Join In Food Day, April 17,1975

SPECIAL REPORT neu n

Washington, D. C. April,1975 Supermarket Ripoff Fought By Local Consumer Groups

A New Supermarket Ripoff: Packages Without CFA also urges that whenever and whereever a Prices is hot off the presses from Consumer store opens with computerized check-out stands Federation of America. The pamphlet describes and no prices on the merchandise, consumers the supermarket industry's new computerized should let the store manager and tne general check-out system and outlines an action program public know that there is objection to the to help consumer and labor groups meet the elimination of price marking. challenge of disappearing prices. Perhaps the strongest argument for leaving In the introduction, CFA explains consumers' prices on is the fact that the cost is minimal. A outrage at the new gimmick, "The supermarket store with $3 million in annual sales could keep industry takes the attitude that if the consumers prices on packages for about $225 per week. Yet, want prices on merchandise it will give them the supermarket industry continues its plans for grease pencils so they can mark the prices for their removing prices in spite of expressed outrage by own information. This is typical of the "public-be- consumers throughout the country. Last year, for damned" attitude the industry takes. It equates on example, shopper ranked "all prices clearly the PR equivalency scale with "let them eat labeled" as the second most important character- cake." istic of a store. Cleanliness was first. CFA has outlined a two point program for Packages Without Prices answers the basic action. In the legislative area. CFA urges that questions about the computerized check-out consumers and workers support Federal, state system and includes a summary chart of the pros county and municipal legislation to require that and cons. Copies are available from Consumer every packaged consumer product have the price Federation of America, 1012 14th St., N.W., plainly marked on it. Washington, D.C. 20005. Local UPC report p. 3.

ACA Bill Begins Crusade Through Congress

On March 12, 1975 the Government Operations the ACA initiates a judicial review without having Committee voted eleven to one to report S. 200 participated in the agency's proceeding, it must (The Consumer Protection Act) to the Senate floor explain this failure to participate to the court. by March 21, 1975. The bill would establish an 4) Complaints which are unsigned may not be independent, non-regulatory Agency for Consumer placed in the public document room as a result of Advocacy (ACA) to represent the interests of an amendment by Senator Lawton Chiles (D-FIa). consumers before federal agencies and courts and This amendment denies the consumer public to provide the public with information on access to facts and issues contained in unsigned consumer matters. letters which are often the only method by which On the opening day of hearings, CFA testified an "insider" can draw attention to an abuse that the Agency for Consumer Advocacy is its top without jeopardizing his own job. legislative priority for the year. 5) Fortunately, the language of S. 200 was Several amendments to S. 200 were passed. brought in line with the Freedom of Information 1) Exempted from the requirement of answering Act and accordingly there will be no prohibition interrogatories are "small businesses" which, as on the disclosure of trade secrets. defined under the Act, are those with assets under 6) Finally, a statement of principles presented $7,500,000.00, a net worth not exceeding by Senator William Brock (R-Tenn) will be drafted $2,500,000.00, and an average annual net income during the coming week into final amendment (after taxes) for the preceding two years of not language which will require every federal agency more than $250,000.00. Under the amendment to issue a consumer cost impact statement with an sponsored by Senator Sam Nunn (D-Ca), the new regulation it promulgates. This amendment is previous requirement that the business have an of great concern to the consumer because it could average of no more than 25 full-time employees substantially increase the paperwork of agencies over the preceding two years has been deleted. without a corresponding benefit to the consumer. 2) The ACA will be allowed to communicate Of special interest to the backers of the ACA was with and provide information or assistance to state the historic change of the filibuster rule on March agencies or courts. This compromise amendment 1, 1975. Formerly, a two-thirds vote of the Senators offered by Senator Charles Percy (R-lll) was present and voting was required to cut off floor substituted for an amendment by Senator Lee debate. Under the new rule, a flat vote of 60 Metcalf (D-Mont) which would have permitted (three-fifths of all Senators) will suffice. As the ACA to intervene in state regulatory proceedings two-thirds filibuster vote had been a major at the invitation of a state official. obstacle to passage of the Consumer Protection 3) An amendment was adopted which was Act in the last Congress, it is hoped that the recent An angry consumer joins in a protest led by San offered by Senator Richard Stone (D-FIa), a change will enhance the likelihood of passage Fransisco Consumer Action against Lucky Super- co-sponsor of S.200, although not a member of the when the bill reaches the Senate floor—probably market which has removed prices from packages. Committee. The amendment provides that when after the Easter recess. Nothing Fair SPEAK OUT ! Consumer Centered Car Insurance by lames I. Sheera n, Commissioner of Insurance About Fair Trade Laws for the State of New jersey Ideally, any driver ought to be able to walk into Commissioners Demlow and Monroe and I share The Antitrust and Monopoly subcommittee of an agent's office and purchase the auto insurance a common disenchantment with the ability of the the Senate Judiciary committee recently com- he wants from the company of his choice at a price NAIC to meet head-on the consumer-related pleted four days of hearing on a bill that would he can afford to pay. Unfortunately, that's not the problems in insurance regulation. We believe the repeal "fair trade" exemptions in the antitrust laws. story of the marketplace as it exists today. In New NAIC is industry-dominated, and its approach to An additional two days of hearings have been Jersey, for instance, more than one in every 10 insurance regulation is still wedded to the scheduled for April 9 and 10. Carol Tucker drivers do not enjoy this full availability of auto traditional, industry-knows-all concept. Today, Foreman, CFA's executive director, testifying insurance at affordable costs —and, more often insurance is big business that, in a variety of forms, before the subcommittee on February 19, than not, for reasons that do not relate at all to has become indispensable to the consumer. It emphasized CFA's support and approval of this driving ability, driving habits, or driving record. requires not the traditional approach, but a special legislation, sponsored by Sen. Edward Brooke The problem of assuring full availability is a approach by the regulators, who must never forget (R-Mass.) national one, and it's growing more urgent every that they are the representatives of the consumer Under "fair trade" laws manufacturers are day. Before it becomes a full-scale disaster, two of (in fact, the only voice the consumer may ever allowed to set a price at or above which brand my fellow state commissioners, Ark Monroe of have) and what they do should not be the name items must be sold. No standards are Arkansas and Daniel J. Demlow of , and I by-product of the industry's expertise but should established or defined by "fair trade" laws to have given it a high number in our listing of arise from their obligation to make sure that the guarantee fair prices. Instead, according to Ms. consumer priorities that will be discussed in a consumer gets a fair shake. Forman, "with "fair trade" there is no competition series of working conferences that we have Under the usual NAIC procedure, the industry with regard to price." initiated among ourselves. It is typical of the kind always bats first, proferring pre-packaged pro- "Fair trade" laws force retailers into the role of of problem that challenges us at what I call our grams with a solemn avowal that they'll be great distribution agents for manufacturers, claimed Ms. |AM (Jersey, Arkansas, Michigan) Session. The for the consumer. We want to reverse this Foreman, making it impossible for the retailers to session is actually an informal alliance of the three procedure. We want to devise legislation from a act as effective purchasing agents for consumers. states to mount a common effort to find solutions consumer's point of view, and then let the industry By setting standard product prices manufacturers to problems of insurance regulation outside the do all the commenting and criticizing it wants. deprive the retailers of the ability to generate traditional vehicle for such interstate cooperation We want the consumer to get his licks in first. volume by taking a smaller mark-up. — the National Association of Insurance Commis- According to calculations in the 1969 Economic sioners. Report of the President, Ms. Foreman estimated consumers suffer to the tune of about $2.1 billion a year because of "fair trade" laws. A Department of Justice survey found consumers in "fair trade" CFA Wins Appeals Court Victory states pay as much as 19 to 27 per cent more for "fair