Fate of S.S.T. in balance

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32564, 25 March 1971, Page 11

Fate of S.S.T. in balance

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright! WASHINGTON, March 24. The future of America’s supersonic transport aircraft to rival the British-French Concorde hangs on a crucial Senate vote today.

President Nixon is reported to be telephoning wavering senators in a bid to swing vital votes, but most estimates by political observers indicate that the supporters of the S.S.T. will lose. if so, it will mean the end of Government financing for the proposed 1800-mile-an-

hour airliner being built by the Boeing Aircraft Corporation after an investment, oVer seven years, of SUSB64 t million. A Senate reprieve for the

project would send the issue to a joint conference with the House of Representatives to give the S.S.T. another temporary lease of life. Last Thursday, the House, which had earlier given its support to the project, voted against an Administration request for another SUSI34m to finance the prototype pro-

gramme until the end of the present fiscal year, on June 30. Nine senators remained publicly uncommitted on the issue last night. Estimates by the Columbia Broadcasting System, based on “educated guesses” about what six of these will do, show a 49-46 tally against the project. This leaves three senators who could vote either way—the former Vice-President, Senator Hubert Humphrey, and Senator Stuart Symington, both Democrats, and Mrs Margaret Chase Smith, a Republican. Senator Humphrey is under pressure from his Minnesota farmland constituents to vote against the airliner, but he is thought to be afraid of offending the labour unions, whose support he would need if he decided on a new bid for the White House. If there is a 49-49 tie, VicePresident Spiro Agnew would cast the deciding vote in favour of the S.S.T. Two senators will be absent, because of illness.