This Day In 1970's History: Friday February 8, 1974
- Astronauts Jerry Carr, William Pogue and Edward Gibson returned to earth safely after their 84-day mission in Skylab 3. The astronauts were shaky following splashdown but seemed to be in good condition. The next U.S. space flight will be the joint mission with the Soviet Union in 1975. [CBS]
- Washington indicates that no new agreement for striking truckers is forthcoming. Many truckers rejected the latest proposals.
President Nixon refuses to order a rollback in diesel fuel prices for truckers; he met with administration officials to discuss the situation. Federal mediator William Usery reported that more truckers were on the highways today, as energy czar William Simon insisted that federal troops are not being considered as a means of keeping roads open. Attorney General William Saxbe stated that truckers who are in violation of federal regulations during their strike will be punished, and the FBI has been called in to help. Truckers demonstrated outside the White House to protest. Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp played a major role in the strike talks. Shapp vowed to explain the new agreement to truckers personally, and he tried to do that today in Bartonsville, Pa. Truckers criticized the new agreement and again demanded price rollbacks. Shapp attempted to explain the settlement, without success. Truck traffic increased somewhat, though scattered acts of violence occurred. Two trucks were shot at in East Liverpool, Ohio; one driver is in critical condition. [CBS]
- Although the truck strike may end soon, a meat shortage is likely to occur. Consumers will start to feel the pinch next week. [CBS]
- New Jersey Representative James Howard believes that gasoline may be stored in abundance at closed service stations. Howard suggested the government check abandoned stations for fuel supplies. [CBS]
- At least seven states have now adopted the Oregon plan for gasoline distribution. The plan, which permits purchases only on certain days according to a vehicle's license plate number, is working extremely well and drivers have reacted enthusiastically. Long lines at filling stations would likely return if the plan were abandoned, and it may be a national answer to the gasoline shortage. Federal energy czar William Simon is recommending the Oregon plan to other states.
Oregon Governor Tom McCall credited the gasoline distribution scheme to his assistant Donald Jarvey. Other ingenious schemes for gasoline distribution exist too. In Tyson's Corner, Virginia, a gas station manager has taken a limited number of customers into an "advance purchase" program which guarantees them fuel in the future. The owner says he earns interest on the money he receives in the advance purchase plan. [CBS]
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