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11/1/74 - White House Conference on Domestic and Economic Affairs, Portland, Oregon
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1252126
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11/1/74 - White House Conference on Domestic and Economic Affairs, Portland, Oregon
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President's Speeches and Statements Reading Copies (Ford Administration)
Reading Copies of Presidential Speeches and Statements
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Speeches, addresses, etc.
Inflation (Finance)
Meetings
Economics
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1974-11-01
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1974-11-01
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1974
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The original documents are located in Box 3, folder "11/1/74 - White House Conference on
Domestic and Economic Affairs, Portland, Oregon" of the President's Speeches and
Statements: Reading Copies at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 3 of President's Speeches and Statements: Reading Copies at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE PRES
S
AND
SEEN
drf
WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE
ON DOMESTIC AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
THE COLISEUM, PORTLAND, OREGON, NOVEMBER I, 1974
Jaym
I AM PLEASED THAT BUSINESS, LABOR, CONSUMER, AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE JOINED IN SPONSORING THIS
MEETING TO IMPROVE THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN NON-
GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THE WHITE HOUSE.
- 2 -
YOU CAN GENERATE A NEW CLIMATE OF CONFIDENCE AND
UNDERSTANDING ON NATIONAL ISSUES OF GREATEST CONCERN.
THIS IS
MY FIRST PARTICIPATION AS PRESIDENT IN THIS NATIONWIDE SERIES OF
MEETINGS THAT CAN HAVE A VITAL IMPACT ON AMERICA'S RESPONSE TO
THE STATE OF OUR ECONOMY, HOUSING, ENVIRONMENT, AND GENERAL
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS.
IN THIS CONTEXT, I WANT TO DISCUSS THE QUESTION OF
CONFIDENCE IN OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM AND OUR ABILITY TO COPE WITH
VERY SERIOUS ISSUES.
- 3 -
THE QUESTION OF "CREDIBILITY" IS STILL RAISED.
A MOOD OF CYNICISM EXISTS IN SOME QUARTERS.
THERE ARE EVEN
THOSE WHO SAY THAT MY ADMINI STRATION'S OPENNESS IS JUST ANOTHER
COVER-UP.
IS EVERYTHING PHONY AND CYNICAL
I REJECT SUCH A CONCLUSION.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO
OFFER SOME THOUGHTS ON WHY THERE IS DOUBT AND DIVISION.
- 4 -
CONFIDENCE IN AMERICA'S INSTITUTIONS HAS BEEN
DETERIORATING SINCE THE EARLY 1960'S.
THERE WERE ASSASSINATIONS,
I
UPHEAVALS IN GREAT CITIES AND, SCHOOL SYSTEMS RIOTS A TERRORISM,
CRIME, Lo DRUG ABUSE, \ POLLUTION, t THE VIETNAM WAR, I THE WATERGATE
AFFAIR WITH THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL RESIGNATION IN AMERICA'S HISTORY,
THE ENERGY SHORTAGE, \ RISING INFLATION, 1 AND OTHER BLOWS TO AMERICA'S
SELF-IMAGE.
-5- - -
THIS CHAIN OF EVENTS AFFECTED OUR INSTITUTIONS AND OUR
WAY OF LIFE.
IT DID NOT START WITH THE PRESENT INFLATIONARY
PROBLEM.
NOR WITH WATERGATE.
NOR EVEN THE TRAGIC MURDER
OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY.
AMERICA AND THE WORLD ARE GOING THROUGH
A HURRICANE OF RAPID CHANGE -- TECHNOLOGICAL, LECONOMIC, (SOCIAL,
AND POLITICAL.
AMERICANS PUT MEN ON THE MOON BUT HAVE YET TO
COPE WITH RAPIDLY CHANGING LIFE ON EARTH.
OTHER INDUSTRIAL
NATIONS ARE ALSO IN VARYING DEGREES OF CRISIS -- OFTEN WITHOUT OUR
RESILIENCE AND OUR RESOURCES.
- 6 -
THAT EXPLAINS MY PARTICIPATION IN TODAY'S MEETING.
I CAME TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT HOW AMERICANS CAN MOBILIZE TO
REGENERATE OUR INSTITUTIONS, -- BEGINNING WITH THE ECONOMY.
I AM SPEAKING NOW TO REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS AND
INDEPENDENTS, TO LABOR AND MANAGEMENT, AND TO EVERY SEGMENT OF
AMERICAN SOCIETY.
WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
AND THAT IS WHY
I CONSIDER IT so IMPORTANT TO BE IN PORTLAND TODAY.
- 7 -
I HAVE OFFERED A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM TO MOBILIZE
AMERICA AGAINST INFLATION.
IT WAS GENERATED BY THE CONFERENCE
ON INFLATION.
A 31-POINT PROGRAM WAS PLACED BEFORE THE CONGRESS.
