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Ford, Gerald R. - Vice Presidential Confirmation - House Judiciary Committee Correspondence
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Ford, Gerald R. - Vice Presidential Confirmation - House Judiciary Committee Correspondence
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This file contains material relating to Peter Rodino.
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https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1126638
collections
Benton L. Becker Papers
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Governmental investigations
Presidential appointments
Vice-Presidents
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1973-11-30
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1973
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The original documents are located in Box 1, folder "Ford, Gerald R. - Vice Presidential Confirmation - House Judiciary Committee Correspondence" of the Benton L. Becker Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Benton Becker donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. NINETY-THIRD CONGRESS PETER W. RODINO, JR. (N.J.). CHAIRMAN GENERAL COUNSEL: HAROLD D. DONOHUE, MASS. EDWARD HUTCHINSON, MICH. JEROME M. ZEIFMAN JACK BROOKS, TEX. ROBERT MCCLORY, ILL. ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL: ROBERT W. KASTENMEIER, WIS. HENRY P. SMITH III, N.Y. DON EDWARDS, CALIF. WILLIAM L. HUNGATE, MO. TOM RAILSBACK, ILL. Congress of the United States GARNER J. CLINE CHARLES W. SANDMAN, JR., N.J. COUNSEL: JOHN CONYERS. JR., MICH. CHARLES E. WIGGINS, CALIF. JOSEPH FISCHER JOSHUA EILBERG. PA. DAVID W. DENNIS, IND. JEROME R. WALDIE, CALIF. HAMILTON FISH, JR., N.Y. Committee on the Judiciary HERBERT FUCHS HERBERT E. HOFFMAN WILEY MAYNE, IOWA WILLIAM P. SHATTUCK WALTER FLOWERS. ALA. JAMES R. MANN, S.C. LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, MD. CHRIS NOLDE PAUL S. SARBANES, MD. WILLIAM J. KEATING. OHIO House of Representatives ALAN A. PARKER JOHN F. SEIBERLING, OHIO M. CALDWELL BUTLER, VA. JAMES F. FALCO WILLIAM S. COHEN, MAINE MAURICE A. BARBOZA GEORGE E. DANIELSON, CALIF. ROBERT F. DRINAN, MASS. TRENT LOTT, MISS. CHARLES B. RANGEL, N.Y. HAROLD V. FROEHLICH, WIS. Mashington, D.C. 20515 DONALD G. BENN FRANKLIN G. POLK BARBARA JORDAN, TEX. CARLOS J. MOORHEAD. CALIF. ROGER A. PAULEY RAY THORNTON, ARK. JOSEPH J. MARAZITI, N.J. November 12, 1973 THOMAS E. MOONEY PETER T. STRAUB ELIZABETH HOLTZMAN, N.Y. MICHAEL W. BLOMMER WAYNE OWENS, UTAH ALEXANDER B. COOK EDWARD MEZVINSKY, IOWA Honorable Gerald R. Ford Minority Leader U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Jerry: Members of the Committee on the Judiciary have requested that I contact you regarding a private bill you introduced in the 91st Congress, 1st Session for the relief of Domenico Piemonte. The bill, H.R. 5381, was introduced on January 29, 1969 and referred to this Committee. I ask, therefore, that you make available to William P. Dixon of the Committee staff any and all documents, correspondence, memos or other material contained in your files concerning H.R. 5381. I appreciate the assistance you have rendered the Committee to date, as well as the assistance given to members of the Committee staff by individuals within your employ. Sincerely 12 yours, PETER W. RODINO, JR. Chairman Digitized from Box 1 of the Benton Becker Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library November 21, 1973 Honorable Peter W. Rodino, Jr. Chairman Committee on the Judiciary U. S. House of Representatives Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. Chairman: The following information is in response to the inquiries Miss Holtsman submitted to me in a letter dated November 19. 1973: A. Mr. Harold Albert is an old and trusted friend. He had what I considered to be a. legitimate claim and my intervention in his behalf, was in my opinion, justified based on the merits of his case. I had no knowledge of Mr. Albert's contribution or the contribution of Seidman and Seidman to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. The circumstances resulting in the resolution of Mr. Albert's case are best described in the enclosed communications. I know of no contributions made to me or to any of my campaign committees by Mr. Albert. The action I took on Mr. Albert's behalf was in no way connected to his contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. I know of no other action taken on Mr. Albert's behalf by me. There was nothing illegal or improper about this action. B. Mr. James Chamberlain is President of Gill Manufacturing Corpora- tion, a large manufacturer of children's clothing in Grand Rapids. He is an extremely knowledgeable businessman whom I felt would make a solid contribution to the National Advisory Council on Flammable Fabrics. I was notified on July 25, 1973 that he had been so appointed. I had no knowledge that Mr. Chamberlain contributed $1,155 between 1969 and 1973 to the