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Ford, Gerald R. - Vice Presidential Confirmation - House Judiciary Committee Correspondence
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Ford, Gerald R. - Vice Presidential Confirmation - House Judiciary Committee Correspondence
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The original documents are located in Box 1, folder "Ford, Gerald R. - Vice Presidential
Confirmation - House Judiciary Committee Correspondence" of the Benton L. Becker
Papers 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. Benton Becker 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
NINETY-THIRD CONGRESS
PETER W. RODINO, JR. (N.J.). CHAIRMAN
GENERAL COUNSEL:
HAROLD D. DONOHUE, MASS.
EDWARD HUTCHINSON, MICH.
JEROME M. ZEIFMAN
JACK BROOKS, TEX.
ROBERT MCCLORY, ILL.
ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL:
ROBERT W. KASTENMEIER, WIS.
HENRY P. SMITH III, N.Y.
DON EDWARDS, CALIF.
WILLIAM L. HUNGATE, MO.
TOM RAILSBACK, ILL.
Congress of the United States
GARNER J. CLINE
CHARLES W. SANDMAN, JR., N.J.
COUNSEL:
JOHN CONYERS. JR., MICH.
CHARLES E. WIGGINS, CALIF.
JOSEPH FISCHER
JOSHUA EILBERG. PA.
DAVID W. DENNIS, IND.
JEROME R. WALDIE, CALIF.
HAMILTON FISH, JR., N.Y.
Committee on the Judiciary
HERBERT FUCHS
HERBERT E. HOFFMAN
WILEY MAYNE, IOWA
WILLIAM P. SHATTUCK
WALTER FLOWERS. ALA.
JAMES R. MANN, S.C.
LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, MD.
CHRIS NOLDE
PAUL S. SARBANES, MD.
WILLIAM J. KEATING. OHIO
House of Representatives
ALAN A. PARKER
JOHN F. SEIBERLING, OHIO
M. CALDWELL BUTLER, VA.
JAMES F. FALCO
WILLIAM S. COHEN, MAINE
MAURICE A. BARBOZA
GEORGE E. DANIELSON, CALIF.
ROBERT F. DRINAN, MASS.
TRENT LOTT, MISS.
CHARLES B. RANGEL, N.Y.
HAROLD V. FROEHLICH, WIS.
Mashington, D.C. 20515
DONALD G. BENN
FRANKLIN G. POLK
BARBARA JORDAN, TEX.
CARLOS J. MOORHEAD. CALIF.
ROGER A. PAULEY
RAY THORNTON, ARK.
JOSEPH J. MARAZITI, N.J.
November 12, 1973
THOMAS E. MOONEY
PETER T. STRAUB
ELIZABETH HOLTZMAN, N.Y.
MICHAEL W. BLOMMER
WAYNE OWENS, UTAH
ALEXANDER B. COOK
EDWARD MEZVINSKY, IOWA
Honorable Gerald R. Ford
Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Jerry:
Members of the Committee on the Judiciary have requested
that I contact you regarding a private bill you introduced
in the 91st Congress, 1st Session for the relief of Domenico
Piemonte. The bill, H.R. 5381, was introduced on January 29,
1969 and referred to this Committee.
I ask, therefore, that you make available to William P. Dixon
of the Committee staff any and all documents, correspondence,
memos or other material contained in your files concerning
H.R. 5381.
I appreciate the assistance you have rendered the Committee
to date, as well as the assistance given to members of the
Committee staff by individuals within your employ.
Sincerely 12 yours,
PETER W. RODINO, JR.
Chairman
Digitized from Box 1 of the Benton Becker Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
November 21, 1973
Honorable Peter W. Rodino, Jr.
Chairman
Committee on the Judiciary
U. S. House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The following information is in response to the inquiries Miss
Holtsman submitted to me in a letter dated November 19. 1973:
A. Mr. Harold Albert is an old and trusted friend. He had what
I considered to be a. legitimate claim and my intervention in
his behalf, was in my opinion, justified based on the merits
of his case. I had no knowledge of Mr. Albert's contribution
or the contribution of Seidman and Seidman to the Kent County
Republican Finance Committee. The circumstances resulting in
the resolution of Mr. Albert's case are best described in the
enclosed communications.
I know of no contributions made to me or to any of my campaign
committees by Mr. Albert. The action I took on Mr. Albert's
behalf was in no way connected to his contribution to the
Kent County Republican Finance Committee. I know of no other
action taken on Mr. Albert's behalf by me. There was nothing
illegal or improper about this action.
