The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1938-10-29

tive program for the disposal Of
accumulated farm SURPRISES.
The request, made in o letter 70
the President over the signature Of
Lew Hahn, general manager Of the
association, reflected the concern
Of business leaders generally ct the
recent statements Of Secretaries wal
lace and Morganthau, looking to-
wards the distribution Of certain
agricultural and manufactured pro-
ducts to the lower third Of our
people at prices below those pre-
vailing in the normal course Of
trade. This proposal, known more
specifically as the wallace "two-
price plan" would provide govern
ment subsidies so that products from
SURPRISES might be sold to lower
income groups at prices below those
paid by ordinary consumers for sim.
liar goods. A committee, headed BY
Kenneth Collins, v.ce-president Of
Gimbel Brothers, New York, has
been exploring the Wallace proposal
for two weeks, and the letter TO
President Roosevelt reflects the APP
prehension Of retailers over the dis
ruption Of trade and employment
which might result from all ill-cofl-
sidered program for unloading these
SURPRISES.
Serious Effects Seen
I'm particular, retailers have been
concerned because 1t seems obvious
that the distribution OF any consid-
cradle amount Of agricultural and
manufactured products along these
lines would result in q serious dis
location Of the retail industry and
thus adversely affect retail employ
ment," 1t was said by the National
Retail Dry Goods Association, In
pointing out that "any such dis
turbance Of this industry would
have grave effects upon the recov-
cry problems Of the country as O
whole. There are more than o
million retailers IN the country with
an annual volume Of trade Of 40
billion dollars and employing be-
tween 3 Ia and 4 million persons.
At the same time, the Association
declared that retailers are deeply
mindful" Of the tremendous prob
lem Of the nation as result OF the
accumulation Of vast farm sur
pluses.
So that o solution OF the farm
surplus problem might be worked
out without creating unemployment
In the existing channels Of trade,
the association suggested the early
conference to consider the situation
IN all Its aspects-ec economic, social
and governmental.
Constructive Criticism
I'VE should attend any such con-
ference In q spirit Of genuine CO.
operation and with the hope that
we could contribute constructive
suggestions toward the solution OF
the serious questions involved" the
N. r. D. q. A. declared.
The complete letter 10 The presi-
dent Is as follows:
"The Hon Franklin D.. Roosevelt,
President Of the United States.
The White House
Washington, d. @.
Dear Mr.. President:
Business men have become con-
cerned by statements recently
emanating from Secretaries WAL
lace and Morgenthau, looking to-
wards the distribution Of certain
agricultural and manufactured
products to the lower third Of our
people at prices below those pre-
vailing In the normal course OF
trade.
In particular, retailers have
been concerned because 1t seems
obvious that the distribution Of
any considerable amount Of agri-
cultural and manufactured prod
ucts along these lines would re-
suit In q serious dislocation Of
the retail industry and thus adj
versely affect retail employment.
ANY such disturbance Of this
industry would have grave ef-
fects upon the recovery problems
Of the country as whole. There
are more than q million retailers
In the country, large and small
They do an annual volume Of APP
proxlmately forty billions Of dol
lars. TIE retail industry now en-
ploys, according TO our best
estimates, between 3 i-2 and
million persons. The goal Of our
industry has long been O payroll
OF 5000 900. We still feel that the
figure Is an attainable one.
I'VE are also deeply mindful Of
the problems which confront our
nation In the accumulation Of
large SURPRISES, especially IN the
agricultural and textile fields.
ITO the end that these problems
may be solved without creating
unemployment In the existing
channels Of trade, we respectfully
offer the following suggestion:
That you call q conference IN
washington at an early date, 70
consider these questions In all
these aspects-economic, social,
and governmental. And that TO
this conference be invited repre-
sentatives Of government, farmers,
labor, producers, consumers, man
ufacturers and distributors.
Following the long established
policy Of this association always
to stand with government IN It's
programs and plans, we should
attend any such conference in Q
spirit Of genuine cooperation and
with the hope that we could con-
tribute constructive suggestions
towards the solution Of the serious
questions involved.
with assurance Of esteem,
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