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This document scanned from Box D1 of the Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
January 5, 1955 ['56]
The House and Senate convened for the second session of the 84th Congress at
noon on January 3rd. Most members were on hand although no legislative business was
transacted. January will be devoted to the various Presidential messages and the
initiation of necessary hearings by numerous Congressional committees prior to action
by House and Senate membership as a whole.
CONGRESSIONAL MAKE UP
The organization of the current session is substantially the same as the past
session which adjourned last August 3rd. The Democrats hold a 232 to 203 majority
in the House and a 49 to 47 edge in the Senate.
Sam Rayburn still pounds his gavel as Speaker of the House and Joe Martin
continues to head House Republicans. Senate leadership remains unchanged also with
Lyndon Johnson, who has made an excellent recovery from his severe heart attack of
last July, resuming Democrat leadership. Senator William Knowland from California
remains as Senate Republican leader. Democrats maintain all chairmanships of the
19 standing committees in the House and 15 similar Senate committees.
Your Congressman will still function as a Member of the House Committee on
Appropriations which includes assignments to the Army Panel of the Department of
Defense Subcommittee and the Mutual Security Subcommittee.
ISSUES AND PROBLEMS OF THE SESSION,
It's not an easy task to anticipate at the outset ofa session of the Congress
the exact course or character it will take. Past history in legislative matters
only too clearly illustrates how much theemphasis and direction of Congressional
effort can sway with the changing national needs and new international situations.
Probably the first issue of major importance to appear on the House agenda will
be new federal aid to highway legislation. Regrettably this proposal in the closing
days of the last session was caught in a bitter partisan hassle. In 1955 everyone
in both political parties seemed to agree that Uncle Sam had the major financial
responsibility for the construction of the 40,000 miles ofthe interstate highway
system. The unfortunate political dispute centered around the method of financing
LIBRARY
the construction with the Democrats favoring new highway user taxes and the Republicans
proposing a "pay-as-you-go" plan. The net result was no action. A constructive
compromise, using both methods, seems possible from cloakroom gossip.
The next vital issue, certain to be decided by March 31st, involves federal taxes.
With full employment and increasing government revenues UncleSam probably will end
this fiscal year on June 30th with a surplus. With this encouraging prospect should
Congress cut taxes and possibly create future deficits or woult it be better to
continue existing taxes and apply all surpluses to a reduction of the national debt
of approximately $275 billion? Each year Uncle Sam is paying over $6 billion in
interest on the national debt.
From the facts at hand your Congressman believes it would be wiser under current
circumstances to forego a tax reduction this year and use any treasury surpluses to
reduce the federal debt. By cutting down the national debt we free ourselves of
burdensome interest payments and fortify the government's future fiscal position in
the event of any unforseen emergency.
OTHER ISSUES IN THE MAKING
Agricultural legislation will be high on the priority list. The President and
Secretary of Agriculture Benson will fight for their broad and comprehensive program
to build up the farmers' position in the nation's economy. The Democrata will
concentrate on the restoration of the 90 per cent of parity program for the six
basic crops, corn, cotton, tobacco, rice, peanuts, and wheat.
Revisions and expansion in the Social Security Act will be considered in 1956.
Federal aid for school construction will be definitely on thelegislative agenda. It
may have tough sledding because of the southern Democrate violent opposition to any
aid that would force desegregation on their school systems. In addition there are
many in the Congress who fear federal control of our home town schools and who believe
local citizens can and will solve the problems of ample teacher pay and adequate
facilities.
The new and powerful national defense policies will be analyzed by the Congress
and sizeable funds for the Armed Forces will be appropriated. Foreign aid, both
military and economic assistance, will have the closest scrutiny by various committees
and themembership as a whole. The latter which is an integral part of our own defense
policy and tied in with our anti-communist offense must not get out of hand.
Oh stime issues party battlelines are already clearly marked. On other questions
they are soon to become apparent, It is likely on some measures lines of difference
will merge and coalitionsspring up between members from both Republican and Democrat
ranks. But regardless of means employed, let us all hope and pray that at the con-
clusion of the 84th Congress it will have been an active and progressive force which
worked for the best interests of all our people.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
FOR RELEASE January 12, 1956
President Eisenhower's State of the Union Address impressed me with the reali-
zation that our great national well being must be more than matched by the continuing
growth in spiritual strength as well as through dedicating ourselves to moral values
in dealings abroad and in relationships among ourselves.
The President's message contained a large number of specific recommendations for
legislation that he considers essential to promote his program in the fields of human
welfare and national security.
Probably the most important announcement Ike made concerned the national budget
which he expects to be balanced by the end of the fiscal year June 30. He pointed out
that the basis for social welfare legislation, enduring prosperity and international
prestige must rest upon "fiscal integrity" at home which includes a balanced budget.
An aim of his program is to foster a strong economy through our competitive enterprise
system's dependence on the energy of free human beings, limited by prudent restraints
in law, using free markets to plan, organize and distribute the wealth of our growing
industry.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATION
Tike will spell out in more detail his recommendations to the Congress for
legislation in several important areas. These include resources conservation and
control, agriculture, disaster assistance, constructive assistance for chronic un-
employment pockets and highway construction.
The President offered recommendations in other fields designed to raise health,
educational and living standards for low-income groups, the aged, mentally retarded
and dependent children. Ike also suggested that to create equal opportunities for
all our citizens a vigorous attack be made against all injustices on minority groups.
To implement steps already taken by the Administration in the civil rights field Ike
recommends that Congress create a bipartisan commission to study these unwarranted
conditions against minority groups. Linked to this field are his recommendations to
amend the Refugee Relief Act of 1953 and add flexibility to the immigration quota
system. The President wants Congress to change quota provisions to allow unfilled
vacancies of one country to be used by another.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The President stated that in the discharge of our world responsibilities we are
dedicated to the achievement of peace with justice for all citizens. The Republican
Eisenhower Administration has taken numerous steps in this direction during the
past three years. The Administration intends to take many more; some will need new
legislation on which I will report as the Congress moves along in this session.
Several of Ike's suggstions for sustained and expanded foreign relations are
especially worthy of note. The President offered assurance that we have the military
power to secure our world-wide commitments for a just and secure peace. He asked
for legislation and continued Congressional cocperation in support of the United
Nations, collective security pacts and foreign aid. According to Mr. Eisenhower
active negotiations are now in progress to create an International Agency to foster
peaceful uses of atomic energy. When these negotiations are completed the means
will be available to raise living standards throughout the world. The President
asked Congress to substantially increase the budget for the United States Information
Service which includes the Voice of America. This is a particularly receptive in-
strument for keeping injustices of the Communist nations in the forefront of the
thinking but enslaved people behind the Iron Curtain.
NEW YEAR ECONOMICS
From the facts recorded atthc close of 1955 your Congressman cannot help but
be greatly heartened by the prospects for a presperous new year. This view is
shared by representative segments of the economy. For instance, the December 31
issue of the "AFL-CIO News" stated, "Prospects for 1956 look good, according to a
cross-section of forecasts by economists and others interested in what the new year
will bring in the way of jobs and sales."
In support of this view, the Kent County labor force is currently the largest
in history with 111, 200 persons gainfully employed. In Ottawa County's tri-cities
area, which includes Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Ferrysburg, December hit an all-
time high of 5,352 employed.
Last November slightly over 67 million Americans were working, an increase of
nearly five and one-half million over 1950. These people earned the highest
billion
personal income in history with the annual rate reaching $309.6 last November.
Hourly wages are the highest in history averaging for all production and non-
supervisory employees $1.93 in November, a gain of 33 per cent since 1950.
VISITORS - Lewis Clingman, T/Sgt. John Droste of Grand Rapids, and REv. E. J. Tanis
of Grand Haven.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
FOR RELEASE January 19, 1956
President Eisenhower's 14-page special message to Congress on Agriculture
contained a number of specific recommendations which will help the farmers of
Western Michigan.
Less than 15 per cent of Michigan's agricultural income is derived from the
six basic crops (wheat, corn, cotton, rice, peanuts, and tobacco) which are price
supported. Therefore, other features of the President's farm program are of a more
primary concern to the poultry and egg producers near Zeeland, fruit growers at
Sparta, bean cultivators from Sand Lake and Lowell and the small general farmers
scattered throughout all of Western Michigan.
Price supports and federal assistance to agriculture have offered greater
advantages to the big corporate farms in the West with their huge acreages and
large plantations in the south than to the smaller family-type farmers in Michigan.
IKE'S RECOMMENDATIONS
If Congress accepts Ike's farm recommendations not only will the whole farm
economy be strengthened but the position of the family-type farm will be placed
on a more solid footing with federal assistance fairly and widely distributed.
Under the price support law, loans of tremendous size have been made to large
farms at public expense. For example, a cotton plantation at Hughes, Arkansas
received a payment of $624,754 and a Sargosa, Texas cotton grower received $814,801.
The federal government paid a rice grower near Danbury, Texas $210,675 while a
Colorado wheat farmer got $43,134. Ten other states had single price payments in
the $100,000 and up class, while other important farming states such as Michigan,
New York, and Pennsylvania, with more balanced agricultures rather than mass-produced
"cash crops," claimed relatively small amounts. Ike believes it is not sound
policy for the government to underwrite such formidable competition with smaller
family-type farms. The President urged Congress to place a dollar limit on the
size of price support loans available to any individual farming unit.
One of the farmer's operating costs is the federal tax on gasoline. It is
estimated that one-half of the gas farmers buy is used in the field or contributes
directly to his farm operation. Ike recommended that legislation be passed by this
Congress to relieve the farmer of this federal tax on fuel used in production.
The President's 9-point message contained other requests concerning credit,
broader technical assistance, and surplus disposal plans and adjustments in the law
to help wheat and corn growers. For example, legislation already has passed the
Senate and is pending in the House which would exempt from marketing quotas those
producers who use for feed, food, or seed on their own farms all the wheat they
raise. Because of the failure to pass this legislation last year, the Department of
Agriculture has been compelled by law to prosecute farmers whose only offense was to
raise and feed wheat outside their quotas. The Administration again has urged
Congress to enact legislation to correct this problem.
SOIL BANK PROPOSAL
The President's "soil bank" plan offers a fresh approach to upholding farm
incomes and reducing surpluses by calling for a temporary Acreage Reserve Program
and a long-range Conservation Reserve Program, both voluntary.
The Acreage Reserve Program would reduce wheat, corn, cotton, and rice planting.
Farmers retiring land from use would be allocated, through county committees, com-
modity certificates having value based "on the normal yields of the acres withheld
in this Reserve." The certificates would be negotiable and redeemable by the Com-
modity Credit Corporation. Thus, if a farmer with a 30-acre wheat allotment decided
to put 5 of those acres in the reserve, he would be compensated with a cashable
certificate equal to a percentage of the value of the crop he would have normally
harvested from the 5 acres.
The Conservation Reserve Program is aimed at shifting into forage, trees
and water storage some 25 million acres of cultivated lands. Under this "deferred-
production" plan the farmer would be reimbursed for a fair share of the costs of
establishing the conservation use. Any farmer would be eligible to participate in
this plan regardless of his crops or the location of his farm. This plan would serve
to safeguard our food-producing resources for future generations.
Your Congressman believes that there are many virtues in the President's farm
program which can give renewed vigor to our family-type farms, reduce surpluses,
and bring production into line with consumption. But probably more important
than any other feature, the President's program recognizes the proper role of
government is that of partner with the farmer and never his master.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
FOR RELEASE January 26, 1956
Last week the White House sent to my office a five-pound book bound in a soft
brown cover with contents which will affect not only the lives and welfare of Americans
today, but the lives and wellbeing of generations yet unborn. It was President
Eisenhower's balanced budget for the fiscal year 1957 which becomes effective July 1.
Our national budget is not just a large book of cold facts and impersonal figures
describing fiscal operations. It is rather a comprehensive plan expressing the scope
of federal activity in terms of dollars and cents for meeting our national objectives.
These objectives may best be defined as: 1) a continued dedication toward perma-
nent world peace; 2) to sustain and achieve newer and greater heights of prosperity,
and 3) safeguard the financial strength and stability of the dollar, not only for
the present but future generations as well.
President Eisenhower feels that these objectives can be met satisfactorily in
fiscal 1957 with a budget which recommends appropriations totalling $65,865 billion.
For this same period the President estimates revenues at $66,300 billion which leaves
a $435 million surplus. The President's balanced budget rests on two main conditions.
They are reduced federal expenditures resulting from government economies made during
the past three years and greater tax revenues generated by higher levels of national
prosperity.
THE BUDGET AND THE NATIONAL DEBT
The President's budget is actually a series of estimates and requests which
he makes for Congressional approval. Now it's up to the Congress whether more or less
than the budget requests are to be made available. Already in the Congressional
chambers there is talk of more, not less spending than proposed by Ike and at the
same time one hears suggestions for a tax reduction. There is little if anything being
said in some quarters about the public debt which stands at about $279 billion and
the $7 billion in interest payments which must be made each year. Or the fact that
the government has been in the red 22 of the last 25 years.
Two areas absorbing substantial portions of the budget for 1957 deserve special
note. One involves the 61 per cent linked to the national security. This includes
funds for the military, mutual security, atomic energy, and stockpiling. We can hope
and pray that world affairs may soon be less strained so it is possible to reduce
this sun and divert portions of it into more constructive channels of human endeavor.
Another ingredient of the budget is that of annual interest payments which total
11 per cent of our vast national debt or $7 billion. It seems logical enough that
reductions in the national debt would serve to reduce this heavy annual interest load
and thereby make smaller budgets possible. This of course would permit a legitmate
federal tax reduction.
