1927-
Energy Czar, 1973-1974;
Secretary of the Treasury, 1974-1977

A Relative Unknown.

Background.

Wall Street Whiz.

Energy Policy.

Problems.

Secretary of the Treasury.

Simon sidestepped the controversy over oil-company profits by developing an ambitious plan to wean the United States from its foreign imports and develop new sources of energy. He was one of the chief forces behind the Nixon administration's Project Independence, designed to develop new fuel resources for the nation. Because of Watergate, the program was neglected during the remainder of Nixon's term. Under the supervision of Vice-president Nelson Rockefeller, President Ford proposed a similar program in 1975, but it failed to pass in Congress. Ultimately, no long-term U.S. energy policy was established during the 1970s, but Simon's handling of the fuel emergency earned him (by unanimous vote in the Senate) the office of secretary of the treasury in April 1974. Continuing as secretary under...