To the Congress of the United States: America's economy centers on the consumer: The consumer buys in the marketplace nearly two-thirds of our gross national product-$380 billion out of an output of $600 billion.

To meet consumer needs with an everwidening range and quality of products is the prime object of American producers.

To increase consumer well-beingboth the quality and the comforts of life is one of the highest purposes of private and public policy.

Yet, for far too long, the consumer has had too little voice and too little weight in government.

As a worker, as a businessman, as a farmer, as a lawyer or doctor, the citizen has been well represented. But as a consumer, he has had to take a back seat.

That situation is changing. The consumer is moving forward. We cannot rest content until he is in the front row, not displacing the interest of the producer, yet gaining equal rank and representation with that interest.

Federal action in the consumer interest is not new. To protect the consumer. we have Federal laws and regulations to eliminate impure and harmful food, drugs, and cosmetics; to standardize weights and measures, and improve labeling: to prevent fraud, deception, and false advertising; to promote fair competition; to assure fair rates in transportation, power, fuel, communications, and the like; to avoid abuses in the sale of securities.

What is new in the concern for the total interest of the consumer, the recognition of certain basic consumer rights; the right to safety, the right to be informed, the right to choose, the right to be heard.

President Kennedy, in his historic consumer message of March 15, 1962, first set forth those rights. I reaffirm those rights.

What is also new is active representation of the consumer-and a loud, clearchannel voice at the topmost levels of government:

1. In July 1962, President Kennedy established the Consumer Advisory Council. In its landmark first report of last October, the Council urged stronger and more effective representation at the Presidential level.

2. On January 3, I appointed a new Special Assistant for Consumer Affairs and established the President's Committee on Consumer Interests, composed of representatives of the Federal departments and agencies most concerned with consumer affairs; members of the Consumer Advisory Council; the newly appointed Presidential Assistant, as Chairman. My Special Assistant and the new Consumer Committee will lead an intensified campaign

To assure that the best practice of the great American marketplacewhere free men and women buy, sell, and produce becomes common practice.

To fight, side by side with enlightened business leadership and

consumer organizations, against the selfish minority who defraud and deceive consumers, charge unfair prices, or engage in other sharp practices.

To identify the gaps in our system of consumer protection, information, and choice that still need to be filled.

RECENT ADVANCES

Since 1962, the consumer's position has been protected and strengthened in several important ways:

1. New drugs must now be approved for effectiveness as well as safety.

2. Beginning in May of this year, all television sets produced and sold in interstate commerce must be able to receive all channels, including the ultrahigh-frequency ranges. This will bring to millions of American homes a wider range of noncommercial educational TV, as well as more commercial programing.

3. During the past year, the Federal Trade Commission has intensified its programs to protect consumers against false advertising as to the safety and efficacy of nonprescription drug products; misrepresentation of savings in the purchase of food-freeze plans; deceptive television ratings and demonstrations; misbranding of clothing: bait-and-switch tactics in the sale of consumer products.

4. Federal Power Commission orders on gas rates have channeled millions of dollars of refunds of past overcharges to American families who use gas for cooking and heating.

5. Remedies have now been provided for air travelers who are victims of "overbooking."

The job ahead:

But the road to consumer safety, accurate information, free choice, and an adequate hearing is never ending. In modern society, the consumer is constantly exposed to the winds of change. Countless new products-and new forms of old products-vie for his attention and his dollar. Services take a larger and larger share of the consumer dollar. Yet they are often performed without established standards of safety or values.

The American housewife-the major American consumer-cannot help but feel confused, and too often unheard, as she seeks the best value for the hardearned dollar she spends.

This Government is pledged to come to her aid with new legislation and new administrative actions.

RECOMMENDED LEGISLATION

Food, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices: Too often we await the spur of tragedy before strengthening the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Too often we discover dangers in foods and cosmetics only through serious injury to a consumer.