CHANGE IN SOCIAL SECURITY
This past week I introduced a bill to change social security provisions which
would allow a widow with minor children to earn up to $3,600 a year without losing
survivorship benefits. Presently the earning limit is $1,200 a year which hardly
seems adequate for a woman in such an unfortunate position to provide for her children.
My bill has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means for consi-
deration. Your Congressman was prompted to introduce this legislation after talking
with a widow with children at Belmont last fall while conducting my "mobile office"
tour.
HISTORY IN THE CAPITOL
Numerous incidents and memories of our Country's magnificant history are re-
presented through the maize of corridors and in the rooms of varying sizes which dot
the inside of the Capitol Building in Washington, D. C.
The hows. and whys behind the decision which finally located our Capitol city
on the bank of the Potomac are explained along with brief accounts of the burning of
the Capitol in the War of 1812, how Constantino Brumidi, the Italian artist came to
America from Rome in 1852, expressed his gratitude to his adopted country by planning
and painting the canopy of the Capitol Dome. Other tales are related in a new
booklet just published entitled "Our Capitol." If you would like to have a copy of
this interesting booklet just drop me a line. A₁so I have for free distribution a
number of colorfully illustrated folders with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
set to music.
VISITORS
8
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Huntsinger, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Pershbacher, Mr. and Mrs.
Wm. Broersma, Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Bylan, Mr. S. Albert, Mr. John A. Vander Ark, and
Mr. Herbert Daverman.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
FOR RELEASE February 2n, 1956
President Eisenhower acknowledges in his special Health Message to Congress
notable advances made in the struggle against disease and disability. In order
that this progress may be continuous the President requests additional steps be
taken in five areas so that better health standards and physical wellbeing may be
placed within the easy reach of every American citizen.
Ike recommended appropriations to provide substantial increases in funds to
be used primarily for basic research in the biological and medical sciences. The
cost of this stepped-up program would be about $126.5 million in fiscal 1957, an
increase of 28 per cent over the present year. With these funds substantial advances
in research could result in these fields: cancer, heart disease, mental illness,
arthritis and metabolic diseases, neurology and blindness, infectious and parasitic
diseases, dental disorders, and general research programs of the National Institutes
of Health.
The bulk of medical research would be continued and expanded under Ike's plan
in the laboratories of universities, hospitals, and other institutions outside the
federal government. All of Ike's program supplements the fine work of the Cancer
Society, Heart Association, Polio Foundation, and scores of others.
EXPAND MEDICAL FACILITIES AND PERSONNEL
The President's plan for construction grants for medical research and teaching
facilities provides schools with the opportunity not only to expand research facili-
ties but also their student capacities for physicians, scientists, dentists, and
other health workers. Other recommendations include enactment of legislation to
provide for (a) a five-year program of grants for training practical nurses, (b)
scholarships for graduate nurses, and (c) authority to establish traineeships in
other public health specialties.
Mr. Eisenhower asked Congress to appropriate a second $30-million to complete
the federal program of aiding states to buy and administer Salk antipolio vaccine
for needy children and expectant mothers. In addition, he recommended strengthening
other basic health services such as sickness surveys, Indian health and welfare,
health aspects of civil defense, vocational rehabilitation and veteran medical plans.
In addition, he proposes a $250 million matching fund for medicalschools, research
and other funds to match those expended by the States and localities for medical
care for the indigent aged, the blind, the disabled and dependent children.
More than 100 million persons are now enrolled in voluntary and private pre-
payment health insurance plans of some sort. However, many others not now. covered
should be. The President offered recommendations for legislation making it possible
for broader medical care through volunary prepayment plans permitting private
organizations to join together and share or pool the risks involved.
SOME CURRENT LEGISLATION
Your Congressman has several new legislative proposals in the hopper. One
bill would iron out an inequity of our social security law. As the law stands a
widow with minor children looses all survivorship benefits for herself if she earns
more than $1,200 annually from covered employment. My bill would amend this law to
permit a widow with minor children to earn as much as $3,600 annually without the
loss of these benefits for a fatherless family.
Another measure your Congressman sponsored would increase the federal govern-
ment's contribution to the cost of milk consumed in the children's school lunch
program. Because of increased consumption rates in the past seven months this
additional sum is necessary if the program is to function adequately until June or
the end of the school year. Such legislation which coincides with Secretary
Benson's recommendation has not only a bearing on the health of our children but
also will help relieve any potential dairy surpluses.
Your Congressman hopes another bill will reduce the death toll at railroad
grade crossings in darkness, especially where flashing lights are not on guard.
This bill has received endorsement from the Interstate Commerce Commission and if
passed will require railroad cars to be equipped- with illuminous flectors tomake
them more conspicuous at night.
Another bill in the congressional hopper provides for the issuance of a
special postage stamp to commemorate Grand Rapids as the "Furniture Capitol of
America." This stamp is long overdue as a tribute to our skilled craftsmen, fine
designers and enterprising manufacturers. If approved, its issuance would coincide
with the national convention of the Society of Philatelic Americans which will be
held in Grand Rapids next August 23-26.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
FOR RELEASE February 9, 1956
Congress agrees with President Eisenhower on the pressing need for new and
improved classrooms throughout the Nation. But steam is building up over three
controversial roadblocks any one of which could leave its imprint on or stand in the
way of a final school construction bill.
One controversy raised by the school bill centers around the method of
distributing federal funds to the states. Should the emphasis for distribution of
the funds be placed on each state's need or simply on the basis of the number of
children of school age? Your Congressman believes federal aid may be justified in
cases when certain states have demonstrated willingness to maintain school facilities
on a comparable basis with wealthier sections of the country but are not financially
able to do SO.
The Powell Amendment, which again brings out traditional differences within
the Democrat Party, would help implement the Supreme Court ruling on integration in
schools. This Amendment proposes holding in escrow for three years funds which
might otherwise be allocated to school districts where racial segregation is
practiced. If a state eliminates segregation within three years after enactment
of the measure federal funds would be released to it. Because of the Court's
decision and because of the moral and social principles involved, I intend to support
the Powell Amendment.
Whether to apply provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act also has become an issue
in the school construction bill. This Act calls for paying the wage scale pre-
vailing in the area on construction jobs which are financed at least in part with
federal funds. It seems unfortunate that numerous House Democrats, including the
Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, have led a vigorous fight
to eliminate the Davis-Bacon provisions from the school construction bill.
THREAT FROM AN INSECT
Last week your Congressman appeared before the Appropriations Sub-Committee
on the Department of the Interior to request $20,000 for research to combat the
European pine shoot moth which is doing considerable damage in Western Michigan,
and potentially the State as a whole. The West Ottawa Soil Conservation District
has agreed to raise about $4,000 in cash and contributed effort in a cooperative
effort in this direction.
With $25,000 thrown into the battle against the pine shoot moth it can be
hoped forest damage caused by this insect may be reduced on the 4,225 acres of
federally-owned land in Ottawa County and on private holdings. These funds would
provide the full-time services of an experienced entomologist who will attempt to
develop effective controls for combating this insect pest. Although predictions
are hazardous at this point, my request for funds seemed well received by committee
members.
AROUND THE CAPITOL
Our office became baffled the other day with the arrival of a card asking,
"What is Chinle?" Later the mystery was solved when a number of small shaley rocks,
described as "Chinle" arrived. Rep. Craig Hosmer of California, an opponent of the
Upper Colorado water storage project, sent them, claiming pieces of Chinle dis-
integrate when touched by water. He said that areas around the proposed dam site
were comprised of this substance and the project would result in a "billion-dollar
mud hole." Then an opponent of Hosmer, Rep. William Dawson from Utah, sent some
of the same rocks to various offices. He claimed that Chinle was not the worthless
substance Hosmer described but instead a rich, uranium-bearing strata that with
water and power will keep the United States the world's largest uranium producer.
At last glance, rocks are still piled on my desk and the question remains
unsettled!
IN A SENTENCE OR TWO
The first two roll call votes of this session came on January 31st. By the
first one, the House passed, 387-0, H. R. 8780 which would exempt farmers from paying
the federal excise tax for gasoline used on their farms. The other bill provides
$275,000 for the expenses of the Committee on Un-American Activities. This passed
386-1.
Your Congressman's bill to increase the federal appropriation for the
school milk lunch program by $10 million for the current year was passed by a voice
vote last week also. It was gratifying to receive such a prompt and favorable
reaction to this measure
The Fifth District has again been honored with an
appointment to a high position in the Eisenhower Administration. On Monday,
January 31, the Senate approved the appointment of Harold Hunt as Under Secretary of
Health, Education, and Welfare. Mr. Hunt grew up in Holland, Michigan.
VISITORS IN WASHINGTON:
Ernest W. Wixom, Albert L. Deal, Paul Van Order, Reverend Henry Bast, A. W.
Jordan, James H. Herrick, and Msgr. Joseph C. Walen, from Grand Rapids. J. L.
Houtaling from Lowell; H. G. Hartman, Hudsonville; Mr. and Mrs. Bob Runyon of Alto.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
FOR RELEASE February 16,
1750
The legislative machinery of the six-week old session of Congress is gradually
gaining momentum as the initial flood of bills and resolutions are reported from
committee to the floor of the House.
So far the House has not been confronted with any really controversial legis-
lation. However, a growing number of less publicized yet very significant pieces
of legislation have been passed. Several of these resulted from specific requests
President Eisenhower made to Congress.
For instance, on February 6th the House passed by voice vote a bill Ike re-
quested in his special message on health. This measure calls for the extension of
the Poliomyelitie Vaccination Assistance Act from its expiration date on February 15,
1956, as set in the previous session, to June 30, 1957. This bill assists the States
in providing free poliomyelitis vaccine for needy children and expectant mothers.
President Eisenhower recommended legislation in his special economic message
to extend anti-trust regulations to all mergers of banking institutions in order to
give the government an opportunity to prevent mergers that are likely to result in
undue restraint of banking competition. This resulted in a bill passed on February 6
which tightens curbs on bank mergers tending to create bank monopolies. The need
for such legislation becomes understandable when it is noted that 595 commercial
banks disappeared through mergers or consolidations between 1950 and 1954.
POST OFFICE APPROPRIATIONS
The bill covering Post Office and Treasury Department appropriations for fiscal
1957 passed the House on February 7th. Its passage marks the earliest date in any
session of Congress that a regular appropriation bill cleared the House.
In forecasting total receipts and disbursements for this mammoth business,
postal officials anticipate a $470 million deficit for the coming fiscal year. This
deficit is a result of the increasing volumes of mail and higher operational costs
which have not been offset through greater revenues.
Should the Post Office balance its budget and eliminate the $470 million deficit
an average of about $10 could be saved annually for each taxpayer filing an income-
tax return in the United States. The means most commonly mentioned to accomplish this
are through increased postal rates which would not only contribute to a balanced
budget but would also allow more equitable financing of the postal service by letting
those who use the mail most pay more for that privilege. If the Post Office isn't
financed by the mail-users, the deficit is paid out of the taxes paid by everyone.
OTHER LEGISLATION PASSED THE HOUSE
Another bill passed the House permitting the sale to private ownership of a
synthetic rubber plant at Institute, West Virginia. The government will receive a
fair value amounting to $11 million for this plant which has not been in operation
since September of 1953 and costs the government $240,000 annually to keep in stand-
by condition. Purchasers of the plant intend to spend millions of dollars to expand
production and improve quality. With this expansion more jobs will become available
in this area and the government will receive substantial corporate tax payments as
a result of the private operation.
The Congress passed two resolutions last week affecting the election and
inauguration of the President because under present law o certain important days fall
on Sunday. One resolution moves from Sunday, January 6, to Monday, January 7, the
day on which Congress will count the electoral votes. Another resolutaion calls
for the appointment of three members from each Chamber to make necessary arrangements
for the inauguration which is changed from Sunday, January 20th, to Monday, January 21.
TOTALS IN THE HOPPER
More than 9,000 bills have been introduced in the House since the 84th Congress
convened 13 months ago. In addition, more than 1,000 House Resolutions have been
submitted. Of this total, 1,131 of these bills were recorded in the Second Session
through February lst. On the Senate side, 3,106 bills and 403 Resolutions have been
introduced in the 84th Congress through February lst.
SIDELIGHTS
To date, 1032 Michigan youths between 17 and 18½ years of age have volunteered
for 6 months active duty and 7½ years of active reserve training under the National
Reserve Program. This program not only contributes to our national defense but does
so at less cost to the federal treasury while allowing more youths to fulfill their
service obligation while at work or school.
A peck of potatoes arrived in my office the other day. Idaho Representative
Hamer Budge had 5,000 pounds of them stashed away in his Capitol Hill office to be
used in extolling the qualities of his State's product
But with all deference to
Idaho spuds the Fords naturally prefer good Michigan varieties
Incidentally,
last year's potato crop in Michigan yielded a total of 7,790,000 bushels.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
February 22, 1956
Dear Friends:
The House of Representatives has voted to spend $25,000 to expand the Forest
Service research in the control of the European pine shoot moth in Ottawa County.
This means that a competent entomologist and a skilled technician will be detailed
this year to give their full time to combatting the shoot moth in the West Olive
area.
In approving the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations
bill Tuesday afternoon, February 21, the House increased the appropriations for
expanding research on major pests of forest trees from $75,000 to $100,000. The
additional $25,000 is expected to go for work on the shoot moth.
