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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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This document scanned from Box D2 of the Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
January 11, 1961
The first session of the 87th Congress has opened and we greet you with the first
issue of "Your Washington Review" for 1961. Every member of the House of Representatives,
new and old alike, was sworn into office at an impressive ceremony on the opening day,
January 3rd. This is a new Congress, the eighty-seventh since the first Congress under
the Constitution convened in New York in 1789. The life of each Congress is two years,
that being the length of the term of a member of the House of Representatives.
Since my last report to you on September 7, 1960, we have completed our sixth
$
annual Mobile Office tour of Kent and Ottawa Counties, have had an election; Betty and I
have been to India, and the Ford family enjoyed its annual skiing session in Michigan's
Winter Wonderland.
I was again impressed with the deep interest in public affairs of so many of our
citizens as we visited individually at one of the 20 stops of the Mobile Office or as I
met with various groups throughout the District. Approximately 1,100 persons signed the
guest list at the Mobile Office, nearly half of whom were visiting us for the first time.
Following the election I returned to Washington to rejoin the family and to get
caught up at the office. Late in November Betty and I were invited by one of the
airlines to participate in its inaugural jet flight to Bombay. This 24,000-mile, eight-
day trip gave us an opportunity to view at first hand the life and problems of the 400
million people of India. I visited the Indian Parliament at Delhi and talked with a
number of governmental officials. We had an 860-mile train trip and a 450-mile auto
journey into the interior of the country and saw some of the past glory and existing
poverty of many, and discussed with responsible officials plans for better days in the
future.
Between the holidays Betty and I took Mike and Jack skiing at Boyne Mountain in
Charlevoix County. This whole area in Michigan is a skier's paradise, especially this
year when conditions were ideal. All went well with the Fords except for Mike who
twisted his knee and tore some ligaments in one of the spills that are certain to occur
to all of us on occasion on the slopes.
COMMITTEE ON RULES: Considerable publicity has been given to the demands of some
House members that the composition and/or power of the Committee on Rules be altered.
This Committee, often referred to as the "traffic cop of the House," is responsible for
scheduling for House debate most major bills which have been approved and reported by
one of the legislative committees. With its power to recommend a "rule" by which a bill
is to be considered the committee decides whether a bill should be open to amendments,
what kind of changes may be made, and how long debate should last. By refusing a "rule"
or neglecting to take any action this Committee of 12 persons (8 Democrats, 4 Republicans
in the 86th Congress) can make it difficult to get a bill to the floor of the House for
debate and a vote.
Some criticism is directed at the Committee on the basis that it holds up legisla-
tion desired by a majority of the members by interjecting its own judgment on the merits
of the legislation rather than simply deciding when and how a bill will be considered.
In answer, the Chairman, Rep. Howard Smith, (Democrat of Virginia) points out that
there are three other ways of bringing legislation to the floor: suspension of the rules,
requiring a two-thirds vote; a discharge petition signed by a majority of members, and
the use of a method known as "Calendar Wednesday." Concerning the latter Chairman Smith
has said, "If a bill languishes in the Rules Committee or any other Committee, on that day
the Committee can bring that bill up and have it considered in the House. If a majority
wants to consider it, they can consider it." It has been my observation that very little
if any legislation desired by a majority of the House membership is actually tied up
permanently in the Committee on Rules.
An enlargement of the Committee has been suggested as has a change in membership
and procedure. A revival of the 21-day rule has been recommended. This would permit
consideration by the House of any bill which had been before the Rules Committee for
21 days or more. The first yea-and-nay vote which I cast as a freshman legislator in 1949
was in support of such a rule. Two years later when it was repealed I voted to retain it.
However, in light of additional experience and observation, I believe the Committee is
generally responsive to majority wishes. If it is not, adequate parliamentary remedies
exist to work the will of the majority.
COMMITTEE ON UN-AMER ICAN ACTIVITIES: Rep. James Roosevelt (Democrat of California)
has again recommended that the House Committee on Un-American Activities be abolished or
its activities drastically reduced. Two years ago when he made a similar proposal I
stated in the WASHINGTON REVIEW: "This Committee was established to carry on a continual
investigation of subversion in our country and to recommend legislation against the
Communist conspiracy
"Until a better plan for doing so is presented to the Congress, I will vote to
continue the Committee on Un-American Activities."
I reiterate this today. It seems to me the Committee serves a very useful purpose
as one means of alerting the public to the ways of the international Communist con-
spíracy.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
January 18, 1961
The selection of a President and Vice President which began at the national con-
ventions in July was completed at a joint session of the House and Senate on January 6th.
Shortly after 1:00 in the afternoon, boxes containing the certificates of election from
each state were opened, the certificates were examined, and the electoral votes were
announced. Because the results were a foregone conclusion there was little suspense in
the chamber, but the procedure did highlight the criticisms which are made of our
electoral system.
Generally the candidate who receives the greatest number of popular votes in each
state receives all the electoral votes of that state. In Michigan, for instance, while
the Kennedy-Johnson ticket obtained 1,687,269 votes and Nixon and Lodge team got
1,620,428 votes, Mr. Kennedy received all 20 electoral votes for President. This has
been criticized as unfair, undemocratic, and as containing a potential danger to ma-
jority rule.
Since November 8th we have received a number of letters recommending modification
or abolition of the electoral system. One proposal would give to each state a number
of electoral votes in proportion to its popular vote. Thus a candidate receiving 60
percent of the popular vote in Michigan would get 60 percent or 12 of the electoral
votes while his opponent would get 8 votes to correspond to his 40 percent of the
popular vote. This revision was included in the Lodge-Gosset Amendment to the Consti-
tution proposed in 1950. I endorsed the Lodge-Gossett Amendment at that time and
believe that it would be a fair and equitable solution to the problem at the present
time.
THE VICE PRESIDENT'S REMARKS: The most impressive moment at the joint session
came during Vice-President Nixon's short address preceding his formal declaration that
John F. Kennedy had been elected President. Dick Nixon said: "This is the first time
in 100 years that a candidate for the Presidency announced the result of an election
in which he was defeated and announced the victory of his apponent. I do not think we
could have a more striking and eloquent example of the stability of our constitutional
system and of the proud tradition of the American people of developing, respecting, and
honoring institutions of self-government. In our campaigns, no matter how hard fought
they may be, no matter how close the election may turn out to be, those who lose accept
the verdict, and support those who win." Then he extended his best wishes to "all of
you (who) work in a cause that is bigger than any man's ambition, greater than any party.
It is the cause of freedom, of justice; and peace of all mankind."
In these words Dick Nixon portrayed the strength of our American way of life and
set the basic goals for all our political and social activities. We endorse his words and
wish him well.
YOUR NATIONAL DEBT TODAY: Our total gross public debt and guaranteed obligations
now stand at $290.2 billion, a reduction of $2.5 billion from a year ago. This year's
budget calls for interest payments of $9.6 billions. This is for interest only and will
not be used to reduce the principal indebtedness.
On the opening day of this Congress a bill was introduced to provide for the re-
duction of the public debt by at least 10 percent of the estimated overall Federal receipts
for each fiscal year. Another bill would require that Federal expenditures not exceed
revenue except in time of grave emergency, and that the public debt be systematically
reduced. I'm sure that most of the citizens of the Fifth District endorse the aims and
objectives of these bills.
While many proposals requiring the expenditure of billions of dollars are being
considered, it is imparative that we continue our efforts to insure a stable dollar and a
sound economy. Inflation and fiscal irresponsibility remain potential enemies of every
American citizen. The Congress must retain the responsibility of examining carefully
and critically every new spending proposal, especially those which call for the expendi-
ture of millions or billions without specifically supplying the required revenue.
You may be interested to know that since the publication of the anonymous letter
addressed to me and donating $5 for the reduction of the national debt, the Treasury De-
partment has received other contributions for this purpose. A Grand Rapids citizen sent
the $5 shortly after the election with the suggestion that I send it to the Tressury or
buy a steak. Promptly I matched the $5 contribution and so an additional ten dollars
are in the Treasury account marked "for reduction of the public debt."
OUR LEGISLATION IN 87TH CONGRESS: Any bill on which action was not completed in the
last Congress has to be reintroduced if it is to be considered during the present session.
Among the bills which I have reintroduced is one to permit a widow with children to earn
up to $3,600 a year (rather than $1,200 as at present) without forfeiting her social
security benefits; another would require railroad cars to be equipped with reflectors or
luminous material so they can be readily seen at night at grade crossings. A third bill
would permit rec.{ pients of Old Age Assistance benefits to continue to receive payments
while a patient in a private mental hospital.
These bills and all others have been referred to the appropriate committees for
study and possible consideration. We have requested that the interested departments and
agencies in the executive branch of the government be asked to submit their views and re-
commendations on these bills. This is in line with regular procedure.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
January 25, 1961
President Eisenhower submitted his eighth and final Federal budget to the Congress
last week. It calls for an expenditure of $80.9 billion and anticipates a surplus in
funds of $1.5 billion on June 30, 1962. This surplus would be available for cutting the
national debt which on that date is expected to be reduced to $283.4 billion from today's
$290 billion.