Testing and inspection powers: The Food and Drug Adminstration now lacks the needed authority to inspect fully the factories in which food is produced; to require a showing that cosmetics are safe before they are offered to the public; to examine, for safety and effectiveness be

fore they are marketed, medical devices for the diagnosis of symptoms and treatment of illnesses. The improper treatment with worthless devices can be the cruelest hoax of all. Therefore:

(1) I recommend the enactment of new legislation to extend and clarify inspection authority-comparable to that which now governs prescription drugs-over foods, over-the-counter drugs, cosmetics, and therapeutic, diagnostic, and prosthetic devices; require that cosmetics be tested and proved safe before they are marketed; and require therapeutic, diagnostic, and prosthetic devices to be manufactured under conditions that will assure their reliability, and require proof of safety and effectiveness before they are marketed.

Warning labels: The container for the common household drug is a familiarand often reassuring-sight in our medicine closets. Yet, unless properly marked with necessary warning against accidental injury, it can be as dangerous, and fatal, as a time bomb:

Drugs that ease the pains of adults, for example, might kill a child—yet Federal authority to require warning labels on such containers is far from clear.

A pressurized container, improperly used or handled, can also be a lethal instrument-yet existing law does not require that users be warned against these dangers. Therefore:

(2) I recommend that existing legislation be extended and clarified to require that labels include warnings against avoidable accidental injury from drugs and cosmetics, and pressurized containers.

(3) In addition, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare should be authorized to subpena evidence in connection with administrative hearings under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Other regulatory agencies have this indispensable power. Without it, effective regulation is extremely difficult.

Screening of pesticides: Equally important is the growing danger from the use of pesticides which have not been properly screened. We must not recklessly interfere with the harmony of nature. Yet, today, the Department of Agriculture is required to register products that it cannot certify as safe-and these may be put to use. Therefore:

(4) I recommend that the Congress enact legislation-already passed by the Senate to end the present practice by which pesticides may be registered by manufacturers "under protest" before the Department of Agriculture has passed upon their safety. Meat and poultry inspection: The inspection of meat and poultry products moving in interstate commerce effectively insures safe and wholesome supplies of these foods, but this protection does not extend to products sold within a State. Therefore:

(5) I recommend legislation to insure that all meat and poultry sold in the United States-intrastate as well as interstate is inspected for safety

and wholesomeness, either by the Department of Agriculture or in cooperation with State authorities.

Unfair trade practices and price maintenance: There are serious defects in the Federal shield against unfair practices and false advertising. Unlawful trade practices may continue during the time administrative hearings are pending. Often, the damage has been done by the time the decision is rendered. Therefore:

(6) I recommend legislation to grant the Federal Trade Commission authority to issue temporary ceaseand-desist orders at the outset of a proceeding, subject to court review, when the Commission has good reason to believe that the continuation of the practice would result in irreparable injury to the public.

Freedom of choice for consumers from our storehouse of goods, at the lowest possible prices, is the very cornerstone of American consumer policy. I believe strongly in this principle. Therefore, I oppose legislation which limits price competition, whether under the label of "quality stabilization" or any other

name.

Truth in packaging: We all like interesting packages, and we are attracted by them. In today's markets they are the silent salesmen for their products.

But salesmen should be both helpful and truthful.

When the American housewife comes face to face with one of these silent salesmen, she wants it to report to her the nature and quantity of its contents in a manner that is simple, direct, visible, accurate.

All too often, she cannot find such labeling today. Hearings on the HartCeller bill to require truth in packaging have shown us that informed judgments are often made difficult or impossible by deceptive or confusing packaging and labeling.

The shopper ought to be able to tell at a glance what is in the package, how much of it there is, and how much it costs.

We do not seek monotonous conformity.

We do seek packages that are easily understood and compared with respect to sizes, weights, and degrees of fill.

Many of our staples, like sugar and flour, have long been packaged in standard quantities. Much more can be done along these lines.

Packagers themselves should take the initiative in this effort. It is in the best interests of the manufacturer and the retailer as well as the consumer.

