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Ford Newsletter, Jan.-Mar. 1951
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This file contains material relating to Dwight D. Eisenhower, Reconstruction Finance Corporation, Harry Truman.
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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 January 18, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
The President in his traditional State of the Union message to a joint
session of the House and Senate concentrated on foreign policy and national
defense matters. In this message Mr. Truman was sketchy in reference to
comestic problems. It would appear that during the duration of the emergency
the Chief Executive will not be pushing socialized medicine, the Brannan
Plan, etc.
The President advocated debate in the Congress on foreign policy issues
and wisely stated that unity which we all want did not necessarily mean
unanimity. It would be un-American to shut out and ignore respected leaders
like Hoover, Taft, Kennedy and Dulles. By a thorough airing of all views
and a comprehensive re-analysis of past policies, particularly Secretary
Acheson's China flopperoo, perhaps Uncle Sam can steer a straight and true
course in the perilous months ahead.
The running debate on the international situation isn't limited to
radio addresses or speeches on the floor of the House and Senate. Resounding
through all Congressional deliberations, formal or informal, is this prime
question-What should be our foreign policy? In every Cloak Room conference,
caueus or committee meeting, Members of the House state their opinions, One
of my colleagues summarized the two extreme views by saying, "One side screams,
'Isolationism--see what it will do to us!' The other side retorts, 'Inter-
nationalism--s what it has done to us!" In my opinion, America and its
citizens will find the answer but in the meantime let's keep our heads and
seek to resolve O'll' differences in honorable and effective compromise.
* * *
Since January 3rd when the 82nd Congress convened the necessary but time-
consuming formalities of reorganization of the House and Senate have been in
progress. Seventy-one new Representatives and nine new Senators had to move
into their offices. That's a snail pace process in itself for many of the
"lame-ducks" of the 81st Congress were squatters till the last minute,
When a number of new lawmakers are elected the two House Office Buildings
get a thorough and hectic housecleaning. Scores of offices are moved, lock,
stock and barrel, for some of the oldtimers because of seniority move to
better quarters. Maintenance crews work around the clock as they scurry about
with their paint brushes and hammers from office to office. Newcomers wonder
GERAL FORD LIBRARY
Your Washington Review - Page 2
January 18, 1951
where they go for what, just as I did two years ago, Our office wasn't moved,
thank goodness. SO we haven't been upset like some who are handling their
Congressional duties in the corridors or "on the run! In a week or so the
reorganization mess will be straightened out for another two years at least.
One of my new Congressional neighbors on the same corridor is the famous
Marine, General James Devereux, Glad to say he is a Republican As you re-
call, General Devereux was commanding officer at Wake Island when the
Japanese struck at Pearl Harbor. Although overwhelmingly outnumbered, with a
few Marines and a handful of American civilians General Devereux held out
for 19 days by sheer courage. Heavy losses were inflicted or the enemy and
surrender came only when ammunition ran out. He was a prisoner of war with
his men for many months.
At first sight you wouldn't visualize him as the tough Marine officer
who led this heroic fight to save Wake Island but in talking with him you
readily appreciate his rugged determination, his fine character and excellent
qualities of leadership. Don't know the General well enough as yet to ask
him what he thought of President Truman's infamous letter concerning the
Marines. When we become better acquainted, I'll put the question and report
his reply. Might have to delete a word or two if his reaction compares to
that of other Marines.
*
*
*
What does the scorecard show on the President's specific proposals during
the second session of the 81st Congress? All told, Mr. Truman requested favor-
able action on 36 legislative measures not including substantial appropriation
demands. In 1950 during the second session the 82st Congress enacted 38 of
the 86, took partial action on 30, rejected 10 and ignored eight. That's
the President's batting average in his dealings with the last Congress.
*
*
*
We were pleased to have quite a few people drop in or call this past
week. They included Jay Petter and Jim Van Zylen cf Holland, Lt, and Mrs.
Herbert E. Boelens of Grand Haven, General Kitson of Rockford, and Bob Currier
and E. M. Deckman of Grand Rapids,
For Release January 25, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
Last week the House of Representatives saw a raw example of attempted.
"face saving" by the Executive branch of the government. The facts were so
clear that few citizens or members of Congress were hoodwinked. The case is
a gross example of the White House overriding the Congress at the expense of
the taxpayers.
Here's the story. Right after World War II the 80th Congress on
recommendation by the Chiefs of Staff appropriated 189 million for a super
aircraft carrier. Experiences in the last war indicated such a ship was
essential for our national defense. In April, 1949, Secretary of Defense
Johnson with the President's approval cancelled the construction on this
ship after 20 million had been spent on material and labor.
The fallacy of this cancellation was finally brought to light when
this Congress was asked to approve another supercarrier practically identical
with the first. Here are some comparisons that are interesting and shocking.