The Eisenhower 1962 budget is a sound and constructive approach to continued fiscal
responsibility. At the same time it will provide adequate funding for our nation's
strength and growth.
The Congress has the constitutional responsibility to examine this presidential
fiscal plan to determine whether any additional revenues are needed or reductions in
expenditures can be accomplished. I sincerely hope the Congress can make reductions in
appropriations and total expenditures.
The new Administration is going to be under tremendous pressure to sponsor new
and/or additional spending programs. I hope that President Kennedy will not submit new
or supplemental requests which will upset the balanced Eisenhower budget. During the
past eight years the Eisenhower Administration has demonstrated that deficit financing is
not necessary for a good program for national progress and security. In his message to
the Congress Ike stated that "we have sought to keep the role of the Federal Government
within its proper sphere, resisting the ever-present pressures to initiate or expand
activities which could be more appropriately carried out by others By applying the
test of necessity rather than desirability to the expenditures of government, we have
made significant progress in both public and private affairs during the past eight years. "
The "test of necessity"should be maintained. When we realize that 11c out of every
federal tax dollar goes for interest on the national debt, we know how essential it is
to reduce rather than increase the national debt. I am going to continue to resist any
spending measure which will upset our economic stability, restrict our national growth,
or burden us and our children with greater interest costs.
ARMY ENGINEERING IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT: Included in the Eisenhower budget are
recommendations for work on the Grand River and the harbors at Grand Haven and Holland
in the amount of $533,000. The Army Chief of Engineers is requesting $35,000 to carry
on the study to determine what type of flood-control work is necessary and justified
in the Grand River Valley. He is suggesting the expenditure of $85,000 at Grand Haven
and $45,000 at Holland for harbor maintenance which consists largely of dredging
operations. An additional $300,000 is to be used for repairs to the revetment
(retaining wall) at Grand Haven and $68,000 to prepare plans and designs for rehabili-
tating the north and south breakwaters, and the south pier and revetment at Holland.
COMMITTEE ON RULES: At a recent party caucas the Democratic members of the House
of Representatives agreed to enlarge the Committee on Rules by adding two Democrats to
make a total of 10 and one Republican to make a total of 5. They want to increase
Democratic membership in order to be able to appoint two additional liberal (to the left)
members in an effort to make the Committee more receptive to various pet proposals
involving greater Federal spending and centralized control. Many Democratic members
have resented the fact that this Committee has delayed or stopped action on these
proposals. They are especially disturbed because two of their members often have voted
with the minority party members on the Committee resulting in a tie which under House
rules is equivalent to a "no" vote. By adding two "liberals" they expect to have an
8 to 7 margin of control in most instances.
As I stated in YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW two weeks ago, I believe the Committee on
Rules is generally responsive to majority wishes, and if in a given case it is not, ade-
quate parliamentary remedies already exist to work the will of the majority. I do not
think that the public good will be served by packing the Committee at this time.
One additional fact must be pointed out concerning the Committee on Rules which
schedules legislation for consideration by the House. It is the instrument of the party
in control of the House of Representatives. Today the Democrats have a 262-174 majority
or 60 percent of the membership. With a 12-member Committee on Rules ( 8 Democrats; 4
Republicans) or a 15-member Committee (10 Democrats; 5 Republicans) they hold 66.6 percent
of the power on the Committee.
TO THE NEW PRESIDENT AND HIS ADMINISTRATION: A majority of the voters in Kent
and Ottawa Counties preferred Mr. Nixon to Mr. Kennedy on November 8, 1960. Now that
all of us have seen or heard Mr. Kennedy take the constitutional oath of office on
January 20, 1961, we accept him as our President. I know that every citizen of the
Fifth District would want me publically to express to him as President of the United
States our loyalty and support. We pray that he may have such wisdom, discretion, and
insight that he may lead the nation aright. We reserve however, the privilege to
criticize specific proposals and to oppose unsound policies when in our judgment these
are not in the best interest of all the people. This is in line with the best tradi-
tions of our American way of life.
YEARBOOK OF AGRICULTURE: The 1960 Yearbook of Agriculture is entitled. "Power
to Produce.' I have a limited number of copies which will be sent upon a request
addressed to my Washington office: 351 House Office Building.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
February 1, 1961
While 4831 measures have, at this writing, been introduced in the House of Repre-
sentatives, action has been taken on only 35. A total of 3410 bills ( indicated by an
H.R. before the number) have been dropped into the hopper but only one, H. R. 1723, has
been approved. This was passed on the second day of the session and extends to June 28th
the time in which a committee is to report on plans for celebrating the 175th anniversary
of the writing of the U. S. Constitution.
One hundred and seventy-two House Joint Resolutions, identified as "H.R. Res." and
handled in a manner similar to that of bills, have been introduced but only two have been
approved. One of these establishes a George Washington Carver Centennial Commission while
the other exempts from Federal excise tax the admission fee charged for official inaugural
functions and the sale of official inaugural medallions.
I opposed the tax relief resolution on the basis that it was not shown that the
Inaugural Committee would run into a deficit, that no such relief was requested in 1952
and 1956, and that it is not good public policy to grant special tax privileges for
political fund-raising purposes.
Of the 118 introduced, the House has acted on two House Concurrent Resolutions which
require approval by the Senate but, unlike bills and joint resolutions, are not presented
to the President for signature. H. Con. Res. 1 concerned arrangements for the inau-
guration and H. Con. Res. 109 authorized a joint session of Congress to hear President
Kennedy.
Thirty House Resolutions (out of 131 introduced) have been approved. A House Reso-
lution is passed upon only by the House and concerns such issues as setting the hour for
meeting, electing members to committees, establishing salaries of employees, and expressing
the sympathy of the House upon the death of a member.
But one of these simple resolutions (H. Res. 127) has become the most controversial
issue before the House during the first month of the 87th Congress. It would increase
the membership of the Committee on Rules from 12 to 15. The majority party wants to pack
the Committee to insure more "liberal" control of the flow of legislation. The vote on
this proposal was to have come last Thursday but was postponed until this week. As I
have previously stated, I can find no good reason for packing the Committee. But four
weeks have elapsed and the widely divergent elements in the majority party continue to
jockey for strength.
All of this illustrates, I believe, that there is no great sense of urgency on the
part of the Democratic Party leaders in the Congress. Having marked time for about a
month they show no indication of any compulsion legislatively to break boldly into the
new frontier.
NATIONAL AERONAUTIC AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION: I must acknowledge that the transition
from one administration to another has gone very well. With Ike's cooperation, the
Kennedy team has put forth a maximum effort to affect a smooth transfer of authority.
For this bi-partisan cooperation every citizen is grateful.
It is regrettable, however, that our civilian space agency has not been included in
this harmonious transfer.] pointed out on the floor of the House last week that while ten
weeks had elapsed since the election, and a task force on space problems had reported to
Mr. Kennedy, a successor to NASA Administrator, Dr. T. Keith Glennan, had not been named.
The evidence will also show that no representative of Mr. Kennedy or Mr. Johnson consulted
Dr. Glennan or any official of NASA or worked with them for an effective transition. I
have urged the immediate appointment of a new administrator. A reduction in lead time is
extremely important if we are to make desired progress in our space program. We cannot
reduce lead time if NASA is without a responsible head. A ship without a rudder is in
trouble. A rudderless space program is one in desperate straits.
PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S INAUGURAL SPEECH: Mr. Kennedy's Inaugural Address was well
written and well delivered. The new President informed the world and especially the
Communist bloc. of nations that we, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, will
continue an effective opposition to the atheistic Communist conspiracy.
Many of us were impressed by one of his statements which received spontaneous
applause. We were glad to hear him say: "And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what
your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." If this is to be
the basic tenet of his domestic policy, we too applaud him. We hope that all his
specific legislative proposals will be tested on the touchstone of this inaugural statement.
THE SUPREME COURT AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT: The Supreme Court recently upheld by a
5 to 4 decision the power of states and cities to censor motion pictures. The Court
insisted that well-defined standards for evaluating the pictures be established and
indicated that it might disagree with the censors in a specific case. The decision was
immediately criticized by some as an infringement upon the right of freedom of expression
and a violation of the First Amendment. While I am as dedicated to freedom as anyone,
it does seem to me that there are occasions when individual privilege must be subjugated
to the broader rights of the community. The control of motion picture showings I
believe, falls in this category. I approve the majority opinion in this case.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
February 8, 1961
By a close margin a reluctant House of Representatives has decided to enlarge its
Committee on Rules from 12 to 15 members. The vote was 217 to 212. That the House was
reluctant is demonstrated by statements from the first four speakers who presented the
case last Tuesday. The first speaker, who asked for consideration of the necessary
resolution, said "this is an assignment that I did not seek." The second, also of the
majority party, stated, "I know of no one who wanted this conflict to come to the floor
of the House." The third mentioned that he had "not been too happy over the mis-
information, misrepresentation, falsehoods, and slander which have been directed against
the Committee 11 The fourth said, "I believe that this is an unnecessary resolution
to bring matters to the floor of the House. "
The majority leadership insisted upon this change as a means of insuring more
"liberal" control of the flow of legislation. By being able to add two liberal Democrats
to the Committee they expect to have at least an 8 to 7 margin of control over highly
controversial measures reported by legislative committees.
CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES: The work of the Congress is done primarily through
its committees. The House has 20 standing committees ranging in size from 50 members
(Appropriations) to 9 (Un-American Activities). Now that the "big decision" has been
made concerning the Committee on Rules, the House is proceeding to the selection and
organization of its committees. Little has been accomplished legislatively to date
because most committees have not been organized. In fact some committee staff members
who had worked all month were not paid on January 31st (pay day) because officially there
was no House Administration Committee to certify the payroll.
Bills are referred to committees for study which may include extensive hearings
and other research. Only when the committee having jurisdiction of a bill reports it
to the House may congressmen not on the committee have an opportunity to vote on it.
Membership on committees therefore is significant not only to each congressman but to.
the House and to the country.
Membership on House committees is divided between the political parties generally
in the same ratio as exists in the total membership. Because Republicans have 40
percent of the House membership in this Congress they are to be given 40 percent of the
seats on most committees. With 44 new Republican members this session, certain re-
shuffling is necessary. The majority leadership decided to enlarge four committees by
one member each in order to give the Republicans the proper representation without eli-
minating a Democrat from these committees. These committees (in addition to Rules) are
Agriculture, enlarged to 35 members; Education and Labor to 31; and Foreign Affairs and
Judiciary to 33 each.
APPOINTMENT TO COMMITTEES: The initial decisions on which congressman is placed
on which committee is made by each party's Committee on Committees. The Republicans
have a special committee for this purpose consisting of one member selected by each state
delegation having one or more Republican congressmen. Each member of this Committee has
a total number of votes equal to the number of Republican congressmen from his state.
Michigan's representative on the committee is Rep. Clare Hoffman, Dean of our delegation,
who has 11 votes because there are 11 Republican congressmen from Michigan. Rep.
Katherine St. George of New York has 21 votes while there are 11 states with only one
vote each. Rep. Charles Halleck, the minority leader, is an ex officio member of the
committee without a vote.
Men who have served on a committee in the previous Congress usually remain on the
same committee unless they request a transfer. The Committee on Committees is now
considering many requests for transfer by members who want a better committee assignment.
The Committees on Ways and Means (taxation) and Appropriations are always looked upon
as choice assignments while the Committees on District of Columbia, House Administration,
and Post Office and Civil Service are thought by many to be less significant.
In making its selections the Committee on Committees takes into account such
factors as personal preference, the education and experience of the individual, the
effect on party strength in the committee and in the House, geographical relationships,
and whether an individual can withstand the pressures which may be exerted upon a given
committee.
A Subcommittee makes its suggestions to the full Committee on Committees which in
turn sends it recommendations to the Republican Conference composed of all Republican
congressmen. The final action occurs when a resolution is approved by the House of
Representatives officially naming the members to the House Committees.
The Democrats' Committee on Committees is composed of the Democratic members on
the Committee on Ways and Means. Because every state is not represented in this group,
it is organized and operates somewhat differently than its Republican counterpart but
its purpose is the same.
At this writing only members who served during the last Congress on the Committees
on Appropriations, Rules, and Ways and Means have been officially reappointed. As a
hold-over member of the Committee on Appropriations, I was included in these appointments.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
February 15, 1961
While legislative activity remains at a slow pace, the President has sent to the
Congress messages and legislative proposals charting the "new frontier." None of these
contain any surprises. Most of them are similar to Democratic proposals of a year ago
and some were rejected by the Democratic 86th Congress.
Both friend and foe during the late campaign may have been surprised to hear Mr.
Kennedy, as President, say, "This Administration will not distort the value of the dollar
in any fashion. That is a pledge." They must have had the same reaction when he told
the Congress, "I have already stated my intention of creating an Advisory Committee on
Labor and Management Policy to encourage productivity gains, advance automation, and
encourage sound wage policies and price stability."
If Mr. Kennedy's specific legislative measures were consistent with these stated
principles, few could take exception to Senator Morton's observation that "President
Kennedy has preempted the center." Available evidence creates doubt, however, that the
President has been able to resist the pressure from his liberal friends, the spenders
and those who would concentrate more and more authority in Washington. We in the minority
will not be obstructionists but we will examine carefully all proposals to see if they
are consistent with sound principles. We reserve the right not only to criticize but
to submit constructive alternate proposals.
SURPLUS FOOD FOR THE NEEDY: Most Americans endorse the President's proposal to
use our surplus agricultural commodities to aid the needy at home or abroad. This,
of course, is not a new program and some may be surprised to learn that nearly $2 billion
worth of surplus was disposed of in the last six months of the Eisenhower Administration.
From July 1 to December 31, 1960 over $1.4 billion worth of price-supported farm
commodities were moved to consumers within the country and an additional $410 million
worth was exported.
As of December 31 over $9.2 billion worth of farm commodities were pledged on loans
or held in inventory by the Department of Agriculture. However, $7.8 billion represented
an investment in the so-called six basic crops: wheat, corn, cotton, tobbaco, rice, and
peanuts. It is not surprising therefore that the expanded food disposal program
recently announced must be delayed until some food stuffs are processed and other com-
modities are purchased on the open market by the Department of Agriculture.
The Department has in inventory for distribution butter, dried milk, peanuts,
and rice. Only rice which is stored in 100-pound bags is ready for shipment. The butter
which is in 64-pound blocks and the dried milk have to be packaged for family use. The
peanuts must be made into peanut butter.
Lard, pork and gravy, eggs, and beans will be purchased on the open market as none
are presently a part of the $9.2 billion government-held supply. The Department is
also buying flour and corn meal on the market rather than removing wheat and corn from
inventory and having it processed.
As of this writing the disposition program is limited to the items mentioned. It
is obvious that not much of a dent will be made in our government-owned surpluses. Under
this program the taxpayers will pay and consumer prices will not be reduced. The only
happy factor is that we will continue to supply some of the needs of our less fortunate
individuals and families at home and abroad.
REAPPORTIONMENT AND HOUSE MEMBERSHIP: The official population count of the State
of Michigan as of April 1, 1960 was 7,823,194. This is a gain of 22.8 percent over 1950
and means that under the law our State is entitled to one more member of the House of
Representatives. The Legislature is responsible for redistricting the State to provide
a home base for this new member. If it takes no action by mid-1962, the additional con-
gressman will be chosen by the State at large.
Under present law which provides for a House of Representatives of 435 members
(temporarily increased to 437 by the admission of Alaska and Hawaii), six states besides
Michigan will gain a congressman in 1963. Florida will get four additional seats and
California eight.
On the other hand 12 states will lose one seat each; Arkansas, Massachusetts, and
New York will lose two each, and Pennsylvania three. The legislatures of these states
are under greater compulsion to act promptly on redistricting, If adjustments of
districts are not made by mid-1962, all congressmen from the state involved must be
elected at large.
Interest has been expressed in some quarters in changing the present law enacted
in 1910 and enlarging the House of Representatives to possibly 450 members. Under that
arrangement no state would lose any seats presently held and the constitutional ad-
justment would be made by increasing the representation of the relatively more populous
states.
A House consisting of 435 members seems to me to be large enough to properly
represent the American people in a national legislature. Such a number means, on the
average, one representative for 412,000 people. If we increase the number of repre-
sentatives now we will be establishing an indefensible precedent as our nation continues
to grow. To create more memberships after each census would only result in an unwieldy
House with too many members whose individual responsibility would be seriously diluted.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
February 22, 1961
The House Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Education and Labor
have initiated action on three issues in which there is very special interest. Hearings
have been held by the Committee on Ways and Means on H. R. 3864 concerning unemployment
compensation and on H. R. 3865 which would provide aid to dependent children who are in
need because of unemployment of a parent. The Committee on Education and Labor has
opened hearings on H. R. 3935, an administration bill to amend the Wage-Hour Law.
The other committees have been organized and are getting under way. The Committee
on Veterans' Affairs has heard spokesmen for the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the
Disabled American Veterans outline their legislative objectives for 1961. The Committee
on Foreign Affairs met with Secretary of State Rusk who reviewed world affairs and has
had a special briefing on the Congo. The Committee on Agriculture listened to testimony
on watershed projects while that on Interior and Insular Affairs has heard persons
interested in western reclamation projects and Secretary of Interior Udall. The Com-
mittee on Science and Astronautics received a report from the Deputy Administrator for
NASA on the Russian Venus rocket and on the effectiveness of the U. S. satellite-tracking
network. It also was interested in the research and development activities of the
Department of Defense.