traded" items than do consumers in non "fair trade" states. Ms. Foreman told the committee of a Parker 51 pen that costs $16.50 in "fair trade" sells FPC has indicated that it wants the Court to allow Consumers scored a new victory in the fight for $9.90 in non "fair-trade" states. This represents them to use this tool again in the future and to against deregulation of natural gas with a March a 40 per cent savings to consumers in the non "fair 14 rilling by the United States Court of Appeals for make the 180-day sales legal. The March 14 ruling trade" states. prohibits any such future sales, so consumers will the District of Columbia Circuit that the Federal "The entire justification for "fair trade" has been not again have to bear the same burdens of sudden Power Commission "exceeded its authority" in proved false," stated Ms. Foreman. She quoted uncontrolled gas prices condoned by the FPC. allowing pipeline companies to buy gas at Professor Steward Munro Lee's study, "The Impact unregulated prices for 180 days in the winter of of Fair Trade Laws on Retailing" published in the Second, there is the possibility that consumer 1973-74. Spring 1965 issue of the Journal of Retailing. The groups can convince the FPC to, in fact, order However, the decision ruled that any refundsof study, which compared specific areas of retailing refunds on the money which was overcharged the estimated $50 million extra charged to conditions in "fair trade" states with those in non consumers under the illegal exemption. According consumers under the illegal action would have to "fair trade" states concluded, "The best date to the Court of Appeals decision, the issue of be ordered by the FPC and not the Court. This available do not support the contention that the requiring gas companies to refund the money means continued challenging of the FPC by those enactment of fair trade laws lessens the number of involves "complex and difficult questions" which who feel that the price increases which resulted retail failures or bankruptcies or increases the must be resolved by the Federal Power Commis- from the illegal action were an unfair burden to number of retail stores. Whatever effect they have sion rather than the courts. This will mean consumers. apparently has been slight and in an opposite undertaking an entirely new proceeding before the The suit which prompted the March 14 ruling direction to the one claimed by proponents of fair was brought by CFA in conjunction with the FPC. trade." American Public Power Association, the American Ms. Foreman emphasized the need to stimulate Public Gas Association, and the National League Approximately 172 billion cubic feet of natural increased sales to reverse the effects of recession of Cities and United States Conference of Mayors. gas were sold under the 180 day exemption . we are now experiencing. "One way to do this," The suit was originally filed in September, 1973, According to the Court's decision, this gas sold at she said, " is through lowered prices." Because the when the disputed FPC action initially went into an average price of 54.4 cents per thousand cubic "fair trade" laws effective in 36 states limit retailers effect. feet, more than twice the $.26/mcf rate subject to in their ability to sell at lower prices, Ms. Foreman At that time, the FPC issued an order allowing all FPC price regulation at the time. urged action be taken quickly to remedy this interstate pipeline companies to buy natural gas situation by repealing the "fair trade" exemptions from producers at whatever price the market of the antitrust laws. would bear, without being subject to FPC price regulation for a 180 day period. The pipeline companies were allowed to pass on to consumers Task Force Booklet Can Help Conserve Energy In Buildings the increased cost of buying gas from producers. This resulted in an estimated $50 million extra To help provide guidelines on cutting prepared by the Task Force in coopera- charged to consumers of natural gas. energy consumption in large structures, tion with the National League of Cities In the recent suit, the FPC contended that the the Energy Policy Task Force of CFA has and the United States Conference of 180 day exemption from price controls was prepared a publication on "Energy Mayors. It is designed not as a "how to" necessary in order to encourage the increased Conservation in Buildings: New Roles for guidebook, but rather as an introduction production which would be necessary to stave off Cities and Citizen Croups." to the varied and often complex issues gas shortages in the winter of 73-74..The consumer Buildings account for an estimated one involved in undertaking a building groups, however, argue that the FPC action was third of all energy used in the United conservation program. nothing more than administrative deregulation of States. Unfortunately, a great deal of this Copies of "Energy Conservation in natural gas prices, which was carried out in secret energy is wasted. Simple changes in Buildings: New Roles for Cities and and without proper authority. The Court agreed approach toward building design and Citizen Groups" Can be obtained by with the latter reasoning. construction could save up to 50 per cent writing Ellen Berman, Energy Policy Task of the energy now being used without Force, 1012 14th St, NW, Suite 901, The decision of the Court is significant for (hanging in any significant way the. Washington, DC 20005. Cost of the book consumers and opponents of deregulation in two lifestyle of the building inhabitants. is $3.00, plus $.50 for postage and ways, First, though the 180 day sales of natural gas "Energy Conservation in Buildings" was handling. exemption from price controls have ceased, the Special Report $ o 94th Congress— The Dawn of Congressional Reform by

MARTHA ROBINSON

Congressional reform is happening. mittee which controls appropriations for the If the current direction continues, in the long Federal Trade Commission. This year, for example, run consumers will almost certainly gain. Should it Ways And Means Slack's committee will decide whether FTC's not work out, or if there are reversals along the line-of-business program is continued. Slack votes way, the public will be no worse off. After all, with consumers about half the time according to until a few short weeks ago, the House of A major goal of the reformists was to overhaul CFA's 4-year voting record Representatives was still not-so-affectionately the three most powerful House committees on Consumers will also need to monitor the dubbed the "burial ground" for consumer Ways and Means, Appropriations and Rules. These HUD-lndependent Agency subcommittee headed legislation. and other committees are where the real work of by Massachusetts Democrat Fdward Boland. His Power is no longer the sole prerogative of the Congress takes place. jurisdiction covers the Consumer Product Safety senior members of the House. No longer, under In order to pave the way for national health care Commission. President Ford nas recommended new rules adopted by the Democratic majority, and tax reform, for example, the footdragging, freezing CPSC to its present level of spending —a will committee chairmen be picked for the job obstructionist, all-powerful Ways and Means step backward in CFA's opinion. Boland has a good because of age and length of service. Now they Committee was stripped of its prerogatives to consumer voting record. must stand for election by the full party caucus make committee assignments. Its membership was Daniel Flood of —another fairly every two years. increased from 25 to 37. Wilbur Mills was solid consumer man —heads the Appropriations No longer will committee assignments be persuaded to resign as chairman. Over the years, subcommittee on Labor-Health, Education and parceled out by a handful of senior members who Mills played it close to the vest, never delegating Welfare. This subcommittee decides whether or happen to be on the Ways & Means Committee. authority to subcommittees, so the business of the not to fund, for example, the j3-million consumer Instead, the party's 25-member steering and policy committee was how, when, and if Mills wanted it education program authorized by Congress several committee will decide. Once named, the transacted. There are now six subcommittees to years ago but never previously included in the committee members themselves will determine deal with social security, health, unemployment budget and funded. the number and jurisdiction of subcommittees. compensation, trade, public assistance, oversight, Future subcommittees must have names des- and the special task force on energy. Rep. Al Banking,Currency and Housing criptive of their responsibilities to prevent Ullman (D-Ore) is the new chairman. He's voted more for consumers than against them over the chairmen from keeping prestigious legislation for While the House of Representatives has past four years. themselves. Subcommittees now have greater changed a lot, the Banking, Currency and Housing assurance of staff support and more adequate But none of this guarantees national health Committee (formerly Banking and Currency) has budgets. insurance legislation. As a matter of fact, some changed even more significantly. Membership is Many new House members joined the long- consumer lobbyists are already alarmed that a expanded slightly, from 40 to 43. There are only 16 smoldering reform fight. In all, there are 92 new subcommittee may go along with legislation Democratic and 7 GOP holdovers. The new line-up congressmen. Of these, 75 are Democrats. No one providing health insurance for the unemployed boasts 13 freshmen Democrats and 6 freshmen should necessarily equate the influx of new blood through payment of premiums to the exclusion of Republicans. The Democratic caucus —over the to consumerism, liberalism or progress. Nor a national system. That's just what the insurance pleas of consumers —replaced Rep. Wright Patman should the power of freshman congressman be companies would like to have in their arsenal of (D-Tex), the 82-year old chairman, with Henry S. minimized. About a third have been given weapons to use against a comprehensive plan—to Reuss, 62, a Milwaukee lawyer elected to Congress consumer committee assignments. Virginia's Joe say that the need has been satisfied. On the energy in 1954. Reuss was the committee's fourth-ranking Fisher is dumbfounding plenty of history and front, Ways and Means is expected to play a major Democrat under Patman, Reps. William Barrett tradition by not only nailing a seat on Ways and role along with Rep. 