The cancelled ship would have been 1090 feet long and 135 feet wide at a
cost of 189 million. If built on schedule it would have been practically
at sea and defending our nation by now. The new ship is alleged to be
smaller in size but is to cost more, 235 million. The net result--a loss of
55 million dollars plus 21/2 years in precious time.
What's the moral to the story? Our founding fathers in drafting the
Constitution set up a government based on the theory that the executive, legis-
lative and judicial branches of the federal government should be of equal
strength, thereby checking and balancing unwise and illegal decisions. In
recent years the Executive branch has usurped too much authority and upset the
fine balance between the three branches.
In this specific case the White House wiped out or cancelled action
taken by the legislative branch of the federal government. Another example is
the President's impounding of funds in the last couple of years that Congress
had appropriated for a 70-group air force. Such usurpation of authority is bad
enough on domestic matters but when our national defense is jeopardized the
problem is even more serious,
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
Your Washington Review - Page 2
January 25, 1951
What must be done? Our citizens and members of the House and
Senate should demand that there be no further recision of Congressional action
by the Chief Executive and his advisors. The President must realize that the
collective judgment of Congress is at least equal to and sometimes far better
than his own.
*
*
*
Congress in recent weeks has been deluged with correspondence and
personal calls from individuals and associations who ardently plead that the
manufacture of a particular product or a group of related products is abso-
lutely essential during a war emergency. Guess there is no harm in this
lobbying practice for in reality a Congressman doesn't have much if anything
to say about priorities. The latest and probably most unusual salvo came in
the mail from the Home Laundry Manufacturers Association. The brochure, en-
titled "Scrubboards for American Women," is guaranteed to convince the most
hardshelled bureaucrat that a lack of new household scrubboards would eventually
defeat Uncle Sam in his struggle with Joe Stalin. No doubt we'll build some
labor-saving appliances for the household in the next year or two, but the
emphasis, to save our own skins, must be on guns, tanks, and airplanes.
*
*
*
VISITORS: We're always pleased when our friends from home drop in
to see us, or even just take the time to call us on the phone, and quite a
few did this past week. William Hertel, Jr. and Edsko Hekman of Grand Rapids
were here. Mr. and Mrs. Dan Darling of Grand hapids were also in town. Louis
H. Breitels, Claude Ver Duin and M. H. Sherwood of Grand Haven stopped by on
official business. Joseph L. Hans Knecht, Jr. of Grand Rapids, who is attend-
ing Catholic University in D.C., came in.
For Release Feburary 1, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
My new committee assignment to the Committee on Appropriations is
already giving me some insight into the problems caused by the President's
stupendous budget requests. Mr. Truman has asked the 82nd Congress to authorize
the expenditure of 98 billion dollars. According to the White House, federal
income for the next 12 months is estimated at 55 billion, leaving a sizeable
deficit which the President wants covered by new taxes, not by further
economies.
Isn't there another approach to Uncle Sam's dire financial problems?
There certainly is. Many items in the outrageous budget submitted by the
President can and must be cut or eliminated. The national defense expendi-
tures are essential for the nation's security, but in this time of emergency
we can do without socialized medicine, the Brannan Plan, new state aid programs
and non-military public works.
How is the President's budget prepared? Each government agency and
department prepares yearly estimates of the money supposedly needed. The
Bureau of the Budget sifts these estimates and produces a budget which goes to
the President for final approval. Congress then gets the bad news in the
"budget message." The details are submitted in a sizeable volume with page
after page of complicated figures, some 1492 pages altogether. Reminded one
of my colleagues of a Sears-Roebuck mail order catalogue. The only difference--
not much of a bargain for the public.
The Committee on Appropriations in the House carries the ball at
first for under the Constitution all bills for expenditures must originate in
the lower chamber. I have hopes that our committee composed of 30 Democrats
and 20 Republicans can wield a sharp knife on non-essential items,
*
*
#
Apropos of fiscal matters--Postmaster General Jesse M. Donaldson
has approved a change in the name of Hot Springs, New Mexico, to Truth or
Consequences. We are waiting for the next one. We suspect it will be
Break the Bank, D.C.
*
*
*
GERALD FORD (IBRAR)
Your Washington Review - Page 2
February 1, 1951
For the last few months the President has been living in Blair House
while the White House has been undergoing long delayed repairs. The outside
walls were left intact but the insides were removed piece by piece. Every
nail, board, brick or what-have-you was carefully preserved. This material
in limited quantities is now on sale at bargain prices. If you want a relic
from the White House, write Captain James L. Little, Commission on Renovation
of the Executive Mansion, Fort Myer, Virginia. Better act quickly. Here are
some sample prices: Enough old pine to make a gavel or a cane, $2.00; two
pieces of stone for bookends, $2.00; one brick, as nearly whole as practicable,
$1.00; small piece of old stone and old square nail 2½", suitable for paper-
weight, 50¢; piece of hand split lath about 12" long, 254.