B. Mr. James Chamberlain is President of Gill Manufacturing Corpora-
tion, a large manufacturer of children's clothing in Grand Rapids.
He is an extremely knowledgeable businessman whom I felt would
make a solid contribution to the National Advisory Council on
Flammable Fabrics. I was notified on July 25, 1973 that he had
been so appointed. I had no knowledge that Mr. Chamberlain
contributed $1,155 between 1969 and 1973 to the Kent County Repub-
lican Finance Committee. I know of no contributions made to me
FORD
R
LISHARP
GERALD
Mr. Rodino
Page Two
November 21, 1973
or any of my campaign committees by Mr. Chamberlain. My
recommendation of Mr. Chamberlain was in no way connected to
this contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee.
No illegal or improper action was taken by my office on behalf of
Mr. Chamberlain regarding this appointment. With the exception
of forwarding Mr. Chamberlain's views on pending rule making to the
appropriate federal agencies, my records reflect that the only
additional action taken at his request was the insertion in the
December 17, 1971 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD of a statement by Roger
Wilson, Chairman, Products Flammability Committee, American
Apparel Manufacturers Association, dealing with that Association's
efforts to solve the apparel flammability problem.
C. Bob Webster is President of Holly's Inc. a restaurant chain in
my District. My letter to the Chairman of the Price Commission
was in response to correspondence from Mr. Webster questioneng
the high cost of meat and asking when action by the Price
Commission could be expected to meet this problem. The Price
Commission responded by sending me the enclosed letter which
includes a copy of the Federal Code dealing with resteurants. I
forwarded this information to Mr. Webster. I do not know if
Holly's Inc. vas exempt from the price controls on the basis of
number of employees or annual sales. I had no knowledge that
Mr. Webster contributed $500 to the Kent County Republican Finance
Committee. I know of no contribution made to me or any of my
campaign committees by Mr. Webster. My correspondence to the Price
Commission was in no way connected to Mr. Webster's contribution
to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. No illegal or
improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Webster.
D. On August 24, 1972, I received the enclosed communication from
Smith Brothers Elevators requesting clarification of a recent
Small Business Administration (SBA) ruling respecting country
elevators and the constituent's status as a retailer rather than
a storer of goods. That letter was forwarded on August 29, 1972 to
the SBA requesting the SBA's review of the letter and clarification of
the eligibility of country elevators for participation in SBA loans.
On September 11, 1972 the enclosed response vas received from SBA
Administrator, Thomas Kleppe, reflecting the procedures to appeal
their ruling. On September 11, 1972 Mr. Smith waste the Small
Business Standard Sized Board requesting reconsideration of the SBA
ruling which letter vas incorporated with my letter of September 14, 1972
to the Size Appeals Board requesting a review of the matter, "con-
sistent with existing ruless and regulations." On September 21, 1972
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
Mr. Rodino
Page Three
November 21, 1973
the Chairman of the Size Appeals Board acknowledged my communication
and advised later, amOctober 16, 1972, that the Size Appears Board
had determined that Smith Brothers met the small business size require-
ments and found it eligible for small business financial assistance.
I had no personal knowledge of the $75 contribution to the Friends
of Jerry Ford Committee by Mr. L. G. Smith on November 13, 1972 and
know of no other contributions made to me or to any of my committees
by Mr. Smith. My Congressional assistance to Smith Bewthers, in both
the SBA matter and the Interstate Commerce Commission matter, were
not related to Mr. Smith's contribution.
With respect to your inquiry in paragraph 2 of Section D, I have
enclosed xerox copiews of my letter of May 18, 1973 to the Interstate
Commerce Commission Chairman, George M. Stafford, together with his
response of May 29, 1973. To the best of my knowledge, the inquiry
continues to be under consideratéon by ICC. No illegal or improper
action was taken by my office on thhalf of Mr. Smith or Smith
Brothers Elevators.
E. Vari-tech Company is a manufacturer of lasers in Grand Rapids which
experienced what appeared to be an inordinate delay in securing an
export license. I forwarded a copy of a letter from Mr. Merlin
Applegate, President, Vari-tech Company, to Commerce Secretary Dent
requesting information as to the cause of the delay and asking what
I might advise Mr. Applegate. The disposition of the case is best
described in a letter to me dated April 10, 1973 from Mr. Stephen
Lazerus, Deputy Assistant Secretary for East-West Trade. I had no
personal knowledge of Mr. Applegate's $50 contribution to the Ford
FordCongress Committee in 1972. I know of no other contribution
made to me or to any of my campaign committees by Mr. Applegate.