's new Commerce (Pa) and Leonor Sullivan (Mo)—all advocates of Means, but by becoming the chairman's ace on subcommittee on energy. consumer legislation. energy legislation. Fisher has coordinated the Since 1971, Reuss has supported consumers on committee's energy task force and drafted the plan Rules 28 issues, voted wrong only once and failed to vote Chairman Ullamn hopes to negotiate with the on two occasions. If patterns of voting are valid, White House. Two other major committees have been singled Reuss should be a friend of consumers. He is out for special treatment by the Democrats. highly regarded and well respected in Congress as Surveys reported by the National Observer and The House Speaker is now empowered to name a man who does his homework and knows show these freshmen members as the Rules Committee members. If conservatives business of this committee. Under his leadership, tough campaigners, liberal, mostly lawyers, are permitted to continue the arbitrary and three, possibly four, subcommittees are of fortyish, having held local and state offices, in traditional bottlenecking of legislation reported by particular concern to consumers: favor of national health care but divided over how committees so that the full House is denied an to pay for it, concerned that the federal opportunity to debate and vote the issues, Speaker Consumer Affairs government spends too much on defense and not Albert risks the wrath of the Democratic caucus. enough on domestic needs, for aggressive This subcommittee handles all matters per- anti-trust action to break up monopolies, against taining to consumer credit, including truth-in- constitutional amendments banning abortion. Appropriations lending, extortionate credit transactions, restric- Capitol Hill observers generally agree that much tions on garnishments, reports of the National of the pressure for reform this year is generated by As for the Appropriations Committee —the Commission on Consumer Finance, fair credit the need to demonstrate a specific record on pursestrings to federal regulatory agencies and reporting, collection practices, discrimination in which to base a re-election campaign two years other government offices —the caucus kept for the extension of consumer credit, creditor hence. Plain and simple, many of the freshmen itself the right to elect subcommittee chairmen remedies, debtor offenses, federal aspects of the come from conservative and/or Republican because of the special power they have over our Uniform Consumer Credit Code, credit cards, price territory. They were elected because of the federal programs.Texas conservative George Ma- of consumer goods, services and commodities, economy and Watergate. Their constituencies—as hon retains chairmanship of Appropriations; rationing of consumer products and hoarding. are most voters—are concerned about the however, in the face of a caucus challenge and In the reorganization, Rep. Frank Annunzio marketplace, jobs, housing, energy, the environ- environmental and consumer lobbies to depose (D-lll) took over the subcommittee from Rep. ment. him, anti-consumerist Jamie L. Whitten (D-Miss) Sullivan. She's now the ranking Democrat. While voluntarily gave up jurisdiction over "consumer era R R R and environmental protection." His Appropri- o o ations subcommittee now covers Agriculture and S3 Related Matters. This put John Slack of West TP Virginia in the chairmanship of the important o o State, Justice, Commerce and Judiciary subcom- o o Annunzio generally supports CFA positions, last neighborhood facilities grants, open space land censured by the state supreme court, acquitted by year he opposed continued regulatory authority and urban beautification grants, public facilities the state senate and then reelected twice. Kelly ran over real estate settlement costs connected to loans, national, urban or community development an anti-inflation, cut-federal-spending campaign. federal mortgage guarantees. He also voted banks, advance acquisition of land programs, new John Conlon (Ariz), the eighth GOP member, has wrong on motor vehicle and school bus safety a- communities assistance, national urban growth been in Congress since 1973. Out of 21 recorded mendments and on extending broadcast license policies, land-use and areawide programs, flood votes, he has never supported consumers. renewals to five years. In 1973, Annunzio voted insurance, interstate land sales. wrong on NOW Accounts by opposing a Banking Housing is headed by William Barrett (Pa.). He's Economic Stabilization Committee amendment to delete a provision backed up by Sullivan, Ashley, Moorhead, St. forbidding mutual savings bank from maintaining Germain, Gonzales, Hanley, Fauntroy and Boggs. For all practical purposes, this subcommittee interest bearing checking accounts. Other members include Robert Stephens (Ga), deals with wage-price controls. Thomas Ashley Annunzio has plunged into subcommittee who votes for consumers less than half the time, chairs, with members Sullivan, Rees, Patterson, business by inviting consumer groups, government Parren Mitchell (Md), who supports consumers Maguire, Hubbard, Spellman, St. Germain, agencies and business to sound off about almost always , and Thomas Rees (Ca), who has a LaFalce, plus some more new blood from unresolved consumer problems. Staff members consumer rating of about 80%. Freshmen Michigan's James Blanchard and Paul Tsongas of expect early consideration of amendments pro- members include: Patterson; Andrew Maguire Massachusetts. Blanchard is a former Muskie, RFK hibiting credit discrimination on the basis of race, (NJ), 36, a former intern to Sen. Jackson, an adviser worker. In the '74 campaign, he attacked federal color, creed, age or national origin. Truth-in- savings is on the agenda. In addition, Annuzio reportedly stands ready to call hearings on any excessive price rises confronting consumers—such as the outrageous sugar price hikes. Major Consumer Committees C Other Democratic members of the consumer subcommitte are Barrett, Henry Conzales (Tex), BANKING, CURRENCY AND HOUSING AGRICUL1 Walter Fauntroy (D.C.), freshman Stephen Neal Henry S. Reus*, Wis., chairman (NC) and Gladys Spellman (Md). The COP has 22. Carroll Hubbard, Jr.. Kv. 1. Thomas S. Foley, Wash., chairman H right Patman. Tex. 23. John J. LaFalce, N.Y. Chalmers Wylie (Ohio) along with newcomers 2. W. R. Poage, Tex. William A. Barrett, Pa. 24. Gladys Noon Spellman, Md. 3. E de la Garza, Tex. Millicent Fenwick (NJ) and Charles Grassley Leonor K. (Mrs. John B.) Sullivan, 25. Les AuCoin, Oreg. 4. Joseph P. Vigorito, Pa. (Iowa). Neal, 41, a journalist from Winston-Salem, Mo. 26. Paul E. Tsongas, Mass. 5. Walter B. Jones, N.C. Thomas L. Ashley. Ohio 27. Butler Derrick, S.C. campaigned on economy issues, favoring wage- 6. Ed Jones, Tenn. William S. Moorhead, Pa. 28. Philip H.' Hayes, Ind. 7. John Melcher, Mont. price controls and tax reform. Gladys Spellman — Robert G. Stephens, Jr., Ga. 29. Mark W. Hannaford, Calif. 8. Dawson Mathis, Ga. based on a full career in local politics —is expected Fernand J. St Germain, R.l. 1. Albert W. Johnson, Pa. 9. Bob Bergland, Minn. Henry B. Gonzalez, Tex. 2. /. William Slaidon, Ohio 10. George E. Brown, Jr., Calif. to be in the consumers' camp. Fenwick, New 10. Joseph G. Minish, N.J. 3. Garry Brown, Mich. 11. David R. Bo wen, Miss. Jersey's pipe-smoking consumer chief, ran an n. Frank Annunzio, 111. 4. Chalmers P. Wylie, Ohio 12. Charles Rose, N.C. 12. Thomas M. Rees, Calif. anti-inflation campaign. Her consumer advocacy 5. John H. Rousselot,, Calif. 13. Jerry Litton, Mo. 13. James M. Hanlev, N.Y. 6. Stewart B. McKinney, Conn. 14. John Breckinridge, Ky. record neutralized labor in the election, and her 14. Parren J. Mitchell, Md. 7. John B. Conlan, Ariz. 15. Frederick W. Richmond, N.Y. election is considered a definite plus for 15. Waller R. Fauntroy, D.C. 8. George. Hansen, Idaho 16. Richard Nolan, Minn. 16, Lindv (Mrs. Hale) Boggs. La. 9. Richard T. Schulze, Pa. 17. James Weaver, Oreg. ( onsumers. Grassley, on the other hand, may be a 17. Stephen L. Neal, N.C. 10. Willis D. Gradison, Jr., Ohio 18. Alvin Baldus, Wis. ( hip off the old block. He succeeded obstruction- 18. Jerry M. Patterson, Calif. 11. Henry J. Hyde, 111. 19. John Krebs, Calif. ist H. R. Gross, is a rural conservative farmer, 19. James J. Blanchard, Mich. 12. Richard Kelly, Fla. 20. Tom Harkin, Iowa 20. Andrew Maguire, N.J. 13. Charles E. Grassley, Iowa about 42. 21. Harold E. Ford, Tenn. 14. Millicent Fenwick, N.J.

