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White House - Congressional Leadership Meeting, 5/18/71
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1551019
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White House - Congressional Leadership Meeting, 5/18/71
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Robert T. Hartmann Papers
House of Representatives Subject Files
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North Atlantic Treaty Organization. (4/4/1949 - )
Labor disputes
Legislation
Legislative liaison
Railroads
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1971-05-31
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1971
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1971-05-01
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1971
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These documents were scanned from Box 107 of the Robert T. Hartmann Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 18, 1971
OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
THE WHITE HOUSE
PRESS CONFERENCE
OF
SENATOR ROBERT P. GRIFFIN
AND
FORD R. GERALD LIBRARY
CONGRESSMAN GERALD R. FORD
THE BRIEFING ROOM
AT 10:05 A.M. EDT
MR. ZIEGLER: The Leadership meeting this morning
lasted for two hours. Among the subjects discussed was, of
course, the rail strike situation and the NATO troop reduction
amendments.
Senator Griffin is here this morning, because
Senator Scott is out of town, together with Congressman Ford.
They will give you a rundown on the Leadership meeting this
morning. Congressman Ford?
CONGRESSMAN FORD: Thank you, Ron.
George Shultz pointed out that a prolonging of the
rail strike will have a very serious impact, growing daily,
unless something is done affirmatively. If we don't get some
Congressional action on the rail strike within the next 24
hours, it will have a very, very serious impact on jobs
throughout the country.
In my own State of Michigan, the automobile industry
will undoubtedly have to shut down by the end of the week.
Already there are some indications that at least a part of the
automotive industry is beginning to shut down at the present
time.
Let me say very emphatically that there is no excuse
whatsoever for the legislative delay in the consideration of
the President's immediate proposal to put a stop order, as
far as Congress is concerned, on the continuation of the rail
strike.
That is what we have to do right now, and we should
have done it yesterday.
Secondly, however, I think it is important to
point out that we are going to have in the future the same
kind of temporary, superficial solutions unless this Congress
acts on the President's proposal for basic legislation.
President Nixon recommended to the Congress 15 or 16
months ago permanent legislation where the labor-management
problems in the rail industry and in other transportation
areas would not have to come to the Congress periodically, as
they have in the last two years. Unfortunately, the last
Congress, and apparently this Congress, under Democratic
leadership, will not hold hearings in either the House or the
Senate on this legislation.
MORE
- 2 -
It is inexcusable that a Democratic Congress will
not take affirmative action on this very, very important
basic legislation. We feel very strongly that in the House
and in the Senate the committees ought to take some action so
that the House and Senate can work their will on this very
important basic legislation which will avoid these periodic
crises that we are facing now and have faced in the past in
the transportation industry.
FORD R. GERALO LIBRARY
Let me make one final comment here: In the Senate
they have various proposals to cut back on our troop strength
in Europe, and the allegation is that this will save tax
dollars, et cetera.
Let me emphasize this point: The economy of the
United States will suffer more, and our tax loss will be
greater by further delay in the consideration of this legis-
lation involving the rail strike than we would ever save by a
troop reduction in Europe, if that would result in any signi-
ficant savings, and I condemn again a Democratic Congress that
has not taken any action on basic legislation and for too long
a time is delaying the consideration of the present legislation
which would temporarily solve the labor-management dispute in
the rail industry.
SENATOR GRIFFIN: As Jerry already indicated, the other
major subject discussed at the Leadership meeting was the
Mansfield amendment. We were briefed by Alexis Johnson of
the State Department, and by the Defense Secretary, Melvin Laird.
It.is very clear that if the Mansfield amendment
should be adopted and enacted by Congress, this would be a
catastrophe in terms of the progress that has been made and is
being made on a number of fronts.
We are making progress, of course, in terms of the
SALT talks. It would be a very serious blow in terms of the
progress being made toward some kind of a meaningful settle-
ment in the Middle East, because a cut of our troop strength
in half would inevitably affect the strength of the Sixth
Fleet; and furthermore, the Brezhnev statement of the other
day makes clear that this is the wrong amendment at the wrong
time, and would produce the wrong results in terms of achieving
a mutual and balanced force reduction by agreement between
NATO and the Warsaw Pact nations.
