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I think Mr. Strahm has made things worse. A law that is not strictly enforced is no law at all and should not even be on the books.

Best personal regards,

JTL/rm

J. T. LANGDON.

P.S.-I just received the Congressional Record with Senator Curtis' statements and a copy of the Amendment on the O.S.H.A. I think that if we would just take 29 U.S.C. 655 (f) in Judicial Review and change the words "Court of Appeals" to "Magistrate" and change the word "Circuit" to "District," we would have something.

Hon. TENO RONCALIO,

JACK.

OLDS OIL COMPANY, Casper, Wyo., April 5, 1972.

U.S. House of Representatives, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. RONCALIO: The Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 is creating many problems. I have received your Report to Wyoming in which you have covered this area. When my business is subject to fines, I feel that I should know in advance what that regulation covers and what the fine for non-compliance will be. The petty things in this Act, many of them, have nothing to do with safety or health and should be eliminated. I am very much in favor of your amendment to correct this Act.

Very truly yours,

Hon. TENO RONCALIO,

R. M. OLDS.

STATE OF WYOMING, Powell, Wyo., February 25, 1972.

U.S. House of Representatives, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR REPRESENTATIVE RONCALIO: I have been receiving a lot of static from both business men and farmers relating to the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act. Of course I explain to them all that the State had nothing to do with it and while we have passed some wild ones in the State Legislature, we have never reached this far out as yet.

The U.S. Department of Labor Office in Billings, Montana, sent a man down here to tell the business men what they had to do and when some one asked where they were going to get the money to rebuild their small businesses all the answer he had was they could borrow it from the Small Business Administration. Most of the small ones that hire only one or two people said they thought they could lay off the help and do what they could by themselves; or just hand the boys the keys and let them have it, where it would take twenty or thirty thousand dollars to completely overhaul their business.

There is no doubt a lot of good in the original act but it seems as if it has gotten completely out of hand, perhaps by the rules and regulations drawn up by the Department. Is there any chance of liberalizing it to at least a reasonable extent, or of getting an exemption for small businesses hiring only a few people? This seems to be one of the few laws we have under which a man can enter private premises and be the inspector, judge, jury and impose a fine, whatever he thinks, collect it and if you don't like it it is too bad. Of course as was explained, you can take it to the Supreme Court.

As was pointed out at the meeting, all of our Legislators in Washington voted for this so it does not seem to be a partisian issue; but I am wondering what if anything can be done about it so we can live with it.

Yours truly,

DONALD NORTHRUP.

LOU'S TRANSFER & STORAGE CO.,
Sheridan, Wyo., February 19, 1972.

Hon. TENO RONCALIO,

Longworth House Office Building,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR REPRESENTATIVE RONCALIO: Having attended a forum on Public Law #91-596, known as the Williams-Steiger Act here in Sheridan, Wyoming on

February 8th, 1972, I as a small business man here in Sheridan believe this is going to work a difficult hardship on my business as well as a hardship on the many other small businesses throughout the Wonderful State of Wyoming.

I am, therefore, requesting that you vote for either House Bill #12068 or House Bill #12492 to amend the William-Steiger Public Law #91-596, so that I as a small business can continue to do business here in our State of Wyoming. Sincerely,

CLARENCE R. CATES, Owner.
UPTON, WYO., April 6, 1972.

Representative TENO RONCALIO,

Wyoming Representative,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR REPRESENTATIVE RONCALIO: I am writing to urge you to repeal the WILLIAMS-STEIGER ACT of 1970.

I find this so-called law a threat to Wyoming businessmen, ranchers, and the people of Wyoming in general. As you know, Wyoming is a State of small businesses and many ranches, and these people cannot tolerate the tremendous costs that face them with this Act. Nor can they stand the exorbitant fines being placed upon them by individuals who seem to know little about the economy of Wyoming.

This Act will close the doors and dreams of many small businesses and ranchers will be faced with selling their life-long ambitions to meet the demands of this Act. Is it not wiser to have people employed, than to have these same people drawing Unemployment or even Welfare?

I feel that the Congress of the United States has prompted, even agreed to, a form of government that is not run by and for the people. Why doesn't Congress worry about the high rise of drug-addicts, the ever increasing rise in crime? Are they so concerned with the proper number of restrooms for employees that they cannot see the real problems the United States faces?

Again, I urge you to act with the people of Wyoming high in your thoughts, and repeal the WILLIAMS-STEIGER ACT.