My assistance to Mr. Applegate was in no way connected to his
contribution to the Ford for Congress Committee. I know of no other
action taken on Mr. Applegate's behalf by me or my office. No
illegal or improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr.
Applebate regarding this matter.
F. Mr. Chet Williams, Chairman of the Board, Williams Form Engineering
Corporation of Grand Rapids, is an old friend who had difficulty in
receiving & surtax refund of $3,558.10 to which he was entitled. I
forwarded Mr. Williams' letter and entry documents to the Bureau of
Customs with & request that they follow through on the matter in
whatever manner they deemed appropriate. The Bureau of Customs, based
upon the documentation provided, concluded that the surtax should not
GERALD R. LISAARY FORD
Mr. Rodino
PagE Four
November 21, 1973
have been levied since the material in quiestion sailed from
England and was enroute prior to the time the surtax vas applicable.
The second matter to which you refer was a request made by me to
the Department of Commerce in Mr. Williams' behalf to look into
the patent difficulties Mr. Williams had encountered in Japan. I
have no knowledge of Mr. Williams' contribution to the Kent County
Republican Finance Committee. I know of no contribution made to
me or to any of my campaign committees by Mr. Williams. My
assistance to Mr. Williams was in no way connected to his contribution
to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. No illegal or
improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Williams.
G. Wolvering World Wide Inc., a Rockford, Michigan firm in my
Congressional District, is the manufacturer of Hush Puppies, a
well-known brand of footwear. The Department of Labor rejected
Wolverine's proposal to provide employment opportunities to minority
people under the JOBS Program. I requested the Department of Labor
to review the file to determine whether there was anything which could
be done, consistent with existing rules and regulations, to aid
Wolvering-World Wide Inc. in its efforts to provide employment
opportunities in severely depressed areas. My records reflect
that on April 7, 1972 Wolverine was advised by the Department of
Labor to submit a new proposal under the JOBS Handbook. I do not
know the disposition of this matter. I have no knowledge of Mr.
Cummisky's contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance
Committee. I know of no contribution made to me or any of my
compaign committees by Mr. Cummishy. My action in this matter was
in no way connected to Mr. Commisky's contribution to the Kent County
Republican Finance Committee. No illegal or improper action was
taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Cummisky or Wolverine World Wide
Inc. I know of no other action taken on Mr. Cummisky's behalf or
Wolverine's behalf by me or my office.
H. On February 22, 1973 my office received a copy of a letter addressed
to the Food Stamp Review Officer of the Department of Agriculture
from B. S. Fehsenfeld, President of Crystal Flash Petroleum Corporation.
That letter requested a review of a recent denial to participate in
the Food Stamp Program. On February 27, 1973 my Grand Rapids office
forwarded a copy of the aforementioned letter to n.Edward Hekman,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service of the U. S. Department of
Agriculture. On March 6, 1973 Mr. Fehsenfeld received an acknowledge-
ment from the Food Stamp Review Officer reflecting that his office
would review the matter. On March 12, 1973 I received a communication
from Edward Hekman acknolwedging my letter of February 27, 1973,
indicating that a Review Officer had been assigned to study the matter.
GERALD
GRANK
Page Five
November 21, 1973
On April 27, 1973 Mr. Fehsenfeld was notified from the Food Stamp
Review Officer that, "based on a careful review of all information
submitted and especially on my personal visit to your store," his
application had been approved. On May 1, 1973 Mr. Hekman notified
me of Mr. Fehsenfeld's approval.
My review of my files indicate that no other action was undertaken
by my Congressional Office for the individual or corporation cited
herein. I had no knowledge of Mr. Fehsenfeld's contributions to
the Kent County Republican Finance Committee and such contributions
were in no way related to the Congressional interest I demonstrated
in his inquiry. I have no knowledge of other campaign contributions
from individuals connected with this corporation and unequivocally
state that nothing illegal or improper occurred in connection with
this transaction.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:bbr
Encl.
RFORM
GERALD
November 21, 1973
Honorable Peter W. Rodino, Jr.
Chairman
Committee on the Judiciary
U. S. House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The following information is in response to the inquiries Miss
Holtzman submitted to me in a letter dated November 19, 1973:
A. Mr. Harold Albert is an old and trusted friend. He had what
I considered to be a legitimate claim and my intervention in
his behalf, was in my opinion, justified based on the merits
of his case. I had no knowledge of Mr. Albert's contribution
or the contribution of Seidman and Seidman to the Kent County
Republican Finance Committee. The circumstances resulting in
the resolution of Mr. Albert's case are best described in the
enclosed communications.
