Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-05-11
BY JOHN C. HENRY.

emphasizing Lnat LABOR ShOuld De
represented In any deliberations, the
American Federation of Labor today
called on President Roosevelt to name
\ commission to wrestle with the
problem of price control.
Such control at present, t fed
Grafton states, has been allowed to
rest principally in the hands Of BUSH
ness interests which have failed to
take heed of public welfare in de-
termining price levels.
I'm general" the statement con-
tinues, prices are increased as rap
idly as conditions in an industry will
permit, quite regardless Of the effect
such increases will have in cutting
workers buying power, reducing the
volume Of goods sold, Gripping pro-
duction and destroying possible jobs
Prices can be effectively controlled
by close combination between firms in
an industry, but such combinations
do not have the public welfare in mind
when they fix their price structure"
Price Control Immediate Concern.
Noting that no satisfactory method
Of controlling prices has yet been
devised, the federation survey cites
the satisfactory operation Of co-opera-
tives in various countries, adding in
conclusion that "our immediate con-
Germ is to work out this problem Of
price control.
This can only be done by under
taking the task through joint effort
in which labor shall fully share. A
presidential commission to plan the
first steps is the initial measure"
Indicating that the proposal is being
made partly as trial balloon" with
the intention Of noting reaction and
stirring up discussion Of the subject,
federation officials declined to elabo-
rate beyond saying that such COM
mission should include representatives
of business, labor, consumers and the
Government.
Alarm Over Prices Shown.
That President Roosevelt and other
administration leaders have felt some
alarm about price increases has been
evident in announcements Of the last
few weeks. The President also has
shown considerable interest in the
past in co-operatives, having on hand
the report Of a special commission
sent abroad last year to study the
operation Of this device in European
countries
As the A. F. Of L. concerned itself
for the moment with this problem
another development occurred in the
factional strife between the fedora
ton proper and the Committee for
industrial Organization as the latter
granted a charter to the Transport
Workers Union. Sufficiently inclusive
to take in bus drivers, street car and
subway workers, seamen and airline
employees, the new charter seemingly
1nvades those fields Of transportation
not covered by the railroad brother
hoods
The latter are not affiliated with
either the A. F. of L. or the G. l. O.,
although the federation has several
other transportation af1liates.
In its remarks on price control,
contained in survey of business for
April and May, the federation passes
over price increases growing out OF the
general inf1ationary movement" and
hits rather at those unnecessary price
increases which are multiplying wage
gains"
There is ample evidence" the sur
vey states, that many industries are
raising prices far more than is neces-
sary to cover production costs and
give investors fair return on their
investment
To proflteer by raising prices at a
time when more than 100000 are
still without work in private industry
Is an act Of treason against the vel
fare OF the Nation"
In statistical comparison of wage
costs, prices and profits of the past