The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-09-08

ASSAA1 StAAA ANSV NSNS SAk9 S@~~ concerned.
 They have good reason to be. Soaring food, clothing and rental costs can wreak more havoc with the popularity of an administra- ton than dozen Supreme Court battles. When the pay envelope begins to dwindle in buying power, the housewife starts storming- that is bad medicine for the gov- ernment in power.
 A confidential study by gov- . ernment economies, recently laid before the President, showed a pronounced upward trend in liv- ing costs generally. The report attributed to rise to three chief factors: (1) greater demand for goods as a result of improving economic conditions; (2) profiteer- ing; and (3 the huge world ex- penditures for armaments
 Particularly alarming to the White House is the -rocketing of rents. According to figures submitted to the President, rentals in some industrial centers have jumped 50 per cent in recent months. The report disclosed fur- ther that the group nit hardest by this development are workers in the lower salary brackets. Monopoly Study
 As a preparatory move to meet a possible cost-of- living crisis, the President has quietly launched Q study of monopoly Headed by Assistant Attorney General Rob- ert Jackson, brilliant young head of the Antitrust Division, q group of government aces is mak- ing careful analysis of the sub- ject.
 Their report may become the basis for legislative recommen- datlons; also may play an i'm. portant role in the battle over the wage-hour bill when 1t Is resumed next session.
 There is Q very strong under cover movement in certain quar. ters to enlarge the wage-hour measure to include trade prac- tices that is, to transform 1t into a new MIRA bill. Important busi- ness interests would like to see this done, and behind the scenes they are busily pulling wires and agitating.
 Richberg for New NRA
 The plan has strong backing from Donald Richberg, one-time NRA administrator. He is now attorney for a number of trade associations which want a return of NRA codes with their price, fixing powers.
 Richberg, as we'll as General Hugh Johnson were deliberately excluded from the drafting of the wage-hour bill, which high ly displeaSed both of them.
 Johnson has taken numerous jabs at the measure. Rich berg has not opposed 1t openly, but he has urged its expansion into the trade practice field.
 The President, and his advisers who wrote the wage-hour bill, are vigorously opposed to this and are counting on the monopoly re- port to furnish them with am- intuition in the fight.
 Fed Up
 It was a great surprise to every one, including his close friends, when Colonel Horatio B. Hackett suddenly resigned as assistant public works administrator. The Capital is still buzzing with as- tonislled speculation over his abrupt departure.
 Hackett was not dismissed. A veteran New Dealer, q conscien- tious and able executive, he was highly regarded by his im- mediate boss, Secretary Ickes, and by the President. They had no wish to lose his valuable services.
 Hackett quit because he got fed up with taking the rap" for the President on his i1ow-you- and-now-you-dont pWA policy.
 Following the renewal of tho PWA last spring for another two years, Senators and Congressmen descended en masSe on Hackett with projects for their states and districts. For weeks ho worked like a galley slave, preparing the proposals for early action. Finally everything was ready for the White House go-ahead signal to let contracts. ...t.
 Too Hot af5
 But the President held back.
 REASON: He wanted to put the heat on the boys on Capitol Hill to vote for his legislative program.
 When they began storminy Hackett with complaints about the delay, he bluntly told them why his hands were tied and advised them to take their protests to the White House. They did. Where upon White House Secretary Mar win Mcintyre called up Ickes and hotly demanded that Hackett be silenced. l.
 Hachett declined to take the rap any longer. He had been doing 50 for two years and was