*
*
*
Now that defense money is flowing again, does Congress plan to regu-
late the activities of the "five per centers"? A bill to provide for re-
negotiation of defense contracts to eliminate excessive profits has been
approved by a committee and sent to the House. A similar law was in effect
during World War II but did not have a provision covering contract brokers--
the "five per centers." They are included in the legislation now under
consideration.
*
*
*
VISITORS: We really had folks from home this week. Mrs. Louise
Hunsinger, Minor Dutcher, Mr. and Mrs. Silas F. Albert and Mr. and Mrs. Walter
Perschbacher were all here from Grand Rapids attending the meetings of the
National Association of Real Estate Boards; Luther Bloomberg, an old school
friend of mine, formerly of Grand Rapids, came in to see me from Hammond,
Indiana; Mr. and Mrs. James T. Sheridan of Grand Rapids moved down here this
week while Jim attends school; and Violet Panyrek of Grand Rapids has come to
Washington to work. R. J. Vander Veen of Grand Haven was also down here on
business.
For Release February 8, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
General Eisenhower in a joint closed session with the Senate and House
presented his recommendations to the Congress on the European situation. "Ike"
has made a similar report to the President and the American people. I can't re-
late in detail what the General told the 531 members of the Congress but here are
some personal observations.
I had never seen General Eisenhower in person before. Frankly, he im-
pressed me as a very sincere, straightforward citizen who has assumed the terrific
burden of trying to coordinate the joint military efforts of the U.S. and our
European allies. Ike is convinced that the U.S. for its own protection cannot
stand alone, that we cannot afford to let the 200 million people of Europe and the
industrial productivity of England, France, the Netherlands, etc., be dominated by
Red Russia.
*
*
*
At the same time, and I think this is important and significant,
General Eisenhower said the major responsibility against Russia in Europe must come
from the Europeans themselves. Uncle Sam's best contribution would be in supplying
guns and tanks. By providing this military equipment and a limited number of troops
the threat of a Communist attack on Europe and America would be stalled or stopped.
General Ike didn't give too many details on his trip to the 13 nations.
It was interesting, however, to get certain impressions from the way he talked
about each of the countries. Norway apparently impressed him greatly by its
determination to fight Soviet aggression at all cost. "Ike" spoke glowingly of the
recent promises and the proposed new rearmament program of the Netherlands. The
French assurance of 25 divisions and a "no deferment," longer service policy in the
drafting of her youth brought compliments in the Eisenhower report.
Under very adverse conditions, Ike thought Italy planned to do her full
share. He praised the military effort of little Denmark which sits right at Russia':
doorstep. Luxombourg, small as it is, is ready to provide men if military equipment
is available. To my recollection the General said nothing about the military effort
of Great Britain. Does that mean he was dissatisfied with England's response? If
"Ike" isn't pleased with the British Labor Government, the Congress certainly won't
be. If England is "to stand aloof, she'll find herself standing alone," and I don't
think Britain will enjoy the bad position of facing the Kremlin and Stalin by hersel:
*
*
*
FORD
Your Washington Review - Page 2
February 8, 1951
On January 31st Speaker Sam Rayburn exceeded the tenure of office record
as Speaker of the House. Henry Clay, a great statesman in his day, previously had
held the office longer than any other person. Interesting ceremonies marked the
occasion. The Democrats even let a Republican, former Speaker Joe Martin, preside
while eulogies flowed forth on behalf of Sam. Everyone likes him and respects his
fairness and integrity even though there may be differences of opinion on political
issues. Sam, who hails from Texas, came to the House in 1913 at the age of 32 years.
By hard and intelligent work he has become one of the most powerful influences
in American political life. Even though Sam is now 69 years old and a bachelor, one
of his colleagues humorously pointed out that there was still hope for marital
success, after all Vice President Barkley took the step when over 70.
*
*
*
As everyone knows, the United Nations finally took the long overdue
action to condemn Red China as an aggressor in Korea. Several weeks beforehand
the House and Senate approved unanimous resolutions stating that the Chinese Com-
munist forces were aggressors. What is the effect of such a resolution by the
House of Representatives? The House resolution simply expresses the "sentiment"
or consensus of the members and was principally a moral force which our U.N.
delegates could use in negotiations with other members of the U.N. The resolution
was not a law and didn't require the President's O.K. The Congressional resolutions,
being unanimous, undoubtedly helped in the U.N. branding of Red China as an
outright aggressor.
