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Ford Newsletter, Jan.-June 1969
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This file contains material relating to Richard Nixon, Adam Clayton Powell.
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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
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
January 15, 1969
The 91st Congress has convened and I must express my deep appreciation to the
voters of the 5th District for the opportunity of continued service in the House of
Representatives. Twenty years have passed since I first entered Congress. I am
truly grateful to the citizens of Kent and Ionia Counties for their support. If
there is any way in which I can be of service, please let me know. A letter to me
may be addressed: House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. Our telephone number
is 225-3831 (area code 202). My Grand Rapids office is located at 425 Cherry Street,
S.E. Telephone 456-9747.
THE POWELL PROBLEM: The first problem before the House in the new Congress
involved the seating of Representative-Elect Adam Clayton Powell. Excluded from the
90th Congress in 1967, he was subsequently reelected to that Congress but did not
attempt to take his oath of office. On November 5, 1968 he was again elected to the
91st Congress. On January 3rd he was asked to remain seated while the oath was
administered to the other members.
Then the first resolution presented to the House provided that "Mr. Powell
be now permitted to take the oath of office." On a roll call vote which in effect
would have seated Mr. Powell, he had 176 supporters while 248 members voted "no."
Those who voted to seat him without penalty felt that he had been sufficiently
punished and that his constituents were entitled to the representative of their
choice.
After further debate the House voted to seat Mr. Powell provided he pay a fine
of $25,000 and that he lose all seniority rights. I supported this action as a
suitable compromise settlement of the problem. As in every compromise, many were
unhappy with the results. Some felt he should again have been excluded; others held
he should have been seated without penalty. My mail reflected both attitudes. But
we must face the fact that Rep. Powell is a duly elected member of the House and that
he possesses the basic constitutional qualifications which are age (25), citizenship,
and inhabitancy of his state. Under the resolution adopted which I favored, his
monthly salary is to be reduced by $1,150 per month until his fine is paid. And
instead of being the Chairman of a powerful House Committee with all its prerogatives
(as he was in the 89th Congress), he is to start his new service as a freshman.
Seniority in the Congress is extremely important, and Mr. Powell is beginning his
12th term without any prerogatives save those of a brand new member.
THE ELECTOR PROBLEM: On the following Monday, January 6, both the House and
Senate had to decide whether a presidential elector must vote for the presidential
candidate of his party. The people of North Carolina had chosen presidential
electors pledged to Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew. But one of their electors cast
his vote for George Wallace and Curtis LeMay.
While meeting in joint session to count the electoral votes, objection was made
to accepting the vote of this elector. The House and Senate then met separately to
determine whether this vote for Mr. Wallace should be counted. The House voted 229
to 169 to approve the "faithless" elector's action and to count his vote for Mr. Wallace.
On purely technical grounds a strong case can be made for this decision: the
Constitution does not bind electors to vote for the nominees of their parties; the
law of North Carolina does not attempt to bind electors, and federal law calls upon
the Congress to count all electoral votes which have been certified by the governor
of the state as was done in this case.
But there is involved here a basic legal and political right - the right of
the people to elect their president and vice-president. I believe that every presi-
dential elector has a moral obligation to vote for the candidate he had pledged to
support. To permit a different action is to authorize "nameless" electors to flaunt
the will of the American people. In this instance, one vote was not significant.
But if enough electors had acted in like manner, the will of the people expressed on
November 5th could have been nullified. Electors must keep the faith with the voters
of their respective states. I, therefore, voted for the motion to reject the vote of
this particular elector from North Carolina. But both the House and Senate adopted
the technical, legalistic position that his vote should be counted as cast. All of
this points up the absolute necessity of a constitutional amendment to improve the
method of electing our president and vice-president.
SEEKING SOLUTIONS: Next week the Senate Committee on the Judiciary will hear
proposals for such a constitutional amendment. On February 5th the House Committee
will hold extensive hearings on the subject. Various plans for the direct election
by the people without the use of electors will be presented. Those who feel that it
is important to maintain the identity of the states in the selection of the president
will submit revisions of our electoral college system. The Congress must move
rapidly in this area. We should have a constitutional amendment before the next
presidential election.
CONGRESSIONAL CALENDARS: We have for distribution two kinds of 1969 calendars
prepared by the House of Representatives. The first entitled, "We, the People,"
opens to 12 by 20 inches and contains historical and pictorial items. The second is
of solid cardboard, 12 X 18 inches, with one picture of the Capitol and monthly
sheets for both 1969 and 1970. Requests made to either my Grand Rapids or Washington
office will be honored as long as the supply lasts.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
January 22, 1969
A new President has been inaugurated and a retiring President has presented
his valedictory. The work of the Congress is under way and over 7900 bills and
resolutions have been introduced in the House of Representatives.
We were all inspired by President Nixon's inaugural address. Mr. Johnson's
sixth State of the Union Message was a gracious and fitting farewell. I was espe-
cially pleased that he urged members of his party not to seek "narrow personal or
partisan advantage." Our mutual task is so great that the total resources of our
country and the talents of all our people must be mustered in our mutual efforts to
solve our problems and promote the general welfare.
BAIL REFORM LEGISLATION: Among the bills introduced in the new Congress is
one which I am co-sponsoring to revise the Bail Reform Act of 1966. Our bill would
permit Federal courts to deny bond to dangerous criminals awaiting trial. Under
current law a person charged with a crime must be released under bond prior to his
trial and the court is not permitted to take the safety of the community into con-
sideration in setting the terms for his release under bond. As a result, we find
many crimes being committed by hard-core repeat offenders out of jail on bond. For
example, in the District of Columbia in 1968, 130 persons were arrested for robbery
and released on bond. Of these 130 free on bail, 45 were indicted for at least one
additional felony; the 45 had 76 indictments placed against them while on bail.
Our bill aims to prevent this sort of thing by permitting the courts to deny
bail if it is apparent that release of the accused would pose a danger to the
community. However, such periods of detention may not exceed 60 days if the trial
is not delayed by the defendant's own action. In addition all detention orders are
subject to review in 24 hours and immediate appeal thereafter. This bill also pro-
vides stiff additional penalties for those who commit crimes while on bail.
We are pleased to note that top D.C. officials and many newspaper editorials
have endorsed this approach as one step toward more effective crime control.
ON GUN CONTROL: In his farewell message President Johnson reiterated his
"disappointment" that Congress had not required the registration of every gun and the
licensing of every gun owner. Last year the Congress refused to take such action
because no extensive hearings on the subject had been held, because of the constitu-
tional questions involved, and because many were convinced that registration and
licensing were not the solution to the crime problem.
The House did approve legislation last year which would require a mandatory
additional prison sentence for anyone convicted of using firearms while committing
a federal crime. I supported this legislation. I believe a similar measure should
be adopted by every state and local government to cover all state and local criminal
action.
This approach to gun control punishes those who use firearms illegally while
inflicting no hardship or penalty on those who possess firearms for lawful purposes.
OTHER LEGISLATION: I have reintroduced my bill which would require railroad
cars to be equipped with reflectors or luminous material so they can be more readily
seen at night at highway grade crossings. I believe that this could prevent many
automobile-train accidents. The bill has the approval of the Interstate Commerce
Commission but in the past has been opposed by the Department of Commerce.
Also reintroduced was the bill to prohibit the U. S. Government from polluting
any navigable waters by dumping in them dredgings and other refuse materials. It
seems to me that Uncle Sam should set an example in our fight for pure water.
A third bill reintroduced because I believe it is logical and fair would
permit a widow with minor children to earn up to $400 per month without losing her
social security benefits. Currently, if she earns more than $140 a month regularly,
she loses benefits to which she is entitled under her deceased husband's earnings
record. I feel that a widow with minor children who must become the family bread-
winner should not be penalized for her efforts to support her family.
In addition to three private bills, I also reintroduced legislation to permit
firemen and policemen in Michigan to obtain social security coverage, if they desire
this coverage. Presently, firemen and policemen in Michigan are not under social
security; their counterparts in 20 states have the privilege of such coverage.
SUMMER JOBS IN FEDERAL AGENCIES: The Civil Service Commission will receive
applications until January 30th for anyone interested in a summer job with one of the
federal agencies. The last examination for these positions will be given on March 8.
Further information and an application form will be found in Civil Service
Announcement No. 414, available at high school counseling offices, college placement
offices, and many post offices. If you can't obtain a copy, please let me know at my
Grand Rapids or Washington office.
APOLLO 8 FILM AVAILABLE: My Grand Rapids office has for loan to groups in the
5th District until February 20, a documentary film on the flight of Apollo 8. The
30-minute film includes spectacular photography of the moon and earth as well as
assessments of the flight. For reservations please call Mrs. Westfield at 456-9747.
RECENT VISITORS: From Grand Rapids: Mr. Edsko Hekman; Mr. and Mrs. Dorr
Johnson; James Brady; Hubert M. Engemann, Jr., and family; David Knott; Ivan Zylstra;
Philip Buchen; Nancy DeKorte; Mrs. James Long; Lt. Bruce J. Hoppe. From Wyoming:
Michael Stahl. From Sparta: Gail Johnson.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
January 29, 1969
Over 45 residents of the Fifth District were in Washington for the inaugura-
tion. We were pleased to greet personally most of them but my duties as a member of
the Committee on Arrangements did restrict my activities. Before and after the
swearing-in ceremony an informal buffet was served in my office in the Capitol
Building. Hot coffee was especially in demand after an hour or more in 36-degree
weather. But the rain held off until the last float had passed the reviewing stand.
SALARY ADJUSTMENTS: During his last week in office President Johnson sent to
the Congress his recommendations for salary increases for top officials in the legis-
lative, executive, and judicial branches of the government. These recommendations
will become effective in 30 days unless at least one House of Congress specifically
disapproves all or part of the recommendations.
Mr. Johnson was acting under a law approved December 16, 1967 establishing a
Commission on Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Salaries, generally known as The
Kappel Commission. Dr. William Spoelhof, President of Calvin College in Grand
Rapids, served on this nine-member Commission. The Chairman was Frederick R. Kappel,
former Chairman of the Board of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company.
Another member was George Meany, AFL-CIO President.
The Commission analyzed salaries in government and in private industry and
concluded "that the compensation of the key leadership in each of the three branches
of government is seriously out of step with today's standards.' It recognized that
there is a vast difference between public service and private employment and that
salary considerations are not always the prime factor in a decision to serve in high
governmental positions. Yet, as the Commission said, "there is no doubt
that
salaries in the private sector offer a yardstick that individuals who are sought for
top government positions may use in measuring alternative opportunities." A recent
survey listed over 300 executives in 130 large corporations in 25 different fields
with an annual compensation of $100,000 or more.
In 1962 the Congress established the principle that federal salary rates
should be comparable with private enterprise salary rates for the same level of work.
The Commission found that during the next four years "the rate for the lowest level
of the executive pay scale would have to be at least $40,000" to achieve this com-
parability. The Commission therefore recommended a salary of $60,000 for Cabinet
members, $65,000 for Associate Justices of the Supreme Court (reduced by the
President to $60,000), with Agency heads to get $50,000 (cut by the President to
$42,500), to mention just a few examples. With these top salaries, those for lower
key positions can be adjusted to compare more favorably with jobs of comparable
responsibility in private industry.
CONGRESSIONAL SALARIES: The Commission confessed that it was difficult to
obtain data that may suitably be used as a basis for comparison with congressional
salaries. It pointed out that Congressmen are in a class not directly comparable
with any other group and went on to say: "This is true with respect to the time
devoted to the position, the variety and complexity of the problems covered, and the
number of citizens to whom they are responsible." The Commission also mentioned the
necessity of running for office every two years or six years, and the cost of living
in Washington for most of the year while maintaining a residence in home district or
state.
I have received a number of letters objecting to the pay raise for congressmen.
I'm told that congressmen should set an example for economy and not permit a salary
increase when all of us are struggling under a heavy tax burden. It is said that
members know the salary when they seek office and should not expect a raise. Some
tell me that they don't think a congressman is worth more than $30,000 a year.
President Johnson endorsing the findings of the Commission said: "Members'
salaries should be adjusted to compensate for the substantial and unique responsi-
bilities they bear, to meet the cost peculiar to elective rather than appointive
office, and to minimize the need to rely on other means of augmenting income."
The Commission recommended that Senators and Representatives be paid $50,000.
However, in discussions with the Congressional leadership, in which I participated,
President Johnson agreed to reduce this recommendation to $42,500. I supported this
decision. It did seem that a 66-2/3 percent salary increase at one time could be
interpreted as excessive.
However, I do think that the salary recommendation as presented by the Presi-
dent should be permitted to become effective. I say this out of a commitment to the
principle of comparability for all federal officials and employees, out of respect
for members of the Commission which included an able and responsible leader from our
congressional district, and because the President did make certain reductions which
I'm sure most of our people approve.
AGRICULTURE YEARBOOKS: We have on hand about 300 copies of the 1968 Yearbook
of Agriculture entitled, "Science for Better Living." These will be distributed on
a "first come - first served" basis. Requests may be made to either my Grand Rapids
(456-9747) or Washington offices.
VISITORS: From Grand Rapids: Donald Erickson; Calvin Nagel; Rev. Wilbert
VanDyk; Michael Ruiter; Dr. Kornelius VanGoor; Jay VanAndel; Maury DeJonge; Mrs.
Robert Walker; Mrs. Marba Perrott; Mrs. Jimmy VanAtta; Mrs. Mary Timmons; Geraldine
Masters; Mr.& Mrs. J. Borg; Lucy VanOtteren; Mr.& Mrs. Harold Rockwell; Peter
Boogaart; Arnold Terpstra; Father Joe Walen; Mr.& Mrs. John Milanowski.
