neckyoke Jones who hails from Sheridan, Wyoming.
Presume you all read about President Truman's derogatory remarks about
Congressmen and others who are trying to cut the federal budget and make the American
dollar worth something. Here's Neckyoke Jones' comments on this situation -
"Did you seen where Hightail Harry Truman sez the good ol' U.S.
is simply rollin' in wealth?" I requires of Greesewood. "I seen that,'
he refines, 'but that ain't the way I hearn it. Accordin' to a hull
passel of fellers who kinda knows the score - some of the things which
Harry thinks is assets is about like havin' a second mortgige on a
band of antelope. The figgers show that what Harry is blowin' make
FDR's spendin' look like little casino. Harry's steamboat is costin'
taxpayers over quarter of a millyun a year - which makes livin' a life
on the briney-o kinda expensive. There is talk of a lot more taxes -
and iffen things is so rosey for wyo do they figger on boostin' the
ante? The government is borryin' more money - why? 01' Seniter bird
of Verginey - who is a Demmycrat has called the turn on spendin'.
Seniter Joe O. My Honey of Wyomin' says the goviment has got to quit
spending extravagent like - but 0 My Honey allus votes for the full
amount of everything Hightail asts for. It ain't hard to unnerstand
now how come a nectie store in Independence, Mizzourey, west busted.'
Greesewood is a regiler fynancier. Hopin' you are the same, I am.
Yure fren, Neckyoke Jones."
Then on another pertinent subject Neckyoke Jones had this to say -
"'Did you seen where the Johnny Bulls is buying a millyun bushel of
wheat from Unkle Joey Staleen?' I inquires of my ol' pardner, Greasewood.
'Yessir,' 1 he resloops, 'An' I unnerstand that the Brittish is going to
give raw rubber to Unkle Jo in payment. This will fix it so Unkle Jo
GERALD FORD (TORAP)
Your Washington Review - Page 2
October 4, 1951
kin make tires fer airplanes an' sech stuff - which he is givin' to
the Chinee Commies who is killin' British soljers. Now, I also seen
that Clem Atlee - the Sochilist, has told the British folks they don't
need to worry about Persian oil, because he's got it fixed to git all
the oil they need from your good ol' Unkle Sap. He don't say what the
Limeys will use fer money, but you kin bet that it'll most likely have
the American eagle on it - because there is a cupple of gimme guys
over from England right now negosheatin!. Like as not it won't be long
before we'll have to give coupons fer gasoline - and taxes continues to
rise. This seems kinda queer to me - all of this here British bizness -
but then mebbe it's me that's plumb loco.' This internashinul bizness
has sure got Greasewood euchered. Hopin' you are the same, I am,
Yure fren, Neckyoke Jones."
*
This past week 15-year-old Curtiss Eubank of Marne was in Washington as
one of the top winners in the Michigan Junior Chick-of-Tomorrow contest. The con-
test seeks to promote interest of youngsters in the economical production of chickens
for meat purposes. In other words more meat per pound of feed. Sounds like a good
deal for the consumer as well as the farmer. Asked Curtis what he was doing with the
money he made from his chickens. His answer, typically American, went like this,
"My chicken money will allow me to buy an Angus Aberdeen heifer and with the profit
from that I hope to be able to go to Michigan State." More power to you, Curtis,
and also the others who have a chance to win next year. Understand young Jerry
Sietsema of Kent County, who was State Champ this year, did not make the trip to the
Capital because he was a winner a year ago. Congratulations to you on this fine
achievement both years.
*
*
The Coast Guard will hold competitive examinations on February 18th and 19th
for entrance to the Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut. The four-year
engineering course, equivalent to a college education, leads to a Bachelor of Science
degree and a career as a Coast Guard officer. Interested young men should write
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Washington 25, D.C. for full information.
*
America's steel industry needs more scrap iron and steel, The National
Production Authority is urging plant owners, farmers, automobile wrecking yards,
railroad and ship yard operators to gather and sell all of their scrap to local scrap
dealers. If the steel industry is to continue building the new equipment needed for
our nation's defense program, we must have more steel. New steel is made from 50%
scrap. Collect your heavy industrial scrap and sell it to your dealer today. YOU
can help build America's might - GET IN THE SCRAP!
*
*
*
VISITORS - From Grand Rapids, Mr. & Mrs, Earl Schuhardt and daughter, Dan Darling,
Ewald C. Knudstrup, Jack D. Ripstra, J.V. Stegmeier, Robert H. Higgins; and from
Marne, Curtiss Eubank.
For release October 11, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
One of the little understood Congressional legislative mechanisms is the
"Committee of Conference." Actually all details of any final legislative decision
are worked out behind closed doors by darned few members of the House and Senate.
Right now I'm a member of a Conference Committee for the first time and the ex-
perience is both interesting and exasperating.
A Conference Committee comes into being when the House passes one version
of a particular bill and the Senate approves the same proposal but in a different
form. For example, the House on the river, Harbor and flood control appropriation
bill allowed 514 million dollars. The Senate in its version of the identical bill
approved 638 million dollars. You can readily see why the Senate is called the
"Upper Body." Before any funds can be spent a compromise figure must be determined.
To negotiate the Senate appointed nine conferees and the House selected five,
including myself.