My own subcommittee on defense appropriations has met with Secretary of Defense
McNamara and General L. L. Lemnitzer, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. They were the
first of many witnesses, civilian and military, who will appear before our subcommittee
while we consider the $43 billion budget for the defense and security of our country
and the free world.
UNEMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION: As introduced, H. R. 3864 would permit the states to
enter into an agreement with the federal government to provide a temporary and limited
amount of unemployment compensation to those who exhausted their regular benefits
between October 31, 1960 and April 1, 1962. Benefits would continue to be paid to the
unerployed for a period equal to one-half of the maximum authorized under state law but
not to exceed a total of 39 weeks. Secretary of Labor Goldberg has proposed that the
program be financed through an increase in the federal unemployment tax on employers
by placing the maximum wage subject to tax at $4800 instead of the present $3000. There
is a strong possibility that the Committee will substitute a temporary increase in the
tax rate for the proposed broadened tax base. This change in financing should eliminate
most of the objection to passage of the bill. The legislation has the same purpose as the
Eisenhower proposal which became law in 1958. The Department of Labor estimates that
under this bill about 3 million workers would benefit to the extent of $950 million.
H. R. 3865, as introduced, would include children of an unemployed parent among
those eligible for "aid to dependent children." Currently, financial assistance under
this federal-state program may go only to children deprived of care and support because
of death, continued absence, or incapacity of a parent. The assistance under this bill
would become effective April 1, 1961 and expire June 30, 1962. The additional cost to the
federal treasury will be about $300 million if all states participate. Help under this
program could go to families covered or not covered by unemployment compensation as well
as, to those who have exhausted their unemployment benefits. Local authorities would
determine when a family should receive assistance.
Following its hearings the Committee on Ways and Means went into executive session
to determine the final form of the bills to be presented to the House of Representatives.
We who are not on the committee must await the committee reports before passing final
judgment on these proposals.
WAGE-HOUR AMENDMENTS: The House Committee on Education and Labor is holding hearings
on H. R. 3935, a bill to amend the federal wage and hour law. The present minimum wage
of $1 for employees presently covered by the law would be increased to $1.15 the first
year, to $1.20 the second year, and to $1.25 thereafter. However, for workers to be
brought under the law for the first time the schedule will be $1.00 during the first year,
$1.05 the second year, $1.15 for the third year, and $1.25 thereafter.
It is this extension of coverage to certain new categories of "enterprises engaged
in commerce or in the production of goods for commerce" that will be the subject of con-
siderable study and discussion. The bill, as introduced, includes under the provisions
of the law for the first time: (1) any enterprise (single proprietorship, partnership,
or corporation) with one or more retail or service establishments (store, shop, service
station) if the annual sales of the entire enterprise are at least $1 million including
specifically laundering, cleaning, and clothes repairing businesses; (2) any enterprise
engaged in a local transit business regardless of volume of sales; (3) any establishment
including a gasoline service station, not included in (1) or (2) if the annual sales of
the establishment is at least $250,000. Employees of motion picture theaters and of
hotels, motels, or restaurants will continue to be exempted from federal regulation under
the provisions of H. R. 3935 as introduced.
Information presently available would indicate that the committee will report the
bill about as introduced. The House of Representatives will be concerned therefore
with a basic decision on the interpretation of the "interstate commerce" clause of the
constitution. The fundamental questions will be: DOES "INTERSTATE COMMERCE" INCLUDE
ANY "ENTERPRISE ENGAGED IN COMMERCE" or HOW FAR MAY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GO IN REGU-
LATING LOCAL BUSINESS? These are intricate and controversial areas which the House
and Senate will legitimately consider in the days ahead.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
March 1, 1961
Our mail of the past two weeks indicates there is considerable interest in the
question of whether private and parcchial schools on the primary and secondary levels
should share in any program of federal aid to education. There is no agreement among
our correspondents on how this question should be answered.
The new Administration however, has given its answer. In his special message to
the Congress, President Kennedy said, "I recommend to the Congress a 3-year program of
general federal assistance for public elementary and secondary classroom construction
and teachers' salaries
This program would assure every State of no less than $15
for every public school student in average daily attendance." Under the President's
proposal federal funds will go only to public schools and will be distributed to each
State on the basis of the number of students attending the public schools.
Spokesmen for the House Committee on Education and Labor state that the committee
agrees that benefits cannot be extended to non-public institutions. Many State con-
stitutions and laws prohibit the use of public funds for a non-public purpose and these
federal education funds will be distributed through and in cooperation with the various
state educational offices. It is certain, therefore, that any bill reported to the
House as a whole by the committee will restrict federal aid for school construction or
teachers salaries to public institutions.
A few other points in President Kennedy's education proposals should be noted.
While he recommends a "3-year program," his Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare,
Mr. Ribicoff, stated on a nationwide TV program last week that, if once enacted, federal
aid to education will become a permanent policy
While some provision is made for
greater aid to needy states, those wealthy states which are capable of meeting all their
educational needs are to share bountifully in this new distribution from the Federal
Treasury.
While the proposed assistance to elementary and secondary schools will add over
$2.3 billion in three years to Uncle Sam's budget, no suggestion was made for raising
the additional revenue. With the Kennedy Administration predicting a $1 billion deficit
for this year and with the national debt presently at $290 billion, it is clear that the
"new frontier" is inflationary, rough on the taxpayers, and unsafe for all those living
on a fixed income.
The President also made certain recommendations to extend the current college
housing loan program and to establish a similar loan program for new academic facilities.
He would extend the National Defense Education Act which provides among other things
scholarship loans for capable needy students. On these aspects of his program there will
be less controversy.
I supported the 1958 National Defense Education Act and believe that it serves
the public good. In addition I have stated repeatedly that under a tightly drawn
formula I will vote for a limited amount of federal aid for school construction in those
specific areas of our country which have demonstrated a sincere interest in education
but do not have the necessary local tax base to provide adequate school facilities.
But there is no evidence that a majority of citizens of the Fifth District want me to
endorse a new program involving federal subsidies for school construction and teachers'
salaries in every public school district in the 50 states.
ENLARGED COMMITTEE ON RULES BLOCKS HELPFUL RESOLUTION: The newly enlarged Com-
mittee on Rules refused to permit the House of Representatives to vote on House Reso-
lution 115, a measure which could save the taxpayers millions of dollars. The new
"liberal" majority were the "obstructionists," using their entire eight votes to kill
the Resolution and preventing the House membership as a whole from expressing its will
on this measure.
H. Res. 115 provides that no money could be spent by the Government that had not
been approved in an appropriation bili. Funds for most authorized government spending
are provided in anrual appropriation bills. These bills originate with the House
Committee on Appropriations which holds extensive hearings to determine exactly
how much of the authorized amount is actually needed in a given fiscal year. In recent
years the Congress at the instigation of the Executive Branch has found a new means
of tapping the Federal till without an appropriation. It simply authorizes a department
or agency to obtain funds directly from the Treasury without further action by the
Committee on Appropriations and the Congress. This means that no administrator must
give an accounting for last year's activity nor a justification for next year's proposals.
He can go on spending until the authorized amount is gone. I contend that this invites
waste, encourages fiscal irresponsibility, and is an abrogation of Congressional
authority. Both Democrat and Republican members of the Committee on Appropriations agree
that the practice should be stopped.
If H. Res. 115 were adopted as a rule of the House, the Committee on Appropriations
would have sole jurisdiction over expenditures, could coordinate these expenditures, and
be held fully responsible for them. We who believe in economy in government and a
balanced budget will find our task more difficult until there is central authority in
the House of Representatives for control of federal spending by the appropriation process.
But the "new frontiersmen" on the Committee on Rules have decided not to permit the
House to debate and vote on this crucial issue.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
March 8, 1961
On the same afternoon that the House of Representatives passed its first major legis
lative measure, President Kennedy signed into law his first bill. This first law of
1961 bridged the gap between the old frontier and the new. By affixing his signature
to the enrolled copy of H.R. 155 the Chief of the "new frontier" established a commission
to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, a chief of
the old frontier and our first Republican president. We trust that this is a good omen.
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION ACT: On the same afternoon, I joined 391 Republicans
and Democrats in the House of Representatives to pass H. R. 4806, the bill to establish
a temporary program of extended unemployment compensation. There were only 30 votes in
opposition. The bill was similar, but not identical, to a bill approved by the House on
May 1, 1958 to meet the unemployment situation at that time. The vote on the final
passage on President Eisenhower's similar program was 372 to 17.
Secretary Goldberg had recommended that this program be financed by permanently
increasing the maximum wage subject to the tax on employers from $3000 to $4800. The
Democratic-controlled Committee on Ways and Means agreed with Republican leaders that a
temporary increase in the federal unemployment tax rate was preferable to an increase of
the base. The bill as passed by the House increases the tax on all employers in all
states in 1962 and 1963 by 0.4 percent but does not extend the tax base. The estimated
cost of the program to the federal government is $1 billion.
