Masonry Magazine September 1973 Page. 25
theWASHINGTONire...
A STALEMATE ON KEY LEGISLATION WILL PROBABLY MARK the remaining days of the current Congressional session. Leading lawmakers see little hope of adding very much to the skimpy record of the year to date. The hostility between Congress and the White House foreshadows limited compromise. The opposition will sharply modify or kill many of the Nixon-proposed programs. But the President will veto Democratic schemes that differ a lot from his. The result: Little final action, with only a few "must" bills being voted.
A spirit of accommodation seemed to be developing earlier this year. The President, wounded by Watergate, appeared willing to compromise a little. So did Congress, after it proved unable to override any of the President's vetoes.
Several important bills were passed early in the session:
• An increase in Social Security benefits was voted and signed.
• A new four-year farm program became law setting new subsidies.
• A highway measure freed trust-fund money for mass transit.
• Increased funds for rural areas finally reached passage.
• Development of airports has been given more Federal funding.
BUT THE PRODUCTIVE COOPERATION DISAPPEARED as the session moved on. Congress became increasingly hostile to the President's alleged power grabs. It also finally voted against continued bombing of Cambodia... threatening to cut off funds to operate the government unless the attacks were halted. In turn, President Nixon adopted his hard line in dealing with Congress. And he attacked the lawmakers for imposing an abrupt end to the bombing.
Relations between the two branches haven't been as strained for years-not since Harry Truman did battle with Congress.
MAJOR FIGHTS LOOM ON BILLS to limit the President's war-making power, and to prohibit him from refusing to spend funds appropriated by Congress. The bills require the President to report to Congress when he sends forces or impounds funds. And they set up mechanisms for Congress to halt action. These measures seem certain to be vetoed, whatever they finally do contain.
A number of other pieces of legislation probably won't be voted in 1973. Action on housing measures has been deferred by the Banking Committee, while lawmakers await a new White House proposal on low-income home subsidies.
Several consumer-protection bills also face an uncertain future this year. One, that would set up an independent Consumer Protection Agency, is moving very, very slowly.
Here are some bills that WILL be voted despite the stalemate:
• Federal land-use policy-Legislation seems certain to pass.
• The Alaska pipeline-A measure will clear its construction.
• Campaign spending-New controls loom as a good bet in 1973.
• Veterans' pension benefits-A 10% increase appears assured.
• And appropriations bills will pass, totaling no more than Nixon's limit. Congress will hike some outlays; cut others.
FEDERAL WAGE-CONTROLLERS WORRY THAT PAY HIKES WILL SURGE ahead soon. They say it may be impossible to maintain the current moderation in boosts, especially if the cost of living continues its jumps . . . a likely occurrence. They fear the possibility of an explosion of construction wages next spring. Few building trades contracts have cost-of-living clauses to ease the sting. Construction unions are now resisting the retention of wage-control boards.
Officials say workers can no longer absorb price increases. Union leaders will not be able to hold their members back.
EXPORT SALES NOW PRESENT AN INVITING NEW MARKET for many U.S. firms. Many businesses are only waiting for home sales to cool to switch to exports. Markets that seemed impenetrable only a year or so ago are now opening up in autos, machinery, steel, electronics, and even many consumer products.
Four favorable factors are responsible for the turnaround:
• The repeated devaluations of the dollar are bringing results. Lower exchange rates make it cheaper for foreigners to buy here.
• Inflation is pushing up prices even faster abroad than in the U.S. In Germany, inflation is 8% . . . France 7½% . . . Britain 9% . . . Japan 11%.
• A worldwide boom is boosting the demand for all raw materials. Industrial buyers are scrambling for supplies wherever available.
• Shortages of grains and other foods plague both Europe and Japan. American crops are high on the shopping list of these countries.
(Continued on page 26)
masonry
• September, 1973
25