I know of no contributions made to me or to any of my campaign
committees by Mr. Albert. The action I took on Mr. Albert's
behalf was in no way connected to his contribution to the
Kent County Republican Finance Committee. I know of no other
action taken on Mr. Albert's behalf by me. There was nothing
illegal or improper about this action.
B. Mr. James Chamberlain is President of Gill Manufacturing Corpora-
tion, a large manufacturer of children's clothing in Grand Rapids.
He is an extremely knowledgeable businessman whom I felt would
make a solid contribution to the National Advisory Council on
Flammable Fabrics. I was notified on July 25, 1973 that he had
been so appointed. I had no knowledge that Mr. Chamberlain
contributed $1,155 between 1969 and 1973 to the Kent County Repub-
lican Finance Committee. I know of no contributions made to me
Mr. Rodino
Page Two
November 21, 1973
or any of my campaign committees by Mr. Chamberlain. My
recommendation of Mr. Chamberlain was in no way connected to
his contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee.
No illegal or improper action was taken by my office on behalf of
Mr. Chamberlain regarding this appointment. With the exception
of forwarding Mr. Chamberlain's views on pending rule making to the
appropriate federal agencies, my records reflect that the only
additional action taken at his request was the insertion in the
December 17, 1971 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD of a statement by Roger
Wilson, Chairman, Products Flammability Committee, American
Apparel Manufacturers Association, dealing with that Association's
efforts to solve the apparel flammability problem.
C. Bob Webster is President of Holly's Inc. a restaurant chain in
my District. My letter to the Chairman of the Price Commission
was in response to correspondence from Mr. Webster questioneag
the high cost of meat and asking when action by the Price
Commission could be expected to meet this problem. The Price
Commission responded by sending me the enclosed letter which
includes a copy of the Federal Code dealing with restaurants. I
forwarded this information to Mr. Webster. I do not know if
Holly's Inc. was exempt from the price controls on the basis of
number of employees or annual sales. I had no knowledge that
Mr. Webster contributed $500 to the Kent County Republican Finance
Committee. I know of no contribution made to me or any of my
campaign committees by Mr. Webster. My correspondence to the Price
Commission was in no way connected to Mr. Webster's contribution
to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. No illegal or
improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Webster.
D. On August 24, 1972, I received the enclosed communication from
Smith Brothers Elevators requesting clarification of a recent
Small Business Administration (SBA) ruling respecting country
elevators and the constituent's status as a retailer rather than
a storer of goods. That letter was forwarded on August 29, 1972 to
the SBA requesting the SBA's review of the letter and clarification of
the eligibility of country elevators for participation in SBA loans.
On September 11, 1972 the enclosed response was received from SBA
Administrator, Thomas Kleppe, reflecting the procedures to appeal
their ruling. On September 11, 1972 Mr. Smith weste the Small
Business Standard Sized Board requesting reconsideration of the SBA
ruling which letter was incorporated with my letter of September 14, 1972
to the Size Appeals Board requesting a review of the matter, "con-
sistent with existing rulees and regulations." On September 21, 1972
Mr. Rodino
Page Three
November 21, 1973
the Chairmam of the Size Appeals Board acknowledged my communication
and advised later, cm0ctober 16, 1972, that the Size Appears Board
had determined that Smith Brothers met the small business size require-
ments and found it eligible for small business financial assistance.
I had no personal knowledge of the $75 contribution to the Friends
of Jerry Ford Committee by Mr. L. G. Smith on November 13, 1972 and
know of no other contributions made to me or to any of my committees
by Mr. Smith. My Congressional assistance to Smith Bouthers, in both
the SBA matter and the Interstate Commerce Commission matter, were
not related to Mr. Smith's contribution.
With respect to your inquiry in paragraph 2 of Section D, I have
enclosed xerox copiews of my letter of May 18, 1973 to the Interstate
Commerce Commission Chairman, George M. Stafford, together with his
response of May 29, 1973. To the best of my knowledge, the inquiry
continues to be under consideration by ICC. No illegal or improper
action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Smith or Smith
Brothers Elevators.