*
*
to
VISITORS: We really had callers from home this week. Here's the list:
Arnold Pigorsh's son Gerry was here for a visit from Norfolk where he is stationed;
Jack Appel and Dr. W. D. Dawson from the Michigan Veterans' Facility were here;
Robert K. Stolz, Philip W. Buchen, Ford Stephens, Frederick C. Stiles, Kenneth
Ver Burg and Alvin Bytwork, all of Grand Rapids, were all down here on business.
For Release February 15, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R.FORD, JR.
For the last several years President Truman has sponsored compulsory
health insurance, better known as socialized medicine. Most Americans expected
that the President would sidetrack this program during the present international
crisis so that all citizens could concentrate on national defense. Unfortunately
Mr. Truman included funds for socialized medicine in his 98-billion-dollar budget.
Congress will probably delete this item. I hope SO.
However, I've noticed by reading home town newspapers that the best
possible attack on the local level is being made on socialized medicine by the
generous contributions of our citizens to the Polio drive. By wholeheartedly
supporting the Polio, Cancer, Heart and other fund drives with nickels, dimes
and dollars these devastating diseases can be licked and in the interim those
affected can have adequate care and treatment. If you want to keep the federal
government from meddling any further in your personal health problems, vigorously
support these very worthwhile drives for Infantile Paralysis, T.B., Cancer, etc.
*
*
*
After some inexcusable delays the Committee on Appropriations finally
got "squared-away" and is now ready to start the important job of pruning the
President's budget. The committee composed of 50 members, 30 Democrats and 20
Republicans, is subdivided in 11 subcommittees. My assignment is the subcommittee
on Deficiencies and Army Civil Functions. Former Congressman Albert Engel of
Lake City and Muskegon served on this committee part of the time and did a
wonderful job for economy in government. I'll do my best to follow in his
footsteps.
This subcommittee has jurisdiction over all River and Harbor and Flood
Control projects including the Panama Canal, the Soo Locks, hydroelectric power
dams in the Far Northwest, and Alaskan and Hawaiian Army installations. There
are three Democrats and two Republicans, including myself, on the committee. I
suspect there will be some knock-down battles between the minority and the
majority on the President's demands for certain costly projects and programs.
*
*
#
FORD i LIBRARY
Your Washington Review - Page 2
February 15, 1951
Within 24 hours after my subcommittee appointment I had a telephone
call from a Washington, D.C. citizen who wants just a "little federal money" for
a pet project for the District of Columbia. According to the lobbyist the pro-
ject will cost only 50 thousand and "it's 50 badly needed." I intend to say
NO far more often than YES for Uncle Sam can't stay solvent if everyone gets
his fingers in the federal treasury.
*
*
*
Russia and her satellite nations behind the iron curtain have flooded
American markets as the result of certain trade concessions granted by the De-
partment of State. For example, the fur trappers in Michigan have been injured
by this situation.
Here's what caused the difficulty. The State Department by a trade
agreement with one nation would lower the tariff on a certain product or commodity.
Under this trade agreement Russia and her satellites would get the same benefits
even though the State Department had negotiated no comparable concession from
the Soviets. In other words, Russian furs have come to the U.S. at a reduced
tariff rate while the U.S. got nothing in return.
Republican Congressman Byrnes of Wisconsin sponsored an amendment to
the recently approved Reciprocal Trade bill which cuts off such benefits to
Communist Countries. The Byrnes amendment, which I supported, will exclude
Soviet imports from any tariff cuts or concessions made by the Department of
State.
*
*
*
VISITORS: Not so many this week. Stephen F. Dunn and Robert K. Stolz,
both of Grand Rapids, were down here on business. William Swart, Sr., from
Spring Lake stopped in for a visit. And I had a nice conference with President
John Hannah from Michigan State on several matters of vital importance. Martin
E. Kornbluth, representing a Grand Rapids company employing several thousand
employees, has been in Washington on business with which our office could assist
him.
For release February 22, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVEIW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
President Truman in his rather typical way in the past week has thrown
two "dares" at the 82nd Congress. First he challenged the House and Senate to
cut his 98 billion dollar budget. Even some in his own political party have
accepted this one. Practically all of the Republicans are anxious to see the
President "eat a little crow" on the budget "dare."
The second challenge wasn't quite so direct but it's there nevertheless.
Most everyone has read of the Senate report concerning the Reconstruction Finance
Corporation. The unanimous R.F.C. report stated that there is gross evidence of
White House "influence and favoritism" in connection with million dollar govern-
ment loans. Three of the five R.F.C. board members were severely criticized for
being unduly influenced by persons close to Mr. Truman in granting loans. In
other words, White House politicians of the same ilk as General Vaughan are using
behind-the-scenes influence contrary to the best interests of the American
taxpayers.