A MASSIVE VOLUNTARY CITIZENS MOBILIZATION IS GEARING UP.
NEW STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO COPE WITH THE ENERGY SITUATION.
AND ALL OF OUR ACTIONS SEEK TO AVOID AN UNFAIR BURDEN ON THOSE
WHO CAN AFFORD IT LEAST.
- 8 -
AMERICANS ARE RALLYING TO WHIP INFLATION.
THEY CAN
HELP BY DEMANDING ACTION ON THE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS PENDING
BEFORE THE CONGRESS.
THEY. CAN PRESS FOR STATE AND LOCAL
INITIATIVES.
THEY CAN INNOVATE VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS.
- 9 -
AMERICA DOES NOT REQUIRE DOGMATIC LAWS TO CONTROL
EVERY ACTION.
NOR ARE MY POLICIES AS PRESIDENT UNCHANGEABLE.
I AM COMMITTED TO NO RIGID ECONOMIC FORMULA BUT THE BASIC
AMERICAN PHILOSOPHY THAT MADE OUR ECONOMY THE ENVY OF THE WORLD.
- 10 -
AMERICA IS BUILT ON MUTUAL TRUST.
IT IS GOVERNED
BY POPULAR CONSENT AND CONSENSUS. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL
UNITS OF GOVERNMENT, RESPONDING TO THE PUBLIC, WILL WHIP
INFLATION. I AM CONFIDENT THAT INDUSTRIES, BUSINESSES, AND
GREAT TRADE UNIONS WILL WHIP INFLATION.
I ALSO HAVE CONFIDENCE
THAT CONSUMER AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS WILL WHIP INFLATION.
- II -
LET US BEGIN A DIALOGUE THAT CAN BUILD CONFIDENCE
BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND INDUSTRY,
\
BETWEEN CONSUMERS AND
BUSINESS,
1
BETWEEN LABOR AND MANAGEMENT, AND BETWEEN 213 MILLION
AMERICANS AND THEIR GOVERNMENT AT THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL
LEVELS.
- I2 -
GIVE DIALOGUE A CHANCE.
CONTINUE TO CHALLENGE.
BUT ALSO CONTINUE IN THE SINCERE GOODWILL OF BOTH SIDES ON EVERY
ISSUE.
INSTITUTIONS ARE NOTHING MORE THAN PEOPLE.
LET US
NEVER LOSE FAITH IN HUMANITY -- NOR IN OURSELVES.
- 13 -
MEETINGS LIKE THIS ARE EXCELLENT FORUMS TO GENERATE
CONFIDENCE.
YET THE TIME HAS COME FOR ACTION AS WELL AS TALK.
ACCORDINGLY, THE FUNCTION OF LEADERSHIP BELONGS TO THOSE PLACED IN
RESPONSIBILITY.
AS PRESIDENT, I ACCEPT MY OBLIGATION.
AND I
CALL UPON EVERY MEMBER OF THE CONGRESS, GOVERNORS, MAYORS, AND
ALL OTHERS CONCERNED WITH GOVERNMENT AND THE LEADERS OF EVERY
PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANIZATION IN AMERICA -- INCLUDING THOSE
REPRESENTED HERE TODAY -- TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY LEADERSHIP.
- I4 -
A FREE GOVERNMENT CANNOT COPE WITH INFLATION OR ENERGY
SHORTAGES OR ANY OTHER PROBLEM WITHOUT THE CONSENT AND COOPERATION
OF THE GOVERNED.
TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING WHAT THE OTHER
GUY SHOULD DO TO WHIP INFLATION.
SOME TELL US WHAT THE OIL
COMPANIES SHOULD DO.
OTHERS WOULD INSTRUCT LABOR ON ITS
RESPONSIBILITIES.
YET OTHERS HAVE ALL KINDS OF SACRIFICES TO
SUGGEST -- BUT NOT FOR THEMSELVES.
- 15 -
OUR GREAT NORTHWEST IS AWARE THAT INFLATION HAS DRIED
UP THE SUPPLY OF MORTGAGE CREDIT AND SENT HOUSING INTO A TAILSPIN.
AND IT HAS BEEN INFLATION THAT HIT CONSUMER CONFIDENCE AND PUT THE
BRAKES ON CONSUMER SPENDING HARDER THAN AT ANY TIME SINCE
WORLD WAR II.
- I6 -
I ASSURE THE PEOPLE OF THE NORTHWEST THAT I DO NOT ACCEPT
THE DISMAL PROPOSITION THAT POLLUTION IS THE INEVITABLE PRICE OF
PROSPERITY NOR THAT WE MUST COMPROMISE THE ENVIRONMENT TO GAIN
ECONOMIC GROWTH.
WE CANNOT ENRICH OUR LIVES BY IMPOVERISHING
THE
OUR LAND.
