Imperial Valley press., 1933-09-20
NRAPLANN|NG
SAFEGUARDS
ON CONSUMER
Investigation OF Retail Prices
Objective Of Intensive Re-
search Project.
PRICE CONTROL EXPECTED
Centers To Be Established For
Guidance Of Housewife In
Marketing. :
PRICE CONTROL EXPECTED
By ii. o. THOMPSON

United Press Staff Correspondent
Copyright, 1893. by United Press)
WASHINGTON, sept. 90 The
most ambitious investigation of re-
tail prices ever undertaken in Am
erica was planned today as a part
of the national recovery program.
Protection of consumers against
runaway prices and the setting up
OF wholesome supervision of price
trends were objectives.
The research will be extended to
some 1900 items sold daily in cross
roads stores and metropolitan mar
kets. More than 400 cities will be
covered by the survey, with en-
phaSiS on a true representation of
what is happening in the retail
field
For the present, the undertaking
will be on an emergency basis. The
long range aspects of the plan
contemplate a permanent organiza-
tion in from II to 20 key points.
with every one of the more than 400
representative towns and cities re-
porting retail price trends at least
once each month.
AS companion projects to the re-
tail studies, other committees were
attempting to search a uniform for
mula for determining cost of pro-
duction, and the efforts of price
fixing and price control.
1t appeared probable that
broad system of price control, as
differentiated from strict fixing of
prices, would emerge from the re-
covery program.
In many particulars the study of
retail prices, which was being rush.
ed at the greatest speed, was simi-
lar to one proposed by Professor
William F.. Ogburn of the Univer-
sity OF Chicago before his resigna-
tion from the NRA consumers ad-
visory board. Ogburn resigned be-
cause his plans were not acted up-
on. Now weeks afterward, the NRA
has found it necessary to rush the
study through. :
Will Post Prices
Establishment of centers where
price information is available will
give a source of data which will
enable housewives everywhere to
know fair prices on meats. vegeta-
bles. canned goods and other COM
modities. The study will be complete
enough to include all the various
outlets for retail goods-independ-
ent stores, chain systems, delicates-
sens, general stores, etc. It also
will be complete enough to cover
the different systems of pricing
goods. Some retailers maintain
quality and shift prices upward to
downward while others keep a uni
form price and change quality as
costs rise or descend.
Federal funds are not available
now for creation of retail price in
formation officesf' For the present,
therefore, the work will be carried
on partially with funds appropriated
for existing statistical agencies,
such as the bureau of agricultural
and home economies and the bu-
reau of labor statistics. Any defi-
cits will be made up from private
donations.
A number of foundations such
as the the Guggenheim furnish
funds which may be drawn upon.
Eventually, when appropriations
can be obtained, the government
will take over the organization.
A study of retail prices fits into
the broad plan for collection of
statistical information in all essen.
tial fields not now covered ade-
quately. Another plan is for a stu
dy of the cost of living throughout
America. Such study has been an
nounced for the City of Washing
ton. If present plans are carried
through, similar studies will be
made in other communities.