The Government has had, and has exercised, a responsibility toward the consumer in this field for a long time. But the case-by-case trail to which we are limited by existing law is a long and winding one.

More clear-cut regulations are needed to deal effectively with the problem of misleading adjectives; fractional variations in weight which are designed to confuse; illustrations which have no re

lationship to the contents of the package. Therefore:

(7) I recommend legislation to insure that the consumer has access to the information necessary to make a rational choice among competing packaged products.

Truth in lending: The consumer credit system has helped the American economy to grow and prosper:

Credit is used to finance the purchase of homes, cars, appliances, education, and recreation.

Consumer credit and mortgage debt on urban family homes together total over $250 billion.

The cost of such credit must be made as clear and unambiguous as possible, eliminating all possibility of abuse. The antiquated legal doctrine, "Let the buyer beware," should be superseded by the doctrine, "Let the seller make full disclosure." Therefore:

(8) I recommend enactment of legislation requiring all lenders and extenders of credit to disclose to borrowers in advance the actual amount of their commitment and the annual rate of interest they will be required to pay. Truth in securities: American consumers are also investors. Approximately 17 million persons hold stock in publicly held corporations.

Almost a generation ago, laws were passed to assure full disclosure of needed information to persons about to purchase securities listed on national securities exchanges.

But those who purchase over-thecounter securities have no similar protection. They need it.

Legislation broadening these disclosure provisions to include widely owned over-the-counter stocks has already passed the Senate and is pending before the Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee of the House. This measure will help complement the voluntary changes in rules and practices now being made by securities dealers and stock exchanges to afford greater protection to investors. Therefore:

(9) I recommend prompt enactment of this disclosure legislation for overthe-counter securities.

Better housing: The purchase of a home is the largest investment most American families make. Housing costs, for owners and renters, take 14 percent of the average city family's dollar every year.

Good housing should be within the reach of low and moderate income families-now and in the future. We must have orderly development with lookahead planning for our sprawling cities. Therefore:

(10) I recommend enactment of the administration's housing program (outlined in my recent message on housing) which is designed

To provide more housing for lowcome families by acquiring and improving existing housing as well as by constructing new public housing.

To help local governments and developers plan suburban developments which will include a proper balance

of community facilities, recreation, transportation, and business centers.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPROVEMENTS

There are, in addition, many steps that can-and will-be taken immediately to strengthen our present programs of consumer protection.

First, I am directing the President's Committee on Consumer Interests to undertake the following actions:

1. Under the auspices of its Chairman, the Special Assistant for Consumer Affairs, to begin a series of regional consumer conferences: Representatives of consumer groups, manufacturers, retailers, advertising agencies, Government agencies, and others will discuss the problems of adequate consumer information at these meetings. The results will be reported to me, along with appropriate recommendations for action.

2. To develop as promptly as possible effective ways and means of reaching more homes and more families—particularly low-income families-with information to help them to get the most for their money: Most of the budget management and consumer publications now available are geared to middle-income families. They often do not penetrate to the lowest 20 percent of the Nation's income groups. Yet it is the poor who suffer most from sharp practices.

I am asking all Federal agencies now engaged in consumer educational activities (a) to cooperate in this effort and (b) to explore fully such possibilities as the adapting of the extension service concept, so successful in rural areas, to an urban setting.

3. To examine the many programs for consumer education in our schools, to stimulate the development of curricula and training materials, and to encourage larger numbers of our young people to seek instruction in the fundamentals of budgeting, buying, and borrowing. 4. To develop means of keeping the public continuously informed of developments of importance in the consumer field.

Second, as I have emphasized in my Economic Report, we must make sure that any upward pressures on costs and prices that may develop as the economy expands do not get out of hand.

Price stability is essential to an economic climate favorable to consumers.

Price increases, without improvements in performance or quality, would erode dollar values.