The President is apparently behind these individuals. He called the
Senate report "assinine" and now has renominated the same three R.F.C. directors,
presumably because they can be counted on to grant special consideration to his
White House friends. The Senate, inasmuch as it has the authority to turn down
these appointees, should accept the Truman "dare" and reject them forthwith.
These nominations, in light of the Senate report, are a new low in political
morality.
* * *
The recent perjury conviction of William Remington re-emphasizes the
need for an overhauling of Uncle Sam's Loyalty Review program. Remington claimed
he never was a Communist. An American jury decided that he had been or still was
a Red. Until recently William Remington was earning 10 thousand dollars a year
working for the Department of Commerce. His job--in charge of export licenses for
American goods to be shipped to Russia and other Iron Curtain countries. Can
anyone understand how or why a Communist could be put in such a position of
responsibility? The Kremlin itself couldn't have picked a better spot for a
top espionage agent.
CARALD AMERIT
Your Washington Review - Page 2
February 22, 1951
This deplorable situation emphasizes the need for plenty of changes
in our policy toward federal employees who are Reds or Soviet sympathizers.
President Truman by lambasting Congressional investigations a "red herring"
ignores the facts of life. The President's Loyalty Review Board is a farce for
it cleared Remington. Senator Nixon in his Grand Rapids Lincoln Day speech
proposed an overhauling in the President's policy and I wholeheartedly concur.
Hereafter any doubts as to whether or not a federal employee is loyal or a good
security risk should be resolved in favor of the government rather than in favor
of the individual. It is hoped that the President will cooperate with Congress
instead of fighting the House and Senate in an honest to goodness clean-up of
subversives in top jobs in the federal government.
* * *
VISITORS: Lots of friends from home are in Washington this week. Mr. and Mrs.
Philip W. Buchen of Grand Rapids, enroute to Jamaica; Mr. and Mrs. Robert K.
Stolz and Samuel H. Himelstein and Frank J. Kozak, all of Grand Rapids; and some
former Grand Rapids folks, Mrs. William O. Lynch now of Custer, Michigan, and
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon K. Stratton now of Cheboygan.
For Release March 1, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
There is so much talk by President Truman these days in terms of
billions of dollars (16 billion in new taxes--98 billion budget), I was interested
in some comparisons which vividly brought out what a "billion bucks" means and
represents. Just to illustrate that a billion is a "whale of a lot of money"
read the following:
For example: A billion dollars in one-dollar silver coins would
make a tower ten feet square and four times the height of the Washington
Monument (555 ft.).
It would take a diligent worker three weeks to count $1 billion in
$1,000 bills--if there were that many available. Only 589,000 of them are now
in circulation.
It would pay the nation's meat bill for a month, its whole grocery
bill for two weeks.
A billion dollars would pay the wages of every working man and woman
in the United States for two and a half days,
* * *
The House Committee on Un-American Activities is set to launch new
investigations. The House as a whole recently approved the necessary funds for
new probes. I voted to continue the Committee principally because it has been
the best way to expose high-ranking Communists and "commie sympathizers" on the
federal payroll. If the Un-American Activities Committee hadn't done a real
job, Alger Hiss and William Remington might still be working for Uncle Sam. The
Committee definitely called President Truman's "red herring" bluff in this regard.
* * *
About this time every year hundreds of Red Cross workers diligently
make the rounds to raise funds for the continuation of all the fine and helpful
services rendered by that organization. In ordinary times we need the Red Cross.
Wartime multiplies its essentiality. In any disaster or emergency the Red Cross
is there. Veterans get all kinds of help. Without the Red Cross our essential
plasma and blood supplies would be critical. The G.I.'s and their families are
helped and counseled. I'm told the Red Cross is seeking a slight increase in funds.
Let's put the 1951 drive over the top. It's a mighty deserving cause.
* * *
FORD i LIBRARY
Your Washington Review - Page two
March 1, 1951
Some friends from home were in Washington last week and I showed them
around the Capitol. During the trip we talked about some Washington traditions.
Probably the No. 1 House tradition involves the mace--a big silver shaft topped
by a globe supporting an eagle with outspread wings. It's the symbol of federal
authority and it sits on a green marble pedestal at the front of the House when
it is in session. Whenever the sergeant at arms has to stop a brawl on the
floer, he takes down the mace and holds it up to the brawlers. It's supposed to
overawe them and quiet them down.
Take the time during the fifty-fifth Congress when Representative
Charles L. Bartlett of Georgia got sore at Representative Charles N. Brumm of
Pennsylvania and heaved a heavy volume at him. History doesn't say whether he
conked him. But it does say that the sergeant at arms bustled up with his mace
and "further trouble was averted." The same formula worked when the violent
Mr. Bartlett charged Representative George N. Southwick of New York, waving a
knife.