Before the House conferees got together with the Senators we had our own
strategy caucus. The Senators are sharp bargainers, expecially on this particular
appropriation bill, which is oftentimes referred to as the "pork-barrel" measure.
Former Congressman Albert Engle of Muskegon is an authority on such matters for he
served for a number of years on the House flood control and river and harbor
appropriations subcommittee. I often wondered why Al Engle looked a little harried.
Now I know.
After our own caucus the five House conferees proceeded hopefully to the
Senate side of the Capitol. Tradition demands that all conferences take place in
the rarified atmosphere of the "Upper Body." The first meeting with the nine
Senators was pleasant but unproductive. The chairman, again by tradition, is the
ranking Senator and Senator McKellar of Tennessee from his long experience is a mas-
ter politician and negotiator. After the usual handshaking and exaggerated courtesy
on all sides the 14 conferees got down to work. During the first three-hour session
the non-controversial differences in the bill were easily compromised. Then the
real roadblocks appeared as expected.
The Senators argue that Uncle Sam must spend all of the millions for the
huge hydro-electric power dams and the flood control projects. They contend every
project is directly related to national defense and that the taxpayers' money must
be appropriated regardless of cost. The House Members reply, "Where are you going
to get the money?" Even the Senators admit these expenditures will unquestionably
have to be paid for by borrowed money. Of course, the prospect of additional taxes
and further deficit financing doesn't deter those from the "Upper Body" from seek
Your Washington Review - Page 2
October 11, 1951
ing appropriations for a pet project. So far the House conferees haven't weakened
and I doubt if some of us will. To date there have been four meetings of the
Conference Committee totalling nine hours of negotiations and no progress appro-
priately describes the negotiations. I'll keep you posted for they are your tax
dollars that are involved.
* * *
From July 1st through September 30th the United States spent almost 15
billion dollars. In this three-month period, just think only 122 days, there was
a federal deficit of over 2½ billion dollars, the biggest peacetime deficit in any
quarter. Apropos of this situation, Senator George of Georgia several days ago
lambasted the President on appropriation matters with this statement, "The
faintest bugle call from the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue for a reduction of
expenditures would have been met with enthusiastic Congressional response." He's
so right.
* * *
VISITORS: Miss Regina Kelling and her sister, Anne May Kleiner, and
Robert Vos and his daughter, all of Grand Rapids; Frank Duffy of Holland.
FORD is LIBRARY GRAVED
For release October 18, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
Several weeks ago I received a letter inquiring as to whether or not the
Russians still owed the United States any money for the military equipment and
civilian supplies we sent the Soviet Union in World War II. In checking with the
State Department I found that up to date Uncle Sam and the representatives of
the Kremlin have failed to reach "substantial agreement" in the settlement of
Russia's lend-lease account. During World War II the United States sent 11
billion dollars in supplies to Russia. The Russians have generously (??) offered
to pay us $300 million dollars in full settlement of this 11 billion account. The
State Department claims the Kremlin should pay 800 million to settle up, or about
8 per cent on the original lend-lease amount. It will be interesting to see just
how well our State Department negotiators do in arriving at the final figure.
*
*
*
As the talk of "truce" in Korea has its up and downs it is interesting to
note that the Congress is right now getting around to ending formally the last
war with Germany. The House of Representatives on July 27th approved such a
declaration and the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs subsequently put its okay
on an amended version. From all indications the final steps will be taken before
adjournment and then a peace rather than a war status will officially exist between
the United States and Germany.
What's the story on Korea? Probably no one knows what the future peace
prospects may be. In the meantime it is discouraging and disheartening to see the
tremendous casualty lists each week. In the 16 months of the Korean War the United
States has suffered over 85,000 battlefield casualties, plus 75,000 non-combat
casualties. Each week now our troops report approximately 2,000 casualties re-
sulting from the war against the Communists. According to the President and the
State Department this may be a "police action" but to those who have been fighting
our battles in far-off Korea and their loved ones at home this is a "big war," a
very big one. It is becoming very evident that the President can't pass Korea off
as a "police action," nor can our negotiators continue to fiddle around while the
Communists build up their military forces. The stalling tactics of the Reds in
their negotiations simply mean more casualties for us. It seems to me the Reds in
Korea would agree to an honorable cease-fire and truce in Korea if they knew "no
settlement" meant our troops, planes and ships would give them both barrels.
*
*
*
GERALD FORD
Your Washington Review - Page two
October 18, 1951
On practically every legislative bill the Senate and House versions dis-
agree in some particulars. These differences must be worked out in conference.
Occasionally the House and Senate members of a Conference Committee try to insert
new matters or provisions in the final version which were not included in the
bills when approved by either body. The Vice President for the Senate and the
Speaker for the House must rule on whether or not such insertions are proper. The
test is whether the conferees have "injected new matter" in the final draft of a
proposed law. In each case the issue must be raised by a Senator or Representative.
The decision by the Vice President or the Speaker is usually final but under the
parliamentary rules a majority of the members can over-rule the chair.
Here's a specific case. In the "foreign aid bill" the conferees raised
from five to ten per cent the money the President could shift from one program to
another. Senator Dvorshak of Idaho challenged this action by the conferees.
Vice President Barkley's ruling was sustained by a Senate vote of 41 to 36.