The Michigan State unemployment tax rate in 1960 on the $3000 base ranged from 0.5
percent to a maximum of 4.5 percent with an estimated average tax on employers of 2.9
percent. The rate for each employer varies in accordance with his unemployment record.
In 1960 Michigan collected $159.2 million in unemployment insurance taxes, paid out
$147.4 million in benefits, and as of December 31, 1960 had $220.1 million in reserve
which included an advance from the Federal Unemployment Account of $113 million in
August 1959.
Michigan was one of the 17 states which made use of available federal funds in 1958
and is in debt to the federal government because of this participation to the extent of
$76.2 million. This amount plus other indebtedness making a total of $113 million is
scheduled to be repaid in 1963-66 by a reduction in credit allowed Michigan from the
Federal Unemployment Tax Account.
Between 290,000 to 300,000 unemployed persons in Michigan are expected to benefit
from this legislation. This is a temporary answer to one aspect of the employment
situation. The Congress has always responded whenever the need has arisen. If we are to
solve the overall problem, responsible people in business, labor, and government must
talk up the plus-factors in our economy to build confidence in a positive program. Any
down-grading of our economy destroys confidence and has a negative effect.
AUTOMOBILE EXCISE TAX: Republican Congressmen from Michigan recently wrote Chairman
Wilbur Mills of the Committee on Ways and Means urging the repeal of the 10 percent excise
tax on motor vehicles, We said, "In the State of Michigan well over 300,000 persons
are out of work largely because of the decline in automotive production
It is felt that
repeal of the tax would not only be helpful in stimulating the automotive industry which,
in turn, would give impetus to other economic areas, but is a fair and equitable course
of action." We requested that the Committee schedule hearings to repeal a tax which we
believe is "unfairly borne by Michigan."
COMMITTEE ON UN-AMER ICAN ACTIVITIES: By a vote of 412 to 6 the House of Represen-
tatives last week approved a resolution allocating not more than $331,000 for the work of
the Committee on Un-American Activities during the current year. Rep. James Roosevelt,
Democrat of California, had demanded that the activities of the Committee be curtailed
and in a statement to the House said, "I consider it (Committee on Un-American Activities)
a bad institution which has tended to grow worse in its depredations of our liberties as
well as our democratic reputation in the world today." The lop-sided vote indicates
emphatically that members of the House see more danger to our liberties from the atheistic
communist conspiracy than they do from the Committee on Un-American Activities.
Mail arriving in my office has demnstrated a widespread and vital interest in the
work of this Committee. This winter I have received more letters expressing concern over
the Communistic conspiracy and endorsing the Committee on Un-American Activities than
any other time in the past five years. The House of Representatives was sufficiently
concerned with the problem to fill 24 pages of the Congressional Record with debate and
evidence in its support of the Resolution to allocate $331,000 for Committee expenses.
A comparison of this amount with that allotted to some other committees is another proof
of this general concern. The Committee for Armed Services received $150,000; Science
and Astronautics $300,000; Small Business, $580,000; Education and Labor $633,000;
Interior and Insular Affairs, $60,000, and Judiciary, $200,000.
It seems to me that the Committee on Un-American Activities serves a useful purpose
as one means of keeping the Communist conspiracy under constant surveillance and as one
means of alerting the public to the dangers of the conspiracy. Until a better means of
performing these two services for the House of Representatives is recommended, I will
continue to support the work of the Committee on Un-American Activities.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
March 15, 1961
The United States is far ahead of the Soviet Union in space science and research
according to a scholarly report of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
recently presented to the House Committee on Science and Astronautics. NASA agrees that
"the average quality of Soviet scientific research is the same as that of the United
States," and that "the range of ability of soviet scientists is also approximately the
same as that of U. S. scientists." But NASA points out "nearly all the highly original
work in space research has come out of the U. S. program."
Those in a position to evaluate the space research of both nations find that "the
USSR has done relatively little in space science, considering the resources at its
command in payload capability." At the same time we are told that "because the U. S. has
tremendous scientific resources at its command it has been able to develop a vigorous
program in atmospheric physics, auroral phenomena, geophysics, sun-earth relationships
and trapped particle research without appreciably reducing its level of effort in other
fields of research."
NASA went on to warn, however, that the ability of the Russian scientists equals
that of our own and that "there is no reason why they cannot overtake us (in the next
several years) if we do not continue to develop and to strengthen our program."
The Congress must support, therefore, NASA's 10-year program to continue our leader-
ship in space science and to overtake the Russians in that technological area where they
now excel; namely, rocket thrust power. This 10-year program will be costly with ex-
penditures estimated to run between 12 and 15 billion dollars but it envisions at least
260 major experiments in space between now and 1970.
NASA's report entitled "Evaluation of USSR vs U. S. Output in Space Science" is
rather technical, but for those interested, a limited number of copies are available from
my office.
THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION BILL FOR 1961: Having previously explained to
you my position on the four yea-and-nay votes in the House this session, we come to the
fifth which involved appropriating nearly $30 million for the 4,000 so-called "federally
impacted school districts." The Third Supplemental Appropriation bill as reported by
the Committee on Appropriations carried no additional funds for this purpose. Neither
the Kennedy nor the Eisenhower Administrations had recommended this expenditure and the
Committee held no hearings on the question. Yet the House adopted an amendment proposed
from the floor to increase the supplemental appropriation by $29,990,000.
This amount, if approved by the Senate, will increase federal grants to those
school districts affected by the presence of children of federal employees, servicemen,
or others associated with a federal installation. No one will quarrel with the basic
purpose of the law which authorizes these federal payments. If for example, the govern-
ment takes over taxable property to construct an air base and brings to the community
hundreds of families whose children enter the local schools, it should provide grants to
those schools in lieu of taxes.
But under the amendment offered from the floor much of the federal money will not
go to such areas. For instance about $1.5 million is earmarked for school districts
around Washington, D. C. The City of Alexandria, Virginia will collect $97,350. Mont-
gomery County, Maryland, bordering the District of Columbia will receive $340,000. Resi-
dents of such areas are able to and should pay for their own schools. Montgomery County
is one of the wealthiest areas in the state and shouldn't expect this kind of hand-out.
I opposed the additional $30 million expenditure because it had not been requested
by the President, (either Ike or JFK) nor justified before a Committee and because it was
unnecessary in most areas. But we lost 336 to 62.
FEED GRAINS PROGRAM FOR 1961: We must be on the "new frontier." Nothing like
this happened in the real, the genuine "wide open spaces." Under Administration-
sponsored legislation approved by the House by a vcte of 209 to 202 the federal treasury
may for one year support the price of corn without limit above 65 percent of parity for
those farmers who reduce their production. At the same time the Department of Agriculture
will sell on the open market government-held corn at 20c a bushel less than the support
price. The Secretary of Agriculture has stated he will set the support price at $1.20 a
bushel (compared with $1.06 for 1960) provided the farmer cooperates by reducing his
acreage by 20 percent or 20 acres, whichever is greater. As a reward for such reduction
the farmer will receive the higher support-price and cash or payments in kind for the
acres put into a special conservation program. While this seems to make compliance
optional, Section 3 of the bill is intended to keep the price of corn and grain sorghums
from rising to a level where it would encourage farmers not to cooperate and to engage in
unlimited planting. Section 3 permits the Secretary of Agriculture to sell government-
held corn for $1 a bushel while supporting the price to the farmer at $1.20 a bushel.
Never on the real frontier was such a plan conceived. There is little doubt where 3
billion bushels of 1961 corn will flow--right into government storage. I voted to remove
Section 3 from the bill but when this failed (214 to 196) I voted against the bill,
H. R. 4510, on final passage. The American Farm Bureau and farmers from home vigorously
opposed this legislation on the basis it would increase regimentation and make farmers
more dependent on a government "hand out."
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
March 22, 1961
Quantitatively the Committee on Veterans' Affairs has been the most productive com-
mittee of the House of Representatives so far this session. It has reported 13 bills,
seven of which have passed the House. The Committee on the Judiciary has sent 69 measures
to the House but all of these are private bills for the relief of individuals.
VETERANS' AFFAIRS: The veterans' bills were not controversial and were all approved
by unanimous consent or under suspension of the rules. One bill permits the counting of
two or more separate periods of service in satisfying the 90-day requirement for payment
of non-service connected disability pension; another increases from $10 to $100 the
monthly pension payable to holders of the Congressional Medal of Honor. In December
there were about 297 recipients of this Medal still living.