Financial Institutions, Supervision,

Regulations and Insurance GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS INTERSTATE AND FOR This subcommittee will consider variable interest rates on home mortgages, interest rate 1. Jack Brooks, Tex., chairman 22. Edward Mezvinsky, Iowa *• Harley O. Staggers, W. Va., chairm 2. L. II. Fountain, N.C. 23. Barbara Jordan, Tex. ceiling on deposits. Fernand J. St. Germain (Rl)—a 3. John E. Moss, Calif. 24. Glenn English, Okla. 2. Torbert H. Macdonald, Mass. consumer-voting-congressman in the past —is 4. Dante B. Fascell, Fla. 25. Elliott H. Levitas, Ga. 3. John E. Moss, Calif. chairman. Members include Annunzio, Barrett, 5. Torbert H. Macdonald, Mass. 26. David W. Evans, Ind. 4. John D. Dingell, Mich. 6. William S. Moorhead, Pa. 27. Anthony Toby Moffett, Conn. 5. Paul G. Rogers, Fla. Patman, Fauntroy, William Moorhead (Pa), James 7. Win, J. Randall, Mo. 28. Andrew Maguire, N.J. 6. Lionel Van Deerlin, Calif. Hanley (NY), Thomas Ashley (Ohio) and Lindy 8. Benjamin S. Rosenthal, N.Y. 29. Les Aspin, Wis. 7. Fred B. Roonev, Pa. Boggs (La). Most have demonstrated support for 9. Jim Wright, Tex. 1. Frank Horton, N. V. 8. John M. Murphy, N.Y. 10. Fernand J. St Germain, R.L John A7. Erlcnborn. 111. 9. David E. Satterfield III, Va. consumer issues. Newcomers include Neal, Jerry 11. Floyd V. Hicks, Wash. John W. Wydler, N.Y. 10. Brock Adams, Wash. Patterson (Ca), who ran a fairly conservative 12. Don Fuqua, Fla. 4. Clarence J. Brown, Ohio 11. W. S. (Bill) Stuckey, Jr., Ga. 13. John Convers, Jr., Mich. 5. Gilbert Gude, Md. 12. Bob Eckhardt, Tex. campaign against an ex-POW, Butler Derick, a 14. Bella S. Abzug, N.Y. 6. Paul X. McCloskey, Jr., Calif. 13. Richardson Preyer, N.C. South Carolina lawyer, and Kentucky's Carroll 15. James V. Stanton, Ohio 7. Sam Stciger, Ariz. 14. James W. Symington, Mo. Hubbard, a 38-year-old state legislator who beat 16. Leo J. Rvan, Calif. s: Garry Brown, Mich. 15. Charles J. Carney, Ohio 17. Cardiss Collins, 111. 9. Charles Thone, Nebr. 16. Ralph H. Metcalfe, 111. out an 8-term congressman. GOP seats belong to 18. John L. Burton, Calif. 10. Alan Steelman, Tex. 17. Goodloe E. Bvron, Md. conservatives Wylie, Albert Johnson (Pa), John 19. Richardson Preyer, N.C. 11. Joel Prilchard, Wash. 18. James H. Scheuer, N.Y. 20. Michael Harrington, Mass. Rousselot (Ca), Garry Brown (Mich) and two 12. Edwin B. Forsythe, N.J. 19. Richard I,. Ottinger, N.Y. 21. Robert F. Drinan, Mass. 13. Robert W. Kaslen, Jr., Wis. 20. Henry A. Waxman, Calif. midwest freshmen, Willis Gradison and Henry 14, Willis D. Gradison, Jr., Ohio 21. Robert (Bob) Krueger, Tex. Hyde. Gradison is a local politician from Cincinnati. He lost a special election at the height of Watergate but won against incumbent Luken by "Republicans shown in italics, Democrats in medium. some 3000 votes in the 74 general election. Hyde, an attorney, spent 8 years in the Illinois legislature settlement costs and other real estate lending where he earned a reputation as an effective, (Ohio); Stewart McKinney (Conn); and newcomer powers of financial institutions. Jurisdiction outspoken lawmaker. Hyde takes over from an Richard Kelly, the Florida judge once impeached extends to community development and planning, 18-year GOP veteran who represented his district by his state legislature, censured by the state training, research, block grants, urban renewal, by opposing consumers more often than not. supreme court, acquitted by the state legislature, model cities, rehabilitation loans and grants, spending and inadequate anti-trust enforcement to the UN, and director of a NYC planning office; advocated a tax break for low and middle income Harold Ford (Tenn), the man who ousted wage earners. Tsongas is a local politician Housing and Community incumbent Rep. Dan Kuykendall, the 4-term concerned about relief for economically depressed Congressman and friend of President Nixon; John areas, a past Peace Corpsman, and the first Development LaFalce (NY), a state senator from a GOP district; Democrat in this century to be elected from his Les AuCoin (Ore), who also captured a Republican district. This subcommittee will handle most housing district with help from labor, education, and The COP includes McKinney, Stanton, and mortgage credit issues including interest rates, campaign promises to assist business, provide jobs Gradison, Kelly and Richard Schulze (Pa) rural housing, housing assistants programs, private and tax relief. successor to retiring John Ware. Schulze is a party mortgage insurance, housing construction and The Housing subcommittee minority includes politician, has held a variety of local offices design standards, housing-related energy conser- Brown, Rousselet, Wylie and Grassley. The others served m the state legislature, and worked for vation, landlord tenant matters, regulation of are consumer question-marks: William Stanton Coldwater in 1964. Interstate and Foreign The scorecard on Van Deerlin shows a perfect legilation. One Democratic vacancy exists on the voting record in 1973 and 85% in 1974. In the two full Commerce committee. The person who fills Commerce preceding years, he deserted consumers on two that seat will most likely be named to this issues involving an energy study and the subcommittee. His vote could be crucial in Although Rep. Harley Staggers (D-W.Va) kept cyclamate pay-off under which industry was to be determining the extent of consumer interest in this chairmanship of House Interstate and Foreign imbursed for losses incurred as a result of a committee. Commerce affairs, the reform movement left its government ban on using the artificial sweetener. The COP seats go to John McCollister (Neb) and mark on the structure and organization of the Since taking the chairmanship, Van Deerlin has Matthew Rinaldo (NJ). McCollister rarely, if ever, committee. concentrated on moving last year's securities and votes with consumers. Rinaldo, with only one term "There's a shift in emphasis," says one staff exchange legislation to the full committee rather on which to compile a record, votes right about member. "Before, the chairman set the pace. He than starting from scratch with unnecessary, time 75%. ran a strong, central committee. Now we are really consuming deliberations that would tie up other a confederation of autonomous subcommittees consumer bills. The bill was fully heard by OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS with each subcommittee deciding priorities and committee in the past session of Congress, but This subcommittee has oversight and investiga- budget, each to have its own budget and staff." blocked by the Rules Committee under pressure by tory (not legislative) jurisdiction over communica- Consumers must look to four Commerce stock exchange interests. High priority will be tions, energy and power, health and the subcommittees: given no-fault auto insurance with hearings environment, consumer protection and finance, transportation and commerce. Chairman John E. Moss (Ca) is a consumer man with plenty of experience. He figures he needs a es Of U.S. House Of Representatives ^ $600,000 budget (up 20% from last year) to do the job. He plans an extremely active committee, ICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS starting with alleged gas supply shortages, the impact of federal agencies on the economy and the degree of their independence, plus a look at hairman 21. Jack Hightower, Tex. I. George H. Mahon, Tex., chairman 32. Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, Calif. 22. Berkley Bedell, Iowa 2. Jamie L. Whitten, Miss. 33. John P. Murtha, Pa. the health delivery system. Since Commerce has 23. Matthew F. McHugh, N.Y. 3. Robert L. F. Sikes, Fla. 34. Bob Traxler, Mich. been given partial jurisdiction over national health 24. Glenn English, Okla. 4. Otto E. Passman, La. 35. Robert Duncan, Oreg. 25. Floyd J. Fithian, Ind. 5. Joe L. Evins, Tenn. 36. Joseph D. Early, Mass. insurance, Moss' upcoming inquiry into health 26. John W. Jenrette, Jr., S.C. 6. Edward P. Boland, Mass. 37. Max Baucu3, Mont. costs, the quality of care and related issues is 27. Norman E. D'Amours, N.H. 7. William H. Natcher, Ky. l. Elford A. Cederberg, Mich. preliminary to consideration by Rep. Rogers' 28. 8. Daniel J. Flood, Pa. 2 Robert H. Michel, 111. health subcommittee. 29. 9. Tom Steed, Okla. 3.' Silvio 0. Conte, Mass. 1. William C. Wampler, Va. 10. George E. Shipley, 111. 4 Garner E. Shriver, Kans. Except for Stuckey, Richard L. Ottinger (NY), 2. Keith G. Sebelius, Kans. 11. John M. Slack, W. Va. 5.' Joseph M. McDade, Pa. who served in Congress from 1965 to 1971, and 3. Paul Findley, 111. 12. John J. Flynt, Jr., Ga. 6. Mark Andrews, N. Dak. 4. Charles Thone, Nebr. 13. Neal Smith, Iowa 7, Burl L. Talcott, Calif. James Scheuer (NY), who was in the House from 5. Steven D. Symms, Idaho 14. Robert N. Giaimo, Conn. 8* Jack Edwards, Ala. 1965 to 1973, Moss' Democratic collegues are all 15. Joseph P. Addabbo, N.Y. 9' 6. James P. (Jim) Johnson, Colo. Robert C. McEwen, N.Y. brand new to Congress. 7. Edward R. Madigan, 111 16. John J. McFall, Calif. 10. John T. Myers, Ind. 8. Peter A. Peyser, N.Y. 17. Edward J. Patten, N.J. n. J. Kenneth Robinson, Va. Ottinger is regarded as an unquestionable 9. Margaret M. Heckler, Mass. 18. Clarence D. Long, Md. 12 Clarence E. Miller, Ohio 10. James M. Jeffords, Vt. 19. Sidney R. Yates, 111. 