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Ford Press Releases - Post Office, 1967-1973
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Ford Press Releases - Post Office, 1967-1973
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The original documents are located in Box D8, folder "Ford Press Releases - Post Office,
1967-1973" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File 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. The Council 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 D8 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
8 March 1967
####
HIME
U. S. HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES
REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE
REP. JOHN J. RHODES, (R.-ARIZ.) CHAIRMAN
140 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
TELEPHONE 225-6168
185132109
10
REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS LEGISLATION TO
PROHIBIT POLITICAL INFLUENCE IN THE POSTAL SERVICE
In order to have a first-class postal system, the Post Office
Department must be divorced from politics. We urge the immediate consideration of
legislation introduced by Republican Members that would eliminate political favori-
tism and insure the recognition and promotion of able and experienced career postal
employees.
The United States Post Office Department is one of the world's
biggest businesses. It employs more than 700,000 employees and handles over 75.6
billion pieces of mail each year.
Although this Department has an annual operating budget in excess
of $6.5 billion a year, and thousands and thousands of dedicated, conscientious
employees, it has not furnished the type of mail service that this country needs
and demands. Moreover, the ever increasing number of complaints, misdeliveries,
nondeliveries, delays and backups are a clear warning that even more serious trouble
lies ahead unless corrective steps are taken.
The American people will not get the type of postal service they
deserve, and the many problems within the service will not be corrected, until there
is a fundamental change in the manner in which the Department is operated. As long
as this Department remains a politically-dominated agency where appointments and
all promotions from postmaster to carrier, are based on political favoritism rather
than merit, postal experience and good management procedures, a first-class postal
system cannot be developed and maintained.
RALD FORD FIBRARY
(over)
8
Postal employees should not be placed in a position where obtaining
a job or their future in the postal service is determined by the size or regularity
of their political contributions.
The more modern European systems are operated strictly on a pro-
fessional business basis. They have recognized that in order to give quality
service, the operation of these departments must be divorced from politics. This
is in contrast to our own system wherein postmasters of even the largest cities
operating post offices doing many millions of dollars of business a year and employ-
ing many thousands of employees, need two paremount inications - they must
belong to the right political party and they must curry favor with the right pol-
iticians. to эло sdT
8.85 Certainly, every employee coming into the postal service should have
the opportunity to rise up through the ranks and attain a top supervisory position.
This is not the case today and it may never be the case unless appropriate legisla-
tion is enacted into law. b 10 abaseborts bris B votifid 8.08 10
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8 March 1967
IIIII
IIIIIII.
U.S. HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES
REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE
REP. JOHN J. RHODES, (R.-ARIZ.) CHAIRMAN
140 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
TELEPHONE 225-6168
DOIICIEST
10
REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS LEGISLATION TO
PROHIBIT POLITICAL INFLUENCE IN THE POSTAL SERVICE
In order to have a first-class postal system, the Post Office
Department must be divorced from politics. We urge the immediate consideration of
legislation introduced by Republican Members that would eliminate political favori-
tism and insure the recognition and promotion of able and experienced career postal
employees.
The United States Post Office Department is one of the world's
biggest businesses. It employs more than 700,000 employees and handles over 75.6
billion pieces of mail each year.
Although this Department has an annual operating budget in excess
of $6.5 billion a year, and thousands and thousands of dedicated, conscientious
employees, it has not furnished the type of mail service that this country needs
and demands. Moreover, the ever increasing number of complaints, misdeliveries,
nondeliveries, delays and backups are a clear warning that even more serious trouble
lies ahead unless corrective steps are taken.
The American people will not get the type of postal service they
deserve, and the many problems within the service will not be corrected, until there
is a fundamental change in the manner in which the Department is operated. As long
as this Department remains a politically-dominated agency where appointments and
all promotions from postmaster to carrier, are based on political favoritism rather
than merit, postal experience and good management procedures, a first-class postal
system cannot be developed and maintained.
(over) LALD FORD VIBRARY
Postal employees should not be placed in a position where obtaining
a job or their future in the postal service is determined by the size or regularity
of their political contributions.