Our record of overall price stability in recent years has been excellent. But the trend of consumer spending for serv ices has been constantly rising; and the safeguarding of the consumer's interest in the area of services is comparatively weak.

Because of their personal and informal nature, services cannot be treated in the same way as foods and drugs. Yet, they are equally subject to the abuses of poor quality, high prices, and exaggerated claims.

I am asking the Committee to make recommendations for improvement of protection in this area; and we will also

call upon the interested industries for their advice.

CONCLUSION

All these proposals for consumer protection would cost us as taxpayers only a small fraction of what they would save us as consumers. And there is no measure of what they would prevent in human suffering.

But in the last analysis, the remedy for errors of taste, poor judgment, and disorder in our economic life is not to be found in the legislatures or the courts but in the leadership of those who care.

This is an individual matter. But it is also a matter for corporations and organizations dedicated to the public inter

est.

I know that the program outlined here to improve the safety and welfare of our consumers will help all Americans to pursue the excellent and reject the tawdry-in every phase and in every aspect of American life.

LYNDON B. JOHNSON. THE WHITE HOUSE, February 5, 1964. SALE OF US. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS TO

CERTAIN FOREIGN COUNTRIES

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate the following communication from the President of the United States; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations:

THE WHITE HOUSE. Washington, January 28, 1964. DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: In compliance with title III of the Foreign Aid and Related Agencies Appropriation Act of 1964, this is to inform you that I have determined that it is in the national interest for the Export-Import Bank to issue guarantees in connection with the sale of U.S. agricultural products to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Rumania. The Bank will report the individual guarantees to the Congress as they are issued.

Sincerely,

LYNDON B. JOHNSON.

Hon. CARL HAYDEN,
President pro tempore of the Senate,
Washington, D.C.

SALE OF U.S. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO
YUGOSLAVIA

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate the following communication from the President of the United States; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations:

THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, January 28, 1964. DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: In compliance with title III of the Foreign Aid and Related Agencies Appropriation Act of 1964, this is to inform you that I have determined that it is in the national interest for the Export-Import Bank to issue guarantees in connection with the sale of U.S. products and services to Yugoslavia. The Bank will report the individual guarantees to the Congress as they are issued. Sincerely,

LYNDON B. JOHNSON.

Hon. CARL HAYDEN,
President pro tempore of the Senate,
Washington, D.C.

REPORT ON CONSTRUCTION AUTHORIZATION PROGRAM, AIR NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY PROJECTS

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate a communication from the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Properties and Installations), transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the location, nature, and estimated costs of the construction authorization program for Air National Guard armory projects for fiscal year 1964; which, with the accompanying paper, was referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

REPORT ON CONSTRUCTION AUTHORIZATION PROGRAM FOR ARMY AND MARINE CORPS RESERVE

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate a communication from the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Properties and Installations), transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the location, nature, and estimated costs of the construction authorization program for Army and the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve for fiscal year 1963; which, with the accompanying papers, was referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

REPORT ON OVERPRICING OF CERTAIN SHIP

PROPULSION BOILERS

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate a communication from the Comptroller General of the United States, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the overpricing of ship propulsion boilers purchased under fixed-price contract NObs-76301 negotiated with Foster Wheeler Corp., New York, N.Y., Department of the Navy; which, with the accompanying report, was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

REPORT ON DISPOSAL OF FOREIGN EXCESS
PROPERTY

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate a communication from the Assistant Secretary of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report of the disposal of foreign excess property during the calendar year 1963 by the Department of Commerce; which was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

FINAL CONCLUSION OF CERTAIN INDIAN
CLAIMS

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate a communication from the Chief Commissioner of the Indian Claims Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the final conclusion of the Klamath and Modoc Tribes, et al. v. the United States; which, with the accompanying papers, was referred to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.

