Instead he proposed a bill enabling the city to file for bankruptcy which would enable them to maintain essential services with, no doubt, some government help. President Ford gave a speech at the National Press Club scolding New York's city and state officials for their slipshod management. It was not popular with city officials, and not just in New York. City centers were in deep trouble all over the country as the flight to the suburbs continued. On a clear day you could see the tax base erode right before your eyes.
Truth is, it included some very good ones.
On October 20, the Supreme Court ruled that states could allow spanking in their schools. It was hedged with 'fair warning' and giving preference to other methods of discipline, etc. Of course, that was before kids were fully armed. I would guess that Bobby Knight, recent basketball coach at Indiana University, often cited this court decision. It might also be one of the reasons for his win-loss record at Bloomington.