13. , Pa. champion of consumer interests along with 11. Richard Kelly, Fla. 20. Bob Casey, Tex. 14,' C. W. Bill Young, Fla. Anthony (Toby) Moffett, a young activist from 21. Frank E. Evans, Colo. 15! 12. Charles E. Grassley, Iowa Jack F. Kemp, N.Y. Connecticut who organized a consumer lobby 13. Tom Hagedorn, Minn. 22. David R. Obey, Wis. IG! William L. Armstrong, Colo. 14. W. Henson Moore, La. 23. Edward R. Roybal, Calif. 17] Ralph S. Regula, Ohio back home and came to Congress pledging to 24. Louis Stokes, Ohio 18. Clair W. Burgener, Calif. continue Nader-type investigations. Scheuer voted 25. J. Edward Roush, Ind. 19. William R. Cotter, Conn. 26. Gunn McKay, Utah 20. Fortney H. (Pete) Stark, Calif. right on eleven of the twelve key consumer issues 27. Tom Bevill, Ala. 21. James R. Jones, Okla. before Congress in 1971 and 1972. Jim Santini 28. Bill Chappell, Jr., Fla. 22. Andrew Jacobs, Jr., Ind. (Nev) has been a public defender, judge and 29. Bill D. Burlison, Mo. 23. Abner J. Mlkva, 111. > FOREIGN COMMERCE 30. Bill Alexander, Ark. 24. Martha Keys, Kans. teacher. His priorities—stated in the campaign- 31. Edward I. Koch, N.Y. 25. Joseph L. Fisher. Va. include tax reform, congressional and election , chairman 22. Timothy E. Wirth, Colo. reforms. Robert Krueger is a Texas businessman- 23. Philip R. Sharp, Ind. teacher-Shakespearean scholar, whose constit- [ass. 24. William M. Brodhead, Mich. uency is largely farmers and ranchers in rural 25. W. G. (Bill) Hefner, N.C. 26. James J. Florio, N.J WAYS AND MEANS areas, concerned about inflation, honesty and 27. Anthony Toby Moffett, Conn. economy in government. Henry Waxman (Ca) is a ■is. Jim Santini, Nev. 29. Andrew Maguire, N.J. 16. J. J. Pickle, Tex. state legislator who supports national health 1. Al Ullman, Oreg., chairman 17. Henry Helstoskl, N.J. insurance, fair credit laws for women and 1. Samuel L. Devine, Ohio 2. Wilbur D. Mills, Ark. 18. Charles B. Rangel, N.Y. 2. James T. Broyhill, N.C. 3. James A. Burke, Mass. campaign reform. 3. Tim Lee Carter, Ky. 4. Dan Rostenkowski, 111. 1. Herman T. Schneebeli, Pa. The COP members of this committee seem 4. Clarence J. Brown, Ohio 5. Phil M. Landrum, Ga. 2. Barber B. Conable, Jr., N.Y. 5. Joe Skubilz, Kans. 6. Charles A. Vanik, Ohio 3. John J. Duncan, Tenn. overwhelmingly anti-consumer. James Collins of 6. James F. Hastings, N. Y. 7. Richard H. Fulton, Tenn. 4. Donald D. Clancy, Ohio Texas has cast only three right votes for consumers 5. Bill Archer, Tex. 7. James M. Collins, Tex. 8. Omar Burleson, Tex. in the past four years. Norman Lent of New York Louis Frey, Jr., Fla. 9. James C. Corman, Calif. 6. , Mich. John Y. McCollisler, Nebr. 10. William J. Green, Pa. 7. William A. Stelger, Wis. has voted right 13 out of 31 times. Ed Madigan of 10. Norman F. Lent, N.Y. 11. Sam Gibbons, Fla. 8. Philip M. Crane, 111. Illinois, elected in 1972, has voted right in 7 out of 11. H. III, Pa. 12. Joe D. Waggonner, Jr., La. 9. Bill Frenzel, Minn. 12. Edward R. Madigan, 111. 13. Joseph E. Earth, Minn. 10. James G. Martin, N.C. 21 tries. 13. Carlos J. Moorhead, Calif. 14. Otis G. Pike, N.Y. 11. L. A. (Skip) Bafalti, Fla. 14. Matthew J. Rinaldo, N.J. 15. Richard F. Vander Veen, Mich. Energy and Power

Jurisdiction covers all petroleum, natural gas and electrical power issues. Consumer Protection expected by May. In the meantime, the new Another pro-consumer, experienced legislator, chairman may hold hearings on his own legislation John Dingell of Michigan, heads this new and Finance to regulate charitable contributions solicited by subcommittee. Eckhardt, Ottinger, Brodhead, Jurisdiction includes toxic substances, product mail. Toxic substances legislation is also on the Krueger and Moffett are in the Democratic line-up safety, motor vehicle safety, securities and burner. And Texas Democrat Robert Eckhardt has with two more newcomers: Timothy Wirth (Colo), exchanges, regulation of trade (FTC matters), re-introduced his class action bill with the hope it comes with experience in land-use, water, energy insurance (including no-fault). will get through this committee and the Congress and environmental affairs, Philip Sharp (Ind) is a The man in charge is Lionel Van Deerlin. A this year. Under this measure, consumers with political science professor. former newspaperman from San Diego elected to small losses could collectively sue for damages if Clarence Brown in the ranking Republican. Past Congress in 1962, this is his first committee the total loss was at least $25,000 and each voting records of Carlos Moorhead (Ca ) and chairmanship. Friends expect him to facilitate the individual loss was at least $10 James Broyhill (NC) indicate they may be equally flow and consideration of legislation, and to have Other Democrats on Van Deerlin's committee non-supportive toward the consumer. H. John a smooth-running operation. They say he is include: William Stuckey (Ga), who casts an Heinz, III (Pa), on the other hand, has compiled a unusually frank about his lack of leadership occasional consumer vote; Ralph Metcalfe (III), 17-right, 5-wrong, 1-no-vote record since coming experience, that he reminds himself he is "not the with an 80% record; and newcomer William to Congress in 1972. repository of all wisdom" and needs to "feel his Brodhead, a Michigan state legislator, involved in Four days of energy hearings before Dingell's way." revenue sharing, landlord-tenant, and land sales subcommittee in February were largely unnoticed by the national press which seems preoccupied Edward Mezvisky (Iowa) are solid consumer votes. Cook and gained Wendell H. Ford (Ky) who with the role of the Ways and Means Committee, The newcomers include: Eliot Levitas (Ga), a takes pride in his work for consumers when he the White House and other interests in energy moderate with experience in the state legislature; was Governor. legislation. Cross jurisdiction cause some of the David Evans (Ind), who defeated 12-term —Commerce also lost Sen. Howard H. Baker confusion. The President's energy proposal, for Republican William Bray, with a consumer (R-Tenn) and gained Sen. Lowell P. Weicker example, is divided among House Commerce, (R-Conn) who is expected to co-sponsor tough platform; Andrew Maguire, a New Jersey public Armed Services, Banking, Currency and Housing, anti-trust legislation. affairs consultant believed responsive to consumer and Ways and Means Committees. Thus, it is not — In addition, Commerce is strengthened with causes and Anthony (Toby) Moffett, the Connecti- Sen. James Pearson (R-Kan) taking over as always clear who's doing what about energy. In cut activist who's also starting out with an outlining the role of his subcommittee, Dingell has ranking Republican, a post held by New important Commerce committee assignment. Hampshire conservative Norris Cotton in announced his intention to work closely with On the minority side, no real support is expected Ways and Means Chairman Ullman whose years past. Pearson, with Se. Walter Mondale, from Clarence Brown (Ohio) as indicated with had led the fight to change Rule 22. He has committee must handle all tax-writing matters. In respect to his Commerce committee assignments. any event, deregulation of natural gas, an been a sponsor of co-sponsor of the important John Erlenborn (III) is another long-standing consumer legislation to have passed Congress. anathema to consumers and boondoggle for antagonist. He's cast 6 right votes out of 31 in the industry, comes under Dingell. —One looming drawback is the assignment of last four years, and he's been in the forefront of Sen. James Buckley (R-NY) to Commerce. In efforts to weaken consumer advocacy legislation. doing the bidding of the oil and gas industry, The only hope from the GOP is Willis D. Gradison, Health and the Environment Buckley is determined to enact legislation to Jr., the Ohio businessman-investment broker on Jurisdiction encompasses public health and deregulate the price of natural gas. Banking, Currency and Housing. quarantine, hospital construction, mental health — It is significant, too, that Commerce has set The strong Rosenthal subcommittee, combined and research, biomedical programs and health up a special subcommittee on oil and gas, with a full committee which is generally favorably protection in general, including medicaid and chaired by Sen. Adlai Stevenson, III (D-lll). disposed toward consumers, creates an unusual national health insurance, foods and drugs, drug The consumer subcommittee run by Sen. sense of optimism. Legislation involving com- abuse, the Clean Air Act and environmental Frank Moss (D-Utah) will give priority to: no merce and consumer issues in the following protection in general. fault auto insurance, the consumer food agencies will be of concern to Rosenthal's Chairmanship stays with Paul Rogers (Fla) who act, consumer fraud measures, dealer-in- subcommittee: Department of Commerce; Federal votes with consumers about 60% of the time. Trade Commission; Consumer Product Safety court, advertising, product-testing, health bill Except for the newcomers who have no record and Commission; Council on Wage and Price Stability; of rights, model mechanics and repair Virginia's David Satterfield, who has only voted Export-Import Bank; Overseas Private Investment licensing, independent testing laboratory right five times in four years, Rogers' committee Corporation; Small Business