Claime: no Free Sublicate
Your Washington Review weell
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
February 5, 1969
Congressional activity will be moving into high gear now that the committees
have been organized. Our Committee on Committees, of which I am Chairman, spent
hours at the task of assigning Republican Congressmen to the various House committees.
These assignments are particularly significant because legislation generally does not
reach the floor until it has committee approval. Members want to serve on the most
influential committees or on those handling matters which are of special interest to
their constituents or areas. Both the Democrats and the Republicans announced their
committee assignments last Wednesday. The Committees are now ready to undertake
their responsibilities. In most instances, a member retains his place on a committee
and works his way up to a senior position. The most senior member of the majority
party is Chairman.
The President invited Republican Congressional Leaders to the White House last
Tuesday morning for a legislative conference. This is to be a weekly affair to pro-
mote a better working relationship between the Nixon Administration and those who
will have a major responsibility in getting its legislative program through the
Congress.
Following the meeting last Tuesday morning, President Nixon came to the
Capitol to greet House members and have lunch with both the Republican and Democratic
Leadership and members of the Committee on Rules. For an hour and three minutes,
while the House stood in recess, the President was in a receiving line in the House
Chamber to personally greet members of the House. Others in the receiving line
included the Speaker, and the Majority and Minority Leaders.
TAX REFORM: Our mail indicates a popular interest in revision of our internal
revenue laws. Most writers want "loopholes plugged" and are irritated by reports
that some citizens with enormous incomes pay little or no federal taxes. But there
is no simple answer to this problem. What may be a "loophole" to one represents
equity for another. Many condemn tax-free municipal bonds because they are purchased
by the wealthy to escape taxation. But the need for the tax-free status of these
local school and municipal bonds is defended by local officials who desire to market
their municipal securities at the lowest possible interest rate. If the interest rate
goes up on local bonds, local taxes will also increase to pay off the added charges.
The Committee on Ways and Means will open hearings on February 18 on the over-
all subject. It will begin by considering tax-exempt foundations. Other subjects on
the agenda include treatment of charitable contributions, standard deductions, tax
treatment of the elderly, minimum and maximum income tax on individuals, taxation of
single persons, tax treatment of state and municipal bonds, and various deductions
relating to farm losses, moving expenses, and gasoline taxes.
CENSUS REFORM: Over 60 Congressmen are sponsoring bills to eliminate the $100
fine and 60-day jail sentence which can be imposed on citizens who refuse to reveal
personal information about themselves and their households to the census enumerator.
I support this legislation. Although it is only fair to point out that very few
citizens have ever been punished under those criminal provisions, the threat is there
and has been used.
I agree with the sponsors of the legislation that "the proper alternative to
the present harassment is to limit mandatory questions to such subjects as name,
address, age, sex, head of household, and persons in home at time of census, and
leave the remaining ones to be answered on a voluntary basis." Other information
requested (and I agree that it may serve a useful purpose) such as income, home
appliances, value of property or the amount of rent paid, and whether bathroom and
kitchen facilities are shared should be obtained on a voluntary basis.
OBSCENE MATERIAL: From the number of protests we receive, I can only conclude
that the volume of advertisements relating to obscene and pornographic materials is
on the increase. This in spite of the recently enacted law (newsletter: April 10,
1968) aimed at making it easier to remove one's name from the mailing list of the
smut peddler.
Among bills introduced in this Congress to attack the problem is one requiring
the written consent of each person whose name appears on a list sold or exchanged by
mailing list brokers. This is aimed at those persons who gather lists of names from
high school annuals and similar sources, and sell them to producers of obscene
material. Violators would be subject to fine or imprisonment.
Another bill would prohibit the mailing or delivering in interstate commerce
of any obscene material to minors. The legislation is carefully written and
patterned after a New York statute which has been upheld by the Supreme Court. I
endorse these bills and hope the Congress will take prompt action on them.
The Post Office Department reports that last year a total of 3,693 investiga-
tions were made of dealers whose unsolicited and unwanted advertisements reached
into the homes of the nation by mail. In that period the Department obtained 263
convictions but pointed out that "large commercial mailers of seemingly obscene or
borderline material scheme and maneuver to offer the most inciting material possible
and to avoid prosecution in the courts."
RECENT VISITORS: From Ionia: Mr.& Mrs Jack Dehn. From Belding: Mr.& Mrs.
John Stahlin. From Grand Rapids: Mr.& .& Mrs. Gilbert VanWynen; Mr.& Mrs. Bill Van
Coevering and family; Mr.& Mrs. Clare Jarecki; Mr.& Mrs. Wallace Chamberlain.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
February 12, 1969
Abraham Lincoln was born 160 years ago today. This week the House of Repre-
sentatives is in recess as members participate in festivities throughout the country
:
honoring the Great Emancipator. I expect to be in Grand Rapids next Wednesday
evening when Robert Finch, HEW Secretary, will address the Kent County Republican
Lincoln Day Dinner at the Civic. Rep. Philip Ruppe of Houghton, Michigan, is meeting
with Ionia County Republicans tomorrow evening.
GOVERNMENTAL REORGANIZATION: President Nixon has requested authority to
reorganize the Executive Branch of the government in a manner similar to that
possessed by his predecessors in the White House. They could submit to the Congress
"Reorganization Plans" which would become effective after 60 days unless disapproved
by either House. This authority expired on December 31, 1968.
The plan has worked well in the past and should be reestablished. It permits
the President to cut expenses, increase efficiency, eliminate duplication of effort,
and to abolish unnecessary agencies. It enables the President to modernize the
federal government continually while maintaining a legislative check on any abuse of
power. President Nixon's predecessors Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson all
had similar authority and Congress should act promptly so the new President will have
what the original Hoover Commission proposed for all Chief Executives.
SWITCHBLADE KNIVES: Over 80 members of the House are co-sponsoring legisla-
tion to ban the distribution and sale of switchblade knives in the United States.
Sponsors point out that these knives serve no constructive purpose; they are used
only in crime and violence. We are told that in 1965 and 1966 approximately 25 per-
cent of the 20,000 homicides in the U. S. were committed with knives. The sale of
switchblades and similar knives should be outlawed.
THE FIFTH AMENDMENT: There has been presented to the House a proposed con-
stitutional amendment to "balance" some of the Supreme Court decisions relating to
the Fifth Amendment. Its sponsor wants "to restore a balance in the application of
the Fifth Amendment to guarantee not only the rights of the accused but the ability
of the state to protect its citizens against criminal acts."
If this amendment is adopted it will, among other things: allow interrogation
of suspects before arrest without advising them of their right not to reply; permit
the judge at a criminal trial to comment on the refusal of a defendent to answer ques-
tions about his alleged crime; permit dismissal of public employees who take refuge in
the Fifth Amendment to withhold data about their possible official misconduct; require
anyone lawfully arrested to submit to scientific and medical tests on his person re-
lating to the crime, if he has legal counsel, or without it "when urgency requires.'
This proposed amendment grew out of recommendations by Judge Henry J. Friendly
of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (New York). The Committee on
the Judiciary should give this controversial proposal careful consideration.
THE NATIONAL DEBT: When President Nixon took office on January 20th the
nationaldebt stood at $364 billion. When President Eisenhower left office in 1961
Uncle Sam owed $290 billion. In the eight years of the two interim administrations
$74 billion were added to the federal debt. Interest charges for this fiscal year
will exceed $15 billion. In 1961 interest costs were slightly over one-half of this
amount, $8.1 billion.
POSTAL DEFICIT AND RATES: Former President Johnson estimated that the postal
deficit for next year will approach $1 billion. He recommended the current first-
class and airmail be consolidated into a single category requiring a 70 stamp for
each ounce. This would be an increase of 1¢ per ounce for regular mail but a
reduction of 30 for airmail. Today, virtually all of the first class mail carrying
a 60 stamp goes by air anytime the distance is over 200 miles.
This increase combined with an increase of one cent in the single price third
class (advertising) rates would bring in an additional $519 million. But to date the
Committee on Post Office and Civil Service has not completed its organization and
there is no indication what it will do with Mr. Johnson's proposal.
WITH THE COMMITTEES: Last week the Committee on Interstate and Foreign
Commerce opened hearings on airline safety and hijacking of airplanes
The Special
Sub-Committee on Education is looking into the subject of student unrest and riots on
college campuses
The Committee on the Judiciary is receiving testimony on bills
pertaining to electoral college reform
The various veterans' organizations are pre-
senting their legislative recommendations to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Next Tuesday the Committee on Ways and Means opens extensive hearings on tax reform.
APOLLO 8 FILM: The demand for use of the 30-minute documentary film on the
flight of Apollo 8 has been so heavy that I have purchased a copy of the film. Con-
sequently, we are now able to accept reservations beyond the February 20 deadline
mentioned three weeks ago. We will be happy to loan the film to any group in Kent
or Ionia counties. For reservations, please call Mrs. Elaine Westfield in my Grand
Rapids office at 456-9747.
RECENT VISITORS: From Grand Rapids: Shirley Decker; Patricia VanderLinde;
Lizabeth Kinsey; John Kwekel; Betsy Irwin; Mr. and Mrs. William Jansen; Mrs. M.
Branston; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wiersum; Mr. and Mrs. John Martin; Mrs. Ella Koeze;
Mrs. Henry Kooistra; James Mulvihill; Lexie Siratowiz; Dr. Milford Henkel; Joseph
Slaughter; Gene Cline; Gary Vonhof; R. A. Leensvaart; George TerHorst, Daniel Dekker.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
February 19, 1969
The principal legislative business scheduled by the House of Representatives
this week concerns a resolution (H.Res. 89) to change the name of the Committee on
Un-American Activities to Committee on Internal Security. The resolution also out-
lines the authority and responsibility of the Committee. The resolution is sponsored
by the current chairman of the Committee and the senior minority member.
The sponsors state that H.Res. 89 gives the Committee no additional powers but
does spell out more precisely the mandate of the Committee. While the Supreme Court
has rejected attacks on the Committee's present mandate as defined in the resolution
establishing it, the language in H.Res. 89 is more precise and legally exact. It
attempts to remove the allegation that the Committee's responsibilities are too vague.
The principal reason for changing the name of the Committee is a public rela-
tions one. Rightly or wrongly, in some circles the Committee on Un-American Activi-
ties has become the subject of criticism. The Committee has been, and will continue
to be, interested in "internal security," and its name will indicate this.
CONGRESSIONAL REORGANIZATION : Over 20 Republican members of the House have
joined in introducing legislation providing for congressional reform. Among other
things this legislation would permit the calling of special committee meetings upon
written request of a majority of the committee and would authorize the senior
majority party member present to preside in the absence of the chairman. This is to
eliminate the near-dictatorial power of a committee chairman to delay consideration
of a bill to which he is opposed.
All committee meetings would be open to the public except when the committee
by a majority vote orders an executive session. Public hearings on bills are common,
but it is current practice for the committee to go into private "executive session" to
discuss the bill, amend and revise it, and decide whether to recommend its adoption.
Results of roll call votes in committee, including the votes of individual
members, would be made public immediately following the committee meeting. A roll-
call vote in the House chamber is now a matter of public record. The proposed would
extend this rule to committee action where the initial decision on practically all
legislation is made. This rule would mean that each committeeman's vote would
become public knowledge even though taken in executive session.
No proxy voting in committee would be permitted. No such voting in the House
chamber is ever allowed. It is agreed that proxies may serve a useful purpose by
allowing members to go on record when, because of other duties, they cannot attend
the committee meeting. But as the Joint Committee on Reorganization said: "The evils
of the practice outweigh this advantage. The use of proxies discourages committee
attendance. It frequently permits the chairman or ranking minority member to control
a bill in the face of major 'live' opposition. You cannot argue with a proxy; a
proxy cannot consider an offered amendment; a proxy cannot compromise.' Proxy voting
is not permitted on the floor yet "a member's vote in a closely divided committee may
be far more significant than the vote of a member on the floor on the same bill."
To prevent hasty action or the "railroading of bills" through Congress, the
reform bill requires that no vote can be taken on any measure by the House or Senate
until the Committee report relative to it has been available for three days. This
would apply at the closing days of the session as well as earlier; the only exception
is for a declaration of war or national emergency. I have long favored congressional
reform of this type and hope this Congress will act promptly to improve its procedures.
FEDERAL OUTLAYS IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT: Federal funds in excess of $214
million flowed into the 5th District during the last fiscal year (ending June 30,
(968) according to a recent report of the Executive Office of the President. Kent
County received $194.4 million while $20.3 went to Ionia. The total for the City of
Grand Rapids was $79,084,886.
These payments included such items as Military Prime Supply Contracts ($28.9
million to Grand Rapids), Social Security benefits ($49.7 million to Kent and Ionia
Counties), and interest paid on the public debt ($20 million to citizens and insti-
tutions in our District).
The total figure of $214 million is somewhat misleading, however, without
further explanation. For instance the figures for insured and guaranteed loan
programs include the face value of loans rather than the cost of the program's
operation. Thus Kent County is credited with $17.7 million for "Mortgage Insurance
for Home Purchase and Improvement." This would be the total FHA guaranteed loans in
the County rather than federal funds spent or distributed in the County. But even
with this reservation, Uncle Sam's expenditures in our district are substantial.
TAX RELIEF FOR MICHIGAN'S SENIOR CITIZENS: An announcement received recently
from the State of Michigan Commission on Aging will be of interest to many of our
readers: "It's time for eligible senior citizens to apply for their property tax
reduction under Michigan's Homestead Tax Exemption Law.