This increase in funds to combat the pine shoot moth came as a direct result
of the meeting which the citizens of West Olive had with their Congressman at
the Robart School on November 14, 1955. On that occasion, I was reminded again
of the serious destruction caused by the shoot moth and was asked to seek a
$25,000 or $30,000 allocation of Federal funds to carry on an experimental program
to eliminate the moth. The West Ottawa Soil Conservation District which in the
Fall of 1955 called my attention to damage done to its plantings, indicated that
it would provide at lease $2,000 to get the project started by April 1.
Immediately upon my return to Washington, D. C. in December, I conferred
with Dr. J. A. Beal, Chief of Forest Insect Research, and found that there was no
money in the budget proposal for fiscal 1957 for intensive research on the shoot
moth. Further communications with the Chief of the Forest Service, Richard E.
McArdle, and with Mr. Charles Figy, Assistant to Secretary Benson, verified that
fact.
Because it seemed to me that the shoot moth would cause great economic loss
to the Government as well as to private owners of forest plantations, and because
local folks were willing to put up their own money to help, I determined to seek
additional funds for this essential research.
On January 31st I appeared before the Sub-committee handling appropriations
for forest insect research to request $25,000 (later reduced to $20,000 because
of additional local funds) to fight the moth. The sub-committee was impressed with
the potential loss to the forests of our nation if the shoot moth continued its
destruction.
Incidentally, this was the first time in my seven years in Congress that I
appeared before a congressional committee asking for more money than was in a
Presidential budget recommendation. I am confident the situation justified my action
and the sub-committee agreed. (You may read my testimony in the "Hearings," copies
of which have been sent to Mrs. Anne M. Polich, Clarence Reenders, and Marion Van
Slooten. Additional copies are available to those who would like one.)
The Appropriations Committee in effect did not increase the funds for the
Forest Service over the amount recommended by the President. The Committee made
certain changes in the activity schedule to provide an increase of $375,000 for
forest management research including $100,000 for expanding research on major pests
of forest trees. Out of that amount, $25,000 is intended to be used for work in
Ottawa County.
With this assurance of Federal funds (available July 1 ) and with $2,000
available immediately from the Soil Conservation District we may expect to have an
effective program of research underway this spring. However, it should be pointed
out that the U. S. Senate must also approve this Appropriation Bill if this important
project is to go ahead. It would be wise for you who are especially interested in
this problem to write Senator Charles E. Potter who is a member of the Senate Com-
mittec on Appropriations.
RETURN OF FEDERAL LAND TO PRIVATE OWNERSHIP: New legislation is needed before the
Federally owned land in Ottawa County may be sold to private owners. Three bills to
authorize this have been introduced in the House of Representatives. H. R. 161 has
had little consideration but H. R. 5088 is recommended by the Department of Agricul-
ture while H.R. 6815 has been approved by the Committee on Agriculture. Both bills
would authorize the Secretary of AGriculture to dispose of the government land at
the current market value. H. R. 6815 was up for consideration on the Consent Calendar
on MOnday but was passed over because of a provision inserted by Rep. Poage (Democrat,
Texas) which would give preference in the sale of this land to qualified persons in
the following order: (1) Persons whose farm or ranch land had been acquired by the
U.S. since December 7, 1941; (2) veterans; (3) among qualified applicants of
equal preference, those with priority of application.
Very simply this means that a person from Texas, or any other state, from whom
the U. S. had acquired land during the past 15 years could come into Ottawa County
and have first choice in the purchase of the federal land. He would have an absolute
preference over local people including those owning adjoining property. Secretary
Benson, however, is fighting to protect the right of local people to have an equal
opportunity to acquire the land at a fair price. He has consistently opposed H.R.6815
but just as strongly favors H. R. 5088 which would authorize the sale of government
land to local people. We can't predict the result of Poage's attempt to stifle approval
of this highly desirable legislation.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
FEBRUARY 23, 1956
With all the verbal hurly-burly about America's position today in military pre-
paredness, it might be well to take a sober and documented look at just exactly where
we do stand and what the outlook is for the future.
Our defense forces right now can handle immediately any emergency arising in a
limited type of warfare, and also can handle the initial phases of a really big war.
But in the event of a big war, after the first big bang we must rely on our civilian
components and our industrial capacity. A well-rounded program, such as we now have,
takes into account the possibilities d both a limited and a general war.
In past years, we have been plagued with a "feast or famine" kind of defense
program, first way up and then way down. Now we are on a leveled-off, long-pull
program, designed to be effective in both the short-run eventuality and the long-run
eventuality.
The Army, for example, has not been cut back. Instead, it has been leveled
off at the long-pull strength. Not only are we stronger now in personnel than we were
before Korea, but we have better equipment, thanks to encouraged technology. Research
and development of new weapons and new methods are both expensive and necessary to
maintain a strong and adequate defense force. Missile development is vital, and for
1957 about 10 per cent of the procurement expenditures of the Army, Navy, and Air Force
will be for this top priority program.
Let's take an item-by-item reading on defense procurement expenditures. The
procurement program in aircraft is showing steady and constructive progress. Ships
and harbor craft are being procured in line with the progressive modernization of our
fleet. The ammunition situation is very good, especially as compared with the Korean
War period. In addition to substantial stocks on hand, we are keeping the ammunition
production lines in limited action SO they could be readily vitalized in event of
an emergency.
Major strides have been made in the field of guided missiles with ranges up to
5,000 miles. These advances are necessarily dependent on research and development.
Even 50, expenditures for missiles show a sizable increase again this year; more than
double what was spent two years ago. Electronics and communications will take about
three times as much in expenditures this year as last year, generally reflecting an..
expanded and improved radar defense and communications system. An early warning in
case of attack could be much more important than all the retaliation in the world.
Finally, expenditures for reserve components will be up next year to cover the
projected expansion in reserve personnel in drill-pay status, which will climb to
more than one million men during the next year. This is a sound program in many ways.
Financially it costs only about $1,000 annually per man in reserve status, whereas for
men on active military duty the annual cost to the taxpayers is about $6,000 per man.
All in all, the defense situation right now is a healthy one, regardless of all
the howls sent up by the criers of military doom and gloom. And we mean to keep it
that way.
It might be wise to remember that President Eisenhower, a pretty fair military
leader and strategist for many years, personally approved our present national defense
program which is predicated on sufficient strength to deter any potential enemy and
keep the peace. In addition Ike's national defense policies which my committee is
now reviewing are aimed at winning any war if the Soviets should be foolish enough
to initiate such action.
UNDERSEA TRIP
As a member of the military subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations,
your Congressman has been invited to take a short trip on the atomic-powered submarine,
The Nautilus. The overnight trip over the Atlantic ocean floor will start from New
London, Conn., on Friday, Feb. 24 at noon, and wind up Saturday morning back at New
London. The Nautilus is the first atomic-powered submarine made by the United States,
and is a prime example of the importance of research in the overall scheme of defense.
THANK YOU MA'M"
The Post Office Department is mighty pleased at the reception of its experimental
change-making stamp vending machine which also talks. It says more than "Thank You,"
and can give important messages about postal service to patrons. When the final
decision is made on widespread use of the machine, it could result in better service
to patrons who wouldn't have to stand in line to buy stamps or obtain change, and also
relieve harried postal clerks of some of the more routine duties so they could devote
more time to other more important jobs. The talking feature, incidentally, adds only
about $30 to the cost of the machine and not the huge amount some sources have suggested.
VISITORS
Dr. and Mrs. G. F. Barofsky, Hilary Snell, and Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Bekman all
of Grand Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. G. Bert Bouwman of Ada, Michigan
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
MARCH L, 1956
House action on the highly controversial Upper Colorado Reclamation Project
is scheduled for this week. The project calls, for a series of dams and participating
projects on the Colorado River and its tributaries taking in Arizona, Utah, Wyoming,
New Mexico, and Colorado. The bill, H. R. 3383, authorizes an appropriation of not
more than $760,000,000 for this project. It is claimed this project will have about
the same favorable impact on this area as the St. Lawrence Seaway will have on the
Great Lakes region.
Here are some arguments listed in favor of the project: the financing is self-
liquidating with 42 per cent of the cost paid by direct beneficiaries, the remaining
58 per cent to be paid from power revenues; the project would save water now going
to waste for power, irrigation and municipal purposes; new areas could be converted
into cropland through the water diversion; and the poverty-striken Navajo Indians
would have an opportunity to become self-supporting. Crop yields from 132,360 new
acres would not begin until at least 1963 and probably later and the crops grown
there would not be those currently in surplus.
Oppone nts of the project question the financial structure claiming it will
result in excessive costs, and that the power aspects are financially infeasible.
They point out the project cannot possibly be self-liquidating and that phases of it
are ill-planned and poorly engineered.
Residents of Michigan will be interested to know that thie Project will not
endanger any existing national parks or beauty spots, that there is considerable
evidence that it will be self-liquidating and its completion should not contribute
to our agricultural surpluses.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Among the accomplishments of the Eisenhower Administration, the establishment
of the Small Business Administration deserves recognition. It is the first peacetime
independent Agency ever created with the sole responsibility of advising, assisting,
and encouraging small businessmen.
Some claim that big businesses are getting the lion's share of government
contracts to the exclusion of small business interests. This is not true. The Small
Business Administration is assisting small firms all over the country in obtaining a
fair share of Federal Government orders for goods and services. Through cooperative
efforts between the SBA and the Department of Defense alone, more than $800,000,000
in orders for goods have been set aside for exclusive bidding by small firms.
Similar working arrangements have been made by the Agency with the General Services
Administration, Veterans Administration, Department of Agriculture, and the Atomic
Energy Commission.
OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In only two and one-half years of service, the Small Business Administration
has approved a total of 5,624 loans for nearly $159,000,000. Of this total, 2,318
for $116,700,000 were business loans; and 3,306 for $42,200,000 were disaster loans
to relieve damage from floods, hurricanes, and other catastrophes. SBA loans in no
way compete with banks. In fact, banks participated in two-thirds of all business
loans made by the Agency.
Many thousands of small firms have been provided with management and production
advice and assistance by the Small Business Administration. The Agency, in coopera-
tion with 72 leading universities and colleges, has made it possible for many owners
and managers of small businesses to attend one or more of the 151 administrative
management short courses specifically designed for them by the SBA. The Agency
has also made available and distributed more than 2,500,000 publications, written
by recognized experts in private industry, covering all phases of management,
marketing and technical aids.
SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESSES
Failures among small businesses have taken a substantial drop, especially when
the trememdous increase in business units is considered. The number of failures
in 1955 was approximately 11,000. This compares favorably with the annual rate for
the past fifty years averaging nearly 14,000. The failure rate in 1954 and 1955
has been about 42 for every 10,000 concerns. For the years 1900-1955, the average
failure rate was 71.
In view of these facts it is clearly apparent that small businessmen are
sharing our national prosperity to a greater degree than ever before and SBA is
helping in many essential areas. It is legitmate to ask, "Would the American people
want the discredited RFC in place of the Small Business Administration?"
IN A SENTENCE OR TWO
Secretary of the Treasury George Humphrey received an unexpected pat on the
back recently from Representative J. Vaughn Gary, Democrat of West Virginia, who
said, "I think Treasury is one of the most economically operated departments, if not
the most economically operated department in the entire government"
On Tuesday,
Feb. 28th Rep. George A. Dondero, Republican from Michigan's 18th Congressional
District, was honored for his service as the first Chairman of the Committee on
Public Works with the unveiling of his portrait in the Committee room
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
March 7, 1956
Your Congressman, a member of the Military Appropriations Subcommittee, a few
days ago spent approximately 24 hours seeing first hand the Navy's first Atomic sub-
marine, the Nautilus. In the past several years the committee has allocated sub-
stantial funds for the necessary research, development and construction of this
newest national defense weapon. Consequently committee members were vitally
interested in whether or not these vast expenditures had been worthwhile.
The cost of the Nautilus approximates $29 million exclusive of the Atomic
Energy Commission's expenditures for the nuclear reactor. If all construction costs
plus research and development expenditures are totalled, this prototype submarine
involved $70 million or more. That is a sizeable sum, but its military value is
many times more important. Knowledgeable military experts categorically contend
that nuclear-powered ships, particularly submarines with guided missiles, vastly
improves, in fact multiplies, the national defense potency of the United States.
One of the major weapons in our future defense program probably will be atom-driven
subs capable of launching guided missiles.
To make the cruise on the Nautilus the committee flew to the Navy's sub base
at New London, Conn. No time was wasted getting underway for sea and except for
the shallow waters off the harbor the entire voyage was under water. While submerged,
the crew of the Nautilus demonstrated the operation of the sonar equipment, its
firepower, and the uncanny response of the nuclear power plant. Your Congressman
for a limited time and with some apprehension took over the controls of this
fabulous submarine while it cruised at great depths and high speeds. At all times
while an ex-surface sailor manned the controls of a sub-surface ship, I was
reassured to know that highly trained personnel were looking over my shoulder ready
to take over.
I was greatly impressed with the views expressed by the members of the crew.
Six of the sailors on this sub are Michiganders. Their morale is excellent. They
praised the "chow" and the crew living quarters. Most of all they are enthusiastic
about the military potential of "their boat."
During the cruise at depths over 300 feet beneath the surface we had technical
briefings from the ship's captain and Admiral H. R. Rickover. The Admiral, who is
responsibile for the Navy's nuclear-propulsion development filled us in on its
historical background (its all been done in five years), the Navy's present program
(13 nuclear-powered subs), and the future possibilities of nuclear power (surface
ships such as cruisers and aircraft carriers).
During these technical briefings your Congressman made many notes so I might
better understand how the atom could be harnessed to drive a submarine through the
water at high speeds and hundreds of feet below the surface. The notations on
gamma radiation, reactors, fissionable materials, U235, neutrons, critical masses,
and shaft power were reasonably understandable at the time Admiral Rickover was
briefing us, even though my chemistry and physics courses were completed 25 years
ago at South High. Just don't ask me to elaborate.