Kent County Repub- lican Finance Committee. I know of no contributions made to me FORD R LISHARP GERALD Mr. Rodino Page Two November 21, 1973 or any of my campaign committees by Mr. Chamberlain. My recommendation of Mr. Chamberlain was in no way connected to this contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. No illegal or improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Chamberlain regarding this appointment. With the exception of forwarding Mr. Chamberlain's views on pending rule making to the appropriate federal agencies, my records reflect that the only additional action taken at his request was the insertion in the December 17, 1971 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD of a statement by Roger Wilson, Chairman, Products Flammability Committee, American Apparel Manufacturers Association, dealing with that Association's efforts to solve the apparel flammability problem. C. Bob Webster is President of Holly's Inc. a restaurant chain in my District. My letter to the Chairman of the Price Commission was in response to correspondence from Mr. Webster questioneng the high cost of meat and asking when action by the Price Commission could be expected to meet this problem. The Price Commission responded by sending me the enclosed letter which includes a copy of the Federal Code dealing with resteurants. I forwarded this information to Mr. Webster. I do not know if Holly's Inc. vas exempt from the price controls on the basis of number of employees or annual sales. I had no knowledge that Mr. Webster contributed $500 to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. I know of no contribution made to me or any of my campaign committees by Mr. Webster. My correspondence to the Price Commission was in no way connected to Mr. Webster's contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. No illegal or improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Webster. D. On August 24, 1972, I received the enclosed communication from Smith Brothers Elevators requesting clarification of a recent Small Business Administration (SBA) ruling respecting country elevators and the constituent's status as a retailer rather than a storer of goods. That letter was forwarded on August 29, 1972 to the SBA requesting the SBA's review of the letter and clarification of the eligibility of country elevators for participation in SBA loans. On September 11, 1972 the enclosed response vas received from SBA Administrator, Thomas Kleppe, reflecting the procedures to appeal their ruling. On September 11, 1972 Mr. Smith waste the Small Business Standard Sized Board requesting reconsideration of the SBA ruling which letter vas incorporated with my letter of September 14, 1972 to the Size Appeals Board requesting a review of the matter, "con- sistent with existing ruless and regulations." On September 21, 1972 GERALD FORD LIBRARY Mr. Rodino Page Three November 21, 1973 the Chairman of the Size Appeals Board acknowledged my communication and advised later, amOctober 16, 1972, that the Size Appears Board had determined that Smith Brothers met the small business size require- ments and found it eligible for small business financial assistance. I had no personal knowledge of the $75 contribution to the Friends of Jerry Ford Committee by Mr. L. G. Smith on November 13, 1972 and know of no other contributions made to me or to any of my committees by Mr. Smith. My Congressional assistance to Smith Bewthers, in both the SBA matter and the Interstate Commerce Commission matter, were not related to Mr. Smith's contribution. With respect to your inquiry in paragraph 2 of Section D, I have enclosed xerox copiews of my letter of May 18, 1973 to the Interstate Commerce Commission Chairman, George M. Stafford, together with his response of May 29, 1973. To the best of my knowledge, the inquiry continues to be under consideratéon by ICC. No illegal or improper action was taken by my office on thhalf of Mr. Smith or Smith Brothers Elevators. E. Vari-tech Company is a manufacturer of lasers in Grand Rapids which experienced what appeared to be an inordinate delay in securing an export license. I forwarded a copy of a letter from Mr. Merlin Applegate, President, Vari-tech Company, to Commerce Secretary Dent requesting information as to the cause of the delay and asking what I might advise Mr. Applegate. The disposition of the case is best described in a letter to me dated April 10, 1973 from Mr. Stephen Lazerus, Deputy Assistant Secretary for East-West Trade. I had no personal knowledge of Mr. Applegate's $50 contribution to the Ford FordCongress Committee in 1972. I know of no other contribution made to me or to any of my campaign committees by Mr. Applegate. My assistance to Mr. Applegate was in no way connected to his contribution to the Ford for Congress Committee. I know of no other action taken on Mr. Applegate's behalf by me or my office. No illegal or improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Applebate regarding