Another bill passed by the House grants improved outpatient care for veterans of
the Indian Wars. On November 30, 1960 there were still living 37 veterans of the Indian
Wars whose ages ranged between 79 and 99 years. During the fiscal year 1960 the Veterans'
Administration paid over $80,000 in benefits to veterans of the Indian Wars. It also
paid over $529,000 to 684 dependents of veterans of these wars. It is interesting to
note that three dependents of veterans of the Mexican War (1846-1848) were paid $1,507.38
by the VA in 1960.
During fiscal year 1960 the VA paid over $2.4 billions to 3,008,935 veterans in the
form of compensation, pension, disability allowance, or retirement pay. In addition
950,802 dependents were paid over $823 million in benefits. According to the proposed
budget six cents out of each federal tax dollar to be spent in fiscal 1962 will go to our
veterans for a total expenditure of over $5.2 billion.
This does not include refunds paid on National Service Life Insurance. These
"refunds" are in fact "dividends" similar to those of many private insurance concerns.
Incidentally, the early payment of these dividends, recently announced, in no way alters
the total amount of money distributed this year.
Last week the Committee completed hearings on H. R. 4848, a bill authorizing direct
loans for eligible veterans who are unable to obtain a guaranteed home loan from a private
lender. It expects to hold hearings on a service-connected compensation bill designed
to bring disability payments into line with the increased cost of living since the bill
was last revised in 1957. There have been referred to the Committee about 30 bills
providing for a pension of $100 a month for veterans of World War I with incomes of less
than $2,400 (or $3,600 with dependents) exclusive of any benefits from social security,
civil service or railroad retirement. These bills may be considered in the Committee's
general review of pensions and compensation.
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN: By a voice vote the House recently approved H. R. 4884,
a bill to enable the states to provide "aid to dependent children" for those families
where "unemployment" is the cause of hardship. Under present law, aid may be extended only
to children deprived of care and support because of death, continued absence, or incapacity
of a parent.
The bill as passed by the House will deny aid to a family if the unemployed parent
refuses without good cause to accept employment in which he is able to engage. State and
local officials are to determine which families are eligible for help and whether a
parent has "good cause" to refuse an offer of employment.
POLISH GOVERNMENT TO PAY CLAIMS TO U. S. CITIZENS: The Polish Government has made
its first payment of $2 million to the U. S. toward the settlement of the claims of U.S.
citizens for property lost in Poland after World War II. By an agreement signed July 16,
1960 the government of Poland will pay $2 million annually for 20 years to reimburse
American citizens for their losses in Poland as (1) a result of the nationalization of
their property, (2) the loss of use of their property under decrees restricting rights
to property, and (3) for debts owned by enterprises which have been nationalized or appro-
priated.
Any American citizen who may have a claim against the government of Poland is urged
to write at once the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, Washington 25, D.C. requesting
the proper form for submitting a claim. The deadline for filing is September 30, 1961.
The Commission is asking prompt action as only 1,200 applications have been received out
of a potential 19,000. These claims will not include war damage nor seizure by the Germans
or Russians. But some real property confiscated by the Germans or Russians may very well
have later been taken over by the Polish Government. Anyone who was a citizen of the
U. S. when the Polish Government acted may be eligible under the agreement, if he held
property there.
Because this is part of a negotiated agreement with the present government of
Poland, prospective claimants can obtain from local authorities in Poland information
relative to the present status of property in which they are interested. But claims
should be filed immediately; evidence may be submitted later.
ELECTION OF APRIL 3: I want to remind every Michigan citizen of the election of
Monday, April 3rd and of its great importance in the judicial, educational, and highway
developments in our state. PLAN TO VOTE APRIL 3rd!!!!!
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
March 29, 1961
NEXT MONDAY, APRIL 3, IS ELECTION DAY IN MICHIGAN. BE SURE TO VOTE!!
PRESIDENTIAL "COFFEES:" Several weeks ago President Kennedy initiated a series of
White House "coffees" with about 50 members of Congress invited on each occasion. The
Tuesday afternoon "get-togethers "will eventually include all Senators and Representatives
from both political parties. Your Congressman believes this is a fine, friendly gesture
and when invited was pleased to accept. The "coffees" run from 5:30 to 6:30 and are held
in the White House State Dining Room. As the guests chat in small groups the President
moves around the room conversing with everyone. It is a most informal atmosphere. The
conversations run the gamut from legislative problems, to politics, to family chit-chat.
At our family dinner on the Monday night before I was to attend this White House
coffee I was telling Betty and our four children about the invitation. Mike and Jack
were definitely interested as most boys would be at ages 9 and 11. I felt that little
or none of this was getting through to Steve (41/2) or to Susan, our three year old. So
you can understand our surprise when the morning after my White House visit Susan inter-
rupted my shaving with the womanly question, "How was Mr. Kennedy's house?"
THE SUGAR BILL: To insure that Fidel Castro would not be able to ship Cuban sugar
into the United States after midnight, March 31, the House last week passed H. R. 5436
which I supported. This bill extends the Sugar Act, due to expire this Friday, for 21
months. The purpose of the Act is to stabilize the price of sugar, assist domestic pro-
duction, and to set quotas on the importation of sugar.
The United States currently uses about 10 million tons of sugar annually. One-third
of this is produced on the American mainland; one-sixth comes from Hawaii, Puerto Rico,
and the Virgin Islands. So domestically we grow 53 to 54 percent of our sugar leaving
46 to 47 percent to be imported from foreign sources.
The law sets up the quota for imports to be allowed each sugar-producing nation.
Last year the Congress authorized the President to cut Cuba's quota and reallocate its
normal quota of about 3.5 million tons of sugar to other sources according to a set
formula. President Eisenhower reduced the Cuban quota to zero and allotted its share to
other countries according to law.
The Dominican Republic which has a normal quota of 111,000 tons for 1961 benefited
from this "windfall" and has already in the first quarter of 1961 shipped 251,000 tons
of sugar into the United States. But as in the case of Cuba, the United States has
broken off diplomatic relations with the Dominican Republic. Its government dominated
by Mr. Trujillo was found by the Organization of American States on August 26, 1960 to
have been involved in the attempted assasination of the President of Venezuela. As a
consequence the U. S. and 19 Latin American nations have severed diplomatic relations with
Mr. Trujillo.
The new sugar bill passed by the House authorizes the President to by-pass the
Dominican Republic in reallocating Cuba's share of sugar requirements. The bill extends
the Sugar Act for 21 months during which time the Committee on Agriculture has promised
to conduct extensive public hearings on the enactment of more permanent sugar legislation.
There was some opposition to the bill on the basis that the Congress should not
write foreign policy in an agricultural bill, that permanent legislation should be written
more promptly, and that more incentives should be offered for increasing our domestic
sugar production. However, over two thirds of the members of the House agreed that
immediate action was vital and these problems can be fully explored in Committee hearings
later this session.
REFLECTORS ON RAILROAD CARS: Every once in a while someone inquires whether I am
sponsoring a given bill and if so, what is its status. Recently I was asked about the
legislation to require railroad freight cars to be equipped with reflectors or luminous
material so they can be readily seen at night. This measure was reintroduced on January
3rd and is H. R. 1153 in this Congress. It is presently with the Committee on Interstate
and Foreign Commerce. I hope the Committee and the Congress will take action because the
installation of such reflectors will prevent accidents and save lives.
The Interstate Commerce Commission, our specialist in this field, has said that
"provisions for this type of protection at unguarded grade crossings would be well worth
the expense involved, and would be considerably less costly than grade crossing elimina-
tions or the installation of most other types of protective devices at highway crossings."
OFFICE MAIL: Mail has been extremely heavy the past few weeks with special interest
being indicated in federal aid to education, President Kennedy's proposals for new high-
way taxes, the minimum wage amendments, and the proposals relative to hospitalization
and medical care for the aged under the social security program.
I have already expressed my views on the Kennedy federal-aid-to-education proposal.
Next week we will be able to report the action of the House on the minimum-wage amend-
ments. The Committee on Ways and Means has completed its public hearings on the Presi-
dent's highway tax proposals and will consider them in executive session as soon as the
Committee on Public Works completes its work on the authorization bill for highway
construction. When this is done, Ways and Means will be in a better position to know
how much, if any, additional revenue is needed.
The medical care bill is also in the Committee on Ways and Means which as yet has
scheduled no action on it. There is speculation that this issue will be deferred until
1962.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
April 5, 1961
The really big news as far as our office is concerned can be stated in one word,
"Visitors." During the four days preceeding Good Friday 105 friends greeted us in the
office and signed our guest book. It was a beautiful and crowded week in Washington.
Visitors were able to see the Supreme Court as well as both Houses of Congress in session.
The weather was ideal and the cherry blossoms cooperated by bursting into full bloom.
A trip to the Nation's Capital at any time of year is an inspiration. Here at the
seat of the government history made combines with history in the making to provide an
unforgettable experience for every citizen. We are especially pleased to see the large
number of young people who are able to come to Washington. Any subsequent study of civics
or government in school or college will be much more meaningful because of this experience.