The program, which was a gamble five years ago, paid off because of the
ability of those who devotedly struggled to overcome scientific and administrative
road blocks. Because of the vision of dedicated public officials such as Admiral
Rickover, the U. S. now has a fighting ship that likely will revolutionize naval
warfare. Ten years ago only the most "long-haired dreamer" would have predicted
our Navy today would have a submarine that could travel 25,000 miles without
refueling at a submerged speed of over 20 knots. Can you imagine a .submerged sub-
marine crossing the Atlantic Ocean at full speed without surfacing? The Nautilus
can do it easily.
One final word. The refrigerators, electric ranges, radio equipment, and all
electrical gadgets aboard the Nautilus are run on the power generated by the nuclear
reactor. The electricity-producing potential of this power plant which insures the
well-being of the Nautilus crew could be harnessed to supply similar domestic power
needs of a city of 20,000 people, and it will be available sooner than some might
think. Yes, military research and development does "pay off" in secondary benefits
to our civilian or domestic economy.
VISITORS: Silas F. Albert, Richard E. Wicks, Hazel Zellner, Mr. and Mrs. L. Fry,
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Hankamp, Mr. and Mrs. D. Dykehouse, and Mrs. H.C. Jacobs, V. J.
HarTbead 5111 of Grand Rapids; Richard 1: Cuti of Spring Lake; Randall Bosch Jr. of
Holland,
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
March 15, 1956
The House of Representatives and the Department of Health, Education and
Welfare moved forward hand in hand last week with approval of an appropriations bill
for fiscal 1957 which throws $1.9 billions into the struggle for better national
living standards.
As a member of the Appropriations Committee which considered this bill, your
Congressman was very favorably impressed with the budget requests submitted by the
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, for the numerous activities it is
charged with performing. For instance, this year's budget requests make provision for
the first real program for mentally retarded children ever conducted by the Federal
Government. The appropriation includes $675,000 for a specific research program into
the education of mentally retarded children; $80,000 for the Children's Bureau so
that the Federal Government may join forces with states and local communities in the
field of mental retardation, particularly with pre-school children; and $750,000
for additional research at the National Institutes of Health on medical aspects of
the problem. The Department of HEW is also requesting additional legislation to train
more teachers for the mentally retarded and will ask for an additional $500,000 for
that purpose provided the Congress acts promptly on the necessary basic legislation
recommended by President Eisenhower.
MORE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The appropriation also includes $29.2 million or an increase of $2.7 million
over the past fiscal year for the promotion and expansion of vocational education.
These federal funds are matched by state and local contributions to the extent of
over 4 dollars to each appropriated federal dollar.
Fifth District schools were reimbursed $86,118.65 under this program during the
last school year. This amounted to $65,801.60 for Kent County and $20,317.05 in
Ottawa County for encouraging and assisting the teaching of agriculture, business,
homemaking, and trade and industrial subjects.
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
The National Institutes of Health, located just over the District of Columbia
line in Bethesda, Maryland, is composed of seven individual institutes each devoted
to research into a crucial medical field. The appropriation for the NIH for the
next fiscal year amounts to $135,525,000 or an increase of $37 million over fiscal
1956 for the support and conduct of this vital medical research. Many new and
promising discoveries have been made by these institutes in cancer research, heart
disease, mental health, arthritis and metabolic disease, neurology, blindness, and
other essential areas. For instance, the bill provides for an increase of $9.6 million
over the present year's appropriation of $34.5 million for the National Cancer
Institute. Special emphasis will be given to research in the promising, and relatively
new, fields of virology and chemotherapy. Also, the Committee recommended that the
budget for the National Institute of Mental Health be increased by $5.7 million over
last year with about a million dollars devoted to additional research for evaluation
and development of the new tranquillizing drugs. The Committee was impressed with
the fact that the outlook for findings that may halt the alarming rise in hospitali-
zation of the mentally ill, now costing more than $1.1 billion pcr year in tax-dollars,
is better than at any time in the history of mankind.
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
Housewives in Western Michigan will be interested in the work of the Food and
Drug Administration which is aimed at preventing contaminated food from reaching their
kitchen shelves. Last year more than 1,200 tons of potentially dangerous foods were
seized because they contained ingredients deemed harmful. Food seized last year
because it was filthy or decomposed totaled nearly 4,000 tons. This and related
activity of the Food and Drug Administration represents another legitimate activity
of the Federal Government in protecting the welfare of our citizens.
SCHOOL GROUPS VISITING WASHINGTON
Last Spring classes from eight schools in the Fifth District visited their
Nation's Capital either during Spring vacation or at the end of the school year.
They were among a large number of such school groups journeying to Washington for a
real look-see at their government. This year there will be an added incentive for
school groups to travel to the Capital. The Washington Board of Trade is sponsoring
a new program whereby high officials in many federal bureaus and agencies are setting
time aside each week for discussion periods with school classes. In addition the
National Symphony Orchestra has announced a series of concerts to be given free of
charge for high school groups visiting Washington, D. C. during the five-week period
from April 27th through May 31st. All this would seem to provide an excellent oppor-
tunity and added incentive to visit Washington. If your class plans to make the trip
this year, your Congressman will be very willing to provide further information on
these and other opportunities.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
March 22, 1956
While legislative activity on the floor of the House of Representatives was
fairly light during the past week, there was no let up in Committee work nor in
volume of mail on a number of controversial subjects.
The Appropriations Subcommittee on the Army continues to hear both civilian
and military leaders on the Army budget for next fiscal year. Although these hearings
are in executive session they will be published and released at a later date, I can
say, however, that I have the utmost confidence in our defense leaders and believe
that our present defenses are adequate and shall remain so in the future.
JET AIR BASE: Numerous letters and telegrams in reference to the jet air
base in northern Michigan were received recently. It seems to me that the Air
Force must be permitted to proceed with the construction of the base at Kalkaska.
To do otherwise will delay at least a year the completion of this vital link in the
defense of our country, will mean a loss of upwards of a half a million dollars to
the American taxpayers, and will increase the annual maintenance cost by at least
$400,000.
SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION: While the Kelley bill for federal aid for school con-
struction is pretty well tied down in the Committee on Rules, most of our letters
have favored the bill. The Kelley bill will distribute federal funds to the states
solely on the basis of school population. The Administration's proposal would
distribute these funds by a formula which takes into consideration the school needs
of the state and its efforts to meet these needs. It is difficult to justify federal
aid on any basis which does not consider real community need and demonstrated effort
by local citizens to solve the problem in the first instance.
POWELL AMENDMENT: Letters for and against the Powell Amendment flow into the
office continually. If this Amendment should be attached to the school construction
bill, federal funds would be withheld from those educational systems maintaining
segregated schools. Proponents insist that in light of the Supreme Court's decision
and of the moral and social principles involved, the Amendment must be approved.
Opponents feel that to add this provision dooms the school bill to defeat, and that
the principle of federal aid to school construction must be considered on its own
merits and not be used to change a social pattern. Viewing the problem as a whole,
I feel obligated to support the Amendment if it is presented to the floor.
DAVIS -BACON PROVISION: Those interested in both the school bill and Fallon
Bill for federal aid to highway construction have written us in reference to the
Davis-Bacon Act. This Act, passed in 1931 and amended in 1935, requires that the
prevailing wages in the area as determined by the Secretary of Labor must be paid
on federal construction projects. An attempt will be made to include this provision
in the school and highway construction bills which provide for construction with
the aid of federal funds. We are told by some that this is only fair and just.
Others argue that these wage rates ought to be determined by state officials rather
than the Secretary of Labor. The Committee on Public Works tried to alleviate the
fears of the latter group by modifying the wording of the provision to require the
Secretary to set the rates at "not less than those prevailing on similar construction
in the immediate locality."
HIGHWAY LEGISLATION: The present version of the highway proposal and its
accompanying tax bill have not caused any great influx of mail. The Committee on
Ways and Means has unanamously approved (15 Democrats & 11 Republicans) a compromise
which will add new taxes on highway users. Under the proposal all revenue from
these new taxes would be earmarked for highway construction.
ONION-FUTURES: Many letters have been coming in from onion growers, urging
me to back H. R. 7920 to prohibit trading in onion futures. Undoubtedly some
stricter control and regulations of onion futures trading is needed to protect
onion growers from wild speculation by futures traders. Hearings on H. R. 7920
sponsored by Representative Karl King will be held March 24th in Chicago, and
Rep. King is optimistic about chances of at least a compromise measure to tighten
controls over futures trading. As it now stands, onion prices depend upon futures
trading, and are not allowed to seek the market level. Stricter regulations should
bring a more stable market.
VISITORS: Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Jacobs, Mrs. Carol Josephson, Mr. and Mrs. S. Roth,
Arthur Heimer, Willie Thurman, Harvey W. Skinner, James R. Gibson, Hyman Bloomfield,
George C. Cummings, F. Johnson, Jacob H. Fliearman, L. Glover, Johnny W. Perkins,
Mrs. John Parks, Carol Bunn, David Mickens, Dr. and Mrs. R. P. Nanzig, Leonard B.
Zimmerman, George Burger, A. J. Miner, John D. Marky and Family, Sidney Pipe, Marvin
Rosenberger, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Willard, and John Burman, all of Grand Rapids, Charles
Vandewater of Holland; Yvonne R. DeJonge of Zeeland, Neil J. Van Stelle of Kalamazoo,
William Swart Sr. of Spring Lake, and Mr. and Mrs. Warren Willard, Mr. and Mrs.
Gerrit A. Swifney, Mr. and Mrs. George Swart, all of Grand Haven.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
March 29, 1956
One day last week I was privileged to participate in three different areas of
federal policy determination effecting residents of Western Michigan.
Early this session I and others introduced a bill to increase the appropriation
for the school-milk program for this fiscal year by $10 million. This bill was
approved by the House but amended in the Senate to extend the special milk program
through fiscal 1958 and to increase to $75 million the sum available during the
next two fiscal years. This legislation and amendments were in line with Secretary
of Agriculture Benson's recommendation aimed at reducing dairy surpluses by providing
more milk for children through the school lunch program.
When conferees from both Chambers met to iron out their differences, House
Democrats attempted to remove the Senate amendments from the bill leaving only an
extension of the school-milk program and the brucellosis-eradication program through
June 30th of this year. The House rejected this move by a roll call vote and then
accepted the Senate amendments. The bill as sent to the White House increases funds
available for the school-milk program for this fiscal year by $10 million, increases
to $75 million the authorization for fiscal 1957 and 1958, extends the milk
program to include other non-profit institutions, the VA and armed services, and
extends and expands the brucellosis-eradication program for two years.
The only conceivable explanation for the House Democrat thrust to remove Senate
amendments was a desire to reserve them as a future club to force House acceptance of
the Senate-passed, hodge-podge farm bill.
MORE ON THE JET BASE
Last week I appeared before the Senate Armed Services Sub-committee in support
of my position that the jet air base site in Northern Michigan be retained at Kalkaska.
Prior to testifying I requested and received from Donald A. Quarles, Secretary of the
Air Force, a letter presenting his views in favor of Kalkaska.
Secretary Quarles wrote that only at Kalkaska has enough suitable land been
acquired to allow construction to begin by this July. Furthermore the estimated con-
struction costs and actual operational expenses are lower at Kalkaska than any other
site considered. Already $350,000 has been expended by the government for preliminaries
at Kalkaska, a sum which would be totally lost to Uncle Sam should the location be changed.
Mr. Quarles concluded his letter by stating: "The selection of the Kalkaska
site was made only after a careful and detailed analysis of the many factors involved
in the selection of a location for an installation of this type. If the Air Force
cannot develop the Kalkaska site, a delay of at least one year will result.'
HOLLAND HARBOR IMPROVEMENT
In appearing before the Public Works Sub-committee on Appropriations last week
I hope to have spurred action toward final approval of "Part B" of the Holland Harbor
project. "Part B" calls for expansion of the turning basin and the extension of the
channel upstream so that the Holland power plant and others will be serviced by deeper
draft vessels.
This project represents another step in the development of Western Michigan
which among other results will boost the opportunities to derive full benefit from
the St. Lawrence Seaway. The bill should reach the House floor in late April or
early May.
POST OFFICE MANAGEMENT
The House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service has begun hearings on
legislation designed to readjust postal rates and place the Post Office on a self-
sustaining basis: Last week Postmaster General Arthur Summerfield presented to this
committee the Administration's plan for solving the postal deficit problem, a deficit
reaching $470 million this fiscal year and totaling. $4.6 billion over the last decade.
Mr. Summerfield indicated that the Post Office Department needs a long-range
program, including rate increases and modernizing operations, which will lead to
financial stability. He would raise rates on third-class mail by 29.1 per cent, on
second-class, by 26.8 per cent, and increase postage on letters from 3¢ to 4 per
ounce. The Postmaster General showed that it would cost the average family 15c more
a month if we had 4 postage, and that 75 per cent of the increased costs in this
category would be borne by business. Yet the cost for business would be only 3/100
of one per cent of annual sales.
Rep. Tom Murray, Democrat Chairman of the Committee on Post Office and Civil
Service, was very favorably impressed with the Summerfield testimony and said: "There
have been many presentations and justifications for increases in postal rates made
but, frankly and sincerely, the statement made today by the Postmaster General is the
clearest, most convincing, and most persuasive statement I have heard." "
VISITORS: From Grand Rapids; Dr. Jerome E. Webber, Dr. and M s. R G. F. Barofsky, Mr.
and Mrs. Wm. C. Eby; Mr. C. A. Gauthier and Mary, Dr. William L. Rodgers, Dr. W. C.