REPORT ON REFUGEE-ESCAPEES The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate a communication from the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization Service, Department of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report for the 6-month period ended December 31, 1963, on refugee-escapees paroled into the United

States; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate the following petitions, etc., which were referred as indicated:

A communication from the from the 14th Islandwide Mandatories' Council To Acquire Compensation for Damages Prior to Peace Treaty, of Naha, Okinawa, signed by Eiharu Nakamura, Seikyu Nakayama, and Ibi Nakamoto, vice presidents, relating to the payment of damages sustained by the people of the Ryukyu Islands prior to the effective date of the peace treaty with Japan; and

A cablegram from the States-General of Holland, signed by Jonkman, President of the First Chamber, and Vanthiel, President of the Second Chamber, expressing thanks for the congratulations expressed on the 500th anniversary of that Parliament; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate a memorial from Mrs. Arthur M. Powell, of Deming, N. Mex., remonstrating against scientific experimentation on living animals; which was ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. THURMOND (for himself and Mr. JOHNSTON) presented a concurrent resolution of the Legislature of the State of South Carolina, favoring limiting the importation of foreign beef; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN
RELATIONS

Mr. FULBRIGHT, from the Committee on Foreign Relations, to whom was referred the bill (S. 2394) to facilitate compliance with the convention between the United States of America and the United Mexican States, signed August 29, 1963, and for other purposes, reported it with amendments and submitted a report (No. 868) thereon.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bills were introduced, severally read the first and second time by unanimous consent, and referred as follows:

By Mr. JACKSON (for himself and Mr. MAGNUSON):

S. 2493. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to determine that certain costs of operating and maintaining Banks Lake and Potholes Reservoir on the Columbia Basin project for recreational purposes are nonreimbursable; to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.

By Mr. MCCARTHY:

S. 2494. A bill to amend section 1245 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 in order to limit application of that section in the case of the sale of an entire business or farm; to the Committee on Finance.

By Mr. PELL:

S. 2495. A bill to amend the Federal Employees' Compensation Act so as to permit injured employees entitled to receive medical services under such act to utilize the services of podiatrists; to the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare.

EXPRESSION OF SENSE OF THE SENATE ON A COMPREHENSIVE INSPECTED TEST BAN Mr. WILLIAMS of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. HUMPHREY, Mr. BARTLETT, Mr. BURDICK, Mr. CLARK, Mr. DOUGLAS, Mr. GRUENING, Mr. HART, Mr. HARTKE, Mr. INOUYE, Mr. LONG of Missouri, Mr. MCCARTHY, Mr. METCALF, Mr. Moss, Mr. MUNDT, Mr. NELSON, Mrs. NEUBERGER, Mr. PROXMIRE, Mr. RANDOLPH, and Mr. YOUNG of Ohio) submitted the following resolution (S. Res. 295); which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

Whereas a limited nuclear test ban treaty has been signed by the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and more than 100 other nations; and

Whereas the response to the nuclear test ban treaty indicates that the United States is joined by many other nations in a desire for progress toward the lessening of international tensions and a cessation of the arms race; and

Whereas negotiations have now been resumed at the 18-Nation Disarmament Conference at Geneva to explore possible further steps toward these goals; and

Whereas the United States, through the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, the Department of Defense, and other governmental agencies, has undertaken extensive study, research, and discussion of various measures designed to help achieve these goals, with emphasis on the requirements for verifying complicance with such measures; and

Whereas on January 21, 1964, the United States proposed to the Geneva Conference the prompt exploration of certain of the measures so studied, such as a verified freeze on nuclear delivery vehicles, a verified cutoff in the production of fissionable materials for weapons use, and a verified ban on all nuclear weapons tests; and

Whereas effective verification, including inspection and control, is a necessary condition to any agreement on such measures in order to preserve the security of the United States and its allies and to provide adequate safeguards against the risks of agreement violations: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the United States representatives to the 18-Nation Disarmament Conference at Geneva be encouraged and supported (1) in their insistence, despite past Soviet intransigence, on adequate verification of compliance and establishment of the principle of inspection and control and (2) in their efforts to negotiate agreement on the measures such as those suggested in the President's message to the conference on January 21, 1964: Provided, That the arrangements for verification of compliance with such agreements are fully adequate to preserve the security of the United States and all other signatory nations against the risks of violation.