The more modern European systems are operated strictly on a pro-
fessional business basis. They have recognized that in order to give quality
service, the operation of these departments must be divorced from politics. This
is in contrast to our own system wherein postmasters of even the largest cities
operating post offices doing many millions of dollars of business a year and employ-
ing many thousands of employees, need two paramount qualifications - they must
belong to the right political party and they must curry favor with the right pol-
iticians.
Certainly, every employee coming into the postal service should have
the opportunity to rise up through the ranks and attain a top supervisory position.
This is not the case today and it may never be the case unless appropriate legisla-
tion is enacted into law.
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
February 25, 1969
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Republican Leader, U. S. House of Representatives
I have long personally advocated making advancement in the postal system
a matter of merit and opening the top job in each Post Office to career employes
on that basis.
For that and other reasons I wholeheartedly support President Nixon's
legislative proposals aimed at taking politics out of the Post Office Department.
Delivery of the mail is a government service which touches the lives of
all Americans. It is a service which must be improved or it will break down under
the steadily increasing weight of demands placed upon it.
Enactment of the President's recommendations for reform of the postal
system will benefit the Nation. That is the clearest indication of their merit.
In addition, conditions in the Post Office Department place a mark of greatest
urgency on the actions proposed by the President.
I urge that the Congress approve the President's proposals as soon as
possible after thorough examination of the legislation required to implement them.
#####
Office Cabu
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
February 25, 1969
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Republican Leader, U. S. House of Representatives
I have long personally advocated making advancement in the postal system
a matter of merit and opening the top job in each Post Office to career employes
on that basis.
For that and other reasons I wholeheartedly support President Nixon's
legislative proposals aimed at taking politics out of the Post Office Department.
Delivery of the mail is a government service which touches the lives of
all Americans. It is a service which must be improved or it will break down under
the steadily increasing weight of demands placed upon it.
Enactment of the President's recommendations for reform of the postal
system will benefit the Nation. That is the clearest indication of their merit.
In addition, conditions in the Post Office Department place a mark of greatest
urgency on the actions proposed by the President.
I urge that the Congress approve the President's proposals as soon as
possible after thorough examination of the legislation required to implement them.
#####
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
May 27, 1969
Remarks by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., Republican Leader, U.S. House of Reps.
on the floor of the House, Tuesday, May 27, 1969.
Mr. Speaker: It is often true that what we need the most for our own
well-being we assiduously avoid. There is little question in my mind that com-
plete re-direction of our postal system is, as President Nixon today has told us,
"absolutely essential."
There is also little question in my mind that if the sweeping reforms
proposed by the President are to become reality, it will only be because postal
employes finally recognize that the proposed new United States Postal Service is
in their own self-interest.
Mr. Speaker, the American people want a thorough-going change in the
operations of the Post Office Department. They want improved, efficient, fast
mail delivery. The taxpayers want postal reform. They are sick of subsidizing
the Post Office Department to the tune of nearly a billion dollars a year. I
don't think anyone will have to sell the President's proposed new Postal Service
to the people.
But the President and all others who recognize the imperative need for
putting delivery of the mail on a business basis will have to do a selling job on
postal employes and the Congress.
Mr. Speaker, I believe the proposed creation of a government corporation to
run the United States Postal Service is an idea whose time has come. This is not
a partisan political issue. Former Postmaster General Lawrence O'Brien strongly
supports the new concept for an improved mail service.
Its time has come because all of the facts show postal reform to be in the
enlightened self-interest of all of the American people, including our 750,000
postal employes.
Regrettably I understand that representatives of postal employes have vowed
to fight the proposal for a Postal Service Corporation down to the last mail bag.
It is my guess that their views will change when they see what it will mean in
terms of their own self-interest.
Whatever the significance for other federal employes, the fact remains that
postal workers under the President's reform plan will be able to engage in true
collective bargaining for the first time. In addition, the plan calls for binding
arbitration of stalemated disputes.
As President Nixon expressed it, "The postal worker will finally take his
rightful place beside the worker in private industry."
Mr. Speaker, the Congress must take every vestige of politics out of our
postal system. Postal reform deserves the support of every member of Congress,
regardless of party.
# # #
Office Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
May 27, 1969
Remarks by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., Republican Leader, U.S. House of Reps.
on the floor of the House, Tuesday, May 27, 1969.