Beets, Dr. William F. Reus, Mr. John P. Seven, Dr. and Mrs. Richard De Mol. From
Holland; Dale E. Artz; Zeeland; Dr. and Mrs. G. F. Kemme; Kent City, Dr. and Mrs. J.P.
Yegge, and from Rockford; Dr. and Mrs. G. DeMaagd.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
April 5, 1956
The Farm Bill, H. R. 12, passed by the House of Representatives on May 5, 1955
was printed on two pages. When the Act came back from the Senate to be referred
to the Conference Committee on March 26, 1956 it was a document of 80 pages.
This hodge-podge piece of legislation, which is cumbersome and unworkable in
its present form, is being re-drawn by the Conference Committee composed of 5
Senators and 5 Representatives (6 Democrats and 4 Republicans) From information
available at this writing it is evident that the bill will unjustly discriminate
against our dairy and poultry farmers. Any farm program which raises the cost of
the feed they buy can't be of much help.
The bill also will increase the amount of surplus commodities held by the
government which surpluses will further depress market prices. Furthermore the
increase in surpluses will add to the burden of the taxpayers.
According to recent figures in the Commodity Credit Corporation's annual
report for 1955, the storage bill on surplus farm products bought up to support
prices has been running at the rate of about $967,000 a day or $352 million a year.
One of the most bewildering acts of the conferees was to remove from the bill
the provisions which limited to $100,000 the total price support to be received
annually by any one person and limited to $25,000 the total amount to be received
by any one person on the soil-bank programs. The removal of these limitations means
that the huge corporate farms will be eligible to unlimited monetary benefits. This
is to strike a serious blow at the farm program and runs counter to the commendable
attempts to preserve and encourage the small, family-type farm.
The actions of the Conference Committee are more understandable, however, when
one considers the history of the legislation. The House originally passed a poor
farm bill calling for a restoration of rigid, 90 per cent price supports on cotton,
peanuts, tobacco, corn, wheat, and rice. The Senate passed a far worse bill, full
of confused and conflicting provisions. The Conferees can hardly be expected to
make something good out of the combination of something poor and something bad.
The only remedy to the farm question in Congress is for both Houses to start
all over and enact a program in line with the President's recommendations.
THE DOLLAR VALUE
The American dollar continues to hold the line against inflation. The Depart-
ment of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that with 1947-49 as a base
period representing 100 the dollar value has remained at 114.6 throughout the first
two months of this year. In fact since 1953 the consumers price index has risen
only slightly from 114.4 to 114.6.
Meanwhile average weekly takehome pay of American factory workers was at a
record level. Net spendable earnings averaged $71.92 in February for a worker with
three dependents and $64.59 for a worker with no dependents. Both figures were
about $2.90 higher than in February of last year representing gains of more than
4 per cent in take-home pay over the year. Record high income coupled with
virtually unchanged consumer prices means that buying power of the American working
man is higher today than ever before.
AGRICULTURE EXPORTS.
Exports of agricultural goods have increased by 16 per cent in the last two
years. Operating under terms of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance
Act of 1954 Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson has announced that agreements
totaling $1.2 billion have been signed for export sale of surplus farm commodities.
This program was set up by Congress for three years, ending June 30, 1957 to
help relieve price-depressing surpluses. A goal of $1.5 billion in export commit-
ments was to be reached as rapidly as possible and now with $1.2 already committed
negotiations are under way for the remainder of the allotted $1.5 in the near
future. Secretary Benson has stated, "The program is having timely and helpful
effect. It has given strength to our foreign and domestic markets at a time when
such strength has been needed."
WAR CLAIMS
American citizens suffering World War II property losses will soon be barred
from recoveries unless their claims are filed with the Foreign Claims Settlement
Commission in Washington before September 30, 1956. Under provisions of Public
Law 285, approved August 9, 1955, Congress has provided eligible persons with some
measure of compensation for such claims against Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, and
Rumania. Money was made available for war losses by the countries involved for
the settlement of American claims.
VISITORS: From Grand Rapids, Reverend and Mrs. Edward Van Baak, Mr. and Mrs.
Harold DeBoer. From Grandville, Mr. and Mrs. Don Lautenbach.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
April 12, 1956
Your Washington Report this week comes from a "ghost writer." This is not
a report from your Congressman, Jerry Ford. Instead it's a report from a guy who's
been working with him since mid-December. In real life, I'm Dick Milliman, who
used to live in Holland but now is a Lansing reporter. I'm down here in Washington
trying to find out a little more about how Congress works. Until Congress adjourns,
the American Political Science Association, my sponsor, will see that I eat regularly.
Your Congressman thought you folks might like to hear some of my impressions
on what's going on around here. I can tell you this much--my impressions of Congress
have changed quite a bit.
You see, I'm no longer afraid of Congreimen. I've found out they're just
human beings after all. There's still a little reserve left about Senators, because
I don't start working on that side for a couple of weeks yet. And after visiting
several cabinet members and others on that level, I'm still respectful in their
presence but not overawed, like I was at first.
Before I became part of the process for this brief time, I had very little
idea that a Congressman can be so busy all the time. Jerry Ford, for example,
spends four hours or more each day working with his committee-the Committee on
Appropriations. He also spends some time on the floor of the House, but he can't
spend as much time there as he would like. Then he has to keep the office going,
signing every piece of mail that goes out, and working as the Washington agent for
the 363,000 "stockholders" in the Fifth District. The five-day, 40-hour week
definitely does not apply while Congress is in session.
Another fact that is a revelation is how many of you folks back in the
district have problems. A student of psychiatric research might deduce that there
is a wave of some type in Kent and Ottawa counties accounting for these problems.
But, checking with other offices, the Michigan Fifth is no different than other
districts. Everybody has problems, and lots of folks write to their servants in
Washington for help.
One woman gets the runaround in applying for an income tax refund; perhaps
a well-place letter from the Congressman will slice red tape. Another experiences
delay in getting a passport; again, a phone call may help. An eight-grader has a
composition to write; information on soil conservation is sent. A Congressman is a
combination errand boy, chaplain, and psychiatrist.
One thing that strikes you in reading these letters is that most of them
come from sincere folks who have real problems and honestly want some help.
Naturally there are chronic letter writers but they are the exception rather than
the rule.
Some people--in fact, hundreds of them-write with advice or questions
about some matter of legislation. Under this category come mass mailings of postcards
and letters, all worded identically, and petitions. Often these missives direct
the Congressman's attention to an area of importance, and subsequent research may
mold his thinking and influence his vote. It's my opinion, however, that mere
numbers of letters mean little; one well thought out letter, well presented and
documented with arguments, will have more influence than 100 letters saying simply:
"Please support HR 12345678."
The matter of politics and its relation to the work of a Congressman is in
itself an interesting study. Naturally politics is interwoven in the work of the
Congress, because politics is the road that each of the 435 members of the House
traveled to get here. But it's amazing that partisan politics plays such a minute
part in the every-day operation of a Congressman's office. There's no thought of
whether a correspondent is a Republican or Democrat; each receives the same service,
except that if the person seeking help is a known Democrat, a Republican Congressman
might work just a little bit harder to try to turn an opponent into a supporter.
Most Congressmen I've observed, including Jerry Ford, refuse to stumble blindly
down the partisan path laid out behind closed doors somewhere, unless they honestly
agree with the decision. And party leaders don't expect such blind obedience--
usually. The reason that Republicans are Republicans and Democrats are Democrats
is that they think alike and believe their ideas are best for the country. A phrase
you hear around here all the time is: "I don't agree with you, but I respect your
right to think the way you do."
My stay in Washington so far has convinced me that the majority of Congressmen
are competent and capable men and women, earnestly trying to do what is best for
their country and particularly their districts. Of Course, it must be realized
that the Congress represents a cross section of America. My respect for the law-making
branch of federal government has increased because of my close association with it
during the past several months.
Your Washington Review
KENT
OTTAWA
5
Congressman
JERRY FORD
April 19, 1956
The Democrat-sponsored farm bill which both Houses of Congress voted to hand
President Eisenhower last week can only result in an undesirable impact on the small
family-type farmers of Western Michigan. This bill is far from the workable standards
presented to Congress by the President in his nine-point farm message last January.
One of the most disturbing features of the Democrat-sponsored legislation
against Western Michigan farmers is that it removes provisions placed in the Senate
version to limit to $100,000 the total price support to be received by any individual
farming unit and limit to $25,000 the total amount to be received by any unit under
the soil-bank programs. Without these restrictions the federal farm policy will
further encourage with tax money the growth of the large corporate farm enterprises
to swallow up the functions of the small family-type farms such as we have in
Western Michigan.
Another feature which is undesirable for and discriminatory against Western
Michigan farmers is the restoration of high rigid price supports. Less than 10
per cent of Michigan's agricultural income is derived from the six basic crops
(corn, cotton, peanuts, wheat, tobacco, and rice) which receive federal support out
of tax money. This means that the farm law ignores the fruit growers, poultry
farmers, onion farmers, and dairy producers in Western Michigan. An indirect result
of high subsidies is raising feed costs and other increases in consumer and farm
purchases the small farmer must make.
President Eisenhower recommended to the Congress a good farm bill with a long-
range objective to work in the best interests of the farmer, the consumer, and the
taxpayer. Congress has passed a hodge-podge, unworkable bill which is inconsistent
in many ways. This proposed law will do the following: Price-depressing surpluses
will continue to be encouraged, our farmers will be further hamstrung by increased
regimentation, and the federal treasury will have substantially added burdens.
PRESIDENTIAL DISABILITY
Examination of the ambiguities surrounding presidential disability and succession
began last week with hearings by the House Judiciary Committee into this problem which
President Eisenhower has publicly urged Congress to study. The Constitution leaves
no doubt that the Vice President is next in the line of succession should removal,
death, resignation or inability render the President unable to discharge the powers
and duties of his office. However, no clear-cut procedure covering each of these
eventualities has ever been established, especially concerning that of "inability."
The Committee will seek answers to a number of questions arising out of a
possible emergency. For instance, who shall raise the question of Presidential
inability to discharge the duties and powers of his office: Once raised, who shall
make the determination of inability? Who shall determine the duration of inability?
To answer these and like questions adequate safeguards must be assured against
political and other undesirable considerations playing a dominant role.
One alternative would give the President's Cabinet power to determine his
inability to carry on during an emergency. Others advance the claim that this
responsibility should rest with the House of Representatives or the Supreme Court.
Or perhaps some independent body or agency should be consulted for a decision. In
any event its a good bet that a Constitutional Amendment is in the offing.
JET AIR BASE SITE
The site of the Northern Michigan jet air base was debated on the floor of the
House last week as an amendment to a military installations construction bill. House
members voted for construction of the base at Manistee rather than Kalkaska. Now
the bill goes to the Senate where the location of this vital link in defense will
again be considered.
The decision of the House cannot be justified on the facts. It means that
construction will be delayed at least one year plus an additional expense of at least
$5 million. The motion to build the interceptor base at Kalkaska won excellent bi-
partisan support from the Michigan delegation in the House, 10 to 4, with four
Michigan Democrats and six Republicans voting in favor of the Kalkaska site. Despite
the clear-cut majority among Michigan Representatives for the Kalkaska site, the
House as a whole voted otherwise. It is my earnest hope that the Senate will remedy
this action.
VISITORS:
From Grand Rapids: Victor So Barnes and family, Mrs. Meta K. Napper, Mrs. Mabel C.
Lynch, Miss Ruth Abel, Miss Phyllis Nieting, Miss Irene Rockwell, Mrs. E. D. Winfield
Mr. and Mrs. William Holman, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. John Stevens, Dr. and Mrs. Edwin C.
Becbe, and Mr. William L. George. From Hudsonville: Mr. Eugene VerHage and Mr.
Henry VerHage. From Grand Haven: Mr. and Mrs. Tony Wolf; from Zeeland, Mr. and
Mrs. Bruce DePree; and from Alto, Mr. William Berghage.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
April 26, 1956
The road bill has finally broken loose from committee to make a bid for
passage on the floor of the House. The bill has been delayed by a number of contro-
versial issues which had to be settled before it could be reported from committee.
President Eisenhower first urged legislative action in January, 1955. He
repeated his request early in 1956. During the first session the Senate passed a
road bill calling for an expanded federal aid program while the House became hopelessly
deadlocked over means of financing. These differences over financing were finally
resolved by the House Committee in favor of a pay-as-you-go plan based on increased
taxes for highway users.
But after the issue of financing was resolved several other controversies
arose which only last week were ironed out and the House received a new bill providing
for the biggest nation-wide road building program in history. One issue concerned
inclusion of the provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act. A number of Southern Members of
Congress opposed these provisions which would insure that all laborers and mechanics
employed on road construction work would be paid wages "at rates not less than those
prevailing on the same type of work on similar construction in the immediate locality."
This measure is included in the new bill.
Another hurdle involved Federal reimbursement to those states which have ex-
pended funds in the construction of their own highways, toll or free, which will
become part of the new interstate system. The proposed act requires Congress to
determine the time, method and amounts to be reimbursed, if any, following a study
by the Secretary of Commerce conducted in cooperation with the State Highway Departments.
The State of New York conceivably would benefit to the extent of almost a billion
dollars under this provision. This is a compromise provision open, it seems to me,
to justiable criticism.
Also standing in the way of highway legislation was the question of who should
pay for the relocation of utility facilities, such as power lines, caused by new
construction. The revised bill provides that Federal funds may be used to reimburse
the state whenever a state under its own policy shall pay for the cost of relocation.