Cowing a Congressman with a medieval mace may seem silly. But it's
traditional. So far in my experiences the mace hasn't been needed even though
the debates got hot at times.
* * *
VISITORS: Not many this week. Dr. and Mrs. Norman S. Vann, formerly
of Grand Rapids, now of Hampton, Virginia, were here for a few days. Tom Walsh
was also here from Grand Rapids testifying for more and better air transportation
for Western Michigan.
For release March 8, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
Several weeks ago the House of Representatives approved amendments to
the Reciprocal Trade legislation. The bill was tightened up by the House action
without defeating the over-all benefits from expanded foreign trade. One important
amendment would prevent Russia and her satellite nations from deriving certain
preferences. After the House approved the several amendments to the law it sent
the measure to the Senate for hearings and action. Secretary of State Acheson
in testifying before the Senate Committee strongly opposed the House amendment to
deny tariff concessions to Communist countries. The Secretary likewise disapproved
of the "escape clause" proposal, the "peril point" clause and the provision to
cancel tariff concessions on farm imports whose prices, with the import duty, are
below domestic support prices.
*
In my Washington office we do our best to keep up to date on correspondence
with folks from home. At times my staff and I get a little behind but that can't
be avoided with the heavy volume of letters. For example, in January of 1951 we
received and replied to over 1500 letters. All get my personal attention. There
are 27 working days in January, excluding Sundays, so your Congressional office
handled approximately 60 letters per day. This, in addition to the usual committee
work, House sessions, etc., keeps us plenty busy, so if there is some delay in our
replies, hope you will understand.
*
Price Control Chief DiSalle is having his problems controlling inflation
and the cost of living, but some of his difficulties may be self-inflicted. For
example, Price Administrator DiSalle not too long ago sent out 1253 telegrams to
Mayors of various communities at a total cost of approximately 17 thousand bucks!
The telegram urged each mayor to set up a "volunteer emergency stabilization
cooperation committee." The Office of Price Stabilization could have sent the
same message by regular mail with a 3¢ stamp. The 1253 letters via the Post Office
Department would have cost $37.59, instead of $17,000.00 for the telegrams.
*
Your Washington Review = Page 2
March 8, 1951
Nevada, the 36th state to enter the Union, last week became the 36th
state to approve the 22nd amendment to the Constitution of the United States,
thus making it the law of the land that no President should serve more than two
terms. President Truman is excepted from this restriction but all Presidents after
him are banned from more than eight years occupancy of the White House. Former
Representative Earl Michener of Adrian, Michigan, introduced this constitutional
amendment in the 80th Congress.
* * *
Tax free checks worth $21,183.50 are being held by the War Claims
Commission because it is unable to locate 40 ex-prisoners of war and civilian
internees who received the awards under the War Claims Act of 1948.
Under this act, former World War II prisoners of war are paid $1,00 for
each day they were held by the enemy and were not adequately fed. Survivors of
P.O.W.'s are also paid.
It is estimated that there are 30,000 former P.O.W.'s, internees or
their survivors who haven't filed claims to date. If you think you qualify, let me
know and my office will try to help.
* * *
VISITORS: Baltzer and Roger Bolling were here on business from Grand
Haven; Mr. and Mrs. Harold V. Hartger of Grand Rapids stopped for a couple of days
on a vacation trip; Col. Walter J. Baker, Commandant of the Michigan Veterans
Facility in Grand Rapids stopped in with Mrs. Baker and his daughter Kay and we
had a nice chat; John Vogel of Grand Rapids, Jay H. Petter of Holland, and Ben
McGinn, formerly of Grand Rapids were all here this week.
GERALD
For Release March 15, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, Jr.
The legislative mill has been grinding slowly with most of the Congressional
work to date confined to committee hearings. In all likelihood, however, the
legislative tempo in the chambers of the House and Senate will increase rapidly
in the next couple of weeks.
Here are some statistics worth noting: In the first two months approximately
4600 bills, resolutions, etc., were dropped in the "hopper" by members of the 82nd
Congress. Two have become law.
During January and February the House of Representatives was in session 30
legislative days with seven roll call votes and four quorum calls. The 81st Con-
gress during the comparable period had been in session 27 legislative days and had
enacted 12 laws with a total of 21 roll calls.
The lack of quick and final action on many issues in this Congress has re-
sulted from a new policy of more careful scrutiny of White House proposals by the
Congressional committees. Instead of rubberstamping legislation proposed by the
Executive departments, the House and Senate are analyzing and evaluating all
matters in greater detail. When you consider the importance of some of the legis-
lation before the Congress everyone should approve this policy. For example, it
certainly would be unwise for Congress to okay all of the manpower requests of the
militarists in the Pentagon without a thorough investigation of the proposals to
induct and train the youth of the nation.