Mr. Speaker: It is often true that what we need the most for our own
well-being we assiduously avoid. There is little question in my mind that com-
plete re-direction of our postal system is, as President Nixon today has told us,
"absolutely essential."
There is also Tittle question in my mind that if the sweeping reforms
proposed by the President are to become reality, it will only be because postal
employes finally recognize that the proposed new United States Postal Service is
in their own self-interest.
Mr. Speaker, the American people want a thorough-going change in the
operations of the Post Office Department. They want improved, efficient, fast
mail delivery. The taxpayers want postal reform. They are sick of subsidizing
the Post Office Department to the tune of nearly a billion dollars a year. I
don't think anyone will have to sell the President's proposed new Postal Service
to the people.
But the President and all others who recognize the imperative need for
putting delivery of the mail on a business basis will have to do a selling job on
postal employes and the Congress.
Mr. Speaker, I believe the proposed creation of a government corporation to
run the United States Postal Service is an idea whose time has come. This is not
a partisan political issue. Former Postmaster General Lawrence O'Brien strongly
supports the new concept for an improved mail service.
Its time has come because all of the facts show postal reform to be in the
enlightened self-interest of all of the American people, including our 750,000
postal employes.
Regrettably I understand that representatives of postal employes have vowed
to fight the proposal for a Postal Service Corporation down to the last mail bag.
It is my guess that their views will change when they see what it will mean in
terms of their own self-interest.
Whatever the significance for other federal employes, the fact remains that
postal workers under the President's reform plan will be able to engage in true
collective bargaining for the first time. In addition, the plan calls for binding
arbitration of stalemated disputes.
As President Nixon expressed it, "The postal worker will finally take his
rightful place beside the worker in private industry."
Mr. Speaker, the Congress must take every vestige of politics out of our
postal system. Postal reform deserves the support of every member of Congress,
regardless of party.
#
Distribuction Full
Office Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
March 19, 1970
Remarks by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., Republican Leader, U. S. House of
Representatives, placed in the Congressional Record of Thursday, March 19, 1970.
Both President Nixon and Postmaster General Blount have expressed their
great concern over the postal strike in the New York City area.
While it is impossible for the Administration to endorse this strike -- a
strike which is illegal under existing law -- both the President and the Postmaster
General agree that working conditions and rates of pay for postal workers must be
improved.
The President expressed to me his hope that the striking employees would
return to their jobs.
The mail is the life blood of our economy. This strike means a delay in
the delivery of millions of welfare, social security and pension retirement checks
in the New York area. It means the interruption of vital business service. It
means a delay in the delivery of life sustaining medicines to the critically ill.
The President further expressed his concern over the refusal of the
strikers to obey the Federal Court injunction issued yesterday ordering the
striking employees back to work.
The postal strike is illegal under existing law and the failure to obey
the Federal injunction places the strikers in contempt of court.
The Congress has, I think, demonstrated its interest in improving working
and wage conditions for postal employees. Last week the House Post Office and
Civil Service Committee, in an unprecedented bipartisan move, reported to the
House floor a postal reform-salary adjustment act which will provide collective
bargaining rights for postal employees for the first time.
Under this measure, postal employees can bargain with postal management
over their grievances with the added provision that points of contention which
cannot be settled at the bargaining table can go to binding artibration.
It means that the striking employees in New York could, through their
national leadership, bargain over the points of contention which precipitated
this strike.
(more)
-2-
The same legislation contains a 5.4 per cent wage increase for most
postal employees retroactive to January 1, 1970. While this does not meet the
current demands of the striking New York employees, it is a step in the direction
of an upward adjustment in postal salaries.
The President has further expressed his support for additional postal pay
increases above the 5.4 per cent -- and also a raise for other Federal employees.
But he has asked that these increases be withheld until next year.
###
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
March 19, 1970
Remarks by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., Republican Leader, U. S. House of
Representatives, placed in the Congressional Record of Thursday, March 19, 1970.
Both President Nixon and Postmaster General Blount have expressed their
great concern over the postal strike in the New York City area.