If the utility pays the costs for moving its facilities, no federal funds may be
expended for that purpose
LOANS FOR DISASTER AREAS
Homeowners and businessmen like toknow that when natural disasters strike there
are federal agencies standing by to offer help and financial assistance if it is
needed or desired. We have found that the Small Business Administration has one of
the best governmental programs to help those who must borrow to rebuild or repair
their homes and businesses following a disaster.
The fact became clear to me after the tornado hit us in Michigan. Therefore,
I appeared recently before an Appropriations subcommittee in support of an SBA
request for additional funds to carry on its disaster assistance work and its aid to
small businesses. The SBA has requested $7,000,000 for salaries and expenses during
1957 and an additional $50 million for its revolving loan fund. This seems to me to
be a fair request.
Persons living in Michigan will be interested to learn that on May 1st our
state will become a separate region of the Small Business Administration. Mr. Fred W.
Pritchard, who is serving as the Detroit Branch Manager under the jurisdiction of the
Cleveland Regional Office, will become Regional Director for the state of Michigan.
BEAUTIFYING THE CAPITOL
At this time every four years the Dome of the United States Capitol and the
"Lady of Freedom" which stands majestically above the Dome 285 feet from the ground,
give way to a brush-weilding force of about 40 painters. The huge task of refinishing
the cast-iron dome, which measures 135 feet and five inches in diameter at its base,
and the 192 foot "Lady" is carried on prior to each Presidential inauguration to
improve the attractiveness of the Capitol Building and to preserve the structure.
This refurbishing, which also includes the central sandstone portion of the
Capitol Building, according to the Capitol Architect, will consume 1000 gallons of
paste paint, 250 gallons of raw oil, 475 gallons of turpentine and 25 gallons of drying
material. Total cost for the project, which will take 150 days, is estimated at
between $45,000 and $50,000. It will bring to 30 the number of coats of paint placed
on the Dome since its construction during the Civil War period.
The "Lady of Freedom" has stood in her conspicuous location over the Capitol
as a symbol of liberty since 1863. The figure was executed by the sculptor Thomas
Crawford, in Rome, and was barely completed before the death of Crawford in 1857.
The statue is that of a women clothed in flowing robes with her right hand resting
on the hilt of a sheathed sword, her lefthand holding a wreath and a shield. An
emblem near the heart bears the letters, "U. S." and her liberty helmet is adorned
with stars, Indian feathers and the American Eagle. Platinum points in her crown
assist in her service as a lightening rod for the Capitol.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
May 3, 1956
Last week as a Member of the House Appropriations Committee I witnessed first
hand a scene in the maneuvering which has typified Congressional action on the farm
bill. When the President vetoed the farm bill he urged Congress to take immediate
action on the soil bank plan. Although the President in January urged action on soil
bank legislation, Democrat leaders want the credit for the program themselves and
they are directing great effort to create this impression.
On April 19th the Committee on Appropriations was asked without prior notice
or public hearings to appropriate $1.2 billion for acreage reserve and soil conserva-
tion payments. The Republican members of the committee. first heard of the proposal
to appropriate this huge sum shortly before 11:00 a.m., when the committee meeting
was called. It was evident that we were being asked to appropriate mcney that had
not been authorized by law, yet some Democrats on the Committee insisted that the
Soil Conservation Act of 1935 gave the President all the authority needed to start
the program. This was a hasty unauthorized maneuver to appropriate over one billion
dollars. It was supposed to embarrass the President and point out that he allegedly
had the power all these years to put the soil bank into operation.
After this $1.2 billion appropriation was pushed through committee it was
reported and scheduled for House action. The Republican leadership immediately called
a conference where it was agreed that Rep. Carl Anderson, Republican from Minnesota,
would offer an amendment to the appropriation bill authorizing a genuine soil bank.
When it became clear that the authorization amendment would receive wide support and
that to be consistent the Democrats would have to support Anderson's amendment, they
too went into action. The next day Rep. Harold D. Cooley, Chairman of the Agriculture
Committee, introduced his own bill authorizing the soil bank along the lines of the
President's original request of last January and it will undoubtedly be approved.
The President's program should reduce surpluses, raise farm income and expand our
conservation efforts for future generations.
CIVIL RIGHTS LEGISLATION
The mood for House consideration of civil rights legislation appeared set one
day last week with the introduction of a unique and rarely used device by Southerners
to hold up committee work on this vital program. On Thursday, the House Judiciary
Committee took up some civil rights proposals while the House was in session. One
Southern member after the other requested a quorum call designed to pull committee
members away from their hearings in the House Office Building, a block away, to
answer the call of the House. In all, committee members were forced to interrupt
their work four times for 30 minutes each time so they could reach the House floor.
No action was taken on civil rights that afternoon. But a bill was reported the
next morning despite this useless maneuvering.
PINE SHOOT MOTH
Battle lines against the Pine Shoot Moth drew a little tighter last week with
Senate passage of the appropriations bill which included funds to combat the growing
threat from this pest in Western Michigan. The House has already approved this
appropriation and we can say definitely that $25,000 of federal money will be
available on July 1st to carry on the research which has been initiated in Ottawa
County to try to find a way of preventing further damage to the pine trees of Michigan.
INDIAN AFFAIRS
I have been receiving large amounts of correspondence which indicate a growing
interest among individuals and groups of the Fifth District in legislation affecting
the American Indian. Hearings are now being conducted by the House Committee on Interbr
and Insular Affairs to provide additional sanitary, economic, and educational training
and assistance for our Indian citizens. Legislation may be reported to the whole
House and if it is fair and sound, I intend to support it as I have supported other
constructive Indian legislation in the past. I have on hand some informative material
on the American Indian published by the Department of Interior which will be sent to
you upon request.
THE NATIONAL MOTTO
The House has passed and sent to the Senate a four-line joint resolution to
establish as the "national motto" the phrase "In God We Trust. This phrase has
appeared on all coins since 1865 and under a law enacted last year must appear on all
paper currency as well as coins. In recommending the resolution to recognize offi-
cially the motto, the Judiciary Committee report said:
"It will be of great spiritual and psychological value to our
Country to have a clearly designated national motto of inspirational
quality in plain, popularly accepted English."
VISITORS
From Grand Rapids; Dale S. De Haan, Robert L. McKay, John D. Hibbard, Catherine
E. Bigford, Mrs. Minor D. Dutcher, W. T. Mitchell, Dr. E.W. Schnoor, Mrs. W. P.
Van Wormer, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Thornton, H. T. Birckhead, Mr. and Mrs. R. S., Teesdale,
Mrs. M. Thomas Ward, Frances Graff, Bob Vander Laan, and Bob Van Laar. From Grand
Haven; J. E. Scott; Byron Center, Boyd Berends.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
May 10, 1956
This week the House is considering the big Department of Defense Appropriations
bill which, as reported from committee, would give our Armed Forces $33.6 billion for
the fiscal year starting July 1st. This sum for the national protection takes 55 cents
of each dollar the Federal Government dollar spends. Or looked at in another way, it
means that each day of the year over $90 million is spent by the Army, Navy and Air
Force.
I am privileged to serve on the House Appropriations Subcommittee for the Depart-
ment of Defense which recommended this gigantic bill to the House. The 15 member com-
mittee (9 Democrats and 6 Republicans) heard 6000 pages of testimony by top ranking
military leaders and civilian authorities over a four month period to justify this
huge appropriation. Barring unforeseen developments, I believe the amount appropriated
is generally adequate to meet our national military requirements for the coming fiscal
year.
The bill calls for an increase of $1.7 billion over that of last year for the
Department of Defense. This bill places emphasis on air power and new weapons, such
as guided missiles, while decreasing somewhat reliance on conventional or old style
weapons. Of the three services the Air Force will receive the largest sum, or approxi-
mately $15.6 billion, providing for 137 air wings fully manned and equipped. Also
funds are double those of two years ago for expansion of the guided missile program,
both intercontinental (5,500 miles) and intermediate (1,500 miles). Almost $2 billion
will be spent in the next 12 months on missiles alone.
The Navy is to have funds for an active fleet of 1,005 ships by mid-1957, with a
$10 billion share of the military budget. The 1957 shipbuilding program provides for
23 new ships including six Forrestal-type carriers, 13 smaller guided missile vessels,
a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser and six additional atomic submarines. The
military strength of the Army will be supported at 1,045,300 personnel divided into
19 divisions, 10 regimental combat teams, and 140 anti-aircraft battalions including
NIKE missile units. Funds are to be available for expanding the Reserve by 145,000.
In all the Army will receive about $7.5 billion.
The bill is based mainly upon recommendations made by President Eisenhower last
January. It is a sound, essential and constructive program to help preserve the peace
and strengthen the free world. Admiral Radford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
told the comittee it will "insure a well-rounded military establishment." General
Taylor of the Army, and General Twining, head of the Air Force, endorsed the program.
Admiral Burke of the Navy and General Pate of the Marines expressed their approval
without qualification.
The expenditure of approximately $3 billion per month by the United States for
national defense seems vital for peace and security, and I hope the Congress and our
citizens will approve of the action by my committee.
THE MONEY BUSINESS
Officials of the United States Mint appeared before a House Committee last week
to ask for an increase in the Minor Coinage Metal Fund from $2 billion to $3 billion.
The Mint uses this revolving fund to buy the metal for coining pennies and nickels.
While this bill, which was favorably reported to the House, will not result in an in-
crease in federal spending, it does point up another aspect of our money problems.
The common penny is composed of 95 percent copper and 5 percent zinc and tin.
Since 1945 the cost of copper has skyrocketed from 12c to 52½c per pound, and zinc from
9c to 13½c. So a larger revolving fund now is needed to supply metal for coinage.
But this isn't the whole picture. One pound of the metal alloy will make 145
coins worth $1.45. With the cost of this metal at 48 cents and the manufacturing cost
at 15 cents, the Mint nets a profit of 82 cents on every 145 pennies minted. But it is
on nickels that Uncle Sam makes a real killing. A pound of the alloy (25 percent nickel
and 75 percent copper) costs 55 cents which with production costs of 16 cents makes a
total of 71 cents. This will produce 90 nickels valued at $4.50. So on every 90
nickels the Mint produces a profit of $3.79 or 533 percent of costs.
The Mint turns out 114 million pennies and 12 million new nickels monthly which
indicates that the coin business never had it so good. The greater use of vending
machines and of state sales taxes, along with the growth in population and in the
number of persons employed helps to account for this. Mint officials feel too, that
many pennies and nickels go into untold thousands of piggy banks and other home savings
devices.
VISITORS WELCOMED -
Mr. Clarence Jalving, Mr. George Heeringa, Holland; From Grand Haven, Messrs. Ed
Kieft, E. V. Erickson, J. Scott, Art Wheeler, Edwin J. Cook, Max G. Metzler, Eugene
O. Harbeck, Jr., Howard C. Zuidema; W. Preston Bilz, Paul A. Johnson, R. V. Terrill,
Warren Stansberry, Dr. Wm. M. Creason, Paul A. Johnson, Sr. Bert Singerling, and
Mrs. Max Metzler; Mr. James W. Oakes, Mr. Robert Dykman, Mr. Clarence Broman, and
Mr. Robert Burnside from Spring Lake; Mr. Donald Wilson and twenty high school students
from Sand Lake; and Mr. Kenneth Vonk from Grand Rapids.
WORKERS INCOME UP
On a percentage basis, labor's share of the national income is going up while
corporate profits after taxes decline. According to the Department of Labor American
workers received 65.7 percent of the national income in the years from 1950 - 52; while
from 1953 - 55, with the country at peace, American workers received 69 percent of the
national income. From 1950 - 52 corporate profits totaled 7 percent and from 1953 - 55
they declined to 6 percent of national income.
This means that American working people are getting a bigger share of the total
national income than ever before. Net spendable earnings of a worker with three
dependents were $72.10 in March of this year, while those of a worker with no dependents
were $64.77. This represents a gain of 33 cents over February and an increase of better
than $2.70, or about 4 percent over March of last year.
To Newspaper in liew writors 5-10-56
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
May 17, 1956
Once again Congress is casting a penetrating eye at the far-reaching and complex
Mutual Security Program involving military, economic, and technical activities in
cooperation with 38 countries of the free world.
In a special report to the Congress on the Mutual Security Program President
Eisenhower has outlined activities of this program during the present fiscal year
which ends June 30th. For fiscal year 1956 Congress appropriated $2.7 billion for
mutual security purposes. The greatest share of this amount, or 52 percent, went to
Asia. The Near East and Africa received 14 percent with Europe getting 13 percent
and Latin America 3 percent. The remaining 18 percent was distributed on a non-reg-
ional basis. By function, military assistance consumed the biggest chunk of the
total, or $1,357 million. Other than direct military aid the term defense support
describes expenditures totaling $1,045 million which go for supplemental economic
resources to countries participating in the military aspects of the program. The
$173 million programmed for development assistance went entirely to economically
under-developed areas. Technical assistance totalled $153 million. Both Secretary
Wilson and Admiral Radford have testified that these expenditures greatly assist in
reducing our own direct military budget.
Military Aspects - During the first six months of the current fiscal year the
United States sent about $900 million worth of military equipment and supplies to
friendly nations. These shipments included planes, tanks, combat vehicles, small
naval vessels and other military supplies. NATO members have contributed of their
own resources about 85 percent of the total cost of the European buildup. Funds from
the U. S. sent through the military assistance program have made up this difference,
or 15 percent.
