December 3, 1973

transportation experts in Los Angeles contend that econ and life-style of Southern Calif could be crippled if any natl system of gasoline rationing does not take regional difference into account; problem faces not only Los Angeles but also other cities that developed after World War II, when availability of auto and cheap open land enabled them to spread out over vast areas; many people live 30 to 50 miles from work and need car and high speed limits in order to commute; auto is also essential for shopping, educ, recreation, soc and cultural life; lowering speed limits on freeways where 70 mph is normal is considered dangerous since it will lead to driver frustration; Calif Dept of Transportation spokesman A Perdon comments; co bus services and car pools have proved unequal to situation, and many people are simply switching to more economical cars; comments of Southern Californians to driving restrictions and possible rationing noted

Deputy Treas Sec W E Simon will be named head of newly created Govt agency called Fed Energy Adm; it is not known whether Simon's promotion means that Treas Sec Shultz's antirationing of gasoline view has prevailed

Sen vote to end debate on combined debt ceiling-campaign financing bill loses by vote of 47-33, 7 short of needed 2/3 majority, on Dec 2 in historic Sunday session; Sens W F Mondale and R B Long charge Nixon Adm with aiding Sen J B Allen's filibuster of bill, saying Nixon would rather have bill die by filibuster than have to veto it himself; Sen will vote on Dec 3 on 2d motion to end debate on bill, and 3d motion, introduced by Sen M Mansfield, will be voted on Dec 4; Sen Allen's motion to drop campaign financing provision from debt-ceiling bill is also defeated, 45-36

hwy, bridge and tunnel authorities and police on Dec 2 rept dramatic decrease in usual Sunday traffic on 1st Sunday that gasoline stations close voluntarily to conserve fuel; 90% of garages heed Nixon appeal while those that remain open are flooded with business; Satuday night run on gasoline seen questioning efficacy of program as motorists prepare against gasless Sunday and possible short stock on Monday; plight of out-of-gas drivers noted; estimates of traffic decline detailed; illus

White House documents show on Dec 2 that Pres Nixon paid $78,651 in Fed income taxes for yrs '69 through '72; still-confidential documents, being prepared for release this wk as part of Nixon's 'Operation Candor,' list biggest payment, $72,686, as being made in '69; Nixon is said to have paid $4,298 for '72, $878 for '71 and $789 for '70; documents indicate that soon after taking office, Nixon paid $38,646 in taxes on his '68 income and that Govt withheld $30,816 from his pay in 1st 5 mos of this yr for his as yet uncalculated '73 taxes; show Nixon paid $7,351 in NYS income tax after taking office in '69 for income he earned in '68 as NY atty; indicate that since then, Nixon has paid no state or local taxes; Pres associates say Washington, DC, law exempts Pres from local income taxes and that Nixon's tax advisers concluded he was not liable for Calif state income taxes, although Calif is his voting residence; cash flow statement being prepared for release in next few days lists Nixon's total income tax payments for period Jan 1 '69 to May 31 '73 as $155,464-figure covering earnings before as well as during Pres; White House figures indicate Nixon paid $74,423 in state property taxes for his Calif and Fla homes while Pres