The painstaking deliberations by the Congressional committees on the various
issues are not a "sitdown" but rather evidence that Congress in the future will
have more to say about policy matters affecting the nation's welfare.
* * *
Approximately fifty per cent of my mail from home demands that the President
and Congress slash federal spending. There will be some bitter battles between the
White House and the Congress on this score. The President says his 98 billion
dollar budget can't be reduced and he "dares" Congress to make any cuts. I would
like your reaction to this vital problem.
GENALD FORD LIBRAR
Your Washington Review - Page 2
March 15, 1951
Do you favor cutting down federal spending? If so, on which of the
following items:
YES
NO
a) National Defense?
b) Veterans' Benefits?
c) Farm subsidies?
d) Public Power Projects?
e) Harbor Improvements?
f) Flood Control Projects?
g) Foreign Aid Programs?
h) Public Health and Welfare Programs?
i) Federal Aid to Highways?
J) General Expenses of Government?
Clip out and mail the above to Representative Jerry Ford, 321 House Office Building,
Washington 25, D. C.
***
The word in Washington is that General MacArthur has recently informed top
policy makers in the nation's Capital that unless he gets permission to bomb com-
munication and industrial targets in Chinese Communist Manchuria and authority to
use Chiang Kai-Shek's forces for raids on South China, the Korean campaign will be
a seesaw and very costly battle. The Department of State hesitates to give its
approval. In the meantime, our G.I.'s must fight the communist forces with one
hand tied behind their backs. It isn't fair and right, militarily or morally, to
have our G.I.'s in Korea without the use of every advantage. General MacArthur
should be given the green light immediately despite State Department objections.
* * *
Have you ever heard about the bean soup served in the House and Senate res-
taurants? Here's an interesting tale.
One day in 1907 United States Senator Knute Nelson, a Minnesotan with firm
convictions, strode into the Senate restaurant, sat down, smoothed out his newspaper
and ordered his customary lunch, bean soup. The waiter said he was sorry, there
wasn't any today. Whereupon, legend has it, the Senator let out an angry bellow.
As chairman of the Senate rules committee, he ordered that from then on bean soup
appear on the Senate menu daily.
The fame of the thick, fragrant brew quickly spread across the land. Today
up to 35 gallons are consumed daily when the Senate is meeting. Appeals for the
recipe come in from all over the country to Head waiter Paul Johnson. He's had it
printed and will give it to you free.
* * *
VISITORS: Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Koops, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Versluis and Mr. and
Mrs. Harold Albert, all of Grand Rapids, the Alberts on their way home from Florida
with beautiful tans.
For release Thursday, March 22, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
Within the past several weeks it has been my privilege to attend meetings
where two great Americans were honored guests. Former President Hoover was the
dinner speaker at a small gathering and he certainly amazed everyone with his
vigor and clear analysis of our tremendous problems. He seems in mighty good
health for a man of his age. I never realized before his fine sense of humer.
It's a quiet humor with plenty of punch. Former President Hoover will undoubtedly
go down in history as a truly great American.
One of the foremost proponents of soil conservation is the widely-read
author, Louis Bromfield. A number of farmers from Kent and Ottawa counties have
visited his famous Malabar Farm where conservation is practiced as well as
preached. Mr. Bromfield was in Washington as the guest of his own Ohio Congressman.
Betty and I were at a reception in his honor. He's a big homespun man with a
friendly way about him. Sometime when the Fords are driving back from Washington
to Michigan we intend to stop at Malabar Farm to see how it has been rehabilitated
by good soil conservation practices.
*
As the result of the widespread disclosures that the R.F.C. loans are
affected by "favoritism and influence" there will be changes made in the Recon-
struction Finance Corporation--in fact, it might be abolished by Congress. The
Hoover Commission Task Force that investigated R.F.C. recommended that it be laid
to rest. It did, however, recommend that R.F.C. be transferred to the Treasury
Department and that certain safeguards be enacted by Congress to tighten up loan
policies.
Instead of following the Hoover Commission recommendations in reference
to R.F.C., President Truman recently submitted a hastily prepared reorganization
of this federal Agency. Here are the facts. On February 5th the Senate investi-
gating committee filed its report exposing favoritism and influence in the R.F.C.
Three days later the President called this report "assinine." On February 12th,
four days after this statement, President Truman reappointed the same five
directors to manage the million dollar R.F.C. loans. In other words, on February
12th the President had no intention of recommending a change in R.F.C. Seven days
Your Washington Review - Page 2
March 22, 1951
later the President submitted his reorganization proposal to Congress to con-
centrate R.F.C. authority in one person rather than a board of directors of five
men.
Careful analysis of the President's plan indicates it is loosely pre-
pared without the necessary "checks and balances" that must exist where huge sums
of public funds are involved.