this matter. F. Mr. Chet Williams, Chairman of the Board, Williams Form Engineering Corporation of Grand Rapids, is an old friend who had difficulty in receiving & surtax refund of $3,558.10 to which he was entitled. I forwarded Mr. Williams' letter and entry documents to the Bureau of Customs with & request that they follow through on the matter in whatever manner they deemed appropriate. The Bureau of Customs, based upon the documentation provided, concluded that the surtax should not GERALD R. LISAARY FORD Mr. Rodino PagE Four November 21, 1973 have been levied since the material in quiestion sailed from England and was enroute prior to the time the surtax vas applicable. The second matter to which you refer was a request made by me to the Department of Commerce in Mr. Williams' behalf to look into the patent difficulties Mr. Williams had encountered in Japan. I have no knowledge of Mr. Williams' contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. I know of no contribution made to me or to any of my campaign committees by Mr. Williams. My assistance to Mr. Williams was in no way connected to his contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. No illegal or improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Williams. G. Wolvering World Wide Inc., a Rockford, Michigan firm in my Congressional District, is the manufacturer of Hush Puppies, a well-known brand of footwear. The Department of Labor rejected Wolverine's proposal to provide employment opportunities to minority people under the JOBS Program. I requested the Department of Labor to review the file to determine whether there was anything which could be done, consistent with existing rules and regulations, to aid Wolvering-World Wide Inc. in its efforts to provide employment opportunities in severely depressed areas. My records reflect that on April 7, 1972 Wolverine was advised by the Department of Labor to submit a new proposal under the JOBS Handbook. I do not know the disposition of this matter. I have no knowledge of Mr. Cummisky's contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. I know of no contribution made to me or any of my compaign committees by Mr. Cummishy. My action in this matter was in no way connected to Mr. Commisky's contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. No illegal or improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Cummisky or Wolverine World Wide Inc. I know of no other action taken on Mr. Cummisky's behalf or Wolverine's behalf by me or my office. H. On February 22, 1973 my office received a copy of a letter addressed to the Food Stamp Review Officer of the Department of Agriculture from B. S. Fehsenfeld, President of Crystal Flash Petroleum Corporation. That letter requested a review of a recent denial to participate in the Food Stamp Program. On February 27, 1973 my Grand Rapids office forwarded a copy of the aforementioned letter to n.Edward Hekman, Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. On March 6, 1973 Mr. Fehsenfeld received an acknowledge- ment from the Food Stamp Review Officer reflecting that his office would review the matter. On March 12, 1973 I received a communication from Edward Hekman acknolwedging my letter of February 27, 1973, indicating that a Review Officer had been assigned to study the matter. GERALD GRANK Page Five November 21, 1973 On April 27, 1973 Mr. Fehsenfeld was notified from the Food Stamp Review Officer that, "based on a careful review of all information submitted and especially on my personal visit to your store," his application had been approved. On May 1, 1973 Mr. Hekman notified me of Mr. Fehsenfeld's approval. My review of my files indicate that no other action was undertaken by my Congressional Office for the individual or corporation cited herein. I had no knowledge of Mr. Fehsenfeld's contributions to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee and such contributions were in no way related to the Congressional interest I demonstrated in his inquiry. I have no knowledge of other campaign contributions from individuals connected with this corporation and unequivocally state that nothing illegal or improper occurred in connection with this transaction. Sincerely, Gerald R. Ford, M.C. GRF:bbr Encl. RFORM GERALD November 21, 1973 Honorable Peter W. Rodino, Jr. Chairman Committee on the Judiciary U. S. House of Representatives Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. Chairman: The following information is in response to the inquiries Miss Holtzman submitted to me in a letter dated November 19, 1973: A. Mr. Harold Albert is an old and trusted friend. He had what I considered to be a legitimate claim and my intervention in his behalf, was in my opinion, justified based on the merits of his case. I had no knowledge of Mr. Albert's contribution or the contribution of Seidman and Seidman to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. The circumstances resulting in the resolution of Mr. Albert's case are