"All eligible Michigan homeowners who are 65 years of age and over will need
to file an affidavit at their local assessor's office for a tax reduction for their
1969 taxes. Applicants may file between January 2 and sometime in March, a date set
by each local assessor's office.
"Michigan residents of more than five years, aged 65 or over, are eligible for
the exemption if their homestead and real property tax value does not exceed $20,000
and their gross income does not top $5,000." If interested, see your assessor.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
February 26, 1969
President Nixon will continue the "war on poverty," but the programs will be
tightened up to achieve better management and greater efficiency. As Mr. Nixon
pointed out, when poverty-fund monies are stolen and programs inefficiently
administered, those hurt most are the poor.
The President is delegating or transferring Head Start, Comprehensive Health
Centers, and the Foster Grandparents programs to HEW. The Job Corps will go to the
Department of Labor. These changes are in line with long-standing Republican
recommendations (newsletter: November 15, 1967).
In his message to Congress, the President asked that OEO be extended for one
year, but promised to make further recommendations to improve our anti-poverty
efforts. He recognizes that many of OEO's programs were experimental and that some
"individual experiments have ended in disappointment."
COMMITTEE ON INTERNAL SECURITY: By a vote of 305 to 79 the House agreed to
change the name of the Committee on Un-American Activities to Committee on Internal
Security. I supported the resolution which also clarified the authority and
responsibilities of the committee.
ON WATER POLLUTION: For two days this week and three days next week the House
Committee on Public Works will conduct hearings on all aspects of water pollution.
It will consider 32 specific bills dealing with 14 general subjects relating to
pollution. Included for consideration is my bill which would prohibit the Corps of
Engineers from polluting any lake or stream through its dredging operations. Other
bills have to do with pollution by synthetic detergents, by oil, and by vessels and
offshore facilities. The major legislation before the committee is the "Water
Quality Improvement Act of 1969."
ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING: The Federal Communications Commission has announced
that it intends to issue a regulation prohibiting tobacco advertisements over the
air. Under current law no federal agency such as the FCC or the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) may ban tobacco advertisements. However, this law expires on June
30 of this year. What the FCC has done, therefore, is to announce what it intends to
do if the law is not renewed.
A number of bills have been introduced to extend the law and thereby prohibit
any action by the FCC or the FTC in restricting tobacco advertisements on the air or
in newspapers or magazines. On the other hand, legislation has also been introduced
which would itself prohibit tobacco advertising. All of these bills have been
referred to the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce which to date has taken
no action on them. Personally, I believe a matter of this nature should be decided
by the elected representatives of the people in Congress rather than by a federal
commission appointed by the President.
TRADE WITH RUSSIA AND OTHER EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES: According to the
latest report from the Department of Commerce, U. S. exports to Russia and her
satellites during the third quarter of 1968 totaled $50 million. This is a slight
increase over the same period a year ago and represents a $14 million increase in two
years. Our primary exports were unmilled corn, soybean products, animal and vege-
table oils, raw cotton, grain sorghums, hides and skins, woodpulp, aluminum oxide,
organic chemicals, machine tools, and steel sheets and plates.
U.S. imports from these same countries in the same period amounted to $47.4
million. Both imports and exports represented only 0.6 percent of U.S. totals in
that period. Our principal imports were canned hams and preserved pork, iron and steel
products, unwrought aluminum, woven textile fabrics, palladium, chrome ore, undressed
furskins, diamonds, machinery, glass and glassware, and footwear.
FARM PRICE SUPPORTS: The agricultural price support programs during the six-
month period ending December 31 cost the U.S. taxpayers over $2.5 billion. This
amount represents the net loss by the Commodity Credit Corporation (ccc) in price-
support loans and inventories. The major expenses were for cotton, feed grain, and
wheat price support payments, and feed-grain diversion payments. On December 31 the
total investment by CCC in loans and inventories amounted to $4.6 billion, an
increase of $1.3 billion over a year ago.
PAYMENT TO VETERANS: In the fiscal year 1968, Uncle Sam paid $4.5 billion in
compensation and pensions to almost 3.2 million living veterans and to dependents of
1.4 million deceased veterans. Total payments were at the rate of $375 million
monthly.
Today we have 23,134,000 war-time veterans. Most of these are men and women
who served in Vietnam, Korea, or World War II. But there are 1,766,000 World War I
veterans, 8000 Spanish-American vets (including the Boxer Rebellion and Philippine
Insurrection) and two remaining veterans of the Indian wars. There are 503,000
women veterans. Of the total war veterans population, 12.9 percent are drawing
service-connected compensation or a pension. Of World War I veterans, 52 percent
receive VA benefits, according to the 1968 Annual Report of the Veterans Administration
RECENT VISITORS: From Grand Rapids: Larry Bratschie; Josiu Milanowski;
Colleen Bayle; Walter Kehres; Dr. and Mrs. Henry Olin; Mr. and Mrs. Loren Krug; Bob
Bytwerk; Bill Gill; Willard Asman; Mr. and Mrs. James Heeringa; Mr. and Mrs. C. E.
Jackson; Mrs. Peter Miedema. From Lake Odessa: Ammon Miller, Jr. From Portland:
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Jameson; Mr. and Mrs. Donald Slowins.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
March 5, 1969
President Nixon has sent to the Congress three special messages recommending
(1) changes in the method of electing our President and Vice-President, (2) changes
in the method of selecting postmasters, and (3) changes in the size and definition
of our public debt.
ELECTORAL COLLEGE REFORM: I have stated in this newsletter that I was sympa-
thetic to the direct election of the President in a manner suggested by the American
Bar Association (March 6, 1968). When I first came to Congress there was considerable
interest in the Lodge-Gossett proposal for the proportional plan of electoral reform.
At that time I supported this proposal under which the electoral vote of a state
would be distributed among the candidates for President in proportion to the popular
vote cast. I believe there is also merit in the suggestion that electoral votes be
determined on a basis of the popular vote in each congressional district with two
electoral votes going to the candidate who received the most statewide votes.
Any one of these proposals is preferable to our present system under which the
winner of the most popular votes in each state takes all the electoral votes, and the
individual elector may vote contrary to the will of the people who selected him. I
would support any one of the above proposals because each one is an improvement over
our current method of electing the President and Vice-President. It must be remem-
bered that a proposed amendment to the U. S. Constitution requires a 2/3's vote in
both the House and the Senate.
President Nixon expressed a similar view in his message. But he went on to
say that as a practical matter he didn't think a constitutional amendment providing
for the direct election of the Chief Executive could win the required approval of
3/4's of the states by 1972. The people and legislatures of the smaller states,
sensing their advantage under the existing electoral system, just wouldn't ratify
such an amendment. For example, in the last election each elector in Michigan
represented 154, voters while his counterpart in Alaska represented only 27,678.
I agree with the President's reasoning and his practical approach, and hope
that the Congress will act expeditiously to meet the two weaknesses in the present
system mentioned above, and the third also pointed out by Mr. Nixon. This involves
the existing constitutional provision that if no team of candidates wins a majority
of the electoral votes the selection of a President and Vice-President shall be made
by the House and Senate respectively. Mr. Nixon recommended making a 40% electoral
vote plurality sufficient to choose a President. If no Presidential slate received
40% or more of the electoral vote, there would be a run-off election between the top
two candidates. One may argue that the winner's percentage in the regular election
should be greater, but this proposal does insure the election of the President by the
people rather than by the politicians.
POST OFFICE REFORM: Early in 1967 the House Republican Policy Committee of
which I am a member called for legislation to eliminate political favoritism in the
Post Office Department and to "insure the recognition and promotion of able and
experienced career postal employees" (newsletter: March 29, 1967).
As a first step in postal reform, President Nixon has called for legislation
to eliminate the present requirement that the Senate confirm the Presidential appoint-
ments of postmasters. He would have these officers appointed by the Postmaster
General under competitive civil service regulations and would prohibit political con-
sideration in the selection and promotion of any postal employees. In his message Mr.
Nixon stressed that this proposal would not affect the status of postmasters, already
confirmed, and now in office. But it would insure that future appointments and pro-
motions are going to be made on the basis of merit and fitness for the job, and not
on the basis of political affiliation or political influence. The Postmaster General
will be assisted in the future selection of postmasters by competent, impartial
boards of highly-respected citizens which would give first consideration to present
postal employees. I support these legislative proposals of the President.
TO RAISE THE DEBT CEILING: As I pointed out three weeks ago, our national
debt increased $74 billion in the last eight years and had reached $364.2 billion
when Mr. Nixon took office. This is only $800 million below the current lawful debt
limit of $365 billion. President Nixon, therefore, has been required to request an
increase in the debt ceiling to an equivalent of $382 billion. Any government must
have some leeway in debt management and this government is now operating under the
Johnson 1969 budget. The former Administration also prepared the budget for 1970
beginning July 1. The new administration must have time and a degree of flexibility
in reviewing and revising these budgets.
Mr. Nixon has also proposed that there be included under the limitation only
that part of the federal debt owed to the public. As of January 21 this debt totaled
$293.7 billion. He is suggesting a limit on this basis of $300 billion. Much of the
remainder of the debt under the current concept is owed by the government to itself,
such as federal bonds held by the Social Security Administration.
The unfortunate debt situation inherited by the Nixon Administration requires
congressional action for essential relief. But we look forward to a new era of
fiscal responsibility.
TAX RELIEF FOR SENIOR CITIZENS: We have been told that our announcement of
two weeks ago could be clarified by expressing the maximum value of the homestead and
real property of our senior citizens as "$10,000 state equalized value" instead of
$20,000.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
March 12, 1969
I have joined in sponsoring legislation (H.R. 7976) to implement President
Nixon's recommendations for coal mine safety. This bill is designed to modernize
mandatory health and safety standards, including new federal provisions for the con-
trol of dust (to eliminate "black lung" disease), roof support, ventilation, and fire
protection. The legislation also calls for the training of a highly motivated corps
of coal mine inspectors to investigate the coal mines, and to enforce impartially
and vigorously the broad new mandatory standards.
We have every reason to anticipate full cooperation from the coal industry in
the development of additional provisions to insure greater mine safety. Our bill has
bipartisan support with one sponsor being the Chairman of the Committee on Education
and Labor to which the bill has been referred. One day of hearings were held on
March 4th with others scheduled to begin March 18th.
CONGRESSIONAL PUEBLO INQUIRY: The House Committee on Armed Services has
opened hearings on the capture of the USS PUEBLO. It is not the Committee's intention
to duplicate the work of the Navy's Court of Inquiry which has furnished the Committee
with a full transcript of the testimony already taken. The Committee is to ascertain
the national security implications in the loss of the ship, and to determine whether
corrective legislation is necessary. It will also look at the need for possible
changes in the code of conduct of our servicemen who are captured by the enemy.
There are those who believe that our men should be permitted "to confess" to
anything demanded by their captors. This would render their statements worthless and
would remove an enormous strain from all POW's. The Subcommittee Chairman handling
the investigation said, "No one who has not been a prisoner knows what it is like to
be a prisoner, and quite possibly no one who has not been a prisoner of the North
Koreans can tell one who is, how he ought to behave. Nevertheless, we shall consider
the matter most seriously. If
The Committee will go beyond the actions and responsibilities of the officers
and crew of the PUEBLO. As the Chairman pointed out, "We want to know who generated
the concept of single, unprotected, intelligence-gathering ships and when and why.
We want to know who generated the particular mission of the PUEBLO, who characterized
it as a low risk mission, who approved it. We want to know who determined the ships
to be used, their configuration, their armament
We want to know whether there
were any contingency plans drawn up for the type of contingency which did develop."
All Americans want answers to these questions.
ELECTORAL COLLEGE HEARINGS: Attorney General John Mitchell is scheduled to
testify tomorrow before the Committee on the Judiciary on changes in the method of
electing the President and Vice President. He will present the Administration's
views and recommendations which I described briefly last week.
Through last Thursday, 14 Congressmen had testified in favor of direct election
by the people, a proposal also recommended by spokesmen for the American Bar Associa-
tion; four endorsed the present system modified only to require an elector to vote as
instructed, a position also vigorously supported by a professor of law at Yale. Four
Congressmen presented arguments for electoral votes in proportion to the popular votes
in each state, and two urged selection of electors by congressional districts.
ON RAISING THE DEBT CEILING: For two days last week the Committee on Ways and
Means took time out from its work on tax reform to consider the President's request
for an increase in the debt limitation. On Thursday the Committee voted to recommend
an increase from $365 billion to $377 billion. It took no action on the Administra-
tion's proposal to include under the limitation only that portion of the debt owed to
the public.
The Committee's recommendation is scheduled for consideration by the House of
Representatives on Thursday of this week.
TAX RELIEF: We are receiving many letters suggesting an increase in the $600
personal exemption for income tax purposes. When we can have federal tax reduction,
this is one of several alternative methods for reducing the tax burden. But it may
be surprising to learn that to increase the personal tax exemption from $600 to $1000
will mean a loss in revenue to the federal government of nearly $12 billion a year.
A responsible fiscal policy demands that to make such a cut we either reduce federal
expenditures by that amount or find another source of revenue. We cannot continue a
policy of enormous annual deficits. The Nixon Administration is presently reviewing
all budgetary items as submitted by President Johnson with a view to reducing expen-
ditures on a priority basis.
NIGERIAN RELIEF: Our mail also indicates considerable interest in the
Nigerian-Biafran war and the suffering of civilians in that country. Since May 1968
the U. S. has been assisting these unfortunates. Our country supplies 60 percent of
all relief contributions. Our government has provided nearly $25 million in cash
(mostly for transportation) and surplus food. U.S. voluntary agencies have contri-
buted an additional $7.2 million. The amount of relief supplies reaching Biafra has
recently averaged 3,000 to 4,000 tons per month. Most of these supplies are brought
in by the night airlifts of the Red Cross or Joint Church Aid.