Economic Development - Through the economic aid funds of the Mutual Security
Program the U. S. is actively engaged in helping under-developed countries build a
broader and more diversified economic base. Projects assisted through mutual security
funds have included power plants, irrigation works to increase food production, port
improvements, highway and railroad construction to help foreign trade by opening
markets and small industries development. In fiscal 1956, $300 million was made
available to finance the export and sales of our own surplus agricultural commodities
Page 2
in exchange for foreign currencies. Funds from these sales are used on a loan or
grant basis to carry out the objectives of the mutual security program.
Technical Assistance - Mutual security funds are financing the interchange of
technicians among the free countries of the world. Today, thousands of American
technical experts are working with people thoughout the world and many nationals from
other lands are in the U. S. for technical training. Tangible achievements are
resulting from sharing technical knowledge with better health, improved food crops,
more efficient manufacturing methods and better administrative procedures.
RUBBER FACILITY DISPOSALS
During World War II the United States constructed synthetic rubber facilities at
a cost to the federal government of about $700 million. Through plant operations and
the disposal of some rubber facilities in the 1946-50 period approximately half of
this investment was recovered. Last year 26 additional synthetic rubber producing
facilities were transferred from federal to private ownership, for $285 million.
This has resulted in a recovery by the government of its entire investment and has
yielded to the Treasury an additional $22,500,000.
The United States has overcome one of its gravest pre-World War II strategic
weaknesses by establishing an industry for producing synthetic rubber, and by building
a strategic stockpile of natural rubber. At the present time a part of the U. S.
rubber requirements can be met only by natural rubber. The U. S. is maintaining a
stockpile of natural rubber adequate to supply military and essential civilian needs in
an emergency. As of December 31, 1955, our national productive capacity for synthetic
rubber was already more than 1,250,000 tons. By January 1, 1958, reported planned
expansions would bring synthetic capacity to about 1,700,000 tons - or equal to the
total new-rubber requirements, for both synthetic and natural, as estimated for 1960.
ANNIVERSARY IN THE FBI
J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has just con-
cluded 32 years as FBI chief. Since Mr. Hoover was appointed to his position on
May 10, 1924, by then Attorney General Harlan F. Stone, Hoover has developed the
Bureau into a highly efficient and powerful protective force of law and order. Today
the annual budget of the FBI is $90 million; it employs 6,200 special agents and
some 8,000 other workers; it carries on file nearly 140 million fingerprints; it
runs the world's finest crime laboratory, operates a police academy, and an agent's
training school.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
May 24, 1956
The House voted 222 to 156 last week to approve one of the recommendations of
the Hoover Commission by striking a section from the Department of Defense Appropriations
Bill. The vote eliminated Section 633 of the Bill which would have given either the
House or Senate Committees on Appropriations power to veto any Defense Department move
to eliminate any of its business-type activities which private enterprise could perform
more economically. Had this provision remained in the bill both the Department of
Defense and the Committees would be further burdened with unnecessary red tape. The
provision which has been in effect for nearly a year is an administrative monstrosity
and, it would seem, boarders on the usurpation of Executive authority by the Congress.
After the vote I received a letter from Mr. Clarence Francis, Chairman of the
Citizens for the Hoover Report, who hailed the vote as a victory for a free American
economy and small business.
AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION: By voice vote on May 14th the House passed legislation
appropriating $783 million to carry the regular activities of the Department of Agri-
culture through the coming fiscal year. One important slice, or $67.5 million, goes
for the Soil Conservation Service. This represents an increase of $4.5 million over
the proceeding year and will enable soil conservation districts, such as the three very
active ones in Kent and Ottawa Counties, to intensify their work. A $5 million sum is
earmarked for hiring technicians to help conserve water and soil resources.
The consumer as well as the farmer should benefit from a $10.8 million boost to
$49 million in the next fiscal year for agricultural research funds. This represents
a 56 per cent increase over the past four years. These funds will be poured into. three
new major construction projects including a new research laboratory in Florida, a
modern poultry brooder house at the Beltsville Experimental Station, and a national
seed storage facility. Funds also provide for additional research on pastures and
rangeland with special emphasis for meeting some of the problems arising from land
diversion as contemplated in the soil bank. Further research projects are set for
studying barley, honey, and other foods with the object of providing better food for
the dinner table at less cost.
MEDICAL RESEARCH: Last week the House Commerce Committee approved a Senate-passed
bill authorizing $30 million a year for the next three years for construction of non-
Federal medical research facilities. These funds will be available on a 50-50 matching
basis and will be made to accredited public and non-profit institutions, hospitals, and
schools willing to undertake research projects into major diseases such as cancer,
heart disease, nervous disorders, and mental illness. This bill neither conflicts with
nor overlaps functions of a strictly federal nature conducted by the National Institutes
of Health. Instead it is designed to place more research emphasis on a local level
with wider diversification throughout the whole country.
GREAT LAKES SHIPPING: Senator Charles E. Potter has introduced a bill, now on
the Senate agenda, which would stimulate, through a federal trade-in allowance plan
for overage ships, construction of a modern Great Lakes commercial fleet to keep pace
with the expanding economy, national security needs, and changing patterns of trade
as completion of the St. Lawrence Seaway nears. The bill authorizes the Secretary of
Commerce to acquire from the ship owner any obsolete vessel engaged in trade on the
Great Lakes in exchange for an allowance of credit. This trade-in allowance is based
on an appraisal of the ship's value and may be applied on the purchase price of a new
vessel constructed in Great Lakes shipyards for use on the Lakes. The vessels would
be placed in a Great Lakes national reserve fleet.
GUEST STATEMENT: (Mr. Herbert Ritsema, teacher at Kelloggsville High School, was
in Washington last week with his senior class. He used my pass to hear President
Sukarno address the Congress, and has written his impressions of the occasion.):
"On May 17th at a joint session of Congress it was my pleasure to hear the Presi-
dent of Indonesia address the President's Cabinet, Members of the Supreme Court, the
Senate, and the House of Representatives. It was a tremendous thrill to see so many
dignitaries assembled in one room and to listen to the very colorful Indonesian Presi-
dent. Among those easily recognized by this writer were Secretary of Defense Charles
Wilson, Chief Justice Earl Warren, House Speaker Sam Rayburn, Vice President Richard
M. Nixon, and our own Representative Jerry Ford.
"The guest speaker assured those present of Indonesia's desire for a workable
democracy and made an appeal for U. S. aid. The latter seemed to create no great stir,
and it was probable that there was no great surprise involved. The President concluded
his message by calling for peaceful control of the atomic and hydrogen bombs. All in
all, it was a truly inspiring experience for this midwesterner who can only 'read
about it in the papers.' We are deeply grateful to Representative Ford for this
opportunity and for his courtesy shown our group while in Washington."
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
May 31, 1956
The Public Works Appropriations Bill passed by the House last week essentially
as President Eisenhower requested, not only will result in numerous construction
projects throughout the Nation but allocates approximately $5.6 million for seven
waterway projects in Michigan. Supervised by the Army Corps of Engineers this vital
work will increase the value to Michigan workers and industry of the St. Lawrence
Seaway scheduled for completion in the Spring of 1959.
The House approved $285,000 for enlarging the turning basin and extending of
dredging operations upstream in the Black River at Holland to permit larger and deeper
draft vessels to reach the city docks and adjacent industrial facilities. The funds
will also permit some construction work on Part A of the project.
Among other projects for Michigan is $4 million allocated for improvements of
connecting channels between Lakes Huron and Erie for deep draft ocean-going navigation.
This is the initial appropriation for a major project that will open up Lakes Huron,
Michigan, and Superior to world-wide ocean-going vessels. It means much to Michigan's
future economic development.
LUNCHEON AT THE WHITE HOUSE
When invited to lunch or dinner at someone's home it is just bad manners to be
late. Tardiness at a White House luncheon with the President is contrary to all the
rules of protocol.
On Wednesday, May 23rd, President Eisenhower had his annual luncheon for the
20 Members of the House who by letter on February 22, 1952 first urged him to become
a candidate. The invitation said 12:30 but on that day the House of Representatives
had on its agenda the final version of the Soil Bank legislation. In order to
vote on the bill we ended up 45 minutes late at Ike's luncheon. He not only understood
our tardiness but congratulated the House Members for enacting legislation which will
increase farm income, reduce surpluses, and conserve our soil for future generations.
During this informal luncheon the President related numerous interesting
incidents of his three years in the White House and prior experiences during World
War II. When the dessert (cake, strawberries, and whipped cream) was passed Ike
avoided all but the strawberries. He looked very fit and spoke out vigorously on
several legislative issues which he hopes the Congress will tackle before adjournment.
At breakfast (I've been handling this job since Betty has been in the hospital
with our third child, Steve) I told our two older boys, Mike and Jack, Dad was having
lunch with President Eisenhower. Jack, the four-year-old, said, "Mamie too?"
SOCIAL SECURITY BRINGS $1.2 MILLION TO FIFTH DISTRICT MONTHLY
According to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare a growing number
of Kent and Ottawa County residents are receiving benefits from social security. On
December 31, 1954 there were 19,544 persons in the two counties who received social
security checks every month totaling slightly more than $1 million. One year later
on December 31, 1955 this jumped to $1,228,514 each month with 22,180 persons in the
Fifth District receiving these benefits.
At the end of the past year 16,507 retired persons or their widows were
receiving benefits because of age. But in addition, 2,525 children were recipients
of funds under the survivor's insurance provision of the Social Security Law. Likewise
2,328 widows or widowers, and 605 mothers were beneficiaries under the survivorship
provision. Nine out of ten mothers and children in the nation are now assured of
monthly payments if the insured breadwinner of the family passes on.
KEEPING TABS ON WEATHER
In a recent discussion with Dr. Francis W. Reichelderfer, Chief of the United
States Weather Service, I learned that Michigan is slated to have by next Spring a
weather radar detection unit which can determine the precise existence and whereabouts
of tornadoes and other inclement weather elements. Although these units are a
relatively new development, Dr. Reichelderfer said that the weather service hopes
eventually to have a complete series of radar detection units across the nation. In
answer to a question I put to him, the Weather Expert assured me that tornadoes in
Michigan have no known relationship to recent thermonuclear explosions.
VISITORS IN WASHINGTON: From Grand Rapids: Mildred Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. E.
Carpenter, Robert R. Weiks, Ben C. Toshalis, E. Ross Farra, Mr. and Mrs. Claude N.
Campbell, Dan R. Ferney, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fehsenfeld. Kelloggsville: Mr.
Herbert Ritsema, Terry Bowers, Edward DeHaan, Kenneth Poll, Wayne Hall, George Pepper,
and Gus Unseld III. Spring Lake: Baltzar Bolling. Lowell: Mr. and Mrs. Peter
Speerstra. Byron Center: Mr. and Mrs. Larry Faber. Grandville: Frank W. Clark, Sr.
Holland: Mr. and Mrs. G. Hcidema.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
June 7, 1956
Listening to our Nation's highest military leaders testify behind closed doors
on how guided missiles fit into the national defense program gives one a pretty good
idea of just what the military has in mind for the future in this era bursting with
scientific miracles.
During the next fiscal year over $5 billion will be spent by the armed forces
on guided missiles. These funds are ample for this vital program of conversion from
conventional weapons because technical and scientific problems rather than monetary
expenditures are the bottleneck at present. The central problem in the guided missile
program is not one of flight distance or range but is one of overcoming three major
hurdles. One of these involves guidance and accuracy of the missile; electronics
poses another difficult problem as does that of re-entrance, cr re-entering the
Earth's atmosphere after leaving it to approach the target area.
Some estimates of the potential performance for guided missiles is almost beyond
comprehension. It has been indicated that these missiles will shortly be able to
approach their targets at speeds up to 16,000 miles per hour, at heights of 300,000
feet, and at ranges of 5,500 miles.
There is no question of the great potential devastating force in guided missiles.
But I can say with complete assurance that our Nation's missile program for all three
branches of the service is progressing well and is being carefully knit to fit the
mission of each in time of war. More important, however, is the deterrent effect
such weapons have against any future conflict. Guided missiles are ammunition for
peace.
HIGH SCHOOL VISITORS
Each year amid the throngs of high school classes which visit Capitol Hill
there may be from ten to fifteon groups from the Fifth District of Michigan. Because
of the great number of such high school classes it is rare that one may distinguish
itself from the rest as was recently the case of one group from the Fifth District.
Last week I was extremely proud when the owner of a Washington gift shop made a
special trip to my office to tell me that this particular senior class made an
excellent impression when visiting his establishment to purchase souvenirs. In
fact, he said that this group was S0 well behaved, helpful, and such fine examples of
our Nation's future citizens that he was moved to write his appreciation to the
principal of the school, something he has never done before in the three years in
which he has been in business.
CONTROLLING NARCOTICS
Mounting congressional concern over the need for more effective control of
narcotic drugs is reflected in a bill just passed by the Senate. The purpose of the
bill is to establish a new chapter in the Federal Criminal Code outlawing the drug
heroin in the United States and defining crimes and providing increased penalties for
the smuggling, sale and transportation of heroin and marihuana in the United States,
including the sale to juveniles.
The United States has more narcotics addicts, both in total number and relative
population than any other nation in the Western World. At the end of World War II,
addicts were in the ratio of one to 10,000 persons. Now the ratio is about one to
every 3,000 persons, or a total of at least 60,000 drug addicts in the United States.
Halting of narcotic smuggling is solely a federal responsibility. The Senate
Judiciary Committee is convinced that there is little hope of stemming the increased
flow of drugs into the country until the Congress enacts improved criminal laws and
proceedings such as. those this bill provides.