While it is impossible for the Administration to endorse this strike -- a
strike which is illegal under existing law -- both the President and the Postmaster
General agree that working conditions and rates of pay for postal workers must be
improved.
The President expressed to me his hope that the striking employees would
return to their jobs.
The mail is the life blood of our economy. This strike means a delay in
the delivery of millions of welfare, social security and pension retirement checks
in the New York area. It means the interruption of vital business service. It
means a delay in the delivery of life sustaining medicines to the critically ill.
The President further expressed his concern over the refusal of the
strikers to obey the Federal Court injunction issued yesterday ordering the
striking employees back to work.
The postal strike is illegal under existing law and the failure to obey
the Federal injunction places the strikers in contempt of court.
The Congress has, I think, demonstrated its interest in improving working
and wage conditions for postal employees. Last week the House Post Office and
Civil Service Committee, in an unprecedented bipartisan move, reported to the
House floor a postal reform-salary adjustment act which will provide collective
bargaining rights for postal employees for the first time.
Under this measure, postal employees can bargain with postal management
over their grievances with the added provision that points of contention which
cannot be settled at the bargaining table can go to binding artibration.
It means that the striking employees in New York could, through their
national leadership, bargain over the points of contention which precipitated
this strike.
(more)
-2-
The same legislation contains a 5.4 per cent wage increase for most
postal employees retroactive to January 1, 1970. While this does not meet the
current demands of the striking New York employees, it is a step in the direction
of an upward adjustment in postal salaries.
The President has further expressed his support for additional postal pay
increases above the 5.4 per cent -- and also a raise for other Federal employees.
But he has asked that these increases be withheld until next year.
###
Distribution Full
a Office Copy
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
March 23, 1970
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., Republican Leader, U.S. House of Reps.
President Nixon is to be applauded for confining his callup of the military
to postal duty to New York alone. He took the most constructive action available
to him in this time of domestic crisis. His appeal to the strikers was low-keyed
and yet eloquent. It was the voice of reason. I hope the strikers will heed it.
I would at this time also compliment Letter Carriers National President James
Rademacher for urging the strikers to return to their jobs.
It should also be noted that H. R. 4, the pay increase and postal reform
bill which probably would have avoided this entire situation, was held in the
House Post Office and Civil Service Committee for too long a time. That was a
tragic delay. When the committee did report out the bill on March 12, it was not
brought quickly to the House floor for affirmative action. The postal walkout
started on March 18. I urge that H. R. 4 be moved through the House as soon as
the strikers return to work.
###
NEWS
CONGRESSMAN
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
March 23, 1970
Statement by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, R-Mich., Republican Leader, U.S. House of Reps.
President Nixon is to be applauded for confining his callup of the military
to postal duty to New York alone. He took the most constructive action available
to him in this time of domestic crisis. His appeal to the strikers was low-keyed
and yet eloquent. It was the voice of reason. I hope the strikers will heed it.
I would at this time also compliment Letter Carriers National President James
Rademacher for urging the strikers to return to their jobs.
It should also be noted that H. R. 4, the pay increase and postal reform
bill which probably would have avoided this entire situation, was held in the
House Post Office and Civil Service Committee for too long a time. That was a
tragic delay. When the committee did report out the bill on March 12, it was not
brought quickly to the House floor for affirmative action. The postal walkout
started on March 18. I urge that H. R. 4 be moved through the House as soon as
the strikers return to work.
###
Full distribution
a Office Copy
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
August 6, 1970
Remarks by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Republican Leader, U.S. House of Representatives,
on the floor of the House, Thursday, August 6, 1970, in support of the
Conference Report on H.R. 17070.
MR. SPEAKER: I support this conference report and urge its prompt adoption.
I also wish to commend the Chairman and the Members of the Committee on
Post Office and Civil Service for what I consider to be one of the truly great
accomplishments of this Congress. The postal reform bill, which we send to the
President today, will stand as a landmark in the history of the United States
postal service.
This legislation is the product of sincere, dedicated, bipartisan effort.
Those efforts began with general studies in the last administration and moved ahead
with President Nixon's specific legislative proposals of May 1969 and April 16, 1970.
Today we reach the end of a journey of tremendous legislative accomplishment by
sending the postal reform bill to the President for his signature.