RECENT VISITORS: Andrew VanderVeen, Mr.& Mrs. Bill McInerney, Beatrice Buchen,
Mrs. B.Thompson, Kathy Dahlke, Lynn and Pat Braniff, Dr.& Mrs. Wm. Jensen, Jr., Daniel
Litscher, Mr.& Mrs. A. Snell, Greg VanStrien, Curt Dykhuizen, Glen Kimble, Dennis
Crum, Bob Charters, Jill Hansen, Mrs. Kenneth Wilcox, Rosalyn Chipmen, Rev. Raymond
Gaylord--all Grand Rapids. Mr.& Mrs. Joe Heslinga, Michael Impellizzeri from Wyoming
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
March 19, 1969
The House of Representatives this week is expected to raise the ceiling on
the public debt by $12 billion. The Committee on Ways and Means recommended this
temporary increase to put the limitation at $377 billion until June 30, 1970. After
that date the debt limitation will revert to $365 billion.
The temporary increase is for debt management purposes only. It is not a
license for further deficit financing. But the Secretary of the Treasury must have
sufficient leeway during the year to manage the seasonal fluctuations in the govern-
ment's fiscal affairs. Revenues flow into the Treasury with periodic peaks while
expenditures are made in a more balanced monthly pattern. The leeway required for
debt management purposes reaches several high points during the last six months of
the fiscal year. The highest of these points is predicted for March 15, 1970, when
the debt is expected to reach $377 billion. Another of these high points occurs as
late as June 15, but after that date, individual and corporate income taxes substan-
tially increase the Treasury's cash balance and reduce the requirement for a higher
debt limit.
When President Nixon took office the actual debt was within $1 billion of the
present limit of $365 billion. His Administration is committed to a tight control of
expenditures. I have supported, therefore, the committee's bill which raises the
limitation temporarily but returns the debt ceiling to $365 billion after June 30,
1970. We, both in the legislative and executive branches of government, must learn
to live within our means. Yet we cannot escape the fact that contingencies may arise
which could require a further adjustment in the debt limitation after June 30, 1970.
A STUDY OF ANTITRUST LAWS: Last Tuesday I joined 20 other members of the
House in introducing a bill to study reforms needed in the antitrust laws. These are
laws aimed at preserving healthy business competition by preventing undesirable con-
centration of economic power. They are designed to protect the small businessman and
the consuming public.
Many authorities, in and out of Congress, are concerned with the growing
number of business mergers and development of multi-industry companies, the conglom-
erates. In the fields of manufacturing and mining, mergers increased annually from
219 in 1950, to 683 in 1955, to between 835 and 1,000 during the period from 1959 to
1965, and probably surpassed 2,300 in 1968. These mergers, along with price fixing,
territorial and customer restrictions, and other practices undercut the vitality of
the small businessman. I agree that it is time for a thorough study of this problem
with a view to updating our antitrust laws. By calling for this study we are not
passing judgment on any recent developments nor pointing the finger of blame at any
group or current concepts. But we ought to find out if the consumer and small busi-
nessman are adequately protected in view of changes which have developed since 1955
when the last comprehensive study of the antitrust laws was undertaken.
A JUDGE ON THE COURTS: Many of us have expressed concern over recent Supreme
Court decisions and the attitudes of some of the lower courts toward crime and crimi-
nals. When we hear a judge express similar views we prick up our ears. This was
true recently when the Chief Federal District Judge in Washington stated, "The only
way to fight these organized crusaders of filth, immorality and crime is to get
tough. To minimize crime, he said, our country needs "jurors with conscience and
vision, judges with courage and fortitude, and penitentiaries which are neither
country clubs nor health resorts."
In another place in his speech the jurist criticized those "judges who seek
out technicalities rather than guilt or innocence." He then went on to say, "I recog-
nize that we all have constitutional rights, but in these days there often are crimi-
nal cases in which it appears that the main concern of some courts is for the rights
of the perpetrators of the crime and not for the rights of the victim or society.'
To that I know, from letters received in this office, most of U.S. will say "Amen."
FOR TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLISM: Legislation with bi-partisan support was intro-
duced in the House last week to direct the Veterans Administration to set aside 4000
beds for the treatment of alcoholics within the total of 125 ,000 beds it is currently
authorized to establish and operate. These beds would be activated in specialized
alcoholism care units with appropriate staff. The sponsors recognize that "alcoholics
are difficult and demanding patients to treat."
In introducing this legislation the sponsors pointed out that a recent survey
in all V.A. hospitals indicated that alcoholism was a factor in some 20 percent of
the psychiatric cases, and that of the 105,000 patients in all VA hospitals, some 16
percent have a drinking problem. They also told the House that "alcoholism ranks
along with heart disease, cancer, and mental illness as a major national health prob-
lem. It is estimated that at least 5 million Americans suffer from this disease, and
that some 200,000 new cases develop each year
At least 11,000 deaths a year
(are) directly attributable to alcoholism
Well over 50 percent of fatal auto
accidents every year (are) associated with alcohol.'
Recent Visitors: From Ada: Mrs. Michael Vekasi. From Alto: Jan Folkertsma.
From Grand Rapids: Joey Porcelli; Ted and Jon Borisch. From Grandville: Mr. and
Mrs. Cornelius Sterk; John Brewer. From Rockford: C. E. Schumacher. From Saranac:
Earl Benedict. From Wyoming: Franklin Johnson.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
March 26, 1969
In order to provide more prompt and effective service to all residents of the
Fifth District, I have invited Mr. Gordon Vander Till to be my full-time Special
Assistant in Kent and Ionia Counties. Mr. Vander Till's headquarters will be in my
office at 425 Cherry Street, S.E. , Grand Rapids (telephone: 456-9747) but he will be
available for service anywhere in the District. He will soon be announcing office
hours in various communities to meet with those who may have problems involving
federal agencies or who wish to bring to my attention their views on national or
international affairs. It is our hope that through this means we will be able to
provide more efficient service especially in matters relating to social security,
veterans affairs, the Internal Revenue Service, and the various military services.
Gordon is a native of Grand Rapids, a graduate of Calvin College, and holds a
Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan. He has
served on the staff of State Senator Robert Vander Laan and as a research fellow with
the Michigan Municipal League. His most recent assignment was that of consultant to
the State Senate Business Committee. In 1965 while a student at Calvin, Gordon
worked in my office as a recipient of my "Workship in Politics.
Before entering college Gordon was in the army for 3 years, including nearly 27
months in Japan with the U.S. Army Security Agency. Mr. Vander Till, 30, is married
and with his wife, Shirley, and daughter, Kristine Lynn, have just moved into their
home at 1253 36th Street, S.E. Since last Tuesday he has been in my Washington office
for an "indoctrination course." He will be on the job in Grand Rapids next Monday.
REORGANIZATION AUTHORITY: The House last Tuesday voted 334 to 44 to grant
President Nixon the same authority possessed by his predecessors to reorganize the
agencies of the executive branch of the government. Such action was necessary because
the power of the President to make these changes expired on December 31. The legisla-
tion as approved by the House extends the President's authority to April 1, 1971. The
President's power to reorganize the executive branch is limited by law and any specific
reorganization plan may be vetoed by a majority vote in either house of Congress.
COMMISSION ON NATIONAL OBSERVANCES AND HOLIDAYS: On the same day the House
defeated by a vote of 212 to 164 a bill to establish a three-man Commission to con-
sider proposals calling for the national observance of a certain day, week, or month
and to recommend to the President whether the proposal is of such national signifi-
cance as to warrant federal recognition.
The legislation was designed to relieve Congress of the burden of acting upon
various bills calling for the celebration of certain days or weeks or requesting
Presidential proclamations in recognition of particular events or groups. In the
last Congress 502 such holiday and celebration bills were introduced and 17 were
enacted into law. Requests included observations of Welling Water Week, Powder Puff
Derby Day, Electric Car Day, and Credit Week.
The Committee on the Judiciary to which these bills are referred recommended
the establishment of the Commission. It pointed out the expense of printing these
bills and the time consumed in their consideration. It then went on to say that this
sort of legislation "imposes additional pressures on members of Congress since it is
often difficult to justify enacting one bill and not taking favorable action on
another. The Committee felt that the Commission to be composed of the Archivist of
the U.S., the Librarian of Congress, and the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
(all of whom would serve without additional compensation) could properly assess the
national significance and cultural importance of any proposed celebration and would
represent "an effective and appropriate response to a growing legislative burden."
I agreed with the Committee and voted "yes." Those opposed were generally concerned
with conferring on the Commission a prerogative of the Congress.
In its Report, the Committee listed 11 Presidential Proclamations permanently
designating special observances. Included among these are Armed Forces Day, National
Little League Baseball Week, and National Freedom Day (Feb. 1). It also listed 36
proclamations issued by the President annually. These range from Thanksgiving Day
and Flag Day to National Poison Prevention Week.
MAIL TO SERVICEMEN OVERSEAS: Tomorrow the House Committee on Post Office and
Civil Service will consider a bill to permit all servicemen outside the 48 contiguous
states to mail letters without payment of postage. Now, mensin combat areas only
have this privilege. The bill also increases from 60 inches to 72 inches, of length
and girth combined, the maximum size of parcels which may be mailed to military per-
sonnel under the special parcel airlift provisions. Under these provisions packages
up to five pounds may be sent at regular surface parcel post rates to the port of
embarkation and then airlifted overseas. For an extra $1 packages up to 30 pounds
will be sent by air all the way. The third provision of the bill calls for the air-
lift of newspapers and news magazines (dailies and weeklies) to all servicemen out-
side the 48 contiguous states. I believe this is sound legislation which should be
approved.
OBSCENE MAILINGS: From the number of protests received in my office, I can
only judge that the amount of obscene mail coming into Fifth District homes is on the
increase. If you receive any objectionable advertisements, you may ask your local
post office for "POD Publication 123." This contains instructions and the proper
form for requesting the removal of your name from the advertiser's mailing list.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
April 2, 1969
It was our pleasure last week to greet the senior classes of Byron Center, Lee,
and Caledonia High Schools. Our correspondence indicates that this week and next
many families from the Fifth District will be vacationing in Washington. We trust
that all who come to the Capital City will call on us in the Capitol Building. The
House will be in session this week but the Easter recess is scheduled from April 4 to
April 14.
$1 BILLION TO CCC: The House voted last Tuesday to appropriate an additional
$1 billion to the Commodity Credit Corporation to cover losses previously incurred.
The CCC finances the farm price support programs. The increased demands on CCC's
borrowing authority were caused by large unanticipated increases in crop production,
particularly in feed grains, wheat, and soybeans, and decreases in exports. The
increase in production resulted in lower prices. Farmers then put more commodities
under loan and curtailed or postponed repayments. The nationwide dock strike added
uncertainty to the commodity markets and has slackened the demand for agricultural
commodities.
The House had little choice but to approve this supplemental appropriation
bill. As the Committee put it: "Since carrying out the Nation's price support pro-
grams is mandatory under the law and Commodity Credit Corporation expenditures are
therefore uncontrollable, it is essential that the recommended funds be provided to
assure continued operation of the price support and related programs of the Corpora-
tion. None of these funds are provided for personnel and other administrative
expenses."
Only by a change in the law and in our national agricultural policy can the
Congress regain control over this expenditure of tax dollars. As of March 7, 1969,
the value of commodities on hand and under loan is estimated at $5.1 billion. Of
this amount, CCC has title to $1 billion and has $4.1 billion pledged for loans.
SPECIAL CHILDREN'S MILK PROGRAM: On the schedule for last week was a bill to
authorize an additional $5 Billion for the special milk program but the Rules Commit-
tee decided to delay action on the bill. This bill would make available $125 million
in the next fiscal year to support the subsidized milk program which reaches nearly
10 percent of our entire population and one-third of our school children. The pro-
gram is designed to encourage increased milk consumption by children in order to
promote nutrition and to reduce purchases of dairy products by the CCC.
Under the program, children in schools and other institutions can obtain a
half-pint of milk free or for a small payment. The federal government reimburses for
the additional cost. In 1968 nearly 3 billion half-pints of milk were distributed
under this program to 17 million children. This was in addition to more than 3.1
billion half-pints used in the national school lunch program in which milk is served
as a part of the school lunch.
AIRCRAFT PROCUREMENT: The House did authorize last week a supplemental appro-
priation of $76 million for aircraft for the Army and the Air Force. Over $50
million is to be spent for aircraft parts and support material required (1) to
support increased aircraft operations in Southeast Asia; (2) for higher than antici-
pated wearout rates in some helicopters; and (3) because of the need to support an
earlier than planned use of a new light observation helicopter in Southeast Asia.
LUMBER PRICES: All of us, and especially homeowners and prospective home-
owners, are concerned with the drastic increase in the price of lumber. Retail
prices for lumber used in homebuilding have increased in many instances by 100 percent
in the last year. During the past week the House Committee on Banking and Currency
(which handles housing legislation) has been holding hearings to investigate the
factors which have lead to current supply shortages and the resulting high prices.
Among those testifying was our former Governor, Secretary George Romney of HUD.
No legislation is contemplated by the Committee at this time but there may be
a number of recommendations for legislative or executive action to ease the lumber
crisis. President Nixon has already ordered an increase in the sale of timber on
publicly owned lands and restrictions on government purchases of lumber in an effort
to stem skyrocketing increases in prices.