The vote is close, but we believe that on Wednesday
the Senate will reject the Mansfield amendment.
Q
Senator, was there any discussion of a com-
promise?
SENATOR GRIFFIN: There was some discussion of the
various proposals. Let me say that the wording of these various
proposals keeps changing almost hour by hour, and none of them
are considered acceptable at the present time. I believe that
we ought to go and vote on the merits of the Mansfield amend-
ment, and that is the position of the Administration at the
present time.
I
Would any compromise be acceptable at any time?
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- 3 -
SENATOR GRIFFIN: Well, I would not be able to
answer the question without seeing the wording.
MR. ZIEGLER: The President's view on that subject,
however, is quite firm, as we have stated previously.
Q Sir, have you seen Secretarv General Manlio
Brosio's letter to the President? In the last paragraph,
he states that we have a solemn commitment to our allies not
to reduce our forces without mutual agreement, and also not
to reduce the forces without mutual agreement with the East
for a balanced reduction.
Do you consider that this is accurate, and has it
been brought to Senator Mansfield's attention?
FORD R GERALO LIBRARY
SENATOR GRIFFIN: This is, of course, a most
important point, and the fact is that any change should be
made by agreement in concert with our NATO allies. The most
unfortunate part of the Mansfield amendment, and the various
alternatives that are proposed, is that they move in the
direction of precipitous, unilateral action by the United
States.
The President and the Administration have been
and will continue to be working in concert with our NATO
allies to try to, of course, get our European allies to bear
a greater share of the burden. They have been successful in
that regard in the past year, but it would be unthinkable
for the United States to move on a unilateral basis as proposed
by the Mansfield amendment.
Q
Congressman Ford, could you tell us whether
the 13 black Congressmen who were in here a couple of months
ago have received an answer from the President yet?
MORE
-4-
MR. ZIEGLER: As I said in Key Biscayne yesterday, we
have completed the development of our response to the proposals
that the Black Caucus put forward in the meeting here and we
will be providing that to the Caucus Chairman. and the members
of the Caucus sometime today. We will make that available .to
the members of the press this week.
Q
Congressman Ford, did George Shultz go into any
detail on how the economy would be adversely affected by a
continuation of the rail strike?
CONGRESSMAN FORD: There was no specific report on the
details of the adverse impact on the economy if the Congress
did not act immediately. But if you add up the industries
which would be very, very badly hurt by no legislative action
of the Congress, automobiles, steel, et cetera, it is obvious
FORD
that the economy would receive a very severe jolt.
GERALD
For that reason, there is no excuse whatsoever for the
LIBRARY
Congress not acting promptly on this temporary legislation.
We would lose substantially in jobs, in GNP, if the Congress
dilly-dallies as it has for the last 24 hours. Action has
to be taken today in order to keep jobs in many, many industries
and keep the economy moving upward.
I hope that both the House and Senate will act today in
order to avoid this catastrophe.
SENATOR GRIFFIN: May I add, I came back from Detroit
yesterday afternoon and I had an opportunity to talk with some
of the automobile industry management. Chrysler Corporation
was going to be required to begin closing some plants as early
as this morning, if not yesterday, and a large share of the
automobile industry could be closed down within 48 hours.
That would, of course, mean millions and millions of jobs
would be lost.
Q
Senator, did the President say when and how he
would give a specific answer to the Brezhnev speech of last
week?
SENATOR GRIFFIN: The NATO Council will be meeting in
Lisbon in two weeks and of course, the Brezhnev statement
would be discussed there by our representative, again, in
consultation with our NATO allies. However, every indication
in the meeting was that it was a welcome statement as far
as the Administration and the President are concerned.
We look forward to moving into negotiations of some
kind in agreement and in concert with our NATO allies.
Q
Congressman Ford, why, in the Administration view-
point, does Congress not act on that legislation that went
up more than a year ago?
CONGRESSMAN FORD: I can't read the minds of the powers
that be in the House and Senate on the Democratic side, but
it is incomprehensible that they wouldn't take action when
we see the periodic crises that come up, including this one.
