Evening star., 1933-10-17
SURVEY IS ORDERED
ON PRICE RISE CURB
Interfederation Conference
Sponsors Study-James
to Make Probe.
BY JACK ALLEN.

A survey to determine the steps being
taken by the National Recovery Admin
1stration for protection of consumers
against the "exorbitant rise of every
day commodities" was ordered by the
1nter-Federation Conference at its meet
ing at the United States Chamber of
Commerce headquarters last night, the
first session of the Fall and Winter pro-
gram.
Another highlight of the meeting was
q proposal that the federation and its
member bodies urge the abolition of
Military road, at the south end of High
way Bridge, and the construction of a
larger and more properly located high
way in its place.
Stephen James, president of the con-
ference. was authorized to make the
survey on behalf of the consumers with
the aid of any conference delegates of
his selection after he had proposed that
the organization act to find the meas
ureS being taken by the N. r. A. for
consumers protection.
Will Confer With Groups.
James will confer with various citizens
associations comprising the three fed
erations which make up the conference
the District of Columbia Federation
Of Citizens Associations, the Mont
gomery County Md Civic Federation
and the Arlington County (Va) Civic
Federation to find what is being done
to protect consumers in the various
localities in the Capital area.
A report of his findings will be sub
mitted to the conference at its Novem-
ber session and the organization will
then settle upon the course it will fol-
low in an effort to assure the protection
of the interests of consumers in the
N. r. A. codes.
1t was said by James that while the
IN. r. A. without a doubt is endeavor-
ing to protect the citizens. the con-
sumers have not the representation at
the conferences where the codes are
drafted that they should be given"
Large industries" he said, mot only
ask for representation, but demand it.
The Federal Government undoubtedly
has good intentions toward the con-
sumers in the preparation of it's codes,
but its officials are being hammered by
more aggressive groups representing the
industries with their own interests at
heart and the consumers as result do
not get all the consideration to which
they are entitled"
Cites Fuel Code Clause.
Edwin S. Hege, vice president Of the
district of Columbia body, cited a
clause in the fuel code as one instance
in which the consumers interests were
not protected"
1.-THE fuel code" he declared. carries
q clause under which every consumer
purchasing fuel is compelled to meet
the bill for his or her purchase by the
fifteenth day of the month following
the purchase"
1T has been the custom in the past"
he added, for fuel dealers to wait 80
days or go days for their money, or to
accept payment in monthly INSTALL
ments"
Oliver F. Busby, delegate from Mont
gomery County, asserted that the fuel
code is only one of those in which the
leaders of various industries have used
the N. R. A. for 'the furtherance of
their own causes, rather than for the
purpose for which they were intended
by the President"
He added that the "entire N. r. A.
system would be ruined through the
adoption of erroneous codes which do
not have the interest of the consumer
at heart"
Miss Elaine Eppley and j. w. Cox
head, delegates from the District OF Co.
lumbia, also spoke in favor Of the sur
vev proposed by James.
The abolition of Military road was
proposed by Hege, who suggested that
Frederick E. Mann, delegate from
Arlington County, sound out his home
federation on the suggestion and re-
port back to the conference in No.
vember, when the proposal will come
up for action.
Hege said that the present road, di-
viding the two fields of the Washing
ton airport. presents an unsafe condi-
ton for both passengers landing at the
air field on the large intercity planes
and for motorists using the road, while
it also has created a perpleXing prob
lem of jurisdiction for police Of Airing
ton County and the United States
Park force
He suggested that the present road
be abolished and that larger high
way be constructed in more safe 10
cation.
The committee appointed at the ses-
sion prior to Summer adjournment to
ascertain why the larger number of
banks remain closed and the steps
being taken to expedite their opening
reported that it was unable to get to-
gether during the Summer and the
conference authorized the group to con-
tinue in Office until report could be
submitted.