Sixty percent of the commercial softwood timber lands in the U.S. are con-
trolled by the Federal Government. They supply 28 percent of the market harvest. On
the other hand, private lumber companies with 17 percent of the lands provide 36 per-
cent of the timber available for market. It is suggested by some that the construc-
tion of a comprehensive road system in our federal forests would permit more efficient
management of these timber lands and prevent enormous losses in lumber. It is esti-
mated that timber losses to insects, forest fires, and wind storms amount to 10
billion board feet a year. The roads would also enable the Forest Service to harvest
a greater portion of its annual quota of lumber.
Another factor involves the exportation of U.S. logs to Japan. As of the
first of this year, the law limits the export of logs from federal lands to 350
million board feet a year. Last year about 1 billion board feet from federal lands
were exported. The Japanese are stockpiling American logs and homebuilders are
suggesting an embargo on the shipment of these logs from west coast ports.
RECENT VISITORS: From Grand Rapids: Rev. W. L. Patterson; Ivan Zylstra; J.
Boyd Pantlind; H. J. Tolland; Mr. Lawrence Johnson and three sons, Mark, Kurt, Todd;
T. C. Williams; Katharine VanSteenberg; Mrs. W. D. Corder; Mr. & Mrs. Mark Hendges.
KENT
Your Washington Review
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
April 9, 1969
All of us as Americans mourn the loss of General Eisenhower, President of the
United States 1953 to 1961. He was a great and good man who bore burdens and ac-
cepted honors with courage and dignity. He gave our country that moral leadership
which inspires respect and love and contributes most to the general good.
It was my privilege to represent the residents of Kent and Ionia Counties in
paying our respects to him and his contributions at the ceremonies in the Capitol on
Sunday and at the funeral services in the Washington Cathedral on Monday afternoon.
AN EISENHOWER COIN: Legislation has been introduced in the House to authorize
minting of "all new quarter-dollar pieces with a likeness of the late President
Dwight David Eisenhower on one side." The bill has been referred to the Committee on
Banking and Currency which I hope will take prompt action to approve it. This is not
to detract from the respect due President Washington whose likeness appears on the
latest 25¢ pieces, but to honor another noble citizen in a proper and significant
manner. As one of our good friends from Kent City wrote: "I would like to see our
quarter dedicated to General Eisenhower, truly a great American."
COMMITTEE ON INTERNAL SECURITY: By a vote of 305 to 50 the House last Tuesday
provided the Committee on Internal Security (formerly, Committee on Un-American
Activities) with $425,000 to carry on its work this year. As I have done in previous
years, I voted to supply the Committee with required funds. I do not share the view
of those who feel the Committee should be abolished or drastically curtailed.
TO RETAIN SUBMARINE OFFICERS: The only other legislation scheduled and
approved last week was a bill to pay a bonus to nuclear qualified submarine officers
who agree to stay four more years in the Navy beyond their normal period of active
service. The officer must have served less than 10 years prior to extending his
service and could receive a bonus up to $3,750 for each year with a maximum of
$15,000 for the four-year period. The object is to retain qualified young officers.
It is estimated that the overall training costs for a nuclear qualified submarine
officer who remains to the eighth year of his commissioned service is $124,500.
Viewed in light of this fact, the bonus is an economy measure.
There are fewer than 2000 nuclear submarine officers, about half of whom are
in the grade of lieutenant. They operate 82 Polaris crews and 47 nuclear attack
submarine crews. But about 50 percent of these officers submit resignations when
their tours of duty are completed. About 300 officers are scheduled for release this
year. The primary causes of resignations are: (1) pessimism regarding opportunities
for shore assignment and advanced education; (2) inadequate home life; (3) long hours
and difficult working conditions, and (4) the feeling that the pay does not compen-
sate for the demands of the job and the growing opportunities in civilian life.
While additional pay in the form of a reenlistment bonus will not solve all
these problems, it is hoped that the additional monetary reward will help retain
experienced officers.
PUBLIC DEFENDER LEGISLATION: I have joined 10 Republican members of the
Committee on the Judiciary in introducing a bill authorizing a "public defender" in
certain federal judicial districts. A "public defender" is just the opposite of a
"district attorney" or "prosecutor." It is his responsibility to defend accused
persons in court if the accused are not able to afford private counsel. Our bill
would apply only in those federal judicial districts in which 200 or more defendants
per year are assigned a lawyer by the court on a fee basis.
Those districts which qualify may (they are not required) establish an office
of Federal Public Defender. He would be appointed for four years with his salary
paid by the federal government. Or as an alternative, the judicial district could
set up a "community defender organization" in which judges and the bar associations
work out a plan to provide defense counsel.
I like this proposal because it provides alternatives and allows each federal
district (as ours: the western district of Michigan) to provide defense representa-
tion in the manner most efficient and effective in light of its local conditions. A
similar bill has been introduced in the Senate.
It is not our intention to protect and coddle criminals. But in our country a
man is innocent until proved guilty, and the right of adequate counsel is guaranteed.
The present system under which the judge calls upon various attorneys to represent an
accused for a fee paid by the government needs improvement in many areas. Our legis-
lation provides flexibility of action -- the present fee system, a full-time public
defender, or a plan developed by the given judicial district.
CENSUS QUESTIONS: The Committee on Post Office and Civil Service has opened
hearings on the questions to be asked in the 1970 census. Last week the Census
Bureau defended its long list of questions, some quite personal, as necessary and
helpful to both government and private organizations including educational institu-
tions. The Committee will also conduct meetings outside of Washington to hear
citizens' protests.
EASTER RECESS: The Congress is in recess this week. The next newsletter will
be dated April 23.
RECENT VISITORS: From Wyoming: David Minderhout. From Kent City: Wm.Nyblad;
Dolores Nyblad. From Caledonia: Elton Smith; Mr.& Mrs. Arthur Bowman. From
Portland: Vern Bullen; Mrs. H. Whitlock. From Ada: Mrs. Zona Postma. From Alto:
Mrs. Ray Linton. From Kentwood: Paul Dobosz. From Ionia: Mrs. Max Mason. From
Grand Rapids: Mrs. Joan Webster; Mrs. Wm. Navis; Wally Norgrove; Mrs. Arthur Parks.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
April 23, 1969
The House of Representatives last Wednesday approved by a vote of 392 to 1 the
Water Quality Improvement Act, a complex bill aimed primarily at combating water
pollution by oil. The Act is concerned with offshore drilling of oil and the control
of oil tankers and barges to help prevent catastrophies which flood the shores with
oil and contaminate beaches. It is also concerned with control of sewage from
vessels and the acid drainage from active and abandoned coal mining operations.
The bill was amended on the floor to authorize $20 million for Great Lakes
demonstration projects to develop techniques and preliminary plans to remove polluted
matters and abate new pollution. But the House rejected an amendment which would have
provided $100 million for national pollution disaster areas including Lake Erie and
southern Lake Michigan. While everyone recognizes the special needs of Lake Erie,
the opposition felt that the funds in this bill should be used nationwide.
The bill authorized appropriations of $348 million for the next three fiscal
years. I supported this legislation as I intend to support every legitimate and
practical anti-pollution bill. We must wage and win the battle against pollution.
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT: Scheduled for consideration by the
House this week is a bill to extend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 for five more years. The original Act expires June 30, 1970 and must be
extended this session of Congress if the program is to go forward without interrup-
tion and with adequate planning. ESEA provides federal aid to students in both
public and non-public schools, provides textbooks, library and other instructional
materials, includes special service for handicapped children, and authorizes a "drop-
out prevention program. "
The Democratic-controlled Committee recommended the five-year extension of the
program. The Committee's minority members backed by the Republican Policy Committee
endorsed the program but held that it was unwise to extend the Act for more than two
years.
Republicans favor the two-year extension to maintain necessary continuity
while at the same time giving the Congress and the new Administration an opportunity
to make essential changes at a later date more easily. The Nixon Administration is
currently conducting a comprehensive review of all ESEA programs in the context of
our total national effort to overcome educational and social problems. According to
some authorities there are inequities in the Act which must be eliminated or reduced.
Further, census data, the basis upon which federal educational grants are distributed,
will be updated in 1970. To extend the Act for five years will also slow down con-
gressional consideration of "block grants" or similar proposals to develop a better
means for helping the states and local governments strengthen their educational pro-
grams. I expect to support the two-year extension.
CIGARETTE ADVERTISING: The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce is
continuing this week hearings which opened last Tuesday on the advertising of cigar-
ettes on radio and television. If Congress does not act by July 1, the Federal Com-
munications Commission will have authority to ban cigarette advertising from the air.
The FCC has indicated that it will do so unless Congress intervenes. If such adver-
tising is banned, many believe that the Federal Trade Commission will halt cigarette
advertising in the other news media.
TAX REFORM: This week the Committee on Ways and Means concludes its hearings
on tax reform as Administration spokesmen present the President's recommendations.
The Committee will then go into executive session for possibly two or three months to
formulate its legislative recommendations. The Chairman has stated that the Committee
would try to get something done in every area covered. This would include the oil
depletion allowance, charitable contributions, tax-exempt foundations, tax-exempt
bonds, capital gains, and other so-called "loopholes."
BANK HOLDING COMPANIES: The Committee on Banking and Currency has opened
hearings on bills to restrict banks to the banking business. The Committee will be
considering two approaches, one submitted by the Administration and the other by the
Committee Chairman. The hearings which opened last week may continue into next week.
ANOTHER APPROACH TO OBSCENITY CONTROL: Legislation has been introduced in the
Senate to prevent any federal court from overruling a state or federal jury which has
found a book, film, or any such article to be obscene.
The film, "I Am Curious-Yellow" has been banned in Norway, censored in France
and Germany, and was found "obscene" by a New York jury. But the U. S. Court of
Appeals, relying on guidelines set forth by the U. S. Supreme Court, overruled the
jury and the film is now being shown in public theatres. The Supreme Court, likewise,
has overruled the highest courts of some of our states in obscenity cases.
The Senate bill would permit the jury in the local community to determine what
the moral standards and moral atmosphere should be in that community as they may be
reflected in films shown and books and magazines sold. The Congress should give this
bill, S. 1077, prompt and careful consideration.
RECENT VISITORS: From Grand Rapids: Silas Albert; Mr.& Mrs. David Thorndill;
Mr.& Mrs. Moses Donston and Larry; Mr.& Mrs. Ray Davis; Mr.& Mrs. T. Fuger and four
children; Calvin Jeter; Rev. T. Kozlowski; Jim Hook and four children; Mr. B. Peterson;
Mr.& Mrs. Harry Brummel and family; Mrs. Sam Oates, Mindy and Kathy; Leslie and Lori
Miller; Mr.& Mrs. David Zwart; Dr.& Mrs. John Buggeln and family; Jim McBryde; Mrs.
Harold Hartger and family; the James Scott family; Mr. J. Edgar and two sons; Dr.& Mrs.
Howard Postma and family; Mrs. Joseph Ellis, Laura and Maureen; Mr.& Mrs. Joseph
Dermody; Mr.& Mrs. Gary Rypma; Mrs. R. Mersereau and children; Mr.& Mrs. Leonard Van
Heest, Jr. and three children: Dr.& Mrs. L. Feenstra and four children; Tom Oostema.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
April 30, 1969
The Republican proposal for a two-year extension of the Elementary and Secon-
dary Education Act was approved by the House of Representatives last Wednesday. Rep.
Edith Green (Dem. Oregon) submitted the proposal on a bi-partisan basis as a substi-
tute for the Committee's five-year extension. The substitute was adopted by a vote of
235 to 184.
The bill (H.R. 514) as approved also combines four federal grant programs into
one single block-grant to the states. Republicans had also urged this action. It is
much more efficient to have a single block-grant than to have four separate programs
with four separate sets of both federal and state administrative and accounting pro-
cedures, and four separate applications at the local level.
I supported the bill on final passage when it was approved 400 to 17. Because
existing law has one year to run, the 2-year extension actually carries the program
to June 30, 1972.
FREE MAIL SERVICE: The House last Monday approved legislation granting free
mailing privileges to all servicemen located outside the 48 contiguous states and to
all servicemen hospitalized as a result of disease or injury incurred while on active
duty. Presently, this privilege is available only to those in a combat area or to
those hospitalized as a result of service in a combat area.
The bill also calls for the airlifting of daily or weekly news publications to
all servicemen overseas rather than only to those in a combat area. A third provision
increases the size of the packages which may be sent by air to servicemen overseas.
POSTAL REFORM: The Committee on Post Office and Civil Service opened hearings
last week on postal reform. This is to be an in-depth study of many proposals to im-
prove the postal service. The Postmaster General has stated that he will not have
his recommendations ready until about June 1. The Committee will hear him then but
in the meantime will hold intermittent hearings to examine other suggestions.
An increase in postal rates is on the program but the Committee Chairman has
announced that he will not consider "rates" until the Committee has completed its
consideration of "postal reform."
ELECTORAL REFORM: The Committee on the Judiciary has concluded its hearings
on electoral college reform and is meeting in executive session to work out its
recommendation for a constitutional amendment. Within the Committee a substantial
majority of members of both political parties are in favor of the direct election of
the President and Vice President. Details on how this will be done are being developed.
To become effective, any proposed Constitutional amendment must be approved
by a 2/3's vote in each House of Congress and ratified by 3/4's of the states. Rati-
fication may be by the State Legislatures (majority vote in both Houses), or by a
vote of the people. All of our amendments except one (XXI; repealing the 18th) have
been ratified by the State Legislatures.