Mr. Truman's proposal does not conform to the Hoover Commission recom-
mendations. The inference might well be drawn that his plan was not submitted on
its merits but rather as a means of diverting adverse publicity on the charges of
"influence and favoritism,"
The fate of the superficial R. F. C. reforms has not as yet been decided
by the Congress. Even if the President's plan is approved, that only scratches
the surface. Congress should then undertake a full scale review of the present
need, if any, for the R.F.C. If proper and effective safeguards cannot be imposed
on R.F.C. by the Congress, then the agency should be abolished.
* * *
VISITORS: Dave Bodary had some guests here from Grand Rapids this
week--Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Mauk and Mr. and Mrs. John Boes and their son David.
Also visiting here from Grand Rapids, enroute back from the south, were Mr. and
Mrs. H. C. Jasper and their son E. C. Jasper.
GERALD FORD JaRAn.
For Release March 29, 1951
YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW
BY GERALD R. FORD, JR.
This last week was filled to capacity. First, the appropriation bill
for the Post Office and Treasury Departments involving nearly three billion
dollars came to the floor for consideration. Second, the President sent to the
Congress a supplemental request for funds totalling 242 million for the current
fiscal year. This new request is to take care of miscalculations in department
budget estimates and to handle emergencies that were not fore-seeable in advance
last spring.
The President's supplemental request involved a number of bureaus, de-
partments and agencies. The chairman of the Committee on Appropriations assigned
the various subcommittees to the necessary analysis of the executive department
justifications. My subcommittee had only two items, one concerning the Panama
Canal and the other a survey by the Army Engineers of the potential hydre-electric
power development of the Niagara Falls. Fortunately, in neither case must the
Congress appropriate more money, but it was necessary to authorize a transfer of
previously appropriated but not yet expended funds totalling 522 thousand dollars.
Because one of my colleagues on the Committee on Apprepriations had to
be out of Washington on business, I was asked to substitute for him on the sub-
committee handling funds for the Departments of State, Justice, Commerce and the
Judiciary. Out of the 242 million requested in this supplemental appropriations
bill by the White House close to 113 million came before this subcommittee.
Frankly, it was a hard but interesting responsibility to comb through
the maze of facts and figures that the bureaus and agencies throw at you in
justification of their alleged needs for money from the federal treasury. The six
members of the subcommittee hold the hearings in one of the small and unpretentious
rooms several floors below the rotunda in the Capitol building itself. There is
no fanfare. On one side of a long table sit four Democrats, two Republicans, and
two committee clerks. On the opposite side of the table come the Department head
and his staff, anywhere from two to eight experts.
The hearings are long and drawn out. The government departments by oral
testimony and reams of charts and tables do their best to convince the committee
that the money requested is justified. The six committee members relentlessly
cross-examine the witnesses and probe every detail.
Your Washington Review - Page 2
March 29, 1951
Some departments and witnesses fare better than others. J. Edgar Hoover
in making the arguments for more funds for the F.B.I. had little or no difficulty.
The Department of Justice in contrast ran into some difficulty. The Department
claimed that it needed 160 thousand dollars for new personnel in order to condemn
land for the Department of Defense and the Atomic Energy Commission. It was
finally admitted by the department officials that almost enough was available in
other funds for the job so the committee approved 30 thousand instead of 160
thousand dollars.
In another instance the Civil Aeronautics Administration presented claims
or contracts involving 1 ¹₂ million dollars. After thoroughly interrogating the
witnesses and checking the facts and law, the committee found no way to get out
of this item. However, language was written in the bill which will slow down, and
I hope stop, such claims in the future.
After hearings that extended several weeks, five hours or so each day,
the subcommittee made its recommendations. The various departments requested
approximately 113 million; we cut out about 89 million dollars. Our subcommittee's
work may be repudiated and some of the cuts may be restored by the House or Senate,
but in all sincerity we did the most conscientious job we could in trying to save
some of the taxpayers' dollars and a cut of 89 million out of the 113 requested
by Mr. Truman is a pretty good showing.
*
Here's the result of the appropriations for the Treasury and Post Office.
The President requested two billion, 958 million. The total cuts made by the
House amount to 39 million, 398 thousand dollars. The House sustained my own
amendment to cut one million from the administrative funds for the Bureau of the
Public Debt.
* * *
VISITORS: The senior class of Rockford High School and their chaperones
have been visiting and sightseeing here this week. Mr. and Mrs. Buckman and
daughter and Art Lockhart and his wife and daughter-in-law have been spending time
between here and Camp Dietrich for a few days; Jay Petter from Holland has been
here on business for several days; and G. L. Disselkoen and G. R. Gorman, both
of Zeeland, both stationed at Fort Myer, and both about to go overseas, had a few
hours to spend in Washington seeing the House in session.