U.S. Product Safety Official Resigns Over Cutbacks

WASHINGTON — Stuart M. Statler, complaining that budget cuts have limited his agency’s ability to protect the public, announced Wednesday that he is resigning as a member of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, effective June 1.

Statler, a Republican appointed by former President Jimmy Carter in 1979, is the senior member of the commission.

Lone Liberal Voice

In recent years, he has become something of a lone liberal voice on the body, pressing for greater regulation of safety against a tide of deregulation and efforts to have industries set their own safety standards.

Statler, an attorney, said he plans to leave government for private business. His term would have ended Oct. 26, but Statler said he decided to depart early to take advantage of the new job, which he said would permit him to continue working in the area of risk identification and avoidance.

In his letter of resignation to President Reagan, Statler took a dim view of the agency’s future in light of budget cuts.

The agency is no longer able to effectively target hazardous products as they come on the market, Statler wrote, and, “as a result, more Americans will be maimed and charred and killed before we can even begin to seek solutions.”

“This agency needs to stay on top of industry trends and spot needless risks before many--or any--consumers are hurt,” he told the President.

In recent weeks, Statler has been criticized by some members of Congress, who sought an investigation of charges that he had asked a commission staff lawyer to do some research for his wife. Statler denied the charges.