best described in the enclosed communications. I know of no contributions made to me or to any of my campaign committees by Mr. Albert. The action I took on Mr. Albert's behalf was in no way connected to his contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. I know of no other action taken on Mr. Albert's behalf by me. There was nothing illegal or improper about this action. B. Mr. James Chamberlain is President of Gill Manufacturing Corpora- tion, a large manufacturer of children's clothing in Grand Rapids. He is an extremely knowledgeable businessman whom I felt would make a solid contribution to the National Advisory Council on Flammable Fabrics. I was notified on July 25, 1973 that he had been so appointed. I had no knowledge that Mr. Chamberlain contributed $1,155 between 1969 and 1973 to the Kent County Repub- lican Finance Committee. I know of no contributions made to me Mr. Rodino Page Two November 21, 1973 or any of my campaign committees by Mr. Chamberlain. My recommendation of Mr. Chamberlain was in no way connected to his contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. No illegal or improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Chamberlain regarding this appointment. With the exception of forwarding Mr. Chamberlain's views on pending rule making to the appropriate federal agencies, my records reflect that the only additional action taken at his request was the insertion in the December 17, 1971 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD of a statement by Roger Wilson, Chairman, Products Flammability Committee, American Apparel Manufacturers Association, dealing with that Association's efforts to solve the apparel flammability problem. C. Bob Webster is President of Holly's Inc. a restaurant chain in my District. My letter to the Chairman of the Price Commission was in response to correspondence from Mr. Webster questioneag the high cost of meat and asking when action by the Price Commission could be expected to meet this problem. The Price Commission responded by sending me the enclosed letter which includes a copy of the Federal Code dealing with restaurants. I forwarded this information to Mr. Webster. I do not know if Holly's Inc. was exempt from the price controls on the basis of number of employees or annual sales. I had no knowledge that Mr. Webster contributed $500 to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. I know of no contribution made to me or any of my campaign committees by Mr. Webster. My correspondence to the Price Commission was in no way connected to Mr. Webster's contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. No illegal or improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Webster. D. On August 24, 1972, I received the enclosed communication from Smith Brothers Elevators requesting clarification of a recent Small Business Administration (SBA) ruling respecting country elevators and the constituent's status as a retailer rather than a storer of goods. That letter was forwarded on August 29, 1972 to the SBA requesting the SBA's review of the letter and clarification of the eligibility of country elevators for participation in SBA loans. On September 11, 1972 the enclosed response was received from SBA Administrator, Thomas Kleppe, reflecting the procedures to appeal their ruling. On September 11, 1972 Mr. Smith weste the Small Business Standard Sized Board requesting reconsideration of the SBA ruling which letter was incorporated with my letter of September 14, 1972 to the Size Appeals Board requesting a review of the matter, "con- sistent with existing rulees and regulations." On September 21, 1972 Mr. Rodino Page Three November 21, 1973 the Chairmam of the Size Appeals Board acknowledged my communication and advised later, cm0ctober 16, 1972, that the Size Appears Board had determined that Smith Brothers met the small business size require- ments and found it eligible for small business financial assistance. I had no personal knowledge of the $75 contribution to the Friends of Jerry Ford Committee by Mr. L. G. Smith on November 13, 1972 and know of no other contributions made to me or to any of my committees by Mr. Smith. My Congressional assistance to Smith Bouthers, in both the SBA matter and the Interstate Commerce Commission matter, were not related to Mr. Smith's contribution. With respect to your inquiry in paragraph 2 of Section D, I have enclosed xerox copiews of my letter of May 18, 1973 to the Interstate Commerce Commission Chairman, George M. Stafford, together with his response of May 29, 1973. To the best of my knowledge, the inquiry continues to be under consideration by ICC. No illegal or improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Smith or Smith Brothers Elevators. E. Vari-tech Company is a manufacturer of lasers in Grand Rapids which experienced what appeared to be an inordinate delay in securing an export license. I forwarded a copy of a letter from Mr. Merlin Applegate, President, Vari-tech