ADJOURNMENT

On motion by Mr. JAVITS, at 10 o'clock and 30 minutes p.m.,

The Senate, under its order of today, adjourned until 10 o'clock a.m. tomorrow.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1964

Mr. LEE METCALF, from the State of Montana, called the Senate to order at 10 o'clock a.m., and Rev. George T. Kennedy, of Athens, Ohio, offered prayer.

APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT
PRO TEMPORE

The Secetary read the following communication from the President pro tempore:

U.S. SENATE,

PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, Washington, D.C., February 6, 1964. To the Senate:

Being temporarily absent from the Senate, I appoint Hon. LEE METCALF, a Senator from the State of Montana, to perform the duties of the Chair during my absence.

CARL HAYDEN, President pro tempore. Mr. METCALF thereupon took the chair.

THE JOURNAL

On motion by Mr. MANSFIELD, and by unanimous consent,

The reading of the Journal of the proceedings of Wednesday, February 5, 1964, was dispensed with.

BOARD OF VISITORS TO U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY

The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. KENNEDY in the chair) announced that the President pro tempore had appointed the following as members on the part of the Senate to the Board of Visitors to the U.S. Naval Academy for 1964: Mr. MONRONEY, Mr. PASTORE, and Mr. BEALL. TEMPORARY ADMISSION OF CERTAIN ALIENS

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate a communication from the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization Service, Department of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on certain aliens granted admission into the United States under the authority of section 212(d)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act; which, with the accompanying papers, was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

PETITION

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate a resolution of the Senate of the State of New Jersey favoring the establishment of the proposed Electronics Research Center in the Delaware Valley; which was referred to the Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES

Mr. CANNON, from the Committee on Armed Services, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 7356) to amend title 10, United States Code, relating to the nomination and selection of candidates for appointment to the Military, Naval, and Air Force Academies, reported it with an amendment and submitted a report (No. 869) thereon.

REFERENCE OF S. 2464 WHEN REPORTED

On motion by Mr. JACKSON, and by unanimous consent,

Ordered, That when the Committee on Foreign Relations submits its report on

the bill (S. 2464) to establish the Roosevelt Campobello International Park, and for other purposes, it be referred to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bills were introduced, severally read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred as follows:

By Mr. WALTERS:

S. 2496. A bill for the relief of Mrs. Margaret Patterson Bartlett; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Mr. MAGUNSON (for himself,
Mr. PASTORE, Mr. Jackson, Mr.
BARTLETT):

S. 2497. A bill to provide for an investigation and study to determine a site for the construction of a sea level interoceanic canal through the American Isthmus; to the Committee on Commerce.

By Mr. BURDICK (for himself.
Mr. YOUNG of North Dakota,
Mr. McGOVERN, and Mr.
MUNDT):

S. 2498. A bill to increase the participation by counties in revenues from the National Wildlife Refuge System by amending the act of June 15, 1935, relating to such participation, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Com

merce.

ADDED COAUTHORS OF S. 2475

Under authority heretofore granted, the following-named Senators have been added as coauthors of the bill (S. 2475) to establish a Department of Housing and Community Development, and for other purposes, previously introduced: Mr. DOUGLAS and Mr. GRUENING.

REVENUE ACT OF 1964

On motion by Mr. MANSFIELD, The Senate resumed the consideration of its unfinished business, viz, the bill (H.R. 8363) to amend the Internal Revenue Code or 1954 to reduce individual and corporate income taxes, to make certain structural changes with respect to the income tax, and for other purposes.

The question being on agreeing to the amendment yesterday proposed by Mr. MCCARTHY, inserting at the proper place a new section relating to the head of a household.