I hope that more and more of you will be seeing us here. If my office can be of any
assistance in planning your trip or making it more enjoyable, please let me know.
AREA REDEVELOPMENT: The House of Representatives has joined the Senate in passing
S. 1, the Area Redevelopment Act or the so-called "Depressed Areas Bill." Because I
felt that a substitute measure, H. R. 5943, was a more effective means of assisting the
hard-core depressed areas suffering from chronic and persistent unemployment because of
loss of their industrial base, I supported the substitute bill, H. R. 5943 would have
authorized $150 million (compared with $100 million in S. 1) for loan assistance for
constructing plants in truly depressed areas. It provided $10 million for occupation
training (only $4.5 million in S. 1) to retrain those for whom a new skill:could mean
job opportunities. H. R. 5943 would bring greater help more directly to where it is
most urgently needed than would S. 1.
Both bills before the House provided $10 million to help unemployed persons while
they are being retrained in a new skill, and $4.5 million for technical studies to de-
termine the best solution of the economic problems of various depressed areas.
The substitute bill which I supported authorized the same dollar amount for public
facility loans ($100 million) to assist in the improvement of local water and sewer
systems often required for the expansion of industry. But there was a fatal difference
in the bills as far as interest rates are concerned. S. 1 provides that municipalities
obtaining loans for public works shall pay Uncle Sam interest at the rate of 31/2 percent.
Last week the federal government had to pay 3.98 to 4.09 percent interest on certain
money it borrowed. Thus S. 1 provides for lending money at a lower rate than it is
borrowed. This means that citizens of our Fifth District whose local communities have
borrowed money at the going rate of interest will now be called upon for additional taxes
to subsidize the interest of certain other communities. I don't think it makes good
sense for Uncle Sam to lend money at a lower rate than it costs him to borrow it. H. R.
5943 set the interest rate on these loans at 4 1/8 percent.
Other major differences in S. 1 and H. R. 5943 centered around loans for rural
redevelopment areas and grants for public facilities. S. 1 as recommended by the Com-
mittee on Banking and Currency authorized $100 million for use in rural areas while
H. R. 5943 authorized no funds in this category. It was evident that little was known on
how this aspect of the program would work or what areas would be eligible for assistance.
The minority report of the Committee stated that "only about 1 out of 37 underemployed
workers in rural areas could get jobs out of this bill."
The substitute bill, H. R. 5943, eliminated completely the $75 million earmarked in
S. 1 for public facility grants. This money will go for a "WPA-type" program as a grant
(not loan) for public works within a redevelopment area which may under the language of
S. 1 include an entire state. The subsidy would not be limited to hard-core depressed
areas.
For these reasons I voted for the substitute measure and when that lost (291-125)
I voted against S. 1. One other factor is especially important to us in Michigan who
have seen other states successfully entice industry out of Michigan. While both bills
included provisions aimed at discouraging the "piracy of industry " from one state by
another Secretaries Hodges, Freeman, and Goldberg confessed at the Committee hearings
that it was impossible to enforce any restrictions of this nature. The adoption of S.1
therefore, may mean that Michigan taxpayers will help to develop out-of-state areas to
compete for Michigan industry. According to the Committee Report the only areas in
Michigan to qualify for help under S. 1 are Detroit, Flint, Adrian, Bay City, Marquette,
Monroe, and Port Huron.
FINANCING THE POST OFFICE: The House has passed a $4 billion appropriation bill
to operate the Post Office Department for the next fiscal year. In his testimony before
the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, the Postmaster General, Mr. J. Edward
Day, said, "the deficiency in income facing the Post Office Department is indeed a serious
one, one that we are determined to solve. Each day's operation adds about a $2 million
burden to the Treasury."
The new Postmaster General added that "we are developing an overall proposal for
rate increases. We expect our program to provide needed revenues and to adjust certain
inequities in the present rate structure."
AVAILABLE: We have available for the asking a 40-page booklet containing 175
questions and answers on "Our American Government." It is an easy-to-read explanation
of the history and functions of the federal government. Address me at 351 House Office
Building, Washington, D. C.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
April 12, 1961
Having experienced over 80 days on the "new frontier" we now can make a preliminary
analysis of the present administration and list certain observations on its character and
accomplishments.
1. President Kennedy's inaugural address was worthy of any Chief Executive. It was
well written, well delivered, and set high standards for the government and for all
citizens. We were deeply impressed by his challenge to his fellow Americans, "Ask not
what your country can do for you: Ask what you can do for your country."
2. According to the pollsters the President's personal popularity has increased
since January 20th. Personally he has conducted himself in a responsible and diligent
manner. He is no longer down-grading the United States nor insisting that our nation is
a second-rate power.
3. Mr. Kennedy has made effective use of the televised news conference, opening up
the traditional press conference to viewers and listeners throughout the country. He has
used this medium to announce national policy, to present the Administration's position on
many vital questions, and to plead his side of the case in certain controversial issues.
We have no objection to such use of television and radio by the President of the United
States. But we do raise the question of whether the networks and local stations should
not make available equal and comparable time for the opposition to state its case on
controversial issues.
4. We hope and trust that the Administration will be as firm in actions as it is
in words in dealing with the worldwide atheistic communist conspiracy. The President has
spoken out vigorously against the communist aggression in Laos. But ome have alleged re-
cently that the Administration is permitting the military situation there to deteriorate
while we try to negotiate with the Kremlin. The free world can expect to gain little at
the bargaining session if it has already lost on the battlefield. We must not only talk
vigorously but act promptly and decisively in order to strengthen our hand at the con-
ference table.
5. The other foreign policy issue which may be the small dark cloud on the horizon
involves the admission of Red China to the United Nations. There are indications that
groundwork is being laid for the acceptance of U. N. membership for Communist China. Some
are rationalizing that we have done our best but must now accept the inevitable and agree
to U. N. membership for the Chinese aggressors. This makes a mockery of the U. N. which
by its charter is an association of peace-loving nations. The U. N. itself has condemned
Red China as the aggressor in Korea, and its activities in Laos and Tibet are well known.
The admission of a condemned aggressor to the councils of the United Nations will gravely
weaken, if not destroy, the UN.
6. I agree with the conclusion reached by President Kennedy in his message on the
defense budget that "our military position today is strong." This is reassuring and is
consistent with the position maintained by President Eisenhower. The changes in the
defense budget recommended by Mr. Kennedy reflect a revision in emphasis prompted generally
by changes in technological developments and in the world situation.
7. Since his inauguration the President has sent 14 major messages to Congress but
has been able to sign only 16 bills or resolutions into law, many of which are of minor
importance. Words are in abundance; deeds are less in evidence. The Democratic-controlled
Congress has shown no great enthusiasm for plunging boldly into the new frontier. The
Democrats have the leadership and the numbers in each House to control all legislative
activity. The Republicans are not guilty of, nor can they be charged with, obstructionism.
We campaigned on and were elected to support a particular political philosophy. We must
forthrightly vote for that philosophy. To capitulate to Presidential demands would be
"me-tooism."
8. Domestically the new frontiersmen are enamored with the thought that every need
and every problem of every group can be met and solved in Washington by greater federal
expenditures. Each new proposal sent to the Congress would concentrate more power in the
federal bureaucracy, remove governmental control farther from the citizens involved, and
add millions or billions to the tax bill. I have great respect for the responsible
bureaucrats and great sympathy for the tax payers; I don't want to see either saddled with
additional burdens if this can at all be avoided.
9. But the new frontier has one blind spot: It can't see that a tax dollar spent
must be a tax dollar earned and collected. It would be helpful if each new spending pro-
posal were accompanied by a revenue-raising proposal. Some who want Uncle Sam to take on
enormous new and permanent expenditures would be less enthusiastic if they knew that their
personal exemptions for income tax purposes were to be lowered from $600 to $500 or that
their income tax rate was to be increased from 22 to 28 percent.
10. This brings us to the "forgotten man" on the new frontier, your child and mine
and all those yet unborn. We have forgotten him but he will remember us. The national
debt and the interest payments will be his inheritance. Unless we increase federal revenue
to meet the new expenditures we can only add to the anticipated deficit and the present
debt. Interest charges for fiscal 1962 will be $8.6 billion. To add to these annual
interest charges in order to more easily meet our "needs," raises not only social-economic-
political questions but a grave problem of morality. Is it morally right to require
future generations to pay for the satisfaction of our "needs?" Would it not be better to
"ask not what our country can do for us" but rather to ask, "what we can do for our (
country."
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
April 19, 1961
Although the session lasted only an hour and thirty-five minutes, the House of
Representatives last Tuesday passed 90 bills for a legislative record during the 87th
Congress. One public bill was approved under suspension of the rules (2/3 vote required)
while 12 others were adopted unanimously under "consent calendar" procedure. But 77
private bills comprised the bulk of the legislative production for the day. These too,
were passed unanimously.