The same conferees decided that the head man of the foreign assistance
program should be a member of the board of directors of the Export-Import Bank. A
point of order was raised against this when the conference report came back to the
House. Speaker Rayburn ruled the conferees has "injected new matter" or gone
beyond their jurisdiction and as a result the provision was stricken.
#
*
#
The Final version of President Truman's tax increase legislation will be
before the Congress this week. The President wanted taxes raised 16 billion. The
Congress will raise them by about six billion. The difference can and should be
made up by reductions in government expenses. A balanced budget must be achieved.
It can be accomplished by cutting expenses and raising taxes to a limited degree.
For Release November 1, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
The 82nd Congress, first session, closed up shop late Saturday afternoon,
October 20th. Was it a good or bad legislative effort? I guess it depends on your
point of view if you are a bitter partisan to start with, but the real test comes
when the contemporary independents take a look and when historians, in the calm of
a decade later, write their pages for the information of future generations.
In my judgment for what it's worth, and undoubtedly my views are somewhat
prejudiced, the Congress did do a fairly good job under most adverse circumstances.
It must be remembered that this Congress from January 3rd through October 20th was
legislating while a pretty big war was in process. Bear in mind it was a war in
which the United States was involved by President Truman's action in June, 1950.
Congress was not consulted beforehand and since the Korean conflict began no declara-
tion of War by Congress has ever been suggested or considered by the President or
his Congressional lieutenants. Rightly or wrongly, the fact that Mr. Truman
plunged the American people into war without consulting with Congress has had a
decided effect on legislative matters, both military and domestic. Frankly, the
precipitous action by the President in committing American G.I.'s to a land war,
which has turned into a stalemated war with continued heavy casualties and very
little help from our allies in the United Nations, has made Congress hesitant about
giving the Executive branch of the government any more power than is absolutely
necessary.
Despite the criticism of the initiation and subsequent handling of the
Korean War, Congress in the last ten months appropriated over 61 billion dollars
for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. With these huge funds the Air Force will grow
from 90 to 140 air groups. The Navy gets a super carrier, the assurance of others,
and many more planes for its air operations. The Marines are to have three divi-
sions and three air wings and the Army has ample money for the best equipment and
sufficient forces.
In addition the Congress boosted atomic development on a vast scale.
Appropriations for the Atomic Energy Commission were doubled. The hydrogen-bomb
project was sanctioned and no limits were placed on the development of the atom for
either war or peace. It is essential for America to keep ahead of the Kremlin on
the wartime uses of the atom but at the same time it is vital to all humanity that
we take full advantage of atomic developments for peacetime benefits.
Your Washington Review - Page two
November 1, 1951
On non-defense programs and projects the Congress undoubtedly appro-
priated too much monev even though it cut President Truman's budget about five
per cent. On this issue the President and the Congress were badly split. The
White House seemed little concerned about the necessity of "belt tightening" in the
various federal agencies whipse work is npt cpmmected with the war, In this sphere
Mr. Truman seemed disposed to classify all federal bureaus as part of the defense
effort. In contrast Congress honestly tried to separate defense and non-defense
bureaus. Slashes in the budgets of the latter were attempted with some success,
not enough in my judgment, but still sufficient to reduce federal expenditures
over all by about five billion dollars.
On domestic legislation the box score must be evaluated on the basis of
what good legislation was enacted and what bad legislation was defeated. For ex-
ample, prepaid compulsory health insurance, better known as socialized medicine,
was not okayed even though Mr. Truman strongly advocated such a law. On the affirma-
tive side Congress tightened up on the sale of habit-forming drugs and provided far
stiffer penalties for narcotic violations. Senator Taft sponsored and Congress
approved a needed and desirable change in the Taft-Hartley Act which will permit
"union shop" agreements without a special election. These are but samples but
certainly good indications of what the Congress did or didn't do.
Special Congressional investigations, totalling about 134, were helpful
in rooting out graft, corruption, crime and political influence. There will be
even more exposures for the Congressional committees have just scratched the sur-
face in hauling some of the Administration skeletons out of the closets. In fact,
I'm willing to predict the scandals on the stage now are just eye openers for what
will follow.
CORD
For release November 8, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
In our Congressional District consisting of Kent and Ottawa counties there
is a great need for new school buildings. In some cases the structures are part
way up; in others just in the blue-print stage. All of those interested, pupils,
teachers, administrators and parents, are concerned about where the necessary steel
will be obtained to construct the buildings.
Congress, in two ways, has done what it could to relieve the situation.
Before adjournment resolutions were approved in the House and Senate calling on
mobilization officials to increase construction metal allotments for schools and
hospitals. This Congressional resolution resulted from hearings that were held by
the House Committee on Education and Labor. Parents and educators from all over the
United States testified that schools are terribly overcrowded and in many instances
unsafe for the kids. Will the Congressional resolution get more steel so that the
school and hospital construction program can proceed? The head of the National
Production Authority, the man who does the allocating, says "Yes, maybe not all that
is requested, but more than what would have otherwise been available."
*
*
*
Oftentimes the question is asked-What happens to bills Congress didn't
pass before adjourning October 20th? When Congress closed the books on the first
session there were 2,460 Senate and 6,219 House bills which did not receive final
Congressional action. These carry over to the second session which begins January
8, 1952, and if approved in the next session will be, legislatively speaking, part
of the work of the 82nd Congress. In the first session which ended October 20th,
Congress completed action on 257 public and 417 private bills.