Company, to Commerce Secretary Dent requesting information as to the cause of the delay and asking what I might advise Mr. Applegate. The disposition of the case is best described in a letter to me dated April 10, 1973 from Mr. Stephen Lazerus, Deputy Assistant Secretary for East-West Trade. I had no personal knowledge of Mr. Applegate's $50 contribution to the Ford FordCongress Committee in 1972. I know of no other contribution made to me or to any of my campaign committees by Mr. Applegate. My assistance to Mr. Applegate was in no way connected to his contribution to the Ford for Congress Committee. I know of no other action taken on Mr. Applegate's behalf by me or my office. No illegal or improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Applegate regarding this matter. F. Mr. Chet Williams, Chairman of the Board, Williams Form Engineering Corporation of Grand Rapids, is an old friend who had difficulty in receiving a surtax refund of $3,558.10 to which he was entitled. I forwarded Mr. Williams' letter and entry documents to the Bureau of Customs with a request that they follow through on the matter in whatever manner they deemed appropriate. The Bureau of Customs, based upon the documentation provided, concluded that the surtax should not Mr. Rodino Page Four November 21, 1973 have been levied since the material in quiestion sailed from England and was enroute prior to the time the surtax was applicable. The second matter to which you refer was a request made by me to the Department of Commerce in Mr. Williams' behalf to look into the patent difficulties Mr. Williams had encountered in Japan. I have no knowledge of Mr. Williams' contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. I know of no contribution made to me or to any of my campaign committees by Mr. Williams. My assistance to Mr. Williams was in no way connected to his contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. No illegal or improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Williams. G. Wolvering World Wide Inc., a Rockford, Michigan firm in my Congressional District, is the manufacturer of Hush Puppies, a well-known brand of footwear. The Department of Labor rejected Wolverine's proposal to provide employment opportunities to minority people under the JOBS Program. I requested the Department of Labor to review the file to determine whether there was anything which could be done, consistent with existing rules and regulations, to aid Wolvering-World Wide Inc. in its efforts to provide employment opportunities in severely depressed areas. My records reflect that on April 7, 1972 Wolverine was advised by the Department of Labor to submit a new proposal under the JOBS Handbook. I do not know the disposition of this matter. I have no knowledge of Mr. Cummisky's contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. I know of no contribution made to me or any of my compaign committees by Mr. Cummisky. My action in this matter was in no way connected to Mr. Commisky's contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. No illegal or improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Cummisky or Wolverine World Wide Inc. I know of no other action taken on Mr. Cummisky's behalf or Wolverine's behalf by me or my office. H. On February 22, 1973 my office received a copy of a letter addressed to the Food Stamp Review Officer of the Department of Agriculture from B. S. Fehsenfeld, President of Crystal Flash Petroleum Corporation. That letter requested a review of a recent denial to participate in the Food Stamp Program. On February 27, 1973 my Grand Rapids office forwarded a copy of the aforementioned letter to Edward Hekman, Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. On March 6, 1973 Mr. Fehsenfeld received an acknowledge- ment from the Food Stamp Review Officer reflecting that his office would review the matter. On March 12, 1973 I received a communication from Edward Hekman acknolwedging my letter of February 27, 1973, indicating that a Review Officer had been assigned to study the matter. Page Five November 21, 1973 On April 27, 1973 Mr. Fehsenfeld was notified from the Food Stamp Review Officer that, "based on a careful review of all information submitted and especially on my personal visit to your store," his application had been approved. On May 1, 1973 Mr. Hekman notified me of Mr. Fehsenfeld's approval. My review of my files indicate that no other action was undertaken by my Congressional Office for the individual or corporation cited herein. I had no knowledge of Mr. Fehsenfeld's contributions to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee and such contributions were in no way related to the Congressional interest I demonstrated in his inquiry. I have no knowledge of other campaign contributions from individuals connected with this corporation and unequivocally state that nothing illegal or improper occurred in connection with this transaction. Sincerely, Gerald R. Ford, M.C. GRF:bbr Encl.