Sincerely,

VIRGINIA G. CANFIELD, Secretary.

MULLINAX CONCRETE SERVICE Co.
Sheridan, Wyo., April 10, 1972.

Representative TENO RONCALIO,

House Office Building,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR TENO: Thank you for your letter of March 29 regarding the WilliamsSteiger Act.

I feel you're on the right track. This law is the most vicious act I have ever known to be enacted and something just must be done. I feel, first of all, that the provision of penalty must be changed and that a policy of education must be substituted. Evidently your proposed amendment will do this. Secondly, I think the administration of this law should be given to the various States as soon as they have an organization which can handle it. As you know, I am a member of our Wyoming Ocupational Health & Safety Commission and we are ready to assume this responsibility. I feel strongly that there would be far less opposition to it if the State were administering the law.

At this point, I do not favor the exemption of all businesses who employ less than twenty-five people. I believe everyone should be covered, but not in the high-handed manner displayed by the Federal inspectors.

I feel too, that the law should be changed to also protect the employer. As it stands now, all provisions of the law are written to protect the employee and hold the employer liable for every violation. Any employee who chooses to do so can absolutely crucify an employer and this is wrong. This must be changed. I hope I have been of some help to you, Teno.

Sincerely yours,

J. D. MULLINAX.

CHEYENNE, Wyo., April 11, 1972

Representative TENO RONCALIO,
Longworth Building,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. RONCALIO: I am writing to you in my own behalf as a small businessman concerning the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act that became law in 1970. I am a farmer and feel that this law is unjust and slightly ridiculous to people in my category. This law is going to cause severe hardships on many small businessmen and farmers, and we feel that we should be exempt from this law.

Because of the expense which will be necessary to me to comply with all of this law's regulations, I would be forced to quit farming altogether.

Please do what you can to have this law modified for small businesses and farmers.

Sincerely,

DERALD E. PETERSON.

RUSSELL'S TV SERVICE, Casper, Wyo., February 29, 1972.

Hon. TENO RONCALIO,
U.S. Senate,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR SIR: I wish to express my great displeasure with the new OSHA law. I feel that as a small businessman, I will be unable to comply. The financial expense is more than I am able to afford.

I also feel that I should have been notified of this new law long before now. As of this date, I have not received the necessary forms, registers, and material for compliance with this law.

Sincerely,

J. W. RUSSELL.

UPTON, WYO., April 11, 1972.

Hon. TENO RONCALIO,
House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C.

DEAR REPRESENTATIVE RONCALIO: I think the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 has done a great dis-service to small communities like ours and to small business concerns everywhere, and I think it should be repealed with all possible haste.

Thanks for your concern, and for your interest in good government.

Respectfully,

MRS. MAGGIE MCAULAY. INDUSTRIAL ENGINE SERVICE, Mills, Wyo., March 28, 1972.

Hon. TENO RONCALIO,

New Senate Office Building,
Washington, D.C.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN: We are a small business employing six to nine employees. In our four years of operation we have never had a serious accident, a mashed finger or scratched hand have been the most serious. Everyone is safety minded unless they are suicidal. Why would you, representing the people of Wyoming, let the AFL-CIO dictate such a law as OSHA?

Are we so Communistic-Socialistic minded that we have to destroy the Free Enterprise System with laws such as this? I have worked hard for the past twenty years, paying the maximum Social Security those years, paying enough Federal Income Tax in the past three years to pay your salary for two years, yet laws are continually passed to harass what few people that are left working paying taxes. As the OSHA law stands now the employer bears the full brunt of the penalties. Employer-employee relations are like a marriage. I definitely believe one half of the penalties and safety responsibilities should be placed on the employee. As it stands today the only recourse the employer has is to fire the employee and let the parasites in the Unemployment Security office determine them eligible for unemployment. Then they can continue living off the taxpayer.

I believe it is time you politicians start representing the people that keep this country operating financially and who pay their share and more of the cost of government.

If these tactics are continued, I will have no choice but to discharge my employees, liquidate my business assets and get on the bandwagon with the Food Stamp and Welfare recipients. Is this the goal of our Federalization Policies? What is your stand, Congressman?

I would appreciate an immediate reply.

Sincerely,

ROBERT R. SIGMON.

POWELL, WYO.

