EMERGENCY NUMBER 911 SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED NATIONWIDE AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE, SINCE IT IS BENEFICIAL IN MANY WAYS AND IS ENDORSED BY THE U.S. CONGRESS, THE FCC, AND THE PRESIDENT. FURTHER, 911 PROVIDES REGULATORY AGENCIES WITH NO NEW PROBLEMS, ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT FALL INTO ANY ONE REGULATORY CATEGORY. HOWEVER, NATIONWIDE 911 IMPLEMENTATION DOES RAISE SOME PROBLEMS FOR THE FTC OR ANY ASSISTING OR REGULATING AGENCY: (1) THE DECISION TO IMPLEMENT SHOULD COME FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY INVOLVED, RATHER THAN THE TELEPHONE COMPANY OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT; (2) COSTLY TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT MODIFICATION IS NECESSARY; AND RIVALRY BETWEEN PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES WITHIN A COMMUNITY MAY MAKE IMPLEMENTATION VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE. THUS, NATIONWIDE USE OF 911 WILL BE POSSIBLE ONLY THROUGH COOPERATION BETWEEN PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES, TELEPHONE COMPANIES, AND REGULATORY COMMISSIONS. HOWEVER, THE POSSIBLITY OF SUCH COOPERATION IS EVIDENCED IN THE MORE THAN 250 911-SYSTEMS NOW SERVING 21-MILLION AMERICANS. AN APPENDED 1968 FCC REPORT REVIEWS THE PROBLEMS LEADING UP TO AND FEDERAL EFFORTS AT 911 IMPLEMENTATION, AS WELL AS OBJECTIONS TO 911 AND PROBLEMS CAUSED TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES. A REPORT ON A 1972 FCC CONFERENCE ON 911 SYSTEMS, ON EXECUTIVE OFFICE BULLETIN, AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED. (PAP)