Pressures from industry, Congress, and the White House bear heavily on the U.S. government agencies that regulate business and industry. Do the agencies stand fast in the face of the barrage? Not everyone agrees they do. Once again, a debate is swirling about these agencies that make decisions that may mean millions of dollars to a television company, a gas company, a department store, a railroad, an airline or an investment company. The present debate was triggered a month ago by a three-page letter that a frustrated Federal Power Commission member sent to President Kennedy. The commissioner, Howard Morgan, wrote of "pressures generated by huge industries and focused with great skill on and against the sensitive areas of government." He talked of commissioners, in face of these pressures, giving in "too quickly to the present-day urge toward conformity, timidity and personal security." Morgan, who found himself outvoted on key commission decisions, wrote that he did not want reappointment as commissioner. The House Regulatory Agencies subcommittee will open hearings Wednesday on Morgan's charges...
Pressures from industry, Congress, and the White House bear heavily on the U.S. government agencies that regulate business and industry. Do the agencies stand fast in the face of the barrage? Not everyone agrees they do. Once again, a debate is swirling about these agencies that make decisions that may mean millions of dollars to a television company, a gas company, a department store, a railroad, an airline or an investment company. The present debate was triggered a month ago by a three-page letter that a frustrated Federal Power Commission member sent to President Kennedy. The commissioner, Howard Morgan, wrote of "pressures generated by huge industries and focused with great skill on and against the sensitive areas of government." He talked of commissioners, in face of these pressures, giving in "too quickly to the present-day urge toward conformity, timidity and personal security." Morgan, who found himself outvoted on key commission decisions, wrote that he did not want reappointment as commissioner. The House Regulatory Agencies subcommittee will open hearings Wednesday on Morgan's charges...
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