Administration; certification, improvement of redress mecha- seems strongly consumer-oriented. Richardson Council of Economic Advisors; Council on nisms, class actions, oversight activities in- Preyer (NC), for example, vote more often than not Economic Policy. In addition, the subcommittee volving the food industry, fair packaging and with consumers on the various issues before handles monetary matters pertaining to the labeling, radiation, product safety. Congress. Newcomer Waxman (Ca) is believed to Department of the Treasury, Federal Deposit In- —The Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Com- be liberal. Support is anticipated from James Floria surance Corporation, Federal Home Loan Bank mittee with jurisdiction over truth-in-savings, (N|), an attorney-state legislator with interests in Board, Federal Reserve System, Federal Savings age and race discrimination in credit, variable urban renewal, civil rights, aging. William Hefner and Loan Insurance Corporation, National Credit interest rate mortgages and other CFA (NC), a broadcaster, promoter and singer of gospel Union Administration, United States International concerns has a new look under the chairman- music, ran a combined anti-inflation, renewal-of- Trade Commission, Tax Court, Securities and ship of Sen. William Proxmire (D-Wis). He morality campaign. The subcommittee has one Exchange Commission. takes over from Alabama Sen. John Sparkman Democratic vacancy. who now heads Foreign Relations. The minority includes three known non- —Most observers believe consumers will have a consumer forces: Tim Carter, a Kentucky doctor big asset in Sen. Robert Morgan, the new elected to Congress in 1970; Broyhill (NC); and Agriculture North Carolina Democrat who helped form James Hastings, a New York businessman. Since How much the overthrow of Texas Democrat W. that state's voluntary consumer organization 1971, Hastings has cast three right votes out of R. Poage as Agriculture chairman helps consumers and who ran for the Senate on the basis of his thirty-one possible. Heinz is also among the is uncertain. There are two new urban members consumer record as attorney general. who joined Peter Peyser (R-NY) on the committee. minority. — Another big switch on Capitol Hill in Sen. Without the new rules forged by House reformists, Abraham Ribicoff's succession to chairman- even that much of a gain was not likely. Thomas S. Government Operations ship of Government Operations, made possi- Foley (Wash) was drafted for the chairmanship. ble by the retirement of Sen. Sam Ervin Upheaval, while not necessarily the result of the Under his leadership so far, legislation freezing the (D-NC). Ribicoff was an original sponsor of House revolt, also characterizes the Government price of food stamps has passed Congress. Operations Committee, now chaired by Texas consumer advocacy legislation, he's support- Democrat jack Brooks. His elevation from ranking CFA's score card ranks Foley at at out 83%. The ed the measure in subcommittee only to be three urban members new to the Agriculture this majority member comes as a result of retirement thwarted by Ervin in full committee and on year are Frederick W. Richmond and Peter Peyser by long-time chairman Cet Holifield (Ca). Except the floor. Ervin, for all the respect he of New York, and Margaret Heckler of Massachu- for energy matters where his oil-state background commands as a constitutionalist, fought with setts. Richmond is a freshman Democrat from dominates, Brooks tends to vote with consumers. all his might against consumer legislation and, Brooklyn. As city councilman, he pushed He has 19 Democratic and 11 Republican with Sen. James Allen (D-Ala), successfully consumer and housing bills and is credited with holdovers on the committee plus a lot of that new filibustered the consumer advocacy bill to setting up a constituent service. Peyser and blood. death on more than one occasion. Heckler, both Republicans, have compiled 70% The major consumer issue under Government —Government Operations also picks up Sen. voting records with CFA. Operations is the Agency for Consumer Advocacy John H. Glenn (D-Ohio) and Sen. Weicker. (ACA), previously known as the consumer — Sen. Philip A. Hart (D-Mich) stays on as protection agency bill. Here, as on the Senate side, Senate Shifts chairman of the Judiciary anti-trust subcom- the question is what kind and how strong a bill can Consumers will look to five major Senate mittee with plans for divestiture legislation, be passed. committees this year. In contrast to the House, the repeal of the fair trade act, and an inquiry into Benjamin Rosenthal (NY), the original sponsor shifts are more subtle. It's more of a continuing industrial product standards. Others on the of consumer advocacy legislation in the days movement toward a more consumer-minded consumer front, Hart, Senators Church (D- before it was considered important enough to Senate. Idaho) and Stevenson are propsing legislation filibuster to death, chairs the new Government The closest thing to revolution was the change to make the government, rather than private Operations Subcommittee on Commerce, Con- in Senate Rule 22, on March 9, which made it industry, the sole importer of foreign oil. sumer and Monetary Affairs. easier to cut off debate and stop the filibuster. It —With the addition of Senators Richard B. In 1971, Rosenthal voted against the consumer was precisely this archaic procedure that caused Stone (D-FIa) and Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt) to advocacy bill on the final vote after fighting for defeat of the consumer advocacy bill in 1971 and the Agriculture and Forestry Committee, the and losing strengthening amendments in commit- 1974. Cloture can now be invoked by a vote of scales are tipped a little more strongly toward tee and on the floor. Rosenthal's vote was a protest 3/5ths of the 100 members of the Senate, or 60 farmers and consumers as opposed to the against the bill that was not as strong as it should votes. In the past 2/3rds of those present and excesses of agri-business and the middlemen. have been. Except for four missed votes in as many voting were required. The ACA bill registered 65 This seems partially plausible considering that years, Rosenthal is 100% with consumers. votes for cloture on the last vote last year. Agriculture also includes Humphrey and His 11-member subcommittee includes seven Overall Senate changes —mostly improvements McGovern who can be influenced by national new members, five of whom are new to the — look like this: interests, Sen. Watler Huddleston (D-Ky), Congress this year. Based on past voting patterns, — The Commerce Committee, chaired by Sen. whose views are fairly moderate, and Sen. Cardiss Collins (III), Robert Drinan (Mass) and Warren Magnuson (D-Wash), lost Marlow Dick Clark, the liberal Democrat from Iowa. Supermarket Ripoff continued coverage. They have used the issue as a membership building tool, and their growth has heped them to mount an effective lobbying As a result of the many detrimental aspects of compaign. Consumer co-ordinators for the group the UPC, consumer groups throughout the country have now been established throughout the state. are making visible price marking a high priority O'Reilly Because of the success of MCCC's efforts, they project. have been inundated with request for information Local Action Report joins from local groups and individuals throughout the "We, along with many other consumer groups nation. across the country, are appalled that a system In California, San Francisco Consumer Action fraught with many dangers stands on the brink of CFA (SFCA) has continued their picket of a local Lucky reality without so much as token communication Store equipped with UPC. The East Bay chapter of between the food industry and consumerist" This the group organized the first of these demon- statement by Catherine Johnson of San Francisco stration on January 29 of this year. Three thousand Consumer Action, defines why many consumer irate consumers signed a petition threatening to organizations across the country are beginning to Attorney Kathleen F. O'Reilly joined the staff of boycott the store if prices are not returned to plan actions protesting the Universal Product CFA as legislative director on March 3. In her new packages. A coalition of students, community Code. position, she will oversee CFA's legislative people and retail clerks is working on the drive. Consumer coalitions working toward these ends activities before Congress, regulatory agencies and The consumers who signed the petitions are being have been formed in over a dozen states, including the courts. asked to return cards with a printed message Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, A graduate of Marygrove College in , she addressed to the store manager demanding the Maryland Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New received a J.D. degree from the Georgetown return of price marking. The signers are also being York, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. To University Law Center in 1971. While there, she asked for contributions to support further Bay area date, most state and local activity has been was the winner of the "Edward Douglass White anti-UPC activity. concentrated on lobbying for legislation that Public Law Argument" Competition for Best A preliminary sample of