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President's Orders for Increasing Effectiveness of the Transportation Cargo Security Program [Executive Order]
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7337856
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document
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President's Orders for Increasing Effectiveness of the Transportation Cargo Security Program [Executive Order]
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White House Press Releases (Ford Administration)
Press Releases
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1975-01-27
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1975
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Digitized from Box 7 of the White House Press Releases at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 27, 1975
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
EXECUTIVE ORDER
INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE
TRANSPORTATION CARGO SECURITY PROGRAM
Theft of cargo has emerged during this decade as
a serious threat to the reliability, efficiency, and
integrity of the Nation's commerce. The total cost
of theft-related cargo losses from our Nation's trans-
portation system is now estimated to be in excess of
one billion dollars annually. These losses seriously
erode industry profits, result in higher prices for
consumer goods, and provide support for unlawful
activities.
In recognition of this problem, the Secretary
of Transportation, at Presidential direction, has
provided leadership, guidance, and technical assistance
in coordinating the efforts of Federal agencies and
the transportation industry in the search for solutions.
Through the cooperative efforts of the Federal agencies,
an effective National Cargo Security Program has been
developed and is now being implemented on a voluntary
basis in cooperation with the transportation industry,
and with the support of State and local governments,
shippers, consignees, organized labor, and insurers.
To assure more effective Federal leadership in
this effort, I am directing that certain additional
responsibilities be carried out by the Secretary of
Transportation, delineating the functions and responsi-
bilities of the other Federal departments and agencies
with respect to the National Cargo Security Program, urging
full participation and cooperation in the program by the
independent regulatory agencies and all Federal departments
and agencies, and requesting the Secretary of Transportation
to submit to me on March 31, 1976, a full evaluation of the
effectiveness of the Federal program.
NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested
in me as President of the United States, it is hereby
ordered as follows:
Section 1. Responsibilities of the Secretary of
Transportation. The Secretary of Transportation shall be
responsible for:
(1) assisting the transportation industry by
planning, developing, and testing cargo security
measures and by providing technical assistance and
arranging demonstration projects related thereto;
more
(OVER)
2
(2) coordinating the activities of Federal
departments and agencies relating to the prevention of
cargo theft, and studying means by which Government
agencies can, through the procurement of transportation
services, improve the cargo security programs of common
carriers;
(3) collecting and analyzing cargo loss data for
all modes of transportation, and preparing and publishing
periodic reports on the extent and nature of theft-related
cargo losses, local and national loss trends, and other
special analyses useful to the development of theft
prevention measures; and
(4) issuing, after coordination with the interested
Federal departments and agencies and after opportunity for
public comment, Cargo Security Advisory Standards for the
prevention of cargo losses by any elements of the trans-
portation industry, including shippers and receivers.
Sec. 2. Responsibilities of the Attorney General.
The Attorney General shall be responsible for:
(1) developing and conducting programs designed
to promote the coordination of Federal, State, and local
law enforcement efforts against criminal activity relating
to cargo thefts; and
(2) supporting, to the extent possible and appro-
priate, the provision of financial assistance to State
and local law enforcement organizations for the establish-
ment and maintenance of cargo theft prevention programs
and for the investigation, prosecution, and prevention
of cargo theft.
Sec. 3. Responsibilities of the Secretary of the
Treasury. The Secretary of the Treasury shall be
responsible for:
(1) fostering the security of international cargo
in customs custody within ports of entry and in its
movement and storage in bond;
(2) investigating the theft of cargo stolen from
customs custody and, consistent with the responsibilities
of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the
theft of firearms, ammunition, explosives, tobacco, and
alcohol;
(3) analyzing cargo theft reports to identify
theft-conducive practices and theft-prone facilities
employed in the handling of cargo controlled by the
Customs Service at ports of entry, providing for the
implementation of cargo security advisory standards
with respect to that cargo, and initiating other corrective
measures as appropriate; and
(4) coordinating with the Department of Trans-
portation and other interested Federal departments and
agencies measures being proposed to improve the security
of cargo at facilities controlled by the Customs Service.
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3
Sec. 4. Recommended Actions by the Transportation
Regulatory Agencies. The Interstate Commerce Commission,
the Civil Aeronautics Board, and the Federal Maritime
Commission are urged, in exercising their regulatory
responsibilities, to recognize and consider the problem
of theft-related cargo losses and encourage preventive
measures, and to continue to cooperate with the Department
of Transportation by:
(1) developing cargo theft reporting systems
affording full opportunity for presentation of views
by the public, the Department of Transportation, other
interested Federal departments and agencies, and those
elements of the transportation industry from which reports
would be required;
(2) obtaining cargo loss data from carriers, freight
forwarders, and terminal operators (including such
information as cargo lost, missing, stolen, presumed stolen,
or damaged as a result of theft) ; and
(3) providing the Department of Transportation
with the cargo loss data collected in a form that will
permit both general and detailed analyses and preparation
of reports on an intermodal and national basis.
Sec. 5. Recommended Action by Federal Departments
and Agencies. All Federal departments and agencies,
in their procurement of transportation services for
goods and commodities, are urged to encourage carriers
to adopt cargo theft prevention measures.
Sec. 6. Report and Recommendations. The
Secretary of Transportation shall submit to me on
March 31, 1976, and annually thereafter, a report
evaluating and making recommendations concerning
the effectiveness of the Federal program prescribed
by this Order in reducing theft-related cargo losses.
GERALD R. FORD
THE WHITE HOUSE,
January 27, 1975
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