REDUCING THE POSTAL DEFICIT
The House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service has reported a bill to
increase postal rates. The bill provides for increases on first-class mail from
three to four cents an ounce and on domestic air mail from six cents to seven cents
per ounce. This legislation also calls for increases on second-class mail, comprised
mainly of magazines and newspapers, over the next five years of 30 per cent on the
reading portion and 120 per cent on the advertising portion. Third-class rate
increases on advertising matter, etc. would bring in additional revenues totaling
$36.6 million annually. The bill will increase postal revenues from all three classes
of mail by $432,200,000 annually, a sun which would nearly wipe out the present annual
postal deficit of $460 million.
Passage of the bill, therefore, would practically eliminate the postal deficit,
now running at the rate of $1,000 per minute, and place postal operations on a more
business-like footing. The main issue in this legislation is whether the postal
deficit should be met by the taxpayers or whether the load should be carried by those
who use the mail.
PRACTICAL SAFETY?
A special sub-committee of the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce
ended hearings last week on a bill which requires safety closing devices on the doors
of household refrigorators shipped in interstate commerce to prevent deaths by
suffocation.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
June 14, 1956
Debate in the House of Representatives centered around the Mutual Security Act
of 1956 last week. President Eisenhower recommended that the Congress enact legis-
lation authorizing the expenditure of more than $4.6 billion to implement United States
foreign policy and particularly fortify our national defenses. Two thirds, or approxi-
mately $3 billion is for military aid and assistance.
The House Committee on Foreign Affairs dealt a severe blow to the President's
foreign aid program by recommending an authorization of approximately $1.1 billion
less than the Executive request. This cut in military aid was upheld when the House
voted down 192-112 an amendment to restore $600 million of these funds.
As much as I would prefer to favor a decrease in the amount of foreign aid ex-
penditures I do not believe that present world conditions justify a reduction in
President Eisenhower's request. The Secretary of Defense, Mr. Charles E. Wilson,
and Admiral ARthur W. Radford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have stated
repeatedly that military aid is an essential element in our national defense. And
that should reductions in military and to some extent economic aid be made to our
allies, we would be compelled to substantially increase the personnel and spending
for our own Army, Navy, and Air Force. For instance, if the Korean forces, which are
supported in large part through American aid, were not available, United States
servicemen would either have to man the entire line or abandon the territory and its
20 million people to the Communists.
Careful study is necessary to determine the direction foreign aid should take
and how much of it is needed for military, economic and technical purposes. For
example, the program in Greece, aside from the military assistance, conforms closely
to the basic objectives. In view of its financial problems in maintaining its
military commitments to NATO, United States activities are for development and
technical assistance. Greece with our help has become a staunch and steadfast ally
in the anti-communist bloc of nations. By helping such nations now we hasten the day
when they may stand on their own resources.
This is a period when the free nations of the world are tempted to relax and
to hope that Soviet smiles are genuine. It is a time when the eyes of the world are
focused on the United States to see how we are reacting. It is important that under
these conditions our
nation make clear its firm attitude toward Soviet Russia
and to assure anti-communist nations, which need assistance in their efforts to
maintain their freedom and independence, of our continued support against the Kremlin.
FIFTH DISTRICT GRADUATE:
Chief of Police Richard E. Klempel of Grand Haven was one of 98 graduates of
the FBI National Academy who received their diplomas from Attorney General Brownell
on June 8th. Chief Klempel had successfully completed the intensive three-month
course of instruction given in Washington and Quantico, Virginia.
He was a member of the 57th class of the National Academy which was established
by the FBI to improve police techniques throughout the country and to train instructors
who can return to their home communities prepared to teach these techniques.
Each student was required to prepare a notebook on the course, outlining the
instruction he received. I was pleased to learn that Chief Klempel from the Fifth
District produced one of the outstanding notebooks of the 57th class and was per-
sonally complimented on it by Director J. Edgar Hoover.
HOUSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Between January 3rd and May 31st the House of Representatives met 79 times for
245 hours and 16 minutes. During this time debate and speeches filled 3,052 pages
of the "Congressional Record.' Measures, which include bills and resolutions, intro-
duced totalled 4,119 for this period and there were 25 quorum calls and 31 roll call
votes. Your Congressman has a 100 per cent batting average--in other words, present
on all occasions.
NOMINATING PETITIONS
Last Friday, June 8th, I mailed to the Secretary of State at Lansing the
nominating petitions for the August 7th primary election. The deadline for filing
is June 19th which gives them plenty of time to arrive in Lansing and be properly
handled. This is the fifth time it has been my privilege to seek the Republican
nomination as Representative in Congress from the Fifth District. I am very grateful
to all those who have made it possible for me to serve in the House of Representatives.
VISITORS
From Grand Haven, Mrs. Russell H. Powers, Anne Ronda, Mr. and Mrs. Richard
Klempel. From Holland, John Fonger and Mary K. McLean. From Grand Rapids, Mrs.
Audley F. Hewitt, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Pryweller, Mr. and Mrs. Foster Wilt, Mr. and
Mrs. E. M. Conway, Dr. and Mrs. N. L. Avery and Toby, and Harold Clare. From Sand Lake,
Reverend John W. Frye.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
June 21, 1956
One important piece of legislation passing the House of Representatives last
week involved an attack on water pollution. The purpose of this bill, known as
the Water Pollution Control Act, is to continue and improve cooperative programs now
carried on by the Public Health Service with state and interstate water pollution
control agencies. The program was enacted originally in the 80th Congress.
Provision is made in the bill for increased technical assistance to states on
new and complex problems and to broaden research programs for determining the effects
of pollution on public health. The bill also calls for development of better and more
economical methods of waste treatment and increased assistance through federal grants-
in-aid.
Under one section of the bill as approved by the House $500 million is authorized
for allotment over a 10-year period to states, municipalities, and interstate agencies
to assist in the construction of sewage treatment plants. The Senate version, passed
on July 17, 1955, doesn't include this provision. The federal share of the expense
for these local projects would be allocated to the states by the Surgeon General on the
basis of population, extent of the pollution problem and the local financial needs.
This particular section raised some controversy during debate but was retained
by a vote of 213 to 165 with your Congressman in opposition. Many cities of Kent and
Ottawa Counties have already met water pollution and sewage problems as a purely local
obligation with their own funds. There is no provision in the bill to reimburse those
communities which have gone ahead and constructed their own plants without federal
assistance. In addition, opponents of this section argue that it opens up an entirely
new federal activity with the bill providing for the expenditure of half a billion
dollars. It seems that once this initial appropriation is made and some canicipalities
receive aid, greater demands will be forthcoming on the federal treasury to extend
this program. With these thoughts in mind I did not believe that this controversial
section would benefit the taxpayers or cities of the Fifth District. On final passage
I supported the bill although I disapproved of the one provision. Perhaps in conference
the Senate version will prevail.
MICHIGAN INTEREST IN WASHINGTON
As a result of seasonal unemployment problems confronting Michigan's automotive
industry, Representative Louis C. Rabaut and I were selected as a bi-partisan committee
on behalf of the 18-Member House delegation from Michigan to contact the Department
of Defense and emphasize the necessity for immediate action to bolster our State's
economic conditions. On June 13th Rep. Rabaut and I drove to the Pentagon where we
were assured by the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Thomas P. Pike, that his Department
is acutely aware of these problems besetting Michigan industry. He informed us that
the Army, Navy, and Air Force procurement offices have been alerted to aid and assist
Michigan industry and labor in seeking defense contracts. All told, within a three-
month period starting 30 days ago approximately $100 million in new military procurement
orders will be in Michigan factories.
STRONGER ANTI-TRUST LAW
The House of Representatives passed a bill to strengthen our Nation's anti-trust
law last week by a vote of 393 - 3. According to the sponsor of H. R. 11 (H. R. 1840)
tho original intent of anti-trust legislation was to provide equal opportunity to
small merchants and independent businessmen by prohibiting larger concerns from getting
preferential discounts, secret rebates and under-the-counter deals discriminatory to
the hometown merchants. The bill just passed is intended to guarantee to the retailer
purchasing goods for resale the same price from the supplier that this supplier grants
to his competitors under similar terms and conditions. After questioning the sponsor
of this bill during the debate I was assured that it would in no way effect present
delivered pricing or freight absorption rates on goods shipped by distant suppliers
to manufacturers and fabricators in the Fifth District of Michigan.
HELPING SERVICE DEPENDENTS
Children of armed forces personnel who died in the line of duty during World War
II or the Korean conflict will soon be able to receive federal help toward a college
education from the provisions of a bill approved thy the Congress last week. Known as
the "War Orphans' Educational Assistance Act of 1956" it will entitle eligible persons
to financial assistance while attending college for periods of up to 36 months.
FOR DISTRIBUTION
I have 100 copies of a booklet titled "The Prayer Room in the United States
Capitol" which I will be happy to distribute on a "first-come-first-serve" basis. This
booklet does an excellent job of describing this quiet place set aside in the Capitol
for meditation by Members of Congress.
VISITORS
From Grand Rapids: Mike Mortgelas, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Strauss, Mr. and Mrs.
Harry Sagendorf and children, Ruth, Mary, and Tom; Mr. and Mrs. Pete C. Duyst, Mr.
and Mrs. Norman H. MacMillan and children, Douglass and Norma Jean; Jane Albee,
Madeline and Mr. and Mrs. Peter Roersma.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
June 28, 1956
After being bottled up in the Rules Committee since July, 1955, the much-discussed
and controversial school construction bill is set for debate on the floor of the House
of Representatives. This resulted last week when the committee on Rules voted 8 to 3
to report the bill for House consideration.
For the most part, Congress is acutely aware of the pressing need for school con-
struction throughout the country. Two bills have been written each with a different
plan for spending federal funds to attack this problem. One plan, as represented by
the Kelley Bill, or the school bill reported by the Committee on Education and Labor,
calls for distribution of federal funds to the states on the basis of school population
alone. It fixes at $11.30 per pupil the estimated amount to be allocated each state
annually during the next four years by the Treasury. The states and/or communities
would then match this figure to help finance local school construction. The other plan,
as sponsored by President Eisenhower and the Department of Health, Education and Wel-
fare, uses need and demonstrated effort of the locality as the essential ingredients
for the school financing formula. This formula attempts to truly equalize educational
opportunities throughout the nation so that many below-par and poorer districts would
receive greater help. It would appear that if we are to have federal aid to advance
school construction, federal funds should be used exclusively to help communities that
have conscientiously tried to solve their problem but are financially unable to do so.
PROSPERITY IN FURNITURE
The June issue of the monthly review of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, entitled
"Business Conditions" pointed out some interesting facts about the furniture industry.
The article stated that with 1955 retail furniture sales breaking all records, the
furniture industry is one of the strongholds of small business in America. At present
rates retail sales are ranging around $3.5 billion per year, and the industry on a
national basis employs directly about 230,000 persons. Yet only a handful of furniture
manufacturing firms have an annual sales volume in excess of $10 million, or employment
running in the thousands. Figures show that in March of 1955, furniture store sales
amounted to approximately $340 million. This sales figure jumped to $380 million for
the same month in 1956, a 12 percent increase this year. The Grand Rapids area, including
Holland and Zeeland, is acclaimed as the "Paris of Furniture" by the article which
Page 2
attributes this title to the careful skills the Dutch craftsmen have combined with top
designing talents.
CHANGING POPULATION AND NEW NEEDS
Our population is aging with each successive decade. Comparisons show that in 1900
fifty-four percent of our population was less than 20 years old; today this age group
represents only 36 percent of the total In the age bracket from 20 to 44 years of age
figures indicate 4. decline from 38 percent at the turn of the century to 35 percent now;
while folks from 45 to 64 now total 20 percent of the population compared to 14 percent
in 1900 The group over 65 for the same two comparative periods has jumped from 4 per-
cent to 9 percent.
Problems facing elderly citizens have also increased over the past 50 years. One
important aspect of this problem is that of adequate housing for the aged. Recently
much interest has generated in the Fifth District over the Housing Act of 1956, which
will be considered by the Congress shortly, and which contains an important and desirable
provision concerning housing for older folks. This feature provides for loans to non-
profit corporations for the construction of housing for the aged at an interest rate
not to exceed 3½ percent per year for a term up to 50 years.
POSTAGE DUE
With the Post Office Department dipping further into the red by about $1 million
every 24 hours, and with the growing postal deficit adding$44 billion to the national
debt since 1945, it would seem that the time has come to meet this problem head on.
Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield in a sweeping program to streamline many postal
operations and place his Department on a businesslike operating basis, asked the Congress
for legislation to hike postal rates. His request won the support of two former
Democrat Postmaster Generals, Jim Farley and Jesse Donaldson, was approved after six
weeks of hearings by the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, has been
cleared by the Committee on Rules, and now only awaits action on the floor. However,
this bill has been roadblocked through the arbitrary exercise of power by Rep. John W.
McCormack, House Majority leader, who refuses to schedule it for House consideration.
It is difficult to justify this decision by the Democrat leadership on any other than
political grounds because this legislation is necessary and desirable for the sound
operation of the postal service. If this bill is not passed the public as taxpayers
must continue to subsidize the heavy users of the postal service.
VISITORS from Holland included Mr. and Mrs. John Vander Vliet and children, SueAnn
Dave and Dan; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Brouwer and four children; Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Ver
Burg and family. Mr. and Mrs. Adrian DePree, Zeeland. Mr. and Mrs. E. Paul Babcock
and children, Mary and Barbara, Grand Haven. Mrs. L. Wm. Seidman, Ada. Mr. and Mrs.
Harold Krumm; C. Bylenga and L. Rahilly from Grand Rapids.