planned SFCA would require prices to be marked on each Advocate. While a law student, she also worked questionnaire, found 92% of those questioned packaged item. These bills have had varying for the U.S. Attorney's office, in the District of preferred item-pricing, even if it meant slightly degrees of success. Arkansas Consumer Research Columbia, the Georgetown Legal Intern Program higher prices. drafted and submitted a bill modelled after two and D.C. PIRG, where she prepared a state-by-state In the legislature, a House bill in California was unsuccessful pieces oflegislation filed in the comparative study of corporate property taxation. recently killed in committee. Over 80 SFCA Maryland and Virginia legislatures last year. A She is currently a member of the bars of District members attended the hearing in order to testify, similar bill introduced in Arkansas last year was of Columbia, and of the State of Michigan. along with representatives of nine other California defeated. Judy Thurmond, the ACR staff member Ms. O'Reilly has been an associate attorney with public interest groups. The hearing's chairman working on the bill reported tht legislation has the Washington Law firm of Pledger and Mahoney gave all of these groups only three minutes to state passed the State Senate, but was rejected by a since 1971. She did civil litigation before the D.C. their views. Catherine Johnson of SFCA termed this committee of the House of Representatives and courts in several areas including negligence, "an incredible redicalizing experience" and "very appears to be dead this year. product liability, contract disputes and !inlord/te- depressing". A similar Senate bill has yet to be nant cases. As legal counsel to several associa- considered. The Consumer Alliance of Michigan will be tions, she worked with NO-Fault Automobile In California, the city of San Francisco has come using a three point program to fight UPC, Insurance, the Federal Corrupt Practices Act and the farthest toward implementing appropriate according to CAM'S president Andy Driscoll. the Federal Reserve Board. measures. With the bill in committee working and Legislation, a consumer education program, and a Ms. O'Reilly is vice chairman of the Young enforcement procedures are still under discussion. consumer survey are the three major aspects of Lawyers Section of the Bar Association of the SFCA's plans for the future include media coverage their program. District of Columbia, a member of the Washington to help keep price marking a hot consumer issue in A bill will soon be introduced by Congressman Liason Committee of the American Bar Associa- the minds of California consumers, John Hertel which CAM expects to support. tion, and a member of the D.C. Bar Association. consumers. Secondly, CAM will be sponsoring a consumer education program. By making use of leaflets, representative from Kraft Foods and a representa- speakers, information packets and the media, tive from Shop-Rite stores. CAM hopes to inform Michigan consumers of the Ms. Stochaj feels Consumer's League of New Help Wanted threat of effective, economical shopping posed by Jersey's success is evident in the failure of one UPC. food chain to keep up with their announced Job Opportunity Finally according to Driscoll, CAM will be schedule for converting stores to UPC. Instead of Arkansas Consumer Research is looking for a full-time executive conducting a consumer survey to be used for converting approximately two stores a month, as director to begin work in May or June 1975. ACR is a statewide "statistical power" in fighting UPC. consumer advocacy organization supported by membership dues was originally planned, only the two original and contributions. It presently has a start' of eight. experimental stores are using UPC. Betty Schimling and Ken Bostock of the ACR's current projects include opposition to rate increases Jim Boyle of the Texas Consumers Association sought by utility companies, a project to reform supermarket Washington Committee on Consumer Interests practices and form a coalition with farmers in the state, efforts to have been working in coordination with the local has been working on a combination bill instituting unit pricing, prohibiting repricing and allow advertising of liquor prices in Arkansas and lobbying on retail clerks to pass Senate Bill 2656. The presciption drug legislation, the UPC, and a state office of legislation has reached the floor of the Senate requiring individual packaged items to be priced. consumer advocacy. there. Consumers are fighting an amendment to House Bill 933 will come up for a public hearing at The job requires someone who is capable of taking an already the end of March, and quite a bit of opposition established and effe,.,ive consumer group in a Southern rural state allow stores to provide each customer with grease and turning it into an organization with considerable power in the pencils as a legal option. from national retailers such as Safeway is anticipated. community. Salary is not large, but sufficient to live on. For further In New Jersey, the state legislature has stopped information, write Fred Cowan. Executive Director. Arkansas two bills that would have maintained prices on A price marking bill is in committee in Oregon's Consumer Research. 1919 W. 7th St.. Little Rock. Arkansas 72202 packages. However, the Consumer's League of legislature, while bills are also expected to be or call 501/374-2394. New Jersey has marked success in fighting UPC, introduced soon in New York and Wisconsin. The especially through Food Marketing Committees. major part of this gathering spring offensive, Summer Solar Study According to president Ricki Stochaj, these are however, are ongoing efforts by the Maryland committees consisting of Consumer League Citizen Consumer Council and San Francisco Consumer Action. Nethers community School, an intentional community and members interested in nutrition, price information Summerhillian boarding school two hours south of Washington and other aspects of the food industry, currently In Maryland, Ellen Haas and the Maryland D.C. is conducting a college level program of work and study this using UPC as a focal point. In a five session Citizen's Consumer Council (MCCC) celebrated a summer in solar energy. The summer's work project is to build the solar collector to the workshop dealing with topics such as package major legislative victory recently when their price-marking bill passed the State House of solar house which the community started to build with its own labor dating, advertising and labeling, committee four summers ago. The house design was suggested by Ken Kern, members learn about various methods available Delegates by a 2 to 1 margin. They have been anthor of Owner Built Home: the heating system was drawn up by for fighting UPC such as letter writing, complain- fighting a strong organized industry lobbying Wynn Solomon, an engineer of a sister intentional community. In addition to the work project of building the collector, the ing to store managers and keeping other effort, led by Giant Foods and other major Maryland food chains. Now that the bill is in the summer program is offering classes, field trips and week-end consumers in their communities informed and seminars. The week-end seminars will focus on specific applications involved in UPC activities. Maryland Senate, Ms. Haas expects "More of solar energy such as learning the principles of, and building a pressure than ever" from that quarter. solar hot water heater, or a solar stove. Visiting lecturers include Consumer League of New Jersey has also had Other activities undertaken by MCCC are George Szego. Sam Love, wilson Clark. Karl Hess. June Allen. C.J. good press coverage, says Ms. Stochaj. She has highlighted by a continuing leafletting campaign Swet, and Santosh Kumar. been a guest on a half hour radio show hosted by at the Severna Park Giant Store which instituted If you'd like to know more about the summer program write to Summer Solar Project. Box 41. Woodville, Va. 22749. Barry Farber along with Sidney Margolius, a the UPC system earlier this year. This effort has nationally syndicated consumer columnist; a provided the group with a great deal of media has a mandatory licensing system. With twenty identical repairs The group addresses itself to women's medical problems in an State And Local Reports made in each of the three areas, they found 'significantly fewer' attempt to counter the patronizing and sexist treatment many instances of fraud in California, and no difference between women have received from local obsteticians and gynecologists. by Nick Apostola, Jeff Howard instances in D.C. and Louisiana. Despite the fact that wage rates Texas Consumers Assoc. are higher in California, prices for repairs were 20% higher in 906 Nueces and Jim O'Donoghue Louisiana. Austin, TX 78701 Vermont This month's State and Local Reports uses a new and Different • A successful organizing tactic instituted by LCL is to have format. In order to cover more of the many consumer projects weekly brown bag luncheon meetings with people working on their • A VPIRG report released February 3rd entitled An Ounce of happening all over the country, the amount of coverage given to current project. These meetings allow for maximum use of the Prevention has proposed a comprehensive health screening each individual