I should think that a Democratic Congress would want to solve
the problem in a basic way. It is inexcusable that they won't
have hearings. Who they are beholden to, I don't know, but
MORE
-5-
the truth is, there is no action either on the long range
solution, nor is there any apparent affirmative action on
the temporary legislation that dawdled yesterday. I must
assume it may not receive action today.
Q Is it a political reason? Does the Administration
view it as a political stalemate or just what is the Admini-
stration feeling from a political standpoint?
CONGRESSMAN FORD: I think the Administration feels that
there is foot dragging for, perhaps, some political reason,
but just what that political reason is, I think the people
that have control of the Congress, the Democrats, will have
to answer.
Q
Sir, did you gentlemen discuss with the President
the imbalance of payments and, if so, how does he propose
FORD R. OFRALO LIBRARY
to correct it. If you did not discuss it, would you please
tell us your views on how you think it should be controlled?
CONGRESSMAN FORD: There was some discussion, but let
me give you my views, if I may. It was indicated that in
the long range the United States is in a basically good
position. We do have these temporary crises from time to
time, but at the moment it would appear there has to be some
reappraisal of the short range interest rates. Secondly, there
has to be an attempt made to try and get additional foreign
investment in a basic way in the United States.
Q Mr. Ford, the House Internal Security Committee
is looking into the question of subversive influence in the
peace demonstrations recently. What is your view of those
demonstrations? Do you know of a subversive influence?
CONGRESSMAN FORD: I have heard knowledgeable people
say that a very small number, a hard core, have had a
record of subversion or anti-Americanism. However, until
we get the evidence on the record, it seems to me, it is
wiser to defer any specifics in that regard.
Q Congressman Ford, the foot dragging, are you
referring to the present rail situation or the permanent
legislation?
CONGRESSMAN FORD: I am referring to foot dragging on
both the basic legislation, which would provide a mechanism
for the solution of disputes between labor and management
and the foot dragging on the present legislation by the
Democratic Congress.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
END
(AT 10:22 A.M. EDT)
HOUSE ACTION, PERIOD MAY 4, 1971 THROUGH MAY 17, 1971
Tuesday, May 4, 1971
FORD R. GERALD LIBRARY
THE HOUSE CONSIDERED THE PRIVATE CALENDAR
RURAL TELEPHONE BANK
The House agreed to the conference report on S. 70, to amend the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended, to provide an additional
source of financing for the rural telephone program, clearing the
measure for the White House.
PASSPORT APPLICATIONS
RULE
By a voice vote, the House adopted H. Res. 409, providing one hour
of open debate.
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 240 yeas to 124 nays, the House passed S. 531,
to authorize the United States Postal Service to receive the fee
of $2 for execution of an application for a passport, clearing
the measure for the White House.
Wednesday, May 5, 1971
INTEREST RATES
The House agreed to the amendments of the Senate to H.R. 4246, to
extend until March 31, 1973, certain provisions of law relating
to interest rates, mortgage credit controls, and cost-of-living
stabilization.
HARRY S. TRUMAN
By a record vote of 379 yeas, with 1 voting "present," the House agreed
to H. Res. 422, expressing the best wishes of the House of Representa-
tives on the 87th birthday of Harry S. Truman.
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE--LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION
Received and read a message from the President containing a recommenda-
tion for the creation of a separate Legal Services Corporation to re-
place the legal services program under the Office of Economic Opportunity.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor and ordered printed
(H. Doc. 92-104).
(MORE)
-2-
Wednesday, May 5, 1971 (continued)
FORD a GERALD LIBRARY
SMALL BUSINESS
RULE
By a record vote of 381 yeas the House adopted H. Res. 423, providing
one hour of open debate.
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 383 yeas, the House passed H.R. 4604, to amend
the Small Business Act.
Subsequently, this passage was vacated and S. 1260, an identical
Senate-passed bill, was passed in lieu, clearing the measure
for the President.
Thursday, May 6, 1971
INVESTIGATIVE AUTHORITY
By a record vote of 156 yeas to 177 nays, the House rejected H. Res. 412,
to authorize additional investigative authority to the Committee on
Education and Labor.
