Gerald Ford

TLS signed “Jerry Ford,” two pages, 8 x 10.5, House of Representatives letterhead, February 14, 1969. Letter to Joseph Antczak, in part: "May I thank you for your thoughtful letter of February 9 concerning the pay raise recommended by former President Johnson and top officials in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of our government. As you know, the Senate voted against rejecting the President's recommendations. Likewise, the House Committee on Rules voted not to take any further action which would have halted the implementation of the President's recommendation. This is a subject on which reasonable men can disagree. Some have contended that the timing was extremely poor while still others feel that the amount of the increase was exorbitant. But, as you know, President Johnson was acting in accordance with the proposals made by a citizens committee appointed to analyze these salaries…The committee's recommendations to the President were unanimous. Mr Johnson, however, after meeting with congressional leaders did make reductions in the salary recommended for members of Congress. As you will note from the enclosed copy of my newsletter for January 28 I have endorsed the President's recommendations. When the vote was taken in the Senate, Senator Barry Goldwater voted against the motion to reject the recommendations as did the Democratic leadership in the Senate. President Nixon has joined former President Johnson in endorsing the proposal. It had bipartisan support in the House where Democratic Speaker John McCormack shared my views on the proposal. May I express to you my deep appreciation for your forthright comments, and I regret that we do not see eye-to-eye on this specific issue. I trust that in most questions before the Congress during this session our position will be more aligned." In fine condition.

Format: TLS