COLLEGE DISTURBANCES: The Committee on Education and Labor has been looking
into the federal government's role in dealing with the growing number of disturbances
on college and university campuses. It is concerned with the adequacy of existing
law involving federal funds for higher education. Current law does deny federal
grants or loans to any student convicted in court of a criminal act in connection
with a disturbance. Complaints must be filed by the institution which is often
reluctant to do SO. In some states, "criminal action" cannot be taken against a
student because of his age.
Members of the Committee are deeply concerned with recent developments and
believe that the law must be strengthened. But to date they have come up with no
specific recommendations. Additional hearings are planned for the end of May.
There are indirect means by which the federal government may attack the prob-
lem, but the primary responsibility for handling campus chaos and disorders lies with
college authorities and state and local officials.
THE ARMY'S CHARACTER GUIDANCE PROGRAM: Some concern has been expressed for
the action of the Army in eliminating religious references from the literature pre-
pared in the office of the Chief of Chaplains for use in the Army's Character Guidance
Program. This literature forms the basis for lectures by the Chaplains which are a
part of the mandatory training program for army personnel.
I have written the Secretary of Defense protesting this action and pointing
out that "the moral and ethical principles which form the basis of our government and
our American way of life are based on a belief in God."
Mr. Laird has ordered a review of this action but has already stated that:
"There will be no prohibition against the use of 'God,' 'Supreme Being,' 'Creator,'
'faith,' 'spiritual values,' or similar words. References to these terms are appro-
priate for inclusion in the Character Guidance Program."
It should be noted that the restrictions in the Army's original order did not
apply to the work of the Chaplain as a spiritual leader while conducting services
under Army auspices or while counseling servicemen in his capacity as a religious
advisor.
RECENT VISITORS: From Grandville: Mr.& Mrs. C. J. Bilinsky and family. From
Wyoming: Mr.& Mrs. Don Dykehouse and four children; Mr.& Mrs. Chas. Thompson, Randy,
Craig, Linda; Mr.& Mrs. Jerry Hendrickson, Jon and Susan; Mrs. Pearl Bennett, Patti
and Karen; Mrs. Emma Wood; Mrs. Phyllis Strauss. From Grand Rapids: Mr.& Mrs. Jack
Stiles and family; Rev.& Mrs. Marvin Doornbos and three children; Mr.& Mrs. Don
Posthuma and four children; Mr.& Mrs. David Mole; Pat VandenBerg; Mr.& Mrs. Donald
Brunink; Mr.& Mrs. Berton Sevensma and daughter; Dick Oele, Beth Oele, Susan Stephens.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
May 7, 1969
The House of Representatives has approved a resolution establishing a Select
Committee of seven members to conduct a complete investigation of all aspects of
crime in our country. This study will include the causes and extent of criminal
activity, the adequacy of law enforcement and the administration of justice,
including the constitutional issues involved, and measures and programs which will
help increase respect for law. The Committee is required to report as soon as
practicable during this, the 91st Congress.
ILLEGAL GAMBLING BUSINESS CONTROL ACT: Last Tuesday I joined with 16 other
members of the House (including the Chairman and senior Republican of the Judiciary
Committee) in introducing legislation to assist the states in the control of illegal
gambling. The bill makes it a federal offense to engage in a large-scale gambling
enterprise and makes it a federal crime for a gambler to bribe a government official.
The bill also changes existing law to permit interception of wire or oral communica-
tions when such action may lead to evidence of bribery or large-scale gambling.
This proposal is the heart of the Administration's war against organized
crime. If the profit can be taken from illegal gambling, the flow of funds used to
finance such deadly activities as narcotics traffic will be dried up. Illegal gam-
bling takes from the pocketbooks of millions of citizens, usually those who can least
afford the loss, anywhere from $20 billion to $50 billion annually.
COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION: The House approved on Tuesday a $143 million
authorization bill for the Coast Guard. The largest single item was $43 million for
three high endurance cutters. The Coast Guard is presently operating 33 of these
ships, including five stationed in the waters of Southeast Asia. A high endurance
cutter is a 370-foot, sea-going vessel with a 10,000-mile range, stationed to pro-
vide full weather coverage and long range rescue capability.
Approximately $17 million is going for nine medium range helicopters, and
$12.6 million for the alteration of bridges over navigable waters. The bill covers
only Coast Guard expenditures for ships, planes, shore facilities, aids to naviga-
tion, and bridge construction.
HIGHWAY TAXES: Michigan citizens in 1968 paid a total of $305 million in
federal gasoline, oil, motor-vehicle use taxes, and automobile and automotive parts
taxes. Uncle Sam throughout the nation collected a total of $6 billion from these
sources. All revenue from these taxes goes into the Highway Trust Fund which is the
sole source of money for the federal-aid highway programs.
There is no connection between the taxes paid by a state and the amounts of
federal aid distributed to that state. Aid for the Interstate System is divided
among the states in the ratio that the cost of completing the system in each state
bears to the cost of completing the entire system. Aid for primary and secondary
roads is apportioned according to formulas involving the relative population, area,
and rural delivery mail route mileage in each state. Michigan received in fiscal
1968 a total of $133.9 million in federal highway assistance funds.
POSTAL RATES: The postal deficit for fiscal year 1970 (beginning July 1,1969)
will reach $1.2 billion. This is the amount by which the taxpayers as a whole will be
subsidizing the users of the mails. President Nixon has recommended a postal rate
increase to cut this deficit by over $600 million. He has suggested 7¢ for letters,
60 for postcards, an increase of 12 percent in the rates for newspapers and magazines
mailed outside of the county in which they are published, and an increase in third
class advertising matter (so-called "junk mail") by an amount which when added to the
increase scheduled for July 1 will mean a 16 percent increase above current levels.
It is always interesting to note how any proposed rates will change the extent
to which each class of mail pays its own way. The chart below, according to the Post
Office Department, gives the percentage of cost paid now, and under the proposed
rates. It anticipates that postal rates and postal salary increases, already
scheduled to go into effect, are implemented.
Percentage of
Percentage of cost paid
cost paid now
under proposed rates
First Class
101.8
120.8
Second Class (as a whole)
23.3
27.9
Third Class (overall)
71.7
76.7
IN THE EVENT YOU ARE INTERESTED: Michigan's chickens laid 122 million eggs in
the month of March. A total of 6 billion eggs were produced in the U.S. in that
month
.Our state provided 383 million pounds of the 9.9 billion pounds of milk
produced in the United States in March, 1969
Michigan's commercial orchards
contain 2.3 million apple trees, nearly 2 million peach trees, 1.1 million sweet
cherry trees, and 4.3 million sour cherry trees.
We, as a nation and as a state, are blessed with great resources. These
figures may give us some idea of the magnitude of our blessings and the greatness of
these resources.
OFFICE HOURS IN IONIA: My Special Assistant in the District, Gordon Vander
Till, will be in Ionia on Friday, May 9. Anyone wishing to discuss issues or prob-
lems may see him in the Voting Room at the City Hall from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. No
appointment necessary; everyone welcome.
RECENT VISITORS: From Grandville: Mr.& Mrs. John Kramers and 2 children.
From Lake Odessa: Dr.& Mrs. J.Tromp and family. From Comstock Park: Mr.& Mrs. Paul
Burke and family. From Sparta: Joanne Furhoff; Shirley Neff. From Belmont: Mr. &Mrs.
Chris Bamford and Christopher. From Ada: Mrs. Mary Timmons; Mr.& Mrs. A. VanHaren
and family; Mr.& Mrs. Percy Knowles. From Grand Rapids: Wendell Schaal, Todd & Sheri.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
May 14, 1969
The House of Representatives last Tuesday approved legislation to make the
special milk program for school children a permanent one and to increase authorized
funds for each year from $120 to $125 million. Under this program, children in
schools and other institutions can obtain a half-pint of milk free or for a small
payment.
TO RESTRICT OBSCENE MAILINGS: As I have pointed out before, our correspon-
dence indicates that more and more of our homes are receiving through the mail
unwanted and offensive advertisements of an obscene nature. In his message on this
subject, President Nixon said: "American homes are being bombarded with the largest
volume of sex-oriented mail in history
Since 1964, the number of complaints to
the Post Office about this salacious mail has almost doubled."
I have joined in introducing three bills, recommended by the President, to
halt this trend and to protect our homes and children from these erotic publications.
The bills have been carefully drawn to meet the Court's interpretations of the First
Amendment. The first bill places a flat ban on sending any obscene material to a
person under 18 years of age. If the bill becomes law, it will be a federal crime to
use the mails or other means of commerce to deliver to anyone under 18 years of age
material dealing with a sexual subject in a manner unsuitable for young people. It
would be up to mailers to remove from their lists the names of anyone under age. A
first violation would be punishable with a prison term up to five years and a $50,000
fine. This proposal is based on a New York statute which has been upheld by the
Supreme Court.
The second bill would require those sending pandering advertising materials
through the mails to first purchase from the Post Office Department a list of all
families who do not want such mail. This is a refinement of present law under which
175,000 persons have requested that their names be removed from the lists after
receiving smut mailings. Our proposal will permit families to request that no ob-
scene materials be sent them before they receive it. A family would simply inform
the local post office that its mailbox is off limits for smut-mailings. Any mailer
who violated this request would be subject to fine or imprisonment.
The third bill makes it a federal crime to mail or transport in interstate
commerce an advertisement intended to produce a market for obscene materials by stim-
ulating the prurient interest of the recipient. This form of pandering could bring
a maximum penalty of 5 years or $50,000 for the first offense.
The need for this legislation is well established. The Administration has
requested it and will enforce it. The bills are written to comply with the Supreme
Court's decisions. Congress should move promptly to enact these measures.
COLLEGE DISORDERS AND THE FEDERAL INTEREST: While the primary responsibility
for maintaining order on college campuses rests with college authorities and state
and local officials, federal aid to our institutions of higher learning does involve
the federal government. President Nixon has stated that "there can be no compromise
with lawlessness and no surrender to force if free education is to survive in the
United States of America." In his Law Day Address, Attorney General Mitchell said:
"The time has come for us to demand, in the strongest possible terms, that university
officials, local law enforcement agencies and local courts apply the law .Campus
militants, directing their efforts at destruction and intimidation, are nothing but
tyrants
The first precept for any academic community must be to outlaw terror."
I endorse fully the position of the President and the Attorney General. But dele-
gates to the annual convention of the American Association of University Professors
declared that Mr. Mitchell's policy was "a direct threat to academic freedom and
autonomy" and that "the current crises can only be compounded by vengeful reprisals"
by federal and state governments.
Among the bills introduced in the House in connection with college disorders
are the following:
1. To suspend federal aid to colleges or universities which experience campus
disorders and fail to take appropriate corrective measures within a reasonable
time. This bill also cuts off all federal aid to teachers convicted of the
violation of any law in connection with such disorders.
2. To make it a federal offense for any person acting in violation of any law
or rule, to carry a weapon on the property of a college or university which
receives federal funds.
3. To make it a federal crime to interfere with the orderly operation of any
federally assisted educational institution or to deny by force, or the
threat of force, the right of any person to enjoy the benefits of any class
or college program. Violators would be fined or imprisoned, dismissed from
the institution and be thereafter ineligible for federal employment or any
type of federal educational assistance.
4. To make any person convicted of rioting or aiding in a riot under state or
federal law, thereafter permanently ineligible to receive any federal pay-
ment or assistance.
5. To create a Federal Higher Education Mediation and Conciliation Service to
help settle disputes between students, teachers, and boards of control.
GUAM'S GOVERNOR--AQUINAS STUDENT: Dr. Carlos Camacho of Guam has been desig-
nated by President Nixon as Governor of that Island. Dr. Camacho, a dentist,
attended Aquinas College in Grand Rapids from 1946-48.
OFFICE HOURS IN NORTHERN KENT COUNTY: My District Assistant, Gordon Vander
Till, will be available for interviews on Friday, May 16, as follows:
9:00 - 12:00 A.M.
ROCKFORD
City Hall, City Manager's Office
1:30 - 3:15 P.M.
CEDAR SPRINGS
City Hall, Council Room
4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
SPARTA
Village Hall, Council Room
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
May 21, 1969
I believe that the recommendations made by President Nixon last week will sub-
stantially improve our Selective Service System. By obtaining the bulk of the
draftees from the 19 to 20 age group, we eliminate much of the uncertainty which now
surrounds a young man until he is 26 years old. Determining by lot which of the
registrants should be called first, second, etc., means that each person in the age
group has the same chance of appearing at the top of the draft list, at the bottom,
or somewhere in the middle. The assignment will be entirely objective.
The President would continue under-graduate deferments. This means that if a
student chooses, he may complete four years of college without interruption. But
thereafter he would be subject to induction with the same draft sequence number he
received when he was with the 19-20 age group.
Those who go on to graduate school prior to being drafted would be permitted
to complete the school year before they are inducted. Medical students and those in
allied fields who are subject to later special draft, may be deferred until they com-
plete their graduate work.
By its very nature any "selective service" system is unfair. But I believe
that the President's proposals are especially helpful because they limit the time of
vulnerability and uncertainty for each prospective draftee, and because the risk of
induction is equally distributed among all who are eligible.
SALINE WATER CONVERSION: In the first of two major legislative actions by the
House last week, $25 million was authorized for continuing the saline water conversion
program. The Nixon Administration had cut $1 million from the original 1970 budget
request of $27 million and the Committee made a similar reduction. The Committee felt
that "in view of the general fiscal situation and the Government's efforts to curb in-
flationary spending the program of the Office of Saline Water should not be expanded."
This Office is charged with the development of economic methods for producing
fresh water from salt and brackish waters. Progress has been slow but there is
general agreement that the saline water conversion program is a useful and important
part of the nation's public effort to assure an adequate water supply.