Hon. TENO RONCALIO,

House of Representatives,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN RONCALIO: The Park County Democratic Convention directed that you be provided a copy of the following resolution:

Be it resolved that the Occupational Safety and Health Act be condemned as a bureaucratic nightmare and we call for its immediate repeal. Sincerely,

Mrs. JOHN HINCKLEY, Secretary.

PLATTE COUNTY WEED AND PEST CONTROL DISTRICT,
Wheatland, Wyo., March 31, 1972.

Hon. TENO RONCALIO,

Wyoming State Representative, House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C.

DEAR SIR: The Platte County Weed and Pest Control District would like to express their views on the much discussed Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act.

The Platte County Weed and Pest Control District was formed to aid farmers and ranchers of Platte County in pesticide control of their land. The district functions on a cost-share basis with the farmers and ranchers, and is a nonprofit organization.

We are sure the Weed and Pest Control District would be classified as a small business. The Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act, with its "400" page document could mean serious consequences to us, and in turn, to the farmer and rancher.

It seems everyone is down on the "Little Man" right now, and they are the ones who keep our nation in business.

We would like to go on record as stating that the Platte County Weed and Pest Control District is opposed to the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act as it now reads.

Respectfully,

BUD HOHN HOLT, Inspector.

THE POWELL VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
Powell, Wyo., March 6, 1972.

Hon. TENO RONCALIO,

House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C.

DEAR TENO: I would like to take this opportunity to commend you on your recent stand concerning the Occupational Safety and Health Act. I wholly support Governor Hathaway's description of this Act as unheard of "Gestapo Action."

As this Act undoubtedly does have some merit, your accelerated educational program would provide a stand-bye vehicle until the State of Wyoming can develop fair and effective standards that would be enforced only after educational seminars are held statewide prior to enforcement.

It is also my feeling that it is the small businessman and farmers that will feel the ax from this Act. I would favorably support a bill that would provide some form of relief for the farmers and for the small businessman.

Sincerely,

KEN WITZELING, President.

WYOMING MOTOR COURT ASSOCIATION,
Laramie, Wyo., March 23, 1972.

THE HONORABLE CONGRESSMAN TENO RONCALIO: The Wyoming Motel Association is very concerned about the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1971. This act, if allowed to stand as is, will pretty much destroy the motel industry in Wyoming. As you know, most motels in Wyoming are small, the average size being twenty units. Our accident rate is practically nil. If this added burden is put upon us, it will be impossible for us to comply with all of its provisions and stay in business. We would hope that this act can be amended to exempt small businesses.

We wish you continued success in your endeavors.
Respectfully yours,

MORGAN C. RASNAKE, President

LINTON'S AUTO, HOME, FARM, RANCH SUPPLIES,
Powell, Wyo., March 11, 1972.

Congressman TENO RONCALIO,

House Office Building,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN RONCALIO: Regarding the Federal Safety and Health Act law.

I realize there are probably some aspects of the law that are needed, but there are so many phases of it that I consider ridiculous, and a hardship on small business and farmers.

I understand Senator Hanson is trying to introduce legislation to combat some aspects of this law.

Appreciate whatever you can do to help get this law revised sensibly so that the small business man and farmer can live with it. Yours very truly,

Hon. TENO RONCALIO.

H. A. LINTON.

STEWART'S SUPER SERVICE, Moorcroft, Wyo., March 18, 1972.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN: Regarding the Occupational Safety and Health act of 1970. This is an impossible legislation and set of rulings.

Were I to meet these specification, I would have to build a new Service station. Otherwise it would be necessary for me to move four underground tanks, a combined capacity of 14,000 Gal., tear down two of my motel units, that adjoin the station, or just close up my business and let my help go.

I feel that this should not apply to a man that employs less than ten employees, also that it should be more of an educational, or at least a warning with a year's grace to make the necessary modifications, or the erection of a new station.

I can understand how that persons who know nothing of working for a living or operating a service station or other small business would promote such an unworkable law. Please do everything that you can to adjust this law and unworkable set of rules. I have just read your letter.

Yours truly,

REX STEWART.

BAILEY SCHOOL SUPPLY, Casper, Wyo., March 8, 1972.

Hon. TENO RONCALIO.

Representative of Wyoming,
Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. RONCALIO: Most of us business men here in Wyoming have been astounded that a bill such as the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 could be approved by the United States Congress. Your action in amending this bill and the methods of enforcing it will surely be appreciated.

We have been operating our business since 1917 and have never had an accident more serious than a cut finger which required no more treatment than a

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