Private bills are designed to assist or grant relief to individuals but do not
change public law. They are introduced when the normal operation of the law has caused
injury to an individual because of unique circumstances. For example, during the last
Congress I introduced a private bill to authorize the issuance of an immigrant visa to
the oldest of three fatherless Polish girls who was ineligible for a visa under the law
only because she had recently passed her 14th birthday. Through no fault of her own and
only because of a delay by the Polish Government in granting an exit permit, this girl
would have been separated from her sisters who were coming to America. She was denied
admission to the United States because under the law affecting her case visas go only to
children under 14. While waiting for the Polish exit permit she had a birthday. Equity
and good conscience dictated that an exception should be made under these circumstances.
A private bill which became a private law was the means for achieving a fair and just
solution to the problem.
One of the bills passed last week refunds to a taxpayer an amount of income tax
which in error was paid twice, once in each of two consecutive years. Because the 3-year
period of limitations for requesting a refund had expired before the error was discovered
the Internal Revenue Service could not by law refund the second payment. A private bill
aims to remedy this obviously unfair situation.
During the 86th Congress 492 private bills were enacted into law. Except for two
which came from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, the 77 bills adopted by
the House last week represent the work since January of two subcommitties of the House
Committee on the Judiciary.
SOCIAL SECURITY AMENDMENTS. Scheduled for consideration by the House this week is
H. R. 6027, a bill to amend the Social Security Act. As reported by the Committee on
Ways and Means, the major provisions of the bill: (1) increase from $33 to $40 the mini-
mum monthly retirement benefits at age 65; (2) permit men to draw reduced benefits at
62 in a manner similar to that now permitted women; (3) increase aged widows',
widowers', and parents' benefits from 75 to 82½ percent of the worker's retirement
benefit; (4) increase the social security tax beginning in 1962 to 3 1/8 percent each for
employees and employers and to 4 11/16 percent for the self-employed. For an employee
earning $4,800 or more per year, this means a tax of $150 annually each for him and his
employer; for the self-employed person the yearly tax will be $225. Beginning in 1969,
under H. R. 6007, the tax will be $222 each for employees and employers and $333 for
self-employed persons.
The Committee estimates that the passage of H. R. 6007 will add $780 million to the
benefits paid social security beneficiaries during its first year of operation.
ADDITIONAL FEDERAL JUDGES: A bill (S. 912) providing for the appointment of 70
additional federal judges is also scheduled for consideration by the House of Represen-
tatives this week. The Report submitted on March 30, 1961 by the House Committee on the
Judiciary recommending this expansion of the federal judiciary runs to 359 pages. It
attempts to justify the designation of 10 more circuit (appeals) judges and 60 additional
district (trial) judges.
Yet less than a year ago, on June 15, 1960, the same House Committee on the Judiciary
after extensive hearings and thoughtful discussions found a need for and recommended the
creation of only 3 additional circuit judgeships and 32 new district judgeships. This is
exactly one-half of the number now found to be necessary.
Democratic Chairman Smith of the Committee on Rules last week asked Democratic
Chairman Celler of the Committee on the Judiciary what had happened to double the need
for new judges in less than a year. Rep. Celler replied that "the political situation
had changed." Democratic President Kennedy rather than Republican President Eisenhower
would make the appointments. Democratic Senators and Representatives rather than Repub-
lican would make recommendations. Yet it is well known that President Eisenhower had
promised to appoint qualified Democrats to half of the newly created judgeships. But
no judgeship bill was passed last year; November 8th was an election day.
All of this led Democratic Chairman Smith to remark wryly, "I feel badly that it
will require twice as many Democratic judges to do the work of half as many Republican
judges." Chairman Celler assured Mr. Smith that President Kennedy would appoint some
Republicans.
Republican members of the Committee on the Judiciary acknowledge the need for more
judges but feel that the 35 new judgeships recommended by the Democratic-controlled Com-
mittee a year ago is still ample. They insist that to double the number "will be ex-
travagant and wasteful."
Under the House version of S. 912 our western Michigan judicial district would con-
tinue with two judges but the eastern district's six judgeships would be increased by one
permanent and one temporary judge. The first subsequent vacancy caused by death or re-
signation would not be filled and the temporary judgeship would terminate leaving seven
permanent judges.
Your Washington Review
KENT
Congressman
OTTAWA
5
JERRY FORD
April 26, 1961
In discussing the free world's struggle against the communist conspiracy two weeks
ago, I stated that we must act promptly, decisively, and firmly in order to be able
to negotiate from a position of strength. I expressed the fear that while the free
world talks, the communist conspiracy acts. This now appears especially to be true in
Cuba.
President Monroe announced a sound American policy over 130 years ago. In 1961 we
cannot permit the subversion of the Monroe Doctrine by Soviet tactics. We can't afford
to lose the Caribbean or any part of Latin America to the Kremlin. To prevent such a
loss may require direct unilateral U. S. intervention. We hope this will not be necessary
but we know we are dealing with a treacherous and sinister foe who respects only firmness.
In the past 96 days President Kennedy has made some vigorous speeches on foreign policy.
To date, action and success have not materialized. The U. S. needs more than words to win.
THE UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE AND SAN FRANCISCO RIOTS: My mail during the
past three weeks has indicated a renewed and deep interest in the rioting which occurred
during the hearings conducted by the House Committee on Un-American Activities at San
Francisco in May 1960.
Mr. J. Edgar Hoover, FBI Director, has discussed these riots in detail in a
Report entitled, "Communist Target-Youth." Following are excerpts from this report by
the seasoned and persistent foe of all crime and subversion: "The Communist attack on
the House Committee on Un-American Activities was in line with a longstanding party aim
to destroy not only the HCUA, but
every other 'enemy' seeking to expose the threat
which Communist activities represent to the internal security of this nation With this
setting, it is possible to reveal how the Communist Party plan of attack unfolded (in
San Francisco)
The first objective of the party was to fill the hearings with demon-
strators. The second was to incite them to action through the use of mob psychology
As soon as the hearings began, party members began playing their predetermined roles.
The belligerent and insulting behavior of some of the 36 uncooperative witnesses was so
aggravating it became necessary to order their forcible removal from the hearing room to
preserve order and decorum The Communist Party, USA, is elated with the success it
enjoyed in attempting to make a fiasco of the HCUA San Francisco hearings
Immediately
after the affair ended, the party's national leader, Gus Hall, congratulated the West
Coast comrades for the initiative and leadership they displayed at all stages of the
demonstrations."
We have on hand a limited supply of the complete report, "Communist Target-Youth"
by J. Edgar Hoover and will be pleased to send a copy to those who submit a request.
MAJOR LEGISLATION OF THE WEEK: Both the Omnibus Judgeship bill and the Social
Security Amendments described in last week's YOUR WASHINGTON REVIEW have been approved by
the House of Representatives. I voted against the judgeship bill on the basis that it
is wasteful and extravagant, creating more judgeships than were actually found necessary
by the Judicial Conference composed of senior federal judges and by the Democratic-
controlled Committee on the Judiciary in its Report of 1960. But the final vote was
336 to 76.
The Social Security Amendments were approved 400 to 14. In this instance I voted
with the majority.
THE NEW OBSTRUCTIONISTS: You will remember that the organization of the House of
Representatives was delayed at the opening of this session while the majority leadership
struggled with the question of how to control the Committee on Rules. The so-called
"liberals" insisted that the Committee membership be changed or that the Committee be
enlarged. They wanted to eliminate the "obstructionist tactics" of the Committee and
stop it from "bottling up" legislation thus preventing the House "from working its will."
The Committee was enlarged to give the liberals an 8 to 7 control of the Committee.
Last week the Committee voted 8 to 7 to "bottle up" a House Resolution aimed at
eliminating the "backdoor financing" of any federal program by requiring an annual review
of proposed expenditures from the Treasury by the Committee on Appropriations. The
adoption of this resolution would have been one constructive step toward economy and
greater fiscal responsibility. But the liberals, the "new obstructionists" on the
Committee on Rules "bottled up" the resolution preventing the House from "working its
will." As one of my colleagues has remarked the "liberals" are less concerned with the
"bottling process" than they are with "what's in the bottle."
BACKDOOR SPENDING AND AREA REDEVELOPMENT: A "backdoor spending" provision was
accepted by the conferees designated to iron out the differences in the House and Senate
versions of S. 1, the area redevelopment or depressed areas bill. The bill as passed
by the House requires annual appropriations for the program. This means that the Ad-
ministrators of the program annually must explain to the Committee on Appropriations
the past year's activities and defend expenditures proposed for the new year. Represen-
tatives of the taxpayers then appropriate necessary funds within the authorized limits.
The Senate version of the bill, backed by President Kennedy would authorize funds
to be withdrawn directly from the Treasury without further congressional review or action.
This is "backdoor financing" and is not the way to protect your tax dollars or mine. The
conferees accepted the Senate provision. This week the House will have an opportunity
to approve more "backdoor spending" or demand greater fiscal responsibility.