*
*
*
President Truman in affixing his signature to the new tax bill said he
wants still another increase in taxes next year. The President contends Congress
didn't make the new taxes high enough. That's a lot of poppycock. The new tax bill
is ample to pay Uncle Sam's bills if the President and his budget advisors would
make a determined effort to cut expenses and would cooperate with Congress on a
real economy program. Congress can't do the job alone--if we are to balance the
budget there has to be some assistance from the White House. A fellow citizen and
a taxpayer said the other day "he didn't mind paying his taxes if he thought he was
getting his money's worth, but he was getting fed up with paying for the President's
tax scandals, R.F.C. shenanigans and a foreign policy that admits no mistakes and
achieves few successes!"
*
*
Your Washington Review - Page 2
The other day I received a letter from Congressman Mahon of Texas who is the
chairman of the appropriations subcommittee that has charge of the funds for the
Department of Defense. Representative Mahon in his letter, which he sent to all his
colleagues, asked that personal investigations be made of every military installation
in each Congressional district by the Congressman from that particular district.
Chairman Mahon knows that the Army, Navy and Air Force waste more money and manpower
than any branch of the government but he needs the help of all of us to root out the
disgusting inefficiency and lack of economy. By the way, if any citizen knows of
specific cases where the Armed Forces are wasting men or materials please let me
know and I will see that Congressman Mahon and his committee straighten out the
military "brass-hats."
Here is what Congress has recently uncovered: In 1944 and 1945 the Navy
bought paint in such volume it could cover 10,666 battleships. Eventually tons of
this paint was sold to a German firm as surplus. You would think the military "brass"
would profit from such idiotic purchasing policies. No, they never learn. In the
year after the Korean War began, the Army bought 68 million can openers. That
averages about 45 for each man under arms. Army Ordnance ordered 6 million gallons
of paint in quart and gallon cans and urged that a whole year's supply be delivered
in 60 days. The Army later admitted it could have saved a lot of money by ordering
its paint in 5 gallon cans, And so it goes. Congress needs the help of every citi-
zen if we are to stop the useless extravagence of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
*
%
*
VISITORS: Eugene and James Boumers, Harold M. Schoperkotten, Bette Ennis,
George S. Gedvilla, Louis P. McKay, Charles E. Cleaver, Carol and Helen Formsma,
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Hogan, Jr., Peter and Wendy Schroeder and Mrs. George
Schroeder.
GENALD
For release November 15, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
The other day the statement was made that Congress has been investigating
the Reconstruction Finance Corporation all year and now what's been done? During the
last year two Senate groups did investigate RFC loan activities. The first group
under Senator Fulbright reported its hearings "fully substantiated" charges that
certain top RFC officials yielded to pressure of influence peddlers in granting loans.
A separate report by Republican Senators urged that RFC be abolished. The second
group investigated RFC to find if Democratic National Chairman William Boyle, Jr.
helped American Lithofold Corporation of St. Louis get an RFC loan. Boyle denied
the charges. During the hearings his testimony looked bad and other damaging evi-
dence appeared. On October 13th Boyle resigned his $25,000 per year job as boss of
the Democratic party. The RFC, despite the unsavory disclosures and Republican at-
tempts to abolish it, lives on.
# * *
Because the Hoover Commission promised to save approximately five billion
dollars annually in the operation of the federal government there is considerable
interest in what has been the progress of the recommendations. The first session
of the 82nd Congress did not achieve spectacular success along this line, in fact
the Congress and the President have a pretty shabby record on this score. For exam-
ple, President Truman submitted only one reorganization plan to the House and Senate
in 1951. In 1949-50 the President submitted 34 reorganization plans to Congress,
26 of which were adopted. Although the Congress didn't do its best work in this
field in 1951, there was a good bit of Hoover reorganization groundwork laid for
action during the next session.
* * *
One of the nation's leading radio news commentators opens his daily radie
broadcast with, "The scandal in Washington today is. ." and then the story goes on.
In one broadcast he told of a U.S. collector of Internal Revenue from Brooklyn, New
York who recently explained some fancy deals to a House Investigating committee.
The collector, J. P. Marcelle, was appointed seven years ago by Franklin D.
Roosevelt at a salary of $10,500 per year. In his seven years as a collecter of
taxes for Uncle Sam, Marcelle made more than $190,000 by outside work. In 1948 he
had his best year and took in for himself a neat little $135,776. By sheer accident
Marcelle had filed his 1948 income tax return in his own office in Brooklyn instead
of sending it along to Washington. Two and a half years later some investigators dug
up this return and it was properly audited. An unbiased audit revealed tax collector
GERALD
Your Washington Review - Page 2
Marcelle had made mistakes in his own favor totaling $32,834. Marcelle has now re-
signed for the "good of the service" along with five other collectors.
Most of the disclosures that have resulted in the resignation of six of the
64 tax collectors in the United States come from the good work of Senator Williams,
a Republican of Delaware. In February of this year Senator Williams said in a
speech, "It is my belief that in many cases the morale, efficiency, and even the
honesty of some of those who collect our federal taxes are distressingly bad.
The reason
is that our system of tax collection is shot full of cheap, inexcus-
able political manipulation." It appears the tax investigation started by Senator
Williams and now carried further by a House Investigating Committee. is due to become
the gravest of all Truman Administration scandals.