MARITIME AUTHORIZATION-1970: The second significant piece of legislation
approved last week was the $387 million authorization for the Maritime Administration.
The bill provides $145 million for construction-differential subsidies. Under this
program the federal government pays 55 percent of the cost of constructing vessels
for use in the maritime service. This represents the difference in cost between con-
struction in an American shipyard and a foreign yard. The $145 million added to the
$101 million in carryover funds will provide $246 million in subsidy payments for
ship construction in 1970. It is estimated that this amount will allow construction
of between 18 to 22 new and modern vessels.
The other major item in the bill is $212 million for the operating-differential
subsidy. In 1970 it is estimated that 14 subsidized operators, using an average of
278 ships, will make 1,576 sailings. The subsidy paid on each foreign sailing is
designed to equalize the cost of operating the American ships as compared with a for-
eign competitor. With about 950 ships in the privately owned American merchant
marine, it is to be noted that not all ships or operators are subsidized.
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE BY FEDERAL JUDICIARY: I have joined Rep. Robert Taft
(grandson of Chief Justice Taft) in introducing legislation requiring all federal
judges to disclose their income, property holdings, and major liabilities. A similar
bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Robert Griffin. We feel this kind of
legislation is needed to help restore confidence in our federal court system.
PAY TV: We have received a number of letters expressing the fear that pay TV
licenses to be granted by the FCC will mean the end of TV as we know it today. We
can be assured that this will not happen under the current rules of the FCC which
state that no license for pay TV will be granted in any community unless that commu-
nity is already being served by at least four free TV stations.
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS IN 5th DISTRICT: Over 52,500 Social Security bene-
ficiaries in Kent and Ionia Counties received a total of $4.8 million in payments
during the month of December, 1968. Most of these were retired workers (27,927), but
survivorship benefits were paid to 12,647 individuals and 2265 disabled persons
received a monthly Social Security check.
At the end of 1968, about 90 percent of persons aged 65 and over were either
receiving cash benefits or would have been eligible for such benefits if they or their
spouses had not been working.
DISTRICT OFFICE HOURS: My District Assistant, Gordon Vander Till, announces
the following office hours for Friday, May 23:
12:00-3:00
LAKE ODESSA
Village Council Room
4:30-8:00
LOWELL
City Council Room
RECENT VISITORS: From Grand Rapids: Thomas Stahr; Mr.& Mrs. Mel Hines and Don;
Charlotte Runnells; Mr.& Mrs. Wm. Warners and family; Mr.& Mrs. James DeHaan, Steve
and Dave; Mr.& Mrs. Jack VanStaveren, Mark and Jill; Mr.& Mrs. Marvin DeBoer and
family; Mr.& Mrs. Murray Stout and four children; Mr.& Mrs. Robert Stouten and two
children; Dorothy Westra; Mr.& Mrs. E. Cheadle and family; Gary Maurina; Sen.& Mrs.
Robert VanderLaan and family; Mr.& Mrs. Harold Chaney; Larry Roys; Mr.& Mrs. N. Jabin
and family; Del Woldring; Bob Howlett; Mrs. W. Palm; Mrs. Ronald Stimpson; Mrs. Fran
Linderman; Mrs. Bette Walker; Mrs. Glen Perrott; Mr.& Mrs. Gerrit Zylstra; Mr.& Mrs.
Ray Lantinga; Mr.& Mrs. John Jackoboice; Mr.& Mrs. David Wierenga; Mr.& Mrs. Roger
Metternich; Mr.& Mrs. Gary Fuelling; Earl Holton and son Brian; Tena Ronda; Diane
Kelder; Norma Miller; Mr.& Mrs. Glen Erard; Mr.& Mrs. Sam Corl; Bruce Hoppe; Carson
Donley; John Leidlein; Edw. Frey; Mrs. Michael Baczewski; Dr.& Mrs. L. Smotkin; Louis
Palmerlee; Mrs. Carl Merrill; Harold Van'tHof; Dick Chanski; Charles Fischer.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
May 28, 1969
The selection of Judge Warren E. Burger of the Court of Appeals to be Chief
Justice of the United States merits universal approval. Judge Burger is a man of
impeccable character, a distinguished lawyer, and an experienced and respected jurist.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS AND A BUDGET CEILING: The House approved last Wed-
nesday a $3.7 million supplemental appropriation bill which included a $192.9 billion
budget ceiling for fiscal 1970. This ceiling corresponds to the Nixon budget as
reported to date. The ceiling is binding on the Executive Branch. The Administration
may not exceed the limitation but the Congress, with or without a request from the
President, can always appropriate more or less. I hope less. But this ceiling should
act as a self-imposed limitation on the Congress to keep federal spending within
$192.9 billion. However, unforeseen emergencies can alter the best of intentions.
The supplemental appropriation provides funds for the current year to those
agencies which are experiencing a budget shortage. The need is generally due to
unforeseen developments. It is not true that these agencies are now getting back
which was originally cut from their budgets last year. In this bill less than 1 per
cent of the new funds provided represents a restoration of funds which were reduced
last year. And the restorations, some $34 million, represent about 1/3 of 1 percent
of the $12 billion cut last year in new funds requested. I supported the appropria-
tion and the budget ceiling when the bill was approved by a vote of 347 to 40.
I also voted for the one major amendment proposed and approved (329 to 61) on
the floor. It denies federal interest subsidy grants for college construction ($3.9
million was included in the bill) to those colleges or universities which do not
enforce the law cutting off federal loans to students convicted of a crime in con-
nection with campus disorders. The amendment would penalize only those institutions
which refuse to obey the law.
GEN. WHEELER'S TERM EXTENDED: Also approved last week was a resolution per-
mitting Gen. Earle G. Wheeler to accept a Presidential appointment as Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff for one additional year ending July 3, 1970. Gen. Wheeler has
served the two consecutive two-year terms authorized by law and one additional year.
Mr. Nixon has asked Gen. Wheeler to carry on for a sixth year and both the Senate and
the House have given their approval.
The Congress feels that under normal circumstances a second two-year term is
enough for the top military chief but that normal circumstances do not prevail at the
present. It was felt that the extension is also justified because of the outstanding
qualifications of General Wheeler and because the new President should be given wide
discretion in selecting his top military adviser.
SPECIAL HOUSING FOR PARAPLEGICS: Since 1948, veterans who have lost the use
of both legs have been eligible for a grant of $10,000 toward the construction of a
home. Later this grant was extended to those who were blind in both eyes and have
lost the use of one leg as a result of military service.
Last week the House approved a bill to raise the grant to $15,000 and include
those service-connected veterans who lost the use of one leg and had a disease which
affects their balance or propulsion so they have to use a wheelchair. The bill also
increased the amount of a direct VA housing loan available to veterans only in rural
areas or where private financing is not available from a maximum of $17,500 to $25,00C
In its report the Committee on Veterans Affairs pointed out that in 1948 the
average cost of constructing a new single family residence was $7,850. Today the
average cost is $26,000. The average purchase price in 1948 for a newly constructed
single family residence under the GI loan program was $9,208, as compared with
$20,490 today.
APPROPRIATIONS THIS WEEK: The first two regular appropriation bills for fiscal
1970 to be considered by the House are scheduled for this week. They will provide
funds for the Department of Agriculture and for the Post Office and Treasury Depart-
ments.
DIRECT POPULAR ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT: Early next month the House is expec-
ted to take up the Constitutional Amendment recommended by the Committee on the Judi-
ciary. This Amendment abolishes the Electoral College and substitutes a system for the
direct election of the President and the Vice President. Under its provisions the
team of candidates (President and Vice President) having the greatest number of popu-
lar votes will be elected, provided they get at least 40 percent of the total vote
cast. If no team wins at least 40 percent of the votes, a runoff election will be held
between the two teams with the highest number of votes. A proposed amendment must be
approved by a 2/3 vote in each house of Congress and ratified by 3/4 of the states.
TO INVESTIGATE SDS: The Chairman of the Committee on Internal Security has
announced that the Committee will open hearings during the first week in June on the
activities of the Students for a Democratic Society. This is the group which has
played a leading role in recent campus disturbances and which has threatened to dis-
rupt university and college graduation ceremonies.
WHAT'S IN A NAME? According to the Veterans Administration, Smith is the most
popular (310,000) among veterans in the VA's master file. The Johnsons (202,700) not
only are keeping up with the Joneses but are far out in front. In fact even the
Williamses--with 150,020--are ahead of the fourth-place Joneses, who number 145,180.
In fifth place are the Browns with 144,000.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
June 4, 1969
The first regular 1970 appropriation bill was approved by the House of Repre-
sentatives last Tuesday. It provides $6.6 billion to operate the Department of Agri-
culture. This is a reduction of nearly $1.4 billion compared with 1969 spending and
is $161 million less than requested by the President.
However, the bill provides tax funds for a number of wasteful and unworkable
programs which are costly and burdensome to the farmers and public alike. To register
my protest against these programs I voted "no" on this appropriation bill as I have
done on similar bills during the last several years. There are some justifiable,
effective programs funded in the bill but on balance, I believe the wasteful and
unworkable programs outweigh the good ones.
During floor debate much attention was given to an amendment ostensibly
setting a $20,000 limitation on subsidy payments to any one farm. I favor such an
amendment in principle and have voted for such amendments in the past. But this year
it was made clear in floor debate that the 1969 subsidy limitation amendment would be
self-defeating and tremendously costly. Agriculture Department officials reported
that the so-called subsidy ceiling amendment would actually force them to revert to
an older costlier program for cotton which would cost the taxpayers $160 million more
than at present. This old formula called a "snap-back" provision was written into
existing farm subsidy legislation in 1965, a bill I voted against. Under the 1965
law, the old formula for cotton subsidies will be triggered if a lid is placed on
regular payments to cotton farmers. Consequently I voted against the so-called
$20,000 subsidy ceiling to avoid this additional burden on the taxpayer. But the
amendment passed 224 to 142.
My vote on the amendment does not mean I favor the enormous subsidy payments
which have gone to some farms, many of them corporate operations. My final vote
against the bill in its entirety represents my true feelings on this entire issue.
The farm subsidy program needs careful analysis and basic revision. The new
Secretary of Agriculture currently is formulating a new farm program which will be
submitted to the Congress this fall. Past and present farm programs have suffered
from many deficiencies and have been very costly. I look forward to the recommenda-
tions of the new Secretary of Agriculture.
HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION: The Committee's Report on this appropriation bill il-
lustrates the deep interest of Congress in hunger and malnutrition and the allegation
that millions of our fellow Americans are hungry. The Report points out that the
total food distribution expenditures (special milk, school lunch, food stamp, and
direct distribution program) by the Department of Agriculture this year will exceed
$1.2 billion. In the past four years Congress has appropriated $3.4 billion for
these programs. For fiscal 1970, the Administration has requested $1.46 billion.
The Committee notes that the facts about malnutrition must be ascertained
before effective action can be taken to meet the problem. Some of the emotion-
charged books and TV programs have not been too helpful in this respect. The CBS TV
program, "Hunger in America," for example, presented a scene of a baby being given
resuscitation in the hospital while the narrator stated, "Hunger is easy to recognize
when it looks like this. This baby is dying of starvation. He was an American. Now
he is dead." The facts are this child was a premature infant who did not die from
starvation. The baby suffered a cardiac and respiratory arrest; there was no evi-
dence of malnutrition. This was verified by the parents.
The Democratic controlled Committee said: "The purveyors of easy answers
should bear in mind two fundamental truths: First, massive new federal programs and
large additional appropriations will be good only to the degree they are directed to
the real problem areas. Second, American family life must be preserved. If all
needy children were to be fed in institutions
they would not be hungry. But what
would this do to the fabric of family life, and the traditions inherited by our future
generations?
All of us share in the responsibility to extend a helping hand to those
among us who are hungry and in need
We must not, however, through federal programs,
encourage our people to forsake their traditions of independence and self-reliance."
I agree.
TREASURY, POST OFFICE, EXECUTIVE OFFICE APPROPRIATION: The House also ap-
proved a second appropriation bill in the amount of $2.27 billion to operate the
Treasury and Post Office Departments and the Executive Office of the President. The
bill actually appropriates $8.77 billion but this is to be offset by postal revenues
of $6.5 billion. The postal deficit for 1970 is estimated at about $1.2 billion.
The net figures in this bill follow the pattern to which we have become
accustomed. The Committee cut $42 million from the President's request but next
year's spending is $402 million over that for this year.
POSTAL REFORM: Last Wednesday I joined in the introduction of a postal reform
bill embodying the President's recommendations. The basic concept of the bill pro-
vides for the creation of a self-supporting, government-owned U. S. Postal Service.
The annual postal deficit, to be met by the general taxpayer, would be eliminated and
the postal service put on a sound business basis with the elimination of traditional
political interference.
AT HOME: I expect to be in Kent and Ionia Counties today with Gov. Milliken,
and plan to address the Grand Rapids Rotary tomorrow noon. Thursday evening I'm
scheduled to participate in the commencement exercises at Union High School.
DISTRICT OFFICE: My District Representative, Gordon Vander Till, will be at
the Village Council Room in PORTLAND on Friday, June 6, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
June 11, 1969
Michigan's record in youth camp safety was cited on more than one occasion last
Monday while the House debated a bill to authorize a study of all state and local laws
governing the operation of youth camps. From 1944 until 1955 our state was averaging
two to four drownings each year in summer camps for children and young people. In
1959 there were six drownings, After Michigan revised its camp regulations in 1963,
it became the safest youth camp state in the nation. Since then, with the greatest
number of children attending its camps, only one drowning death has occurred.
