Evening star., 1962-03-15


ress has already been achieved
or is in prospect in several inn
portant areas. And the 1863
budget includes recommenda-
tions to improve the effective
ness Of almost every major
program Of consumer protec-
ton.
1. Food and Drug Protection
Thousands of common house,
hold items now available to
consumers contain potentially
harmful substances. Hundreds
of new uses for such products
as food additives, food color
ings and pesticides are found
every year, adding new poten-
tial hazards. To provide better
protection and law enforce
ment in this vital area, I have
recommended a Is per cent in
crease in staff for the Food anS
Drug Administration in the
budget now pending before the
Congress, the largest single in
crease in the agency's history.
In addition, to assure more ef-
fective registration of pesti-
cides, new division has been
established in the Department
of Agriculture; and increased
appropriations have been re-
quested for pesticide regulation
and for meat and poultry in
spection activities.
2. Safer Transportation
AS Americans make more
use of highway and air trans
portation than any other ma
ton, increased speed and con-
gestion have required us to
take special safety measures.
The Federal Aviation
Agency has re-examined the
Nations air traffic control re-
quirements and is designing an
improved system to enhance
the safety and efficiency Of fu-
ture air traffic.
The Secretary of Commerce
has established an Office of
Highway Safety in the Bureau
of Public Roads to promote pub
lie support Of highway safety
standards, coordinate use of
highway safety research find
ings and encourage co-opera-
ton of State and local Gov
ernments, industry, and allied
groups-the Department OF
Health, Education, and Welfare
is likewise strengthening its
accident prevention work-and
the Interstate Commerce Com
mission is strengthening its en-
forcement Of safety require
ments for motor carriers.
In addition. I am requesting
the Departments of Commerce
, and OF Health, Education, and
Welfare, to review, with repre-
Sentatives of the automobile
industry, those changes in auto
mobile design and equipment
which will help reduce the un-
considerable toll of human life
on the highways and the pol
luton of the air we breathe
, Additional legislation does not
, appear required at this time in
,, view of the automobile in
, dustry's action to incorporate
,, in the new model design
changes which will reduce air
pollution.
8. Financial Protection
Important steps are being
taken to help assure more ade-
quate protection for the savings
that prudent consumers lay
; aside for the future purchase
Of costly items. for the rainy
, day, for their children's educa-
ton, or to meet their retire
ment needs.
Legislation enacted last year
: has strengthened the insurance
: program of the Federal Savings
; and Loan Insurance Corpora
5 ton.
The Securities and Exchange
Commission has undertaken a
the request Of the Congress ;
: major investigation Of tn
/ securities market which shoul'
provide the basis for late
= legislation and administrative
= measures.
d The Postmaster General an
= the Department of Justice hav
= stepped up enforcement Of tn
g mail fraud statutes. Arrests fo
= mail fraud last year set an all
= time record; and convictions in
st creased by IS per cent over tn
It previous year.
4. More Effective Regulation
The independent regulator
: agencies also report increase
l. emphasis on programs directl
= helpful to consumers.
= The Interstate CommerC
!e Commission has instituted pre-
'e ceedings designed to prever
excessive charges for movir
'e household goods in interStat
: commerce.
/ The Civil Aeronautics Boar
has recently taken action
d protect air travellers frol
l. abuses Of overlooking.
s. The Federal Trade Commi'
$ sion has intensified its actio
s. against deceptive trade pra'
le tices and false advertiser
ID affecting a variety of good
including refrigerators, hou
'e paint. sewing machines, vac'
G UNI cleaners, kitchen utensil
Us food wrapping. and carpets.
'e The Federal Power Con
IS mission is initiating a vigorol
" program to assure consume
g of reasonable natural gas pric
T. while assuring them Of ad,
10 quate supplies-revitalizing 6
, of it's regulatory programs
10 the electric power field-ar