Monday, May 10, 1971
DISTRICT DAY
The House considered and passed the following legislation pertaining
to the District of Columbia:
School fare subsidy: H.R. 6638, to amend the act of August 9, 1955,
relating to school fare subsidy for transportation of school children
within the District of Columbia. (passed by voice vote)
Assaults on firemen: H.R. 5638, to extend the penalty for assault on
a police officer in the District of Columbia to assaults on firemen,
to provide criminal penalties for interfering with firemen in the
performance of their duties. (passed by a record vote of 311 yeas)
Decedent's estates: H.R. 2594, to provide for distribution of a
minor's share in a decedent's personal estate where the share does
not exceed the value of $1,000. (passed by voice vote)
Estates Act: H.R. 7931, to amend the District of Columbia Code with
respect to the administration of small estates. (passed by voice vote)
Police band: H.R. 2596, to amend the act of July 11, 1947, to authorize
members of the District of Columbia Fire Department, the U.S. Park
Police force, and the Executive Protective Service, to participate
in the Metropolitan Police Department Band. (passed by voice vote)
-3-
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
Tuesday, May 11, 1971
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
The House concluded all general debate on H.R. 8190, making supple-
mental appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1971;
but came to no resolution thereon. Proceedings under the 5-minute
rule will continue tomorrow.
Pending when the Committee of the Whole rose was an amendment by
Mr. Boland designed to continue the SST.
By a record teller vote of 170 yeas to 219 nays, the House rejected
an amendment by Mr. Giaimo that sought to restore the $34.2 million
subway funds for the District of Columbia.
Wednesday, May 12, 1971
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
PASSAGE
By a voice vote, the House passed H.R. 8190, making supplemental
appropriations for fiscal year 1971.
RECOMMIT
By a voice vote, the House rejected a motion by Mr. Conte to recommit
the bill to the Committee on Appropriati ons.
While in the Committee of the Whole, the House agreed to an amend-
ment by Mr. Boland that continues funding for the SST (agreed to
by a record teller vote of 201 yeas to 195 nays, with 2 voting
"present"); after the Committee rose, on a request for a separate
vote, the SST amendment was agreed to by a record vote of 201
yeas to 197 nays, with 6 voting "present."
CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS
By a voice vote, the House passed H. J. Res. 633, making continuing
appropriations for fiscal year 1971.
Thursday, May 13, 1971
NO LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS
Monday, May 17, 1971
THE HOUSE CONSIDERED THE CONSENT CALENDAR
(MORE)
-4-
FORD P. GERALO LIBRARY
Monday, May 17, 1971 (continued)
SUSPENSIONS
The House voted to suspend the rules and pass the following bills:
H.R. 7271 - Civil Rights Commission Authorization. (passed by a
record vote of 262 yeas to 67 nays)
H.R. 5257 - National School Lunch Act Amendment. (passed by a record
vote of 331 yeas to 0 nays)
H.R. 4848 - Commission on Government Procurement Extension. (passed
by a voice vote)
H.R. 6077 - Removing Certain Limitations on Lost or Stolen Bearer
Securities. (passed by a voice vote)
H.R. 7964 - Cost of Living Adjustment for Civil Service Retirement
Annuities. (passed by a voice vote)
H.R. 56 - National Environment Data System. (passed by a record
vote of 304 yeas to 18 nays)
H.R. 5060 - Penalty for Shooting Certain Birds and Fish From Aircraft.
(passed by a record vote of 307 yeas to 8 nays)
H.R. 2587 - National Advisory Committee on the Oceans and Atmosphere.
(passed by a record vote of 292 yeas to 10 nays)
H.R. 6359 - Water Resources Planning Act Amendment. (passed by a voice
vote)
PROGRAM AHEAD
Tuesday, May 18, 1971, and Balance of Week
The Majority Leader, Mr. Boggs, announced that if the Interstate and Foreign
Commerce Committee reports emergency railroad strike legislation tomorrow
it will be considered tomorrow.
PRIVATE CALENDAR
H.R. 3613 - Emergency Employment Act of 1971
(OPEN RULE - THREE HOURS OF DEBATE)
H. Res. 418 - Telephone Allowance Adjustment
H. Res. 420 - Postal Allowance Adjustment
H. Res. 429 - House Food Service Cost Adjustment
Seven Printing Resolutions from House
Administration Committee.