Camping has become a big nationwide industry. Each year about 7.5 million
children between the ages of 6 and 18 attend approximately 11,500 youth camps. But
24 of the 50 states have relatively little or no regulation in the way of camp legis-
lation. Michigan's experience was cited as one reason why a study should be under-
taken to determine what can and should be done to encourage greater camp safety. I
supported the legislation but it was defeated 152 to 151. The defeat was actually
greater than the one vote would indicate. The bill was considered under "suspension
of the rules" which requires a 2/3 majority for passage.
Those who opposed the study were concerned over federal invasion of the
province of the states, the $175,000 expenditure provided for the investigation, and
with the fact that HEW said it already has authority to conduct such a study.
VETERANS' LEGISLATION: Six other bills involving veterans' legislation were
also considered last Monday under suspension of the rules. All six were approved.
One bill, passed 302 to 3, provides that any veteran 72 years of age or older
may be admitted to a Veterans' Hospital for a non-service-connected disability with-
out being required to sign, under oath, a statement that he is unable to pay for the
hospital care. Presently, any veteran with a service-connected disability is ad-
mitted to a VA hospital as a matter of right. Veterans, regardless of age, who are
drawing a non-service-connected pension may enter a VA hospital without divulging
their financial situation. The House felt this privilege should be extended to our
aged veterans.
It is estimated that 1000 patients will be affected by the bill during the
first year with the number growing to a total of 2000 by the third year and thereafter
A second veterans' bill, approved by a voice vote, increases from $3.50 to
$7.50 the per day per veteran contribution by the federal government for hospital
care in state homes such as the Michigan Veterans Facility in Grand Rapids. The bill
also authorizes $5 million per year on a matching fund basis for 10 years to assist
the states in remodeling their state veteran facilities. The $7.50 federal contribu-
tion for hospital care in state homes is in contrast to the VA cost of $21.63 a day
for the VA's own psychiatric hospitals and $40.90 per day for care in a VA general
hospital.
The Michigan Veterans Facility ranks third in size in bed capacity among all
state institutions. The Grand Rapids facility has a total of 1,083 beds: 600
domiciliary, 477 in the nursing home, and 6 in the hospital. Uncle Sam's contribu-
tion to each nursing home patient is $5 per day.
SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION: The House approved on Wednesday, a bill which I
endorsed, to strengthen the federal construction safety program. This legislation
authorizes the Secretary of Labor to set safety standards which contractors and sub-
contractors would be required to meet in federal, federally financed, or federally
assisted construction. However, the bill does not prevent the states from passing
laws concerning their construction projects, nor does it allow arbitrary action by
the Secretary of Labor. He must hold hearings on proposed standards and consult with
an advisory board. He cannot close down an entire job but must act only against a
specific violation at a specific time. Appeals can be made to the courts. But it is
hoped that the new program will materially reduce the $3 billion loss which accidents
cost the construction industry each year.
MEDICAL FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION AND MODERNIZATION: Also approved last week
was a bill, which I fully endorsed, extending for three years the present program of
matching grants to the states for construction and modernization of hospitals and
other health facilities. The bill also establishes a new program of federal guaran-
tees for loans made for hospital construction. This would be in addition to the FHA
insurance program on loans for hospital construction which I sponsored and which was
approved by the last Congress.
Information furnished by the states indicates a present need for an additional
85,007 acute care hospital beds, 893 public health centers, 164,430 additional long-
term beds, 872 diagnostic and treatment centers, and 388 rehabilitation facilities
with a total estimated cost of $5.3 billion. The total authorized in this legisla-
tion comes to $937 million over the three-year period.
AT HOME: Tonight I am scheduled to deliver the commencement address at
Portland High School. On Saturday I will be in Grand Rapids for the Calder Dedication
and at 6:00 p.m. am to speak at the Elks-VFW Flag Day Services. At 7:00 p.m. I will
address the State Convention of Amvets at the Pantlind Hotel.
DISTRICT OFFICE: My District Representative, Gordon VanderTill, will be at
the City Council Room in BELDING on Friday, June 13, from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m.
RECENT VISITORS: From Belding: Mr.& Mrs. Robert Lamoreaux. From Belmont:
Patrick Farrell. From Ada: Oliver Robinson; Mr.& Mrs. Mike Scott. From Wyoming:
Mr.& Mrs. Glenn Clark; Mr.& Mrs. John Jipping; Mrs. G. LaHuis; Mr.& Mrs. Donn Smith.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
June 18, 1969
The flag of the United States is to be planted on the moon when our astronauts
make a landing. But this is intended as a symbolic gesture rather than as any claim
of sovereignty. So the House of Representatives decreed when it approved the $3.9
billion NASA authorization bill last Tuesday. The flag rule, which I endorse, was
offered as a floor amendment and quickly adopted.
Although it could be an appropriate gesture to leave on the moon some other
symbol such as the UN flag or an article portraying international cooperation in
space, I believe that if any banner is raised it should be that of the country which
accomplished the mission, paid the price, and supplied the men and technical knowledge.
The House also approved another floor amendment which eliminated $327 million
in past authorizations. This has the effect of giving Congress a firmer control over
the funding of expenditures by NASA.
The bill as approved was $205 million over former President Johnson's
budget request and is $250 million over the amount recommended by President Nixon.
But this is an authorization bill which simply sets the upper limit of the appropria-
tion. The actual funding comes in the appropriation bill which can be, and often is,
lower.
The largest single item in NASA's authorization is $1.7 billion for the Apollo
program. This program is to climax with the landing of men on the moon this summer.
Subsequent missions after the lunar landing will place on the moon scientific experi-
mental devices which will transmit data for a year or more on seismic activity on the
moon, lunar heat flow, solar wind, and charged particles existing above the surface
of the moon.
According to the Report of the Committee on Science and Astronautics, "The primary
goal of continued lunar exploration is to determine how the moon can best serve our
national interests and its potential for benefiting all the people of the earth. The
principal scientific objectives include understanding the moon's origin, composition,
formation, and evolution, and its relation to the earth and the entire solar system."
All of us have been thrilled by the accomplishments of the Apollo program to
date. We are proud of our astronauts and the technology which makes these precision
flights possible. The scientific benefits to the nation have been tremendous. But
the government and the American people must, I believe, continually review our space
program to determine where it fits into our national priorities and to what extent
our tax dollars are to go into further space exploration.
CIGARETTE ADVERTISING: Scheduled for House action last week but postponed was
a bill to require a stronger warning on each package of cigarettes. The bill would
also prevent the Federal Communications Commission from banning cigarette advertising
from radio and TV and the Federal Trade Commission from setting stringent rules on
cigarette advertising in printed form. The law prohibiting these agencies from
taking such action expires on July 1. Both the FCC and FTC have announced an inten-
tion to issue strict rules against cigarette advertising unless Congress retains this
authority and denies it to these agencies.
The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce has recommended that Congress
retain control over cigarette advertising until July 1, 1975 with the expectation
that the matter will be examined anew by Congress before that date. The Committee
pointed out that the proposed regulations "raise basic constitutional questions and
would affect the growing, sale, and manufacture of tobacco for cigarettes and the
persons involved in or affected by those activities. These activities cut across the
whole spectrum of commercial and social life in the United States. It is therefore
an area where the Congress, if anyone, must make policy." I agree with this state-
ment. As I have pointed out before, this issue is too significant to be decided by
five or seven appointed commissioners. The decision should come from the elected
representatives of the people.
There is less controversy over that part of the bill concerned with the
warning on cigarette packages. The current warning reads "Caution: Cigarette
Smoking May Be Hazardous to your Health." The bill would change this to read--
"Warning: The Surgeon General Has Determined That Cigarette Smoking Is Dangerous to
Your Health and May Cause Lung Cancer or Other Diseases. "
NO MORE RESURRECTION CITIES: The House on Wednesday approved legislation
which prohibits the issuance of any permit for camping, sleeping, or erecting any
temporary building on public grounds in the District of Columbia. This will prevent
a recurrence of the 1968 Resurrection City which cost the National Park Service
$220,119. The Committee on Public Works has been informed that the actual figure
involved covering all the side effects of the issuance of the 1968 permit was in
excess of $1 million. I supported the bill which passed 327 to 51.
APOLLO 9 FILM AVAILABLE: In addition to the film on the flight of Apollo 8,
my Grand Rapids office now has a 30-minute documentary film on Apollo 9, the first
earth-orbital rendezvous and docking of the Command Module and the Lunar Module. The
film follows the astronauts through training activities, launch preparations, orbital
maneuvers, and recovery. Reservations for loan of the film may be made by calling
456-9747.
DISTRICT OFFICE: My District Representative, Gordon Vander Till, will be at
the City Hall Voting Room in IONIA on Friday, June 20, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Your Washington Review
KENT
5
IONIA
Congressman
JERRY FORD
June 25, 1969
In my judgment the Supreme Court erred in denying the House of Representatives
the right to exclude a member from his seat in the House without subsequent judicial
review. I agree with the decision of Appeals Judge Warren Burger (now Chief Justice)
and the District Judge who heard the case originally. They held that this is a
political matter to be decided by the legislative branch of government without inter-
ference from the judicial branch. The decision of the Supreme Court raises a serious
and vital constitutional question on the separation of powers in our national
government. The issue is far greater than the payment of lost salary, or whether or
not the individual should have been excluded from the 90th Congress.
TIME IN ERROR: In its June 20th issue TIME magazine (page 9) states that it
"erred and regrets the implication" in reporting on June 6th (page 24) that "G.O.P.
House Leader Gerald Ford told Nixon: 'Our people have been waiting for eight years
to get in front of the line on postal patronage. And they are bitter that a Republi-
can White House wants to turn off the spigot before they have even had a drink."
I have consistently over the years supported programs to remove the Post
Office Department from politics. I announced my support of President Nixon's postal
reform measures immediately after he sent his message to Congress. I am a co-sponsor
of the legislation implementing the President's plan which among other things takes
the postal service out of politics.
My letter pointing out TIME's error is printed in full in the June 20th issue
with the comment, "TIME erred and regrets the implication."
FOR IMPROVED AIR TRANSPORTATION: President Nixon has proposed a constructive
program for improving airports and airways. The need is obvious to anyone who
travels by air. The President's proposal for a user-financed, pay-as-we-grow program
will meet these needs without burdening the general taxpayer. He has recommended
an expanding federal aid program for airport development in the amount of $2½ billion
over the next ten years. This is to be financed by the following taxes which would
go into a Designated Account and be used only for airway improvement: an increase
from 5 percent to 8 percent in the tax on airline tickets for domestic flights; a tax
of $3 on passenger tickets for most international flights; a tax of five percent on
air freight waybills, and a tax of nine cents a gallon (presently 20) on all fuels
used by general aviation.
This new tax schedule would bring in $569 million next year, compared with
revenues of $295 million under existing taxes, which currently do not go into a
special fund for air transportation use. The Congress may revise certain portions of
the proposed legislation but the need for action and the general concept are sound.
OLDER AMERICANS ACT: The House last week agreed to provide funds for grants
to states under the Older Americans Act to June 30, 1972, and to establish a national
older Americans volunteer program. All of this is to be handled by the Administration
on Aging, presently headed by John Martin of Grand Rapids.
The Administration makes grants to the states to carry out approved programs
which will assist or benefit our senior citizens and make use of their talents for
the good of the community. Under the volunteer program, older citizens would provide
services in their home communities. These volunteers would not be compensated for
other than transportation, meals, and other out-of-pocket expenses in connection with
their services. A special project involving the volunteers is the foster grandparent
program. Senior citizens provide personal services on an individual basis to
children receiving care in hospitals, homes for dependent and neglected children, or
other establishments providing care for children with special needs.
SHIP CONSTRUCTION SUBSIDY: Also approved last week was a bill to extend for
one more year the present 55-percent ceiling on construction subsidy payments on new
vessels in the U. S. Merchant Marine and 60 percent on reconditioning of passenger
vessels. This subsidy is designed to permit companies operating U. S. flag ships to
obtain vessels from U. S. shipyards at a cost approximately the same as those being
offered by foreign shipyards. This is accomplished by calculating the cost of a
similar ship built in the lowest cost foreign yard and comparing that figure with the
lowest bid obtainable from an American yard. The difference in these figures is paid
by the government (taxpayers) to the ship operator who in turn passes it on to the
shipyard as part of the purchase price of the vessel.
This subsidy is considered justifiable because we must maintain U. S. yards as
an essential part of our national defense. And America has always been a high-cost
nation for ship construction owing in large measure to the very high standard of
living existing here as compared with Japan, Scandinavia, and Germany.
CIGARETTE WARNING AND ADVERTISING: The House of Representatives on Wednesday
approved the legislation relative to cigarette advertising which I mentioned last
week. The bill requires that every package of cigarettes must carry a more specific
health warning and it prevents the FCC and the FTC from taking any action to prohibit
or restrict cigarette advertising. For the reasons listed last week I supported the
bill which was passed by a voice vote after the House voted 252 to 137 against re-
committing the bill to Committee.
DISTRICT OFFICE: My District Representative, Gordon Vander Till, will be at
the Council Room in SPARTA on Friday, June 27, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
RECENT VISITORS: From Grand Rapids: Eugene Reterstorf; John Oshinski, Keith
Clinton; Sandra & Julie Wright; Dr. H. Walkotten; Katherine Lukens; Dr. Henry Homan;
Dr. Herb Carpenter; Mr.& Mrs. A. Terryberry; Mr.& Mrs. Larry Bostelaar; Carl Johnson.