* * *
Senator Harry Byrd of Virginia recently brought out some interesting details.
All Presidents through FDR, in 156 years, took from the public in taxes 248 billion
dollars. This period includes two world wars. President Truman in six years took
from the public in taxes 260 billion dollars. The "tax take" in this single Adminis-
tration is 12 billions more than in all Administrations of the past. Even so, the
present Administration under H.S.T. spends more than it takes in.
For release November 22, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
Can the Congress override a pocket veto? No. Did the President pocket
veto any bills approved by the House and Senate during the first session of the
82nd Congress? Yes.
If the President does not sign a bill approved by the Congress within ten
days after adjournment, the bill dies. The President gives the legislation a
"pocket veto" simply by failing to sign it.
One of the bills killed by a pocket veto involved federal aid to education
in critical defense areas. Mr. Truman in a public statement said the measure would
require racial segregation in schools on military sites and other federal property
in 17 states. The President favored the general purpose of the bill but killed it
because of the segregation provision.
Will Congress, when it reconvenes in January, re-approve a similar bill
and then try to pass it over a regular Presidential veto? Frankly, I don't know.
If such an effort is made in the House and Senate it will widen the bitter split in
the already divided ranks of the Democratic party. The northern Democrats will go
along with Mr. Truman's point of view and the southern Democrats will fight for the
original version. It will be an interesting intra-party battle to watch. I only
hope deserving kids who need an education will not suffer because of the long
struggle and vicious dispute among the various factions in the Democratic party,
*
*
*
It is encouraging to hear that the Navy Department and particularly the
Marines have taken positive steps to reduce dissatisfaction among Marine reservists,
to reduce the number of able-bodied men performing "chair corps" duties, and to
include "cost consciousness" among categories rated for officer fitness. A Senate
Subcommittee on Preparedness so reported after a careful check. The Army and the
Air Force would do well to follow suit. An over-all Department of Defense program
of this sort would boost morale and save money. Uncle Sam needs emphasis on both
points during wartime,
*
*
*
Lobbying is big business in Washington. A recent analysis covering the
first half of 1951 shows 235 organizations reporting under the Federal Regulation of
Lobbying Act said they spent $4,288,300. This total reverses a four-year upward
trend in total outlay for reported lobby spending. Some of the groups said part or
all of their reported expenditures really wasn't for lobbying but filed reports under
the law just to play safe. About 900 individuals filed lobby financial reports on
their legislative activities.
Your Washington Review - Page 2
Pressure groups told Congress and the American people they spent a million
dollars less this year than was spent in a comparable period in 1950. The
"dopesters" offer the following explanation for the drop in lobby spending: (1)
There was very little welfare, farm 02 labor legislation on the Congressional agenda
where pressures could be applied for or against certain bills. (2) Many organiza-
tions may have adopted new methods of filing reports or handling expenditures for
lobbying or related activity.
Non-legitimate lobbyii E, and most of it is, can be very helpful to a
member of Congress. For example, if a certain bill is scheduled for consideration
by the House of Representatives I like to get the detailed recommendations of the
lobbying groups on both sides. A Congressman can and should use the facts pre-
sented by the lobbyists, pro and con. After listening to both sides as presented
by each group a member of the House and Senate should then use his best judgment,
bearing in mind the views of his own constituents and the general welfare of the
nation as a whole.
*
*
*
A joint Congressional "economy" committee recently reported a cutback
in federal payrolls for the first time since the start of the Korean War. Govern-
ment workers totaled $2,509,394 in August and $2,495,519 in September. Some re-
ductions were seasonal but most of the cutbacks resulted from economy amendments
approved during the last session of the Congress. It is hoped the trend will
continue.
*
*
*
The recent elections in a number of states will result in this situation
in the House of Representatives: Democrats, 233, Republicans, 200; Independents,
one. There is still one vacancy to be filled--in the traditionally Republican
Nebraska Third District. Election date: December 4th. Although the Republicans
picked up one new member, the President and his party will still have a numerical
majority in the House of Representatives.
For release November 29, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
The President and the House subcommittee investigating the "tax-fixin"
business" recently had a few disputes that were not completely settled to anybody's
satisfaction. The trouble involved certain files in the Department of Justice
that the committee thought were necessary to show any alleged wrongdoing in certain
departments in the Executive Branch of the federal government.
The subcommittee has been investigating reports of irregularities in income
tax collection by the Internal Revenue Bureau and in prosecution of tax fraud cases
by the Justice Department. The lawyer for the House Committee said certain files
were essential to get to the bottom of the irregularities. The Department of
Justice was asked to produce the files and the Department had refused to cooperate.
When the files were not produced Congiessman King of California, chairman of the
investigating group, called President Truman who was vacationing in Key West,
Florida. Initially the President apparently said the files should be delivered for
inspection. On second thought, however, the President said to newspapermen the
information should be kept secret and the files were not to be made available to
Congress or the public.
Such an attitude by the White House satisfies no one. The public naturally
wants to know why anything of this sort has to be covered up. Members of Congress
point out this is just another example of high-handed "Iron Curtain" methods by the
Truman Administration. Even those in tite Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Depart-
ment of Justice who are under suspicion are not pleased, for the non-delivery of the
files in itself casts a bad reflection. For all concerned, the President should
open up the files for all to see and let the chips fall where they may.
