Masonry Magazine February 1974 Page. 12
Washington Wire
The Vocational Rehabilitation Act requires firms with Federal contracts over $2,500 to take affirmative action. New rules are now being drafted by the Labor Department and they may be stiff.
Nixon is trying to improve his relations with Congress this session. He'll concede many points it wants. He will free more of impounded funds. He won't oppose operating funds for mass transit or more energy research. Most significantly, Nixon will look the other way as expenditures increase. The total for the U.S. government will top $300 billion for the next year. Most of the increase will come from the expansion of many ongoing programs. And defense outlays will go up, to keep pace with the inflation of costs.
But Congress will be pushing for increases in spending for a range of social welfare and education programs. This is an election year for House members and a third of Senators.
Congress will consider legislation to regulate commodities exchanges. Many legislators feel self-policing isn't enough to prevent multiple abuses. Draft proposals call for a new commission to oversee all future trading-much as the Securities and Exchange Commission regulates the stock markets.
This new commission could issue injunctions against traders suspected of manipulating any part of the futures market. Convicted wrongdoers would face stiff fines and possibly some prison sentences. Customers would be insured against any financial loss in the event that a broker goes bankrupt. The legislators are concerned about the wild price gyrations of 1973. They fear farmers and consumers may be victimized.
The new Supreme Court ruling only impedes filing of class-action suits, but doesn't stop them. It held that a class action can't be brought in Federal court, unless every member of the class shows damages of at least $10,000. But the Court's new decision still allows some class-action suits. Lawyers point out that a vast majority of these suits do not seek damages. Rather, many are intended to protect the environment against polluters.
There is nothing in the decision to prohibit such suits in state court, either. State courts generally do not require a minimum damage figure in order to sustain a class action.
Transportation officials are studying similar changes for trucking. One idea is to allow freer entry of new companies into the trucking field. Another would give truck lines more freedom in raising-or lowering-rates. Finally, current restrictions on motor-carrier operations would be relaxed. The trucking lines opposed similar Administration legislation during 1971. They felt relaxed regulation would open the way for cutthroat competition.
But officials think the new trucking plan will find more favor among truckers now. The proposal is less ambitious than in 1971. Truckers might also save on fuel costs.
Prospects of a global mineral shortage are now worrying officials. They fear mineral-rich nations may follow the example of the Arab countries and attempt to blackmail the world by limiting output and boosting prices. U.S. officials already perceive some developments that they find disturbing. Producers of bauxite, raw ingredient of aluminum, are in the talking stage. Officials fear these producing nations will soon form some kind of cartel.
It might not end with bauxite. Other mineral supplies could be controlled. Four nations monopolize 80% of the world's copper; two countries account for more than 80% of exports of tin; and four nations control half of rubber supplies. The U.S. lacks self-sufficiency in 9 of 13 key commodities.
The Nixon Administration is now studying ways of improving domestic sources. Expanded research and development, more geological search, better metallurgical work, and improved methods of recycling metals are receiving more attention. Tax and other incentives are also under White House study.
Overhaul of the transportation system is being taken up by Congress. The Nixon Administration has proposed new legislation in the railway field. Eventually, the White House may extend its new thrust to the air carriers. The proposed railroad legislation would relax regulation by the government. The measure would reduce the powers of the Interstate Commerce Commission -especially those allowing the ICC to reject freight-rate increases or cuts. It would make it easier for the roads to abandon money-losing branch lines. And it would offer $2 billion in Federal loan guarantees to the railroads.
This measure is likely to make headway-maybe even pass-in 1974. The lawmakers are more concerned now about the future of the rail lines-particularly after passing the law to restructure the seven bankrupt northeastern roads.
Canadian Group Presents Safety Award
Proudly receiving the Romano Martini Memorial Safety Award for the best safety record of a member contractor in the current year is Tom Filipowich (2nd from right) of Filipowich Masonry Contractors Ltd. at the recent annual meeting of Metro Mason Contractors, Inc., the Toronto affiliate of the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association. Twin Masonry Ltd. donated the plaque in memory of one of its founders, the father of Richard Martini (2nd from left) and uncle of Peter L. Martini (extreme right), president of the association. Neil Fraser (extreme left), executive director of CMCA, holds the replica to be kept by the winner.