In the past 2 years, the Commission has been granted a number of additional positions to enhance our compliance program. Most of these positions have been filled by trainees. As a result of a concerted and indepth training program, these employees are well on their way to becoming fully productive journeymen. The increased production expected from this group should be sufficient to handle the added workload anticipated during fiscal year 1976. A further evaluation of our manpower needs will be made as soon as these employees become fully productive and before any new positions are requested for this program. TARIFF EXAMINATION Of the several functional areas that comprise the tariff examination program, the one requiring the greatest emphasis and resources is the examination and review of tariff publications. The two objectives of the examining review function are to insure that tariff publications filed by the regulated industry comply with the law and the Commission's regulations and orders, and the tariff provisions are reasonable, just, and nondiscriminatory in light of the carrier's obligation to serve the general public. These objectives are accomplished by the physical examination of tariffs and the questioning, rejection, or suspension of those tariff provisions deemed to contravene the law or the public interest. The Commission receives close to 400.000 separate publications each year, comprised of over 1 million pages. This huge volume, coupled with its growing complexity, prevents checking each one in detail. Therefore, the Commission checks all publications for certain key points to insure conformity with Commission regulations and orders regarding to such things as format, legibility, and effective dates. A second type of examination subjects a portion of the tariffs to a more complete review for unlawful, unreasonable, or ambiguous provisions that would affect the consuming and shipping public alike. Two years ago, the Commission instituted a new program, termed the consumer-oriented tariff examination program. Our examiners working in this program look for hidden charges or other aspects of a tariff publication that will adversely affect the consumer. When questionable filings are found, they are referred for consideration of suspension on the Commission's own motion. The results of this program have been very encouraging. During fiscal year 1974, the consumeroriented tariff examination staff examined approximately 45,000 tariff publications. Of that number approximately 4,800 publications were criticized, 1.100 were rejected, 815 were voluntarily canceled or amended by the affected carriers and 84 were referred to the Commission's Suspension and Fourth Section Board for its consideration and possible suspension. The impact of this program has become increasingly felt over the past 24 months since its inception and it is our intention to expand this consumer protection activity during fiscal year 1976. We believe, however, that anticipated productivity increases on the part of the tariff examination staff will permit this expansion without additional positions for this program. Before I conclude my opening remarks, I would like to mention that rly this year I directed the establishment of a "Blue Ribbon" comttee- mposed of Commission staff members headed by an ad ministrative law judge-whose duties will be to take the most objective. look possible at the Commission and to recommend positive improvements in the way we accomplish our regulatory mission. The staff panel reports directly to my office, and its members have been relieved of all other duties so they can devote full time to this important project. The committee has begun its assigned tasks with the firm mandate that the status quo is unacceptable. Launched with this positive attitude. I am optimistic that the efforts of this panel will assist the Commission in charting its future course of action. Attention will first be directed toward internal improvements in case handling, and then toward substantive and legislative approaches required for today's regulatory climate. Within a matter of weeks, the committee's initial report is anticipated. It will be closely reviewed by the Commission and expectations are that the report will be a harbinger of desired improvement. But, a word of caution; the Commission, the Interstate Commerce Act and the transportation industry are complex mechanisms. They simply are not susceptible to miraculous and instantaneous changes. It is, nevertheless, true that there are many areas for improvement that can and should be identified. This Panel has an unconditional mandate to do just that, and I fully expect that it will perform its task in a yeoman-like manner. As for the Commission, I am confident that it will act upon the Panel's recommendations positively and with the determination that is required to make any necessary reforms that are within its power, and to recommend to the Congress those which require legislative action. This concludes my remarks. My colleagues and I will be glad to answer any questions you may have. UTILIZATION OF ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL Mr. McFALL. Thank you very much, Mr. Stafford, for good statement. your usual This committee has recommended and the Congress has approved about 400 additional personnel for the Commission in the past 5 years. In which areas have these personnel been utilized and how has this resulted in better transportation for the American public? Mr. STAFFORD. May I call on my managing director for the utilization? Mr. REBEIN. They have been spread across our four broad program areas. I have the actual figures here. Would you want me to submit that for the record? Mr. McFALL. Put a chart in the record so we can have the detail in the record. |