WE CAN RAISE BOTH STANDARD OF LIVING AND THE QUALITY
OF LIFE.
- 17 -
THE WORST INFLATIONARY TOLL OF ALL IS THE MOST SUBTLE --
THE EROSION OF CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE, THE LOSS OF FAITH IN THE
AMERICAN SOCIETY AND GOVERNMENT.
INDEED, THIS DISENCHANTMENT
SEEMS TO GROW AT THE SAME PACE THAT PRICES INCREASE.
THAT IS
WHY FIGHTING INFLATION IS MY FIRST PRIORITY AS PRE SIDENT.
- 18 -
AMERICANS HAVE THE WILL TO PRESERVE OUR ECONOMY
AND OUR INSTITUTIONS. THE CENTRAL, ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL NEED MY
PROGRAM UNDERSCORES IS TO CONTROL GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND TO
FINANCE NEW OUTLAYS WITH NEW TAXES.
GOVERNMENT SIMPLY CAN NO
LONGER GO ON SPENDING BEYOND ITS MEANS.
INFLATION, AS I HAVE
SAID so MANY TIMES, IS PUBLIC ENEMY NO. 1.
- 19 -
THE FIGHT AGAINST INFLATION IS NON-PARTISAN.
IT IS
EVERYONE'S FIGHT.
IF I WERE TO TAKE. THE EASY ROUTE OF ADDITIONAL PUMP-
PRIMING AND DEFICIT SPENDING AS THE ECONOMY COOLS OFF THIS WINTER,
IT WOULD REALLY CAUSE TROUBLE.
WE COULD SEE THE CURRENT INFLATION
RATE DOUBLED BY 1976.
- 20 -
AMERICA REMAINS A MODEL FOR THE WORLD.
LATER THIS
MONTH, I AM VISITING THE FAR EAST IN PURSUIT OF THE PEACEFUL
RELATIONSHIPS ESSENTIAL FOR.WORLD ECONOMIC STABILITY.
INFLATION CROSSES BORDERS AND OCEANS.
A PRESIDENT MUST DO
LIKEWISE.
- 21 -
AS PRESIDENT, I AM CONVINCED THIS NATION CAN SHOW
THE WORLD THAT AMERICANS RETAIN CONFIDENCE IN OUR SYSTEM.
WE CAN CONSERVE.
WE CANSTOP WASTING.
WE CAN EXPAND OUR
PRODUCTION BASE WHILE PRESERVING OUR NATURAL HERITAGE.
WE CAN
BECOME MORE EFFICIENT AND PAY AS WE GO FOR GOVERNMENT.
- 22 -
CYNICS AND SKEPTICS PREDICT THE END OF THE AMERICA
WE KNOW AND LOVE.
THEY ARE VERY WRONG.
I INTEND TO PROVE
THEY ARE WRONG BECAUSE I AMTOTALLY CONFIDENT IN THE DEDICATION
OF THIS GROUP AND so MANY OTHERS THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
- 23 -
AS LINCOLN ONCE PUT IT -- THIS NATION IS STILL "THE
LAST, BEST HOPE OF EARTH."
AND A NEW AND STRONGER UNITED STATES
WILL GROW FROM THE DISILLUSIQN OF THE RECENT PAST.
INDEED, THE ORDEAL WE HAVE GONE THROUGH SINCE THE EARLY
60'S MAY SERVE LIKE A NATIONAL PURGE, CLEARING OUR SYSTEM, RENEWING
OUR ENERGIES AND CREATING A NEW AND MORE REALISTIC AMERICAN ETHIC
AND LIFESTYLE.
- 24 -
THE BOUNTIFUL RESOURCES OF THIS BLESSED LAND ARE
AVAILABLE.
LET US DEVISE A FUTURE BASED ON CONSERVATION AS WELL
AS CONSUMPTION.
WE HAVE RUN SHORT OF ENERGY.
WE HAVE RUN SHORT OF
MORTGAGE CREDIT.
AND WE HAVE RUN SHORT OF A LOT OF OTHER THINGS.
BUT WE HAVE NOT RUN SHORT OF AMERICAN KNOW-HOW, OR THE AMERICAN
SPIRIT OF FAIRPLAY, OR AMERICAN FORGIVENESS, OR AMERICAN
SELF-RESPECT, OR AMERICAN PRIDE.
NOR WILL WE EVER.
- 25 -
A GREAT NATIONAL TEST WILL BE IMPOSED IN THE DAYS AND
MONTHS AHEAD.
WE WILL MEET THAT TEST.
I PLEDGE ALL MY
ENERGIES TO A FREE SOCIETY WITH A STRONG ECONOMY, A SOUND
ENVIRONMENT, SUFFICIENT ENERGY, AND A SECURE AND INSPIRING FUTURE.
AND I ASK YOU TO JOIN WITH ME IN THAT QUEST.
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