* * *
It appears that Senator Joe McCarthy is not the only one in the Senate who
feels the State Department has been lax in its handling of foreign agents. On
November 8th a Senate Internal Security subcommittee revealed an alleged Communist
spy was allowed to harvest a crop of U.S. military secrets for more than two years
while acting as a Czechoslovakian diplomat in America. The committee charged
Colonel Otto Biheler, military and air attache at the Czech Embassy, was a key
figure in the Communist espionage apparatus. Sharp crticism was hurled at the
State Department for permitting the situation to exist. The Department contended
it was never asked to expel Colonel Biheler but the State Depai tment officials did
admit that questionable reports about this alleged Communist agent had been received
from sources outside the United States. Senator McCarran said Biheler's record
Your Washington Reveiw - Page two
is "typical of hundreds" and "it would seem that the State Department does not
wish to impede the activities of these people."
* * *
Nowadays the Pentagon is one of the sights folks always want to see when
they visit the nation's Capital, Anyway you look at it the building in itself
is a massive structure. Under its roof are, among other things, 361 generals and
admirals of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. One of the Senate investigating
committees checking into the hoarding of military manpower decided the Pentagon
was altogether too star-spangled. The "high concentration of upper brass" in
Washington, said the committee, is "inefficient, wasteful and dangerous." It ap-
pears that in the Pentagon Army colonels and Navy captains are doing the work of
"messenger boys." According to the report "top brass" is almost as numerous in
the Pentagon now as it was at the end of World War II, when the Armed Forces were
almost four times as big. In addition, and this should make everyone blink, there
are 91,081 civilians working for the Defense Department around Washington, which
by the way is only 7,000 under the World War II peak. The situation might have
been worse except for the fine economy efforts of Senator Ferguson during the
last session of the Congress.
The Senate committee told the Chiefs of Staff to thin out some of the
brass and warned the Pentagon bosses that unless there was a cut the American
fighting forces might wind up "all chiefs--no Indians." Of course, the Senate
could help the situation itself by now and then refusing to confirm any new
general or admiral promotions,
* * *
VISITORS: Tom Walsh and Jenny Geraitis of Grand Rapids; Junius B. Wood
of Holland.
For release December 4, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
Nowadays Mark Twain would find his beloved Mississippi a good bit different.
Perhaps to him it wouldn't have the same appeal but to a Michigander in 1951 the
Lower Mississippi River is a sight to behold. This is particularly true when you
see it from the pilot house of the Steamer "Mississippi" with a 90-year-old stalwart
as your guide.
This past week three members of the House Committee on Appropriations made a
four-day inspection trip of the Lower Mississippi from the mouth of the Ohio River
to the Gulf of Mexico. Via the river this is 964 miles and our inspection party
made most of the journey on board one of the few remaining steam propelled "paddle-
wheelers."
In order to inspect adequately all of the many flood control levees, reser-
voirs, cut-offs, bank revetments and floodways the Army Engineers kept the three
Congressmen on the go from early morning till late at night. We viewed not only
the "main-stem" levees and cut-offs but much of the tributary work which is an
integral part of the master plan for the control of the Mississippi, the giant of
all streams in America.
The Mississippi River has its source in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, at an eleva-
tion of 1,470 feet above sea level, and flows 2,470 miles to the Gulf. Together
with its tributaries, the river drains a total of about 1,244,000 square miles. The
drainage basin, exceeded in size only by those of the Amazon and Congo Rivers,
covers all or parts of 31 states.
On Saturday afternoon we boarded the Steamboat "Mississippi" at Cairo, Illi-
nois, and for the next four days followed every twist and turn of the river. The
most interesting guide was a civilian engineer, Mr. S. P. Reynolds, of Caruthers-
ville, Missouri, who has lived within a few yards of the river over 90 years. This
fine old man who was born in 1861 and who has helped to build levees almost a cen-
tury, is as spry as most men half his age. The Mighty Mississippi hasn't licked him
and he hopes to live to see the day when the flood control job is done from the
mouth to the headwaters. With justifiable pride he told me the levees built under
his jurisdiction some fifty years ago have never been destroyed or topped by the
numerous rampages of the devastating Mississippi.
FORD
Your Washington Review - Page 2
Saturday night after dinner on board the steamer, Mr. Reynolds asked me if
I would like to walk up topside to sit in the pilot house while the steamer plowed
southward. It was a dark, drizzly, and somewhat foggy night but my 90-year-old
guide agilely led the way on catwalks and ladders from the lower deck to the pilot's
sanctuary. For two hours we watched an experienced river pilot steer a true course
in the pitch-black night. Yes, a river pilot now has searchlights, radio communi-
cation and other navigation aids, but nevertheless these men are truly experts. Our
boat, in addition to the inspection part, was hauling three big barges of rock for
use in the levees being constructed downstream.
While we were aboard, the Steamboat "Mississippi" passed both ways numerous
other tugs and barges with all kinds of cargo. Believe it or not, over 67 million
tons of cargo were carried on the Mississippi in 1950, the biggest navigation year
in the River's history. Now only a very few boats are paddle-wheelers but the
tremendous paddles at the stern of the Steamboat "Mississippi" propelled us and the
three barges of rock down the river at a speed of 14 miles per hour. In time the
few remaining old steamboats and their paddle-wheels will pass to oblivion but in
the years gone by they did their share in building the economy of America.
