NEW FTC BUDGET SHOWS SHIFT FROM CONSUMER PROTECTION BACK TO ANTITRUST ENFORCEMENT

IN AN ATTEMPT TO HOLD DOWN SPENDING AND AT THE SAME TIME ENLARGE ITS ANTITRUST ENFORCEMENT, THE FTC HAS ASKED CONGRESS FOR A $6.65 MILLION INCREASE IN ITS BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1976. THE INCREASE WILL BE DEVOTED LARGELY TO INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF ANTICOMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES. IN THE FTC'S PROGRAM BUDGET JUSTIFICATION TO CONGRESS, THE AGENCY SAID IT IS FOCUSING MOST OF ITS EFFORTS IN THE COMPETITIVE AREA ON ABUSES MOST LIKELY TO CONTRIBUTE TO HIGHER CONSUMER PRICES AND THAT THE COMING FISCAL YEAR WILL BE CHARACTERIZED BY LARGE MANPOWER-CONSUMER TRIALS AND BROAD INVESTIGATIONS OF COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS IN THE ENERGY, FOOD, AND HEALTH-CARE INDUSTRIES. CONSUMER PROTECTION PROGRAMS THAT WILL SUFFER BUDGET CUTS IN 1976 INCLUDE THE VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS PROGRAM, THE REGIONAL ADVERTISING PROGRAM, AND THE PROGRAMS FOR ENFORCING THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT AND THE FAIR PACKAGING ACT.