Masonry Magazine June 1975 Page. 28
Washington Wire
(Continued from page 26)
NEW RULES HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO HELP CONSUMERS resolve credit disputes. The regulations also are designed to protect people from unfair practices. The rules, issued by the Federal Reserve, implement a recent Federal law. A creditor now must acknowledge that he has received a customer complaint. And he must resolve the complaint within three months. During this period, the creditor can't close a customer's account, or post a bad credit report.
Credit-card holders could withhold payment for defective goods if they have been unsuccessful in resolving the problem with the merchant. Payment for goods would have to be credited on the date it is received instead of when posted to the account.
A MEASURE TO SET UP A NEW CONSUMER AGENCY WILL BE PASSED by Congress. But final establishment depends on whether the President will veto the bill. The legislation would authorize a new Agency for Consumer Advocacy, which would be given the right to intervene in most other government proceedings. The President opposes it, arguing it adds an unneeded layer of bureaucracy.
Meeting Reminder The 26th Annual MCAA Convention & Educational Trade Show will be held February 7-11, at the Town & Country Hotel, San Diego, California. Plan on being there.
Delaware Valley Apprentice Contest
The Employing Bricklayers Association of Delaware Valley (Pa.) recently sponsored its annual apprentice contest in the main concourse of the 30th Street railroad station in Philadelphia. Philadelphia. Pictured above is an overall view of apprentices at work and interested spectators watching the contest in action. Below are the apprentices who participated.
As an added attraction, the IMI film, "First Principles," as well as architectural and technical slides and other masonry films were projected on a 21 x 16-ft. screen and shown for six consecutive hours opposite the ongoing apprentice contest. The competition was well covered by the news media and shown on the evening news on all three local TV stations. Three major Philadelphia newspapers also carried coverage of the event.
Contest winners from Bricklayers Locals No. 1 and No. 54 were: 1st place, Patrick Dougherty, 2nd place, John Barnes, and 3rd place, Michael Ulrich, all of Local No. 1. and 4th place, Robert Bates, Local No. 54.
Winners from Local No. 64 were: 1st place, Alfonso Sanbe: 2nd place, John Filoon; 3rd place, Julius Sacchetti, and 4th place, Joseph Buttacavoli.
Scientists have been studying the effect of laughter on human beings and have found, among other things, that laughter has a profound and instantaneous effect on virtually every important organ in the human body. Laughter reduces health-sapping tensions and relaxes tissues as well as exercising the most vital organs. It is said that laughter, even when forced, results in a beneficial effect on us, both mentally and physically. Next time you feel nervous or jittery, enjoy a good laugh.