For release December 13, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, Jr.
A Congressman oftentimes is asked to help in cutting red tape in Immigra-
tion and Naturalization cases. In quite a few instances our help has brought old
families together or united new ones. One of the most difficult ones involved two
fine little Greek war orphans. Last week Betty and I had dinner at the home of the
adopting parents and frankly it was a real thrill to see these two youngsters, both
under four years of age, in a typical American home with all the love and care they
need. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Soder of Grand Rapids rate a real pat on the back.
The story began during World War II when little Sophie and Paul lost the
parents in their native land. For months these two kids and many other Greek war
orphans had nothing to eat but bread and macaroni, and little enough of that. This
unbalanced diet prevented them from growing up like our babies in America. The lack
of nutrition affected Sophie so that at 2½ years she couldn't walk and little Paul
at three was so weak he stumbled and fell after one or two steps. Both had distended
tummies, which is a typical sign of starvation.
About two years ago Paul and Mrs. Soder, who had no children of their own,
decided they wanted to do their full share in these troubled times. Relatives of the
Soders in Greece found little Paul and Sophie and immediately started to build them
back to health with the help of vitamins and food which the prospective parents
shipped from the United States.
Mr. and Mrs. Soder then checked with the Immigration and Naturalization
officials in America to see how they could bring the two children to a new home
across the Atlantic ocean. The situation looked bad at first but then Congress
enacted a new section in the Displaced Persons Law which allowed the entry of war
orphans. The Soders contacted my office for they were terribly anxious to get little
Sophie and Paul here as quickly as possible. I contacted the D.P. Commission and
found that the Soders could either adopt the youngsters in Greece and bring them
over, or else adopt them in American courts after their arrival in the United States.
Adoption in America seemed like too long a process so last November, in
1950, Mr. and Mrs. Soder flew to Greece where after much difficulty with the foreign
courts the adoptions WAIS pr perly handled, Mr. Seder immediately returned here by
plane to get everything fixed un in America and his wife with the two children fol-
lowed shortly afterwards.
The Soder family, now four in all, have been together almost a full year.
To see Sophie and Paul today you would hardly believe that two years ago they were
homeless and near starvation. The kids are very fertunate to have such wonderful
no
12/13/57
For release December 20, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
Several years ago the Congress by law set the debt limitation of the federal
government at the astronomical figure of 275 billion dollars. When this sky high
debt ceiling was determined few citizens thought it would be necessary to revise it
upward still further but the present Administration's spendthrift policies may push
the limitation to stratosphere heights.
When President Truman took office on April 12, 1945 the federal debt was
235 billion dollars. In seven and one-quarter years, from inaugeration to the end
of the present term, the federal government under Mr. Truman will have spent 352
billion bucks. During this period while President Truman held the reins our govern-
ment will have added about 35 billion to the federal debt. Obviously, the present
occupant of the White House and his fiscal advisors will never go down in history
as "economy advocates."
Folks used to talk about President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a careless and
carefree waster of public funds, but compared to H.S.T., Mr. Roosevelt was not a
big spender nor a bad taxer. The Truman tak in taxes in 71 years--$310 billion. In
the 12 years Mr. Roosevelt was President the tax total amounted to $155 billion.
Just for comparison, the federal tax collections under the 30 other Presidents of
the United States totalled $91 billion.
In other words, despite a record take in federal taxes under President Truman
the Congress in the near future will be faced with the serious issue of whether or
not the Present debt limitation of 275 billion dollars should be increased. Members
of Congress who have done their utmost to cut government expenses can face such an
issue squarely and vote NO with a perfectly clear conscience. Those who have voted
for big government spending have the burden of increasing our debt limitation. It
will be interesting to see what Mr. Truman and his Administration advisors who be-
lieve in "tax, tax, spend, spend" will do with this "hot potato."
Here's an interesting question. How long will it take, at the rate taxes
have been increased recently, before taxes will take all you earn? The answer is
a date within the prospective lifetimes of Americans already old enough to earn their
own livings. Within 38 years or by 1990 every dollar earned will be taxed 100 per
cent if federal taxes continue to go upward. On the other hand, federal taxes could
go down if the President and the Congress would stop spending the taxpayers' money
at such a wantonly reckless rate,
*
*
*
Your Washington Review - Page 2
The recent news stories about President Truman urging J. Edgar Hoover, head
of the F.B.I., to take over the job of cleaning out the grafters and corruption in
the government prompted me so LOOK up the clography of our top G-man. On May 10th
of this year Mr. Hoover completed :7 years as director of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation. He started with the Justice Department in 1917 as an unknown file
reviewer but by 1921 was assistant director. In 1924 he was elevated to the top
spot in the F.B.I. and ever since has done a remarkably fine job in tracking down
crooks, grafters, and saboteurs. Needless to say, J.' Edgar Hoover, if given a free
rein and full authority, would do a magnificent job in rooting out the immoral,
unethical and illegal practices and personalities that have thrived during the
administration of President Truman. The President has been mighty late in recogniz-
ing the need for a clean-up of his cronies but with Mr. Hoover at the helm the "fur
would surely fly."