While the final conference agreement before the House represents a fine
compromise between the work of the House and the work of the Senate, it basically
embodies all the recommendations of President Nixon resulting from the unprecedented
negotiations between the Administration and the postal unions after the end of the
March postal work stoppage. This includes, of course, the 8 per cent additional
pay raise for all Post Office Department employees.
Shortly after he was inaugurated, President Nixon pledged that his
Administration would move to abolish the political patronage system which has
plagued the Post Office Department for nearly two centuries. That was accomplished
by administrative action of the Postmaster General early last year. Under the
provisions of this legislation there will be a permanent barrier against any
resurgence of partisan politics in the postal service.
The Post Office Department is to be reorganized as an independent establish-
ment in the Executive Branch and is purposely insulated from direct control by the
President, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Congress.
The new postal system is intended to be self-supporting. It will have
continuity of top management, with all the management tools and flexibility needed
(more)
-2-
to properly manage. It will have appropriate controls over its expenses and its
revenues. It will have a workable means of raising the necessary funds for
facilities and capital improvements.
The new postal service will herald a new era of dignity and respect for
postal employees who will be able to sit down at the bargaining table with
management and bargain collectively over pay, fringe benefits, and the conditions
of their employment.
The end result of this massive reorganization of the antiquated Post Office
Department can only be as the President anticipated -- "a truly superior mail
service. "
I am proud to have been a co-sponsor of this legislation.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I emphasize that this legislation which comes to us
today for final approval after many, many months of long, tedious efforts by the
Committee will stand as a monumental legislative achievement of the 91st Congress.
# # #
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
August 6, 1970
Remarks by Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Republican Leader, U.S. House of Representatives,
on the floor of the House, Thursday, August 6, 1970, in support of the
Conference Report on H.R. 17070.
MR. SPEAKER: I support this conference report and urge its prompt adoption.
I also wish to commend the Chairman and the Members of the Committee on
Post Office and Civil Service for what I consider to be one of the truly great
accomplishments of this Congress. The postal reform bill, which we send to the
President today, will stand as a landmark in the history of the United States
postal service.
This legislation is the product of sincere, dedicated, bipartisan effort.
Those efforts began with general studies in the last administration and moved ahead
with President Nixon's specific legislative proposals of May 1969 and April 16, 1970.
Today we reach the end of a journey of tremendous legislative accomplishment by
sending the postal reform bill to the President for his signature.
While the final conference agreement before the House represents a fine
compromise between the work of the House and the work of the Senate, it basically
embodies all the recommendations of President Nixon resulting from the unprecedented
negotiations between the Administration and the postal unions after the end of the
March postal work stoppage. This includes, of course, the 8 per cent additional
pay raise for all Post Office Department employees.
Shortly after he was inaugurated, President Nixon pledged that his
Administration would move to abolish the political patronage system which has
plagued the Post Office Department for nearly two centuries. That was accomplished
by administrative action of the Postmaster General early last year. Under the
provisions of this legislation there will be a permanent barrier against any
resurgence of partisan politics in the postal service.
The Post Office Department is to be reorganized as an independent establish-
ment in the Executive Branch and is purposely insulated from direct control by the
President, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Congress.
The new postal system is intended to be self-supporting. It will have
continuity of top management, with all the management tools and flexibility needed
(more)
-2-
to properly manage. It will have appropriate controls over its expenses and its
revenues. It will have a workable means of raising the necessary funds for
facilities and capital improvements.
The new postal service will herald a new era of dignity and respect for
postal employees who will be able to sit down at the bargaining table with
management and bargain collectively over pay, fringe benefits, and the conditions
of their employment.
The end result of this massive reorganization of the antiquated Post Office
Department can only be as the President anticipated -- "a truly superior mail
service. "
I am proud to have been a co-sponsor of this legislation.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I emphasize that this legislation which comes to us
today for final approval after many, many months of long, tedious efforts by the
Committee will stand as a monumental legislative achievement of the 91st Congress.
