Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-08-01
YOUR MONEYS WORTH :
Status ofAid
For Consumers
. BY SYLVIA PORTER

fore the Commission" was in
terpreted by many business
men to mean an accused cor
poration wouldn't even have a
chance to defend itself while
the FTC simultaneously acted
the roles of investigator, ac-
cuser. prosecutor and judge.
Not Much Done
Not much significant legis-
lation to safeguard the con-
sumner has been passed by this
Congress. That "ceaSe-and-de-
Sist" bill is dead. So is a bill
which would require firms
planning to merge into a COM
pany of substantial size" to
give reasonable advance no
tice" to the Justice Dept. So
are other bills which would
greatly increase the authority
of the Federal regulatory agen-
cies. Also on the shelf for this
year at least are the truth
in lending" and the truth in
packaging" bills-bills which
need a lot more work before
they're in shape for passage.
Nevertheless, a fair number
of the actions the President re-
quested in his &C nsum e r s.
Protection" message has been
favorably acted on or will be
soon. Here's a sampling on the
plus" side.
A Is per cent increase in the
staff for the Food and Drug
Administration, the larges
single increase in the agency'S
history. Probable.
An increased appropriation
for pesticide regulation. Okay.
A higher appropriation for
inspection of meat and poul-
try. Mr.. Kennedy won't get as
much money as he's asking but
he'll get some more.
An improved system of safe
ty and efficiency of air traffic.
The Federal Aviation Admin
iStration has put it into effect.
A law to require manufac-
ture of all channel TV sets to
give a wider choice of pro-
grams. Passed.
Creation of a Consumers
Advisory Council within the
Executive Branch of Govern
ment and appointment of spe-
cial assistants for consumer
affairs in all appropriate Fed
eral agencies. Done this month.
Establishment of a new Of
flee for Highway Safety in the
Commerce Departm e n t,
strengthening Of accident pre-
vention work in the Health,
Education and Welfare De-
partment. increased enforce
ment of safety requirements by
the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. Done or being done.
Strengthening of the insur-
ance program of the Federal
Savings and Loan Insurance
Corp. Done.
Protection of air travellers
from abuses of overlooking
The Civil Aeronautics Board
put out new rules in April.
Some Success Noted
Regulation of excessive
charges for moving of house
hold goods. The Interstate
Commerce Commission issued
new rules this month.
Expansion of educational
televiSion. Law signed.
Stronger enforce m e n t
against interference in radio.
Done.
Intensification of action by
the Federal Trade Commission
against deceptive trade prac-
tees and false advertising. In
classification on.
stronger enforcement of
mail fraud statutes. Arrests for
mail fraud last year were at a
record, convictions were up IS
per cent.
Increased Staffs for all ma
jor Federal regulatory agen-
cies. Mixed results, with some
getting the increase, some not.
It's hardly a grandioSe, gilt
tering record but it represents
some progress.
Tomorrow: Pilot program in
consumer education is on the
way.
Distributed, 1862, by the Hall Syndicate,
Inc. All Rights Reserved