Evening star., 1935-05-05
Agencies Are Watching
Interests of Consumers
BY HARDEN COLFAX.

A clearer recognition o. the en-
during and all-embracing interests
Of the American consumer Is one of
the outstanding results of the pres
ent struggle with business prostra-
ton. In at least six o. the regular
Government departments and three
Of the emergency agencies there are
now being carried on activities Of va
rious kinds concerned largely with
the needs, interests and desires Of
consumers, and these activities are
increasing in number.
Recently 1t has been suggested that
there should be established a COM
prehensive Federal department, with
its own secretary and q number of
bureaus, devoted exclusively to the
welfare Of the consumer. Actually,
as pointed out in recent publication
Of the N. r. A., consumers, like the
rest of us 1--WE are all, after all, con-
sumers), in the long run get from
the Government whatever they 60
after in a sufficiently determined and
obstinate manner"
Federal officials are pointing out
that studies by several bureaus in the
Departments Of Agriculture, Com
merce and Labor show that the en-
during interests Of the consumer are:
More goods to be consumed, more
services to be enjoyed and higher
standards Of living for the masses Of
the people. Current announcements
indicate that, along the whole line
Of Government activity, the consumer
is being kept constantly in mind.
4 Il r
The entire scientific work Of the
Federal Government, for example,
provides indirect consumer service.
The Bureau Of Chemistry and Soils,
in the Department Of Agriculture, is
working out new and cheaper methods
Of manufacturing. The Bureau Of
Standards, in the Department Of
Commerce, while established prim-
arily to operate In the interests Of
the Federal and State Governments,
will now, under certain conditions,
and for reasonable fee, function for
the general public. The Women'S
Bureau Of the Department Of Labor,
and the Bureau Of Home Economics,
in the Department Of Agriculture, are
carrying on research into the work.
er's efficiency and the usefulness in
home life Of certain Of its recon-
mendations The Bureau Of Agricul-
tural Economics, in the same depart
ment, is supplying constantly wider
services in connection with standards
Of purity of various foods. The Bu-
reau Of the Public Health Service,
in the Treasury Department, reports
that the enforcement Of the law reg
ulating the sale Of serunlS. toxins,
and other medical products is show
ing better results. The Bureau Of
Animal Industry, Department Of Ag-
riculture, enforces the neat-inspec-
ton act. The Post once Department
Is increasingly vigilant in denying
frauds the use Of the mails.
The consumers interest in employ
ment policy, as discussed in the publ
cation of the N. r. A. referred to
above, is approached In two ways,
both of which, however, concern the
buying power Of wages. The N. r. A.
proposes to increase money incomes
and to hold prices down to levels
which will translate these money in
comes into increasing quantities Of
goods and services" According to the
plan. money incomes are to be in
creased by giving jobs to those who
now have none. by raising the wages
of those who cannot now make a de-
cent livelihood, and by expanding the
employment Of our productive re-
sources. Since these cannot be in
creased by shifting income from one
group Of workers to another. this
means that unemployment should be
sought In increased activity rather
than in q share-the-work movement,
that wages should be established with
O view to enhancing not only the
workers hourly rate but also his an
nual earnings.
Something Of what has happened to
wages, earnings and employment
during the past two years, We are