# # #
11111 -
U. S. HOUSE
REPRESENTATIVES
REPUBLICAN POLICY
COMMITTEE
EP. JOHN J. RHODES, (R.-ARIZ.) CHAIRMAN
1616 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
TELEPHONE 225-6168
10
93rd Congress
July 17, 1973
First Session
Statement No. 15
HOUSE REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE STATEMENT ON H.R. 8929,
THE EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL POSTAL AMENDMENTS OF 1973
The House Republican Policy Committee strongly opposes the passage of
H.R. 8929, the Educational and Cultural Postal Amendments of 1973. The
bill, reported by the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, is best
described in the Views of the Committee Minority as "educational only as an
object lesson in raiding the Treasury" and "cultural to the extent of its
cultivation of special interest groups".
H.R. 8929 would provide huge and unwarranted windfalls to certain
profit-oriented newspaper, periodical and magazine publishers and high-volume
distributors of books and records. It would accord "favored status" to
selected mailers by--
1) stretching out, from five to nine years and in biennial increments,
the phased rate increases for profit-oriented second class publi-
cations and fourth class books and records;
2) providing a one-third discount on the first 100,000 copies of each
issue of profit-oriented second class publications and on the
first 250,000 copies of each issue of non-profit second class
publications;
(OVER)
- 2 -
3) providing a 50 percent subsidy for any future rate increases for
non-profit publications.
Upon the general taxpayer would fall the burden of this generosity--
approximately $950 million during the next seven years. Beyond 1980 these
continuing subsidies would prove equally exorbitant and inequitable.
The proposed legislation is completely contrary to principles
underlying the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970. Once again it involves
the Congress in the postal rate-setting process. It not only makes the
already complicated second class rates more confusing and complicated, but
by locking into permanent law references to former rate classifications that
were repealed by the Act, it perpetuates an archaic classification structure.
Enactment of H.R. 8929 would prove a serious and costly error. It
violates the structuring of postal rates and destroys the effective
operation of the Postal Rate Commission. It is an unwarranted raid on the
Federal Treasury for the unneeded benefit of a selected few.
The House Republican Policy Committee opposes the passage of H.R. 8929,
the Educational and Cultural Postal Amendments of 1973.
IIII
U. S. HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES
REPUBLICAN POLICY
COMMITTEE
REP. JOHN J. RHODES, (R.-ARIZ.) CHAIRMAN
1616 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
TELEPHONE 225-6168
10
93rd Congress
July 17, 1973
First Session
Statement No. 15
HOUSE REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE STATEMENT ON H.R. 8929,
THE EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL POSTAL AMENDMENTS OF 1973
The House Republican Policy Committee strongly opposes the passage of
H.R. 8929, the Educational and Cultural Postal Amendments of 1973. The
bill, reported by the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, is best
described in the Views of the Committee Minority as "educational only as an
object lesson in raiding the Treasury" and "cultural to the extent of its
cultivation of special interest groups".
H.R. 8929 would provide huge and unwarranted windfalls to certain
profit-oriented newspaper, periodical and magazine publishers and high-volume
distributors of books and records. It would accord "favored status" to
selected mailers by--
1) stretching out, from five to nine years and in biennial increments,
the phased rate increases for profit-oriented second class publi-
cations and fourth class books and records;
2) providing a one-third discount on the first 100,000 copies of each
issue of profit-oriented second class publications and on the
first 250,000 copies of each issue of non-profit second class
publications;
(OVER)
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3) providing a 50 percent subsidy for any future rate increases for
non-profit publications.
Upon the general taxpayer would fall the burden of this generosity--
approximately $950 million during the next seven years. Beyond 1980 these
continuing subsidies would prove equally exorbitant and inequitable.
The proposed legislation is completely contrary to principles
underlying the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970. Once again it involves
the Congress in the postal rate-setting process. It not only makes the
already complicated second class rates more confusing and complicated, but
by locking into permanent law references to former rate classifications that
were repealed by the Act, it perpetuates an archaic classification structure.
Enactment of H.R. 8929 would prove a serious and costly error. It
violates the structuring of postal rates and destroys the effective
operation of the Postal Rate Commission. It is an unwarranted raid on the
Federal Treasury for the unneeded benefit of a selected few.
The House Republican Policy Committee opposes the passage of H.R. 8929,
the Educational and Cultural Postal Amendments of 1973.