Pending debate,

PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION ACT OF 1963

The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. RIBICOFF in the chair) laid bfore the Senate the message heretofore received from the House of Representatives, announcing its disagreement to the amendments of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 4638) to promote the orderly transfer of the Executive power in connection with the expiration of the term of office of a President and the inauguration of a new President and asking a conference with the Senate thereon.

On motion by Mr. JACKSON, Resolved, That the Senate insist upon its amendments to the said bill, disagreed to by the House of Representatives, and agree to the conference asked by the House on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses thereon.

Ordered, That the conferees on the part of the Senate be appointed by the Presiding Officer; and

The PRESIDING OFFICER appointed Mr. JACKSON, Mr. PELL, Mr. RIBICOFF. Mr. JAVITS, and Mr. MILLER. Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives thereof.

REVENUE ACT OF 1964

The Senate resumed the consideration of its unfinished business, viz, the bill (HR. 8363) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to reduce individual and corporate income taxes, to make certain structural changes with respect to the income tax, and for other purposes.

The question being on agreeing to the amendment proposed by Mr. McCARTHY, inserting a new section in the bill relative to the head of a household. Pending debate,

Mr. MCCARTHY modified his proposed amendment.

On motion by Mr. MCCARTHY, The yeas and nays, being desired by one-fifth of the Senators present, were ordered on the question of agreeing to the amendment.

The amendment, as modified, was amended on the motion of Mr. Long of Louisiana.

Pending debate,

On motion by Mr. Long of Louisiana, and by unanimous consent,

The order for the yeas and nays on the question of agreeing to the amendment, as amended, was vacated.

The amendment, as amended, was then agreed to.

On motion by Mr. WILLIAMS of Delaware (for himself, Mrs. SMITH and Mr. AIKEN) to further amend the bill by inserting at the proper place a new section reducing percentage depletion rates for oil and gas wells.

On motion by Mr. WILLIAMS of Delaware,

The yeas and nays, being desired by one-fifth of the Senators present, were ordered on the question of agreeing to the amendment. Pending debate,

EXECUTIVE SESSION

On motion by Mr. MagnusON, The Senate proceeded to the consideration of executive business; and after the consideration of executive business, LEGISLATIVE SESSION

The Senate resumed its legislative session.

REVENUE ACT OF 1964

The Senate resumed the consideration of its unfinished business, viz, the bill (H.R. 8363) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to reduce individual and corporate income taxes to make certain structural changes with respect to the income tax, and for other purposes.

The question being on agreeing to the amendment proposed by Mr. WILLIAMS of Delaware (for himself and others) inserting at the proper place a new section reducing percentage depletion rates for oil and gas wells,

After debate,

The question being taken on agreeing to the amendment, viz, at the proper place in the bill add the following: Sec.

Percentage depletion rates for oil and gas wells, etc.

(a) Section 613(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, relating to percentage depletion rates, is amended

(1) 1964-With respect to taxable years beginning in 1964, by striking out "272 percent-oil and gas wells" in paragraph (1) thereof and inserting "25 percent-oil and gas wells".

(2) 1965-With respect to taxable years beginning in 1965

(A) by striking out "25 percentoil and gas wells" in paragraph (1) thereof and inserting "221⁄2 percent-oil and gas wells", and

(B) by striking out "23 percent-" in paragraph (2) thereof (relating to sulfur and uranium and certain minerals from deposits in the United States) and inserting "22 percent—”.

(3) 1966 and Subsequent Years.— In the case of taxable years beginning after December 31, 1965

(A) by striking out "221⁄2 percent-oil and gas wells" in paragraph (1) thereof and inserting "20 percent-oil and gas wells", and

(B) by striking out "22% percent-" in paragraph (2) thereof (relating to sulfur and uranium and certain minerals from deposits in the United States) and inserting "20 percent-".

It was determined in (Yeas... 33 the negative...---Nays. 61 The yeas and nays having been heretofore ordered.

Senators who voted in the affirmative