Evening star., 1941-11-23
riceControI
Continued From Page CD

cast the time of enactment or to
predict whether Congress Will 90
whole hog at once, or will enact an
ineffective measure which must later
be made more rigid.
Rationing is already in effect for
industry in the case OF certain COM
modities. either in the indirect form
OF priorities or directly in the form
of ALLEGATIONS. The tendency In
Washington now is to extend the use
of allocations-direct rationing-in
place of priorities.
Consumer rationing would be one
of the most effective price control
measures from a practical stand
point. 1t lessons the need for den-
mite ceiling prices on many COM
modities. and it can be admin
istered on q basis which entails the
minimum of hardship on both IN
dustry and the consumer.
REGARDED as Inseparable.
Rationing and successful price
fixing are almost inseparable. Con-
troll of commodity prices. on sue.
cessful basis. calls for some me'hoa
bv which the limited supplies OF
goods available, in relation to the
high level of consumer purchasing
nower. can be parceled out on an
equitable basis. -,
This rationine may take one OF
several consolidation OF the
phvsical quantity OF certain COM
modities which is allowed 10 eaci,
consumer during a fixed period OF
time limitation of the amount the
consumer can spend during a nxeo
neriod on certain commodities, or
f1xing the amount OF money tne
consumer can spend on certain
groups of commodities over q pre-
determined length Of time.
England has had wide experience
in the use Of different ratlonine
methods, and the group ratlonlne
form of control has been gaming
favor recently in that country
Under this method the consumer Is
given a ration card. which allows
him to spend a certain amount OF
money on several commodities
which fall into q certain classifica-
tion-tobacco, candy and soft drinks
for example He Is given hmlteo
amount of freedom of purchase by
the fact that he can proportion his
expenditures within this group to
suit his tastes-up to the total
amount of money which he Is per-
mitted to spend on the group. A
consumer spending control system
of this type might have a better
chance Of survival in this country
than one of the more rigid types
because of the greater freedom II
gives to the individual.
Food Control Unsolved.
The installation OF rationine
would solve the price control prob
lens in regard to some commodities
but there is a question as to whether
or not it would be instituted in the
case of food prices, where the con-
sumner pinch is being felt most Sc
verely. Control of food prices will
necessitate an entirely different ap-
proach by Congress than that which
now prevails in both houses.
If bill is passed which leaves the
questions of ceilings on wages anc
on farm prices untouched, the whole
attempt at adequate control Of COM
modify prices and the cost Of living
becomes a mOckery.
Although the general index ol
commodity prices, which move!
slowly, has not risen to extreme
levels, a list Of the Is or 20 item,
which are the most important par
of the housewives weekly expendi
lures would show a rise of NOR,
than so per cent. Moreover, thes,
are the items in which the price!
are definitely headed for still highel
levels.