item has been reduced. Where details are crucial to lunch hour and affords an opportunity for people to attend on a program for Vermont's children which will include state assistance the continuity of a particular story, we have let them stand. regular basis. Although such sessions are often brief, if held to families willing to pay part of this screening and having a total However, we hope that by covering many more items than before, frequently they can become an excellent forum to establish price tag of less than $200,000 a year. the Reports will give an increasingly comprehensive view of the state organizational goals and define specific responsibilities for • VPIRG has been actively pushing a number of bills in the State or local activity. Also, by covering more projects we hope to give individual members. Legislature. A Campaign financing act, lobbyist disclosure bill, groups new ideas of things that can be done in their own areas. Let small claims court revisions, lifeline electric rates, and returnable Massachusetts us know what you think of this new format and please send any bottles legislation are among the most important of these • MassPIRG students, supervised by Ken Dreyfus and Norman material you think could be useful. Included with each item is an provisions. address to write to for more information. If you don't receive a Stein of Boston, are collecting referendum signatures on a petition calling for the creation of a Massachusetts Public Authority, • A pamphlet discussing all the major aspects of the growing response from them, write us for additional information. nuclear power controversy entitled Nuclear Power; Is It Worth The working in co-ordination with the staff of Congressman Michael Alaska Risk? has been released by VPIRG and will be widely distributed to Harrington (D-Mass), the Massachusetts League of Older • The Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AkPIRG) has Vermont legislators and citizens. Americans and other consumer groups, 95,000 signatures have been been working on the task of organizing citizens statewide since their VPIRG collected. This puts the measure before the legislature, which has inception five months ago in Anchorage. 26 State Street until May 7th to act upon it. It defeated by the legislature the group Montpelier, VT 05601 Arkansas will need to collect 10,000 additional signatures to place the • Faced by public pressure and a law suit filed in Federal District proposal on the November 1976 ballot as a binding referendum. Court by Arkansas Consumer Research, the Association of Retired Virginia Persons, and two citizens—Kathylene Rosby and Mrs. Lena Nevada • A landmark decision awarded last year to the Virginia Citizens Hoffman—the State Pharmacy Board repealed a regulation that • The Consumer League of Nevada has announced its 1975 Consumer Council, Inc., by a 3-judge federal panel has been appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States by the Virginia had made it illegal to advertise the price of prescription drugs. One legislative priorities. They include abolition of the state dairy Pharmacy Board. The Court ruled last March that a regulation possible roadblock which remains to a truly competitive market is commission; raising the jurisdictional limits in Small Claims Court prohibiting the advertising of prescription drug prices was that advertising fixed name prices is still considered unethical by to $1000 while barring attorneys from practicing in these courts; a unconstitutional. the Arkansas Pharmaceutical Association. prescription drug freshness act; mandatory price posting of current Arkansas Consumer REsearch prices for the 100 most commonly prescribed prescription drugs; vccc Box 777 1919 W. 7th St. passage of the Equal Rights Amendment; a ban on non-returnable Litle Rock, Ark. 72202 bottles; and the repeal of the sales tax on retail food sales. Springfield, Va. 22150 Consumer League of Nevada California West Virginia • Proclaiming that 'the right to have nutritious, sustaining food is 1408 E. Owens Ave. • The newly formed West Virginia Citizen's Action Group has basic to all human beings', San Francisco Consumer Action Las Vegas, NV 89030 released results of a statewide investigation of equal employment announced the formulation of its Food Task Force at a press North Carolina opportunity there and they are currently formulating recommenda- conference in Washington, D.C., on January 29. The Food Task • With the repeal of sales tax on food and attendant tax reform tions to help remedy the wide spread sex discrimination they found. Force will be a permanent adjunct to SFCA and will dedicate itself shaping up as a major controversy in the 1975 General Assembly, the NC Consumers Council has listed food tax repeal as first among to researching and informing consumers about the development of Wisconsin the food monopolies, organizing consumers to negotiate with the its legislative goals and has joined other state-wide organizations in • A broad-based coalition which has come together in Milwaukee food industry, enacting reform legislation and initiating reform law working for a 1975 tax-reform package. to plan for food day is using the opportunity to begin a food stamp suits. Staff members for the Task Force are Cathy Johnson, director NC Consumers Council outreach program, encourage the founding of new food co-ops, and P.O. Box 6434 and Al Krebs. attempt to pressure local hospitals and nursing homes to improve Raleigh, N.C. 27607 SFCA their food services. Those involved include the United Farm 312 Sutter Street Ohio Workers, Center for Consumer Affairs, Women United for Action, San Francisco, CA 94108 • The Consumer Action Movement (CAM) has released the the Milwaukee Health Department, Church World Services results of a survey of food prices at 51 Cleveland area supermarkets. (CROP), the Puerto Rican Center, Wisconsin Consumers League, Connecticut The survey uncovered the fact that the prices of a wide variety of Milwaukee Public Schools, 16th Street Community Health Center, • Marc Caplan, Director of the Connecticut Citizens Action products have risen considerably faster than the food component of the University of Wisconsin (Waukesha) and the Gordon Park Food Group has recently been appointed to the Connecticut Tsansit the Consumer Price Index. CAM has urged the Federal government Co-op. Authority. He has urged his colleagues on the Authority to endorse to investigate these price hikes and take appropriate action. legislative proposals which would take a hard look at Connecticut's Consumer Action Movement Food Day orWisconsin Consumer League ongoing superhighway plans, endorse the development of mass 13540 Superior 1785 Massachusetts Ave., NW P.O. Box 1531 transportation and point out the huge debt Connecticut already has East Cleveland, OH 44102 Washington, D.C. 20036 Madison, Wise. 53701 run up building highways. Pennsylvania District of Columbia • A conference bringing together state and local consumer RESOURCES • DC PIRG is compiling information on 47 area banks to be leaders, industry and government representatives, and other A most authoritative new source of information on energy and published as a handbook that will enable consumers to make more individuals to discuss current consumer problems was held March natural resources is The Elements, a newsletter published by the intelligent banking decisions. 23-25 at Edinboro State College. Co-sponsors of the conference Transnational Institute, a program of the Institute for Policy Louisiana were the Penn Department of Agriculture, Penn Bureau of Studies. James Ridgeway, the newsletter's editor, says the purpose • An interesting piece of evidence about occupational licensing Consumer Protection, and the Conference of Consumer of the newsletter is to break the information monopoly of the and its effects on fraud has been turned up by the Louisiana Organizations (COCO). resource industry. A one-year (11 issues) subscription is available to Consumer League. They ran a comparative study of TV repair Texas individuals for $5 from: licensing systems in California, which has a system of registration • A group of Austin women have founded a consumer protection Institute for Policy Studies and a Bureau of Repair Services which investigates fraud; the group, the Women's Health Organization, signalling the beginnings 1520 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W. District of Columbia, which has no controls; and Louisiana, which of change in attitudes toward the physician-patient relationship. Washington, D.C. 20036

Bulk Rate news U.S. Postage PAID Washington, DC. new/ Permit No 44772 new/ con/umer federation of omerko 1012 14th ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20005 CFA News PRESIDENT LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR Eileen Hoats Kathleen O'Reilly EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ENERGY POLICY TASK. FORCE Carol Tucker Foreman Ellen Berman EDITOR STATE AND LOCAL PROJECT Midge Shubow Nick Apostola EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Randi Chavis STAFF Jeff Howard, Sarah Wald, Jim O'Donoghue, Sherry Linquist The CFA News is a publication of the Consumer Federation of America, 1012 14th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005 e 1974 by Consumer Federation of America. CFA should be credited for mjtori.il All Rights Reserved.