The Chronicle Telegram in Elyria, Ohio

Nixon spends record sums as debt climbs through 1971

Washington dispatch notes President Nixon has become the largest spend­ing chief in history, with a total near 591 billion since 1969, though 184 billion traces to Johnson. Deficits total 43 billion in two budget years, and real deficits rise when Social Security borrowings are counted. Economists split on continuing deficits, while Mahon and the Joint Committee project deficits around 21 to 31 billion for the year, risking 73 billion more to debt if projections hold. Caracas reports Venezuela will spend 17 million to build 269 shrimp trawlers and 500 smaller vessels in 1974 to replace older ships.