European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 21, 1977, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Junket Bills reportedly understated Washington a members of Congress and their staffs spent �1 million More in government funds for travel and entertainment last year than they reported publicly according to . News it world report previously secret records of the state department and Pentagon show total spending on congressional overseas trips in 1376 was $2,513,169, the Magazine said units Issue released sunday. The official report of Congress published in the congressional record showed the spending totalled $1,431,828, the Magazine  obtained through the free Dom of information act show that certain costs have been omitted from the Public record altogether while others appear Mohave been significantly and systematically understated the Magazine re  said the major discrepancy Between publicly reported expenses and actual costs involved air transportation provided by the military. It said while Public report snowed $243,474 in military air transportation costs the True figure according to Pentagon calculations was $1.103,142. The Magazine said the documents also indicated the Pentagon dished out $132,502 last year to provide travelling legislators with military escorts liquor food and other comforts outlays that were generally not itemized and often duplicated by other government  of the junk eting congressmen apparently pocketed or spent on souvenir purchases whatever was left Over from the living allowance of $75 per Day that they collected while travelling abroad. Tuesday june 21, 1977 the stars and stripes Page 7 pollution ruling dodged by the numbers Ford calling new cars late 1977 Detroit up Ford motor co. Is trying a Tricky numbers game to counter a congressional delay in easing pollution control standards for 1978 models by re leasing some new cars As late 1977" models. The nation s no. 2 Auto maker will begin building some 1978 models with the 1977 tag Friday and despite the complication the tactic creates the environmental Protection Agency says it s  shuffle stems from current Federal Drivers costs leaping past Overall inflation Detroit up motorists Are driving More and the Cost of operating their vehicles is climbing twice As fast As the country s Overall inflation rate a Hertz corp. Study  the Cost of living Rose 36 per cent from 1972 to 1976, combined car and truck expenses jumped 71 per cent the rental and leasing company said. Fuel consumption went from just under100 billion Gallons of fuel in 1972 to a record 107.5 billion Gallons last year. The Cost of fuel jumped from 36.1 cents a gallon in 1972 to 61 cents a gallon last  by the nation s resurgent Economy american cars and trucks covered a record 1.3 trillion Miles on the nation roads in 1976 at a Cost per vehicle of $2.366 25.2 cents a mile against $2,157 23.5 cents a mile in 1975, the study  up. It comes out to $325 billion spent by americans to own and operate their cars and trucks nearly $37 billion or 12.7 per cent above 1975."this report covers the Purchase Price fuel costs and other standing and running expenses Hertz said in releasing the document recently. Some $20.4 billion of the $36.7 billion yearly jump can be attributed to higher payments for almost All elements of drive  More than $12 billion of this $20.4 billion portion of the Rise results fro three key elements insurance licensing and fee  remaining $16.3 billion of the in crease is simply the result of More cars and trucks on the Road travelling greater distances than in 1975. Hertz estimated that the nation s 137.3million vehicles cars trucks and buses averaged 9,403 Miles last year while 133.7 vehicles in service in 1975 rolled a average 9,170 Miles. In that one year Span american Driver spent 10 per cent More to operate their cars while truck expenses climbed at a steeper 17 per  average car in 1976 travelled 9,015 Miles at a Cost of $1,812, or 20.1 cents per mile. That s a big jump from 1950, when the average car put just a few More Mileson the odometer 9,032but came in with operating costs of just $724 a year or 8 cents a mile. Emission requirements for 1978 Model scheduled to arrive in dealer showrooms this  House and the Senate have enacted different amendments postponing the Tough standards in the clean air act. But they must still devise a final Compromise version and members May take unti August to reach agreement. The Industry has threatened to shutdown All production in the nation s largest private Industry because it can t meet the existing 1978 clean air act  a temporary gambit. Ford decided to simply change the year designation on some smaller cars that won t change drastically in the new Model year. For example. Mustang ii models built atthe Dearborn River Rouge Plant starting Friday will actually have 1978 parts an registration numbers. But titles issued to buyers will indicate the car is a 1977model. The plan also affects plants at menu Chen. N.j., and san Jose Calif. But other facilities planning Long Down times this summer for major Model changeovers will have to wait for congressional  s very complicated but that s the screwy position we Are forced into said Ford executive vice president William 0.  Epa said the Ford plan is accept Able because the affected models Are merely considered newer versions of the 1977 line. As Long As they Are Only making run Ning changes to cars already certified As 1977 models they can build them until the end of the Calendar year providing they Call them 1977s," a spokesman  was the first Domestic car company to adopt the temporary strategy after the failure of Congress to change the clean air act. Boo of houseplants houseplants Wiit Fem it s no problem keeping your plants Green and your Flowers Blooming. Several Good books to help you grow better gardens and House plants Are now at your stars and stripes shopping Center bookstores