*
*
One of the hardiest of all Congressman is the grand old man of the House,
Representative Bob Doughton of North Carolina. He's been in Congress 40 years but
at 88 years old he still does a terrific job. As Chairman of the House Committee
on Ways and Means he has done his level best to be fair and square to all. Despite
his age this fine gentleman still does a top job. Once a North Carolina constituent
wanted an appointment to see his representative in Washington. Congressman Doughton
said, "Sure, he'd be glad to see his friend from home--at 5:30 a.m." He's slowed
down a little, gets to work now about seven in the morning. Says he learned to get
up early in the hills of Carolina.
Here are some sound Doughtonisms: "You can shear a sheep year after year
but you can take his hide only once," Another goes like this: "If you strangle
business with taxes you don't get any more taxes."
*
*
*
In a couple of weeks Betty, Mike and I will be returning to Washington for
the next session of the Congress. We've enjoyed being home for the past few months
end all three join in wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas from the bottoms of our
learts.
*
*
*
On January 8th, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sam Rayburn of
Texas, will bang down his gavel signifying the start of a new legislative year in the
expien's Capitol. 1952 will be a fateful year in American history. Our country's
future may well hang in the balance on the decisions made by our people and our
officials. May God be with us, one and all, that this may be our finest hour.
GERALE FORD
For release December 27, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
When a member of Congress is home and away from the ,legislative atmos-
phere in Washington there is an important obligation and responsibility to listen
to the views and opinions of his constituents. First-hand consultation is much
better than correspondence but nowadays with Congress in session eight to ten months
each year the opportunities for such get-togethers are necessarily curtailed. This
year since the adjournment of Congress on October 20th I've discussed a good many
personal problems and national issues with citizens in Kent and Ottawa counties.
It's been good for me and I hope the same for them.
One of the most interesting and enlightening conferences was with Mr. J.
D. Van Putten of Holland. Dyk Van Putten several months ago returned from Korea,
China and Formosa. He's had some amazing experiences, including being evacuated from
Korea twice and China once in a ten-month period. In the last 25 years Mr. Van Putten
has spent practically all of his time in the Far East so he knows first-hand most of
the delicate problems and deplorable conditions that exist in that part of the globe.
He's a good friend of Republican Representative Walter Judd of Minnesota, who was a
medical missionary in China for many years before his election to the Congress.
Dyk Van Putten interestingly tells of his last few days in China when he
held the position as U.S. Information Officer in Peiping. The Communists captured
Peiping and immediately took possession of everything in the community but his small
office. The Chinese Communist leaders in their propaganda radio broadcasts contended
that his office was the "only unliberated area in Peiping."
The Red leaders eventually seized him and his family and subjected them all
to intense questioning. His two children, 12 and 14 years old, were taken from their
mother and father for private questioning by the Communist interrogators. Quite a
trying ordeal for children of that age but the youngsters stood the test.
One of the questions asked Mr. Van Putten by the Reds involved Henry
Wallace, who was vice president of the United States under President Roosevelt. The
Chinese Communists wanted to know what Mr. Van Putten thought of Henry A. Wallace.
It was quite obvious from the questioning that the "Commies" thought Mr. Wallace got
a bad deal when he wasn't elected President of the United States in 1948. They also
asked Mr. Van Putten whether he voted for Mr. Dewey in the 1948 Presidential election
and were pleased when he replied No. Mr. Van Putten didn't expand his answer to indi-
cate he hadn't voted for anyone because it was virtually impossible to get absentee
voter ballots in far-off China. You can imagine the treatment this citizen of our
Congressional district received from the ruthless Chinese Reds when you realize he
GERALD FORD
Your Washington Review - Page 2
was classified as the "chief spy" of the government of the United States.
I asked Dyk Van Putten what the Communists leaders were doing in China to
solidify their control over the 400 million people in that vast under-developed land.
Our school teachers and our students will be interested in his answer. In all Chinese
schools one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon is spent working for
the state or being indoctrinated in the principles of Communism. The school curricu-
lum entirely emphasizes the grandeur of Communism and the alleged failure of the free
enterprise system in America. There are no competitive sports under the Communist
regime. Games like football, basketball and baseball are taboo. The Communists be-
lieve in mass calisthenics, by the "numbers" I presume. Sounds mighty dull to say the
least and certainly contrary to our system which aims at strong minds and healthy
bodies through good sportsmanship and competitive games.
It was most interesting to hear Mr. Van Putten's comments and recommenda-
tions concerning the Voice of America. He firmly believes in the need of a strong
American propaganda program based on truth with more emphasis on our accurate news
reports and less concentration on the material things Americans possess. In addition
our Voice of America programs which we beam to foreign lands are too often in English
and consequently not for the consumption of the millions of natives. After all, it's
the masses we must reach with our fine story of America and this can be done most
effectively by broadcasts in the native languages.
His other recommendations include separating the U.S. Information and
Education agency from the Department of State and a continuation of the policy of
sending American teachers and technicians to the under-developed areas of the world.
Mr. Van Putten's recommendations, based on his practical experiences in China, Korea,
and Formosa, are important and will be most helpful to me in the coming months when
Congress has the job of determining how much money should be appropriated for the
vital tasks ahead. I might add in closing that any organizations or clubs that want
an interesting and educational speaker by all means should contact Mr. J. D. Van
Putten in Holland, Michigan.
CERALD