E. Vari-tech Company is a manufacturer of lasers in Grand Rapids which
experienced what appeared to be an inordinate delay in securing an
export license. I forwarded a copy of a letter from Mr. Merlin
Applegate, President, Vari-tech Company, to Commerce Secretary Dent
requesting information as to the cause of the delay and asking what
I might advise Mr. Applegate. The disposition of the case is best
described in a letter to me dated April 10, 1973 from Mr. Stephen
Lazerus, Deputy Assistant Secretary for East-West Trade. I had no
personal knowledge of Mr. Applegate's $50 contribution to the Ford
FordCongress Committee in 1972. I know of no other contribution
made to me or to any of my campaign committees by Mr. Applegate.
My assistance to Mr. Applegate was in no way connected to his
contribution to the Ford for Congress Committee. I know of no other
action taken on Mr. Applegate's behalf by me or my office. No
illegal or improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr.
Applegate regarding this matter.
F. Mr. Chet Williams, Chairman of the Board, Williams Form Engineering
Corporation of Grand Rapids, is an old friend who had difficulty in
receiving a surtax refund of $3,558.10 to which he was entitled. I
forwarded Mr. Williams' letter and entry documents to the Bureau of
Customs with a request that they follow through on the matter in
whatever manner they deemed appropriate. The Bureau of Customs, based
upon the documentation provided, concluded that the surtax should not
Mr. Rodino
Page Four
November 21, 1973
have been levied since the material in quiestion sailed from
England and was enroute prior to the time the surtax was applicable.
The second matter to which you refer was a request made by me to
the Department of Commerce in Mr. Williams' behalf to look into
the patent difficulties Mr. Williams had encountered in Japan. I
have no knowledge of Mr. Williams' contribution to the Kent County
Republican Finance Committee. I know of no contribution made to
me or to any of my campaign committees by Mr. Williams. My
assistance to Mr. Williams was in no way connected to his contribution
to the Kent County Republican Finance Committee. No illegal or
improper action was taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Williams.
G. Wolvering World Wide Inc., a Rockford, Michigan firm in my
Congressional District, is the manufacturer of Hush Puppies, a
well-known brand of footwear. The Department of Labor rejected
Wolverine's proposal to provide employment opportunities to minority
people under the JOBS Program. I requested the Department of Labor
to review the file to determine whether there was anything which could
be done, consistent with existing rules and regulations, to aid
Wolvering-World Wide Inc. in its efforts to provide employment
opportunities in severely depressed areas. My records reflect
that on April 7, 1972 Wolverine was advised by the Department of
Labor to submit a new proposal under the JOBS Handbook. I do not
know the disposition of this matter. I have no knowledge of Mr.
Cummisky's contribution to the Kent County Republican Finance
Committee. I know of no contribution made to me or any of my
compaign committees by Mr. Cummisky. My action in this matter was
in no way connected to Mr. Commisky's contribution to the Kent County
Republican Finance Committee. No illegal or improper action was
taken by my office on behalf of Mr. Cummisky or Wolverine World Wide
Inc. I know of no other action taken on Mr. Cummisky's behalf or
Wolverine's behalf by me or my office.
H. On February 22, 1973 my office received a copy of a letter addressed
to the Food Stamp Review Officer of the Department of Agriculture
from B. S. Fehsenfeld, President of Crystal Flash Petroleum Corporation.
That letter requested a review of a recent denial to participate in
the Food Stamp Program. On February 27, 1973 my Grand Rapids office
forwarded a copy of the aforementioned letter to Edward Hekman,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service of the U. S. Department of
Agriculture. On March 6, 1973 Mr. Fehsenfeld received an acknowledge-
ment from the Food Stamp Review Officer reflecting that his office
would review the matter. On March 12, 1973 I received a communication
from Edward Hekman acknolwedging my letter of February 27, 1973,
indicating that a Review Officer had been assigned to study the matter.
Page Five
November 21, 1973
On April 27, 1973 Mr. Fehsenfeld was notified from the Food Stamp
Review Officer that, "based on a careful review of all information
submitted and especially on my personal visit to your store," his
application had been approved. On May 1, 1973 Mr. Hekman notified
me of Mr. Fehsenfeld's approval.
My review of my files indicate that no other action was undertaken
by my Congressional Office for the individual or corporation cited
herein. I had no knowledge of Mr. Fehsenfeld's contributions to
the Kent County Republican Finance Committee and such contributions
were in no way related to the Congressional interest I demonstrated
in his inquiry. I have no knowledge of other campaign contributions
from individuals connected with this corporation and unequivocally
state that nothing illegal or improper occurred in connection with
this transaction.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:bbr
Encl.