Evening star., 1941-12-16
Hoover Urges Widest
Control Over Prices
Be Given President
Offers l4-Point Program
To Congress for Complete
Economic StubiIizution
BY the Associated Press.

economic SI0DIIlzOlIOn
BY the Associated Press.
Former President Hoover asked
Congress today to give President
Roosevelt the widest latitude" In
legislation establishing wartime
controls over prices and commodi-
ties.
1--WE cannot know what the situa-
ton may be year or five years
hence" Mr.. Hoover told the Senate
Banking Committee as he drew from
his experience as food administrator
during the last World War to sug-
gest a 14-point program for con-
trolling prices and commodities.
Replying to questions, Mr.. Hoover
said he favored most provisions for
price controls asked by the admins
tration except the power to license
business.
Licensing business did not prove
very useful during the previous war,
he said, because penalties then were
too severe
Still ruddy checked, the only liv-
ing former President shook hands
with nearby Senators and waved
to veteran Senator Glass, Democrat,
Of Virginia before he began reading
a prepared statement at the huge
committee table. Despite the fact
that he has made few appearances in
Washington in recent years, only a
few spectators were in the large
committee room as Mr.. Hoover
began his testimony.
Agrees With Henderson.
Mr.. Hoover said he agreed with
Leon Henderson, defense price ad-
ministrator, that declarations Of
war had changed the entire situa-
ton since the House passed price
control bill. The Senate committee
is expected to continue its hearings
on the bill for several days.
The problem has moved from
the limited area Of preparedness
to the direct field Of total national
mobilization to fight a long and
desperate war" the witness said.
This change makes even a wider
degree of controls imperative"
Emphasizing the need for volun-
tary cooperation ahead Of force in
gearing the country to wartime
production, Mr.. Hoover said. "All
our people are united to prosecute
the war. They realize the necessity
for elf-sacrifice, and are seeking
for cooperative service Almost
anything can be asked Of our peo-
pie at this time under this In
f1uence."
AS q result Of war, he continued,
the problem now becomes wider
than price controls and requires
commodity control. Of which price
control Is but one segment - The
problem is therefore rather one OF
stabilization and orderly movement
on the whole economic front"
This was the l4-point program he
advanced:
u. To increase the production of
needed commodities wherever pos
sible by new manufacturing facilt-
ties or increased acreage.
q. To increase production Of some
commodities by simplifying diversity
in styles, varieties and dimensions
of products, by simplifying methods
and processes, by securing full seven
days operations Of machinery and
by avoiding cessation Of work.
g. To conserve industrial uses Of
some commodities.
Substitutes to Be Used.
q. To induce the use OF substitute
materials for some commodities.
IS. To reduce consumption of some
commodities by reduction of activ-
tiles not essential In war, such as
public works and some building and
similar trades:
"6. To avoid the non essential uses
Of material equipment. capital and
labor where needed for war pur-
poses.
~. To increase supply and avoid
profiteering by prevention Of hoard
ing and speculation.
"8. To reduce consumption by or
ganized voluntary civilian conserva-
ton.
Floors rs Well rs Ceilings.
g. To put price ceilings upon some
commodities.
10. To put price floors under
some commodities in order to Sc
cure production, or to do justice to
producers such as agriculture.
al. To give stability in price or
supplies OF incentive to production
of some commodities by Govern
ment purchase and sale.
"12. To give stability to price by
complete coordination of govern
mental and Allied purchasing
agencies for each commodity.
"13. To give priorities.
IA. To provide for rationing If
that becomes necessary"
Voluntary Pacts Worked Best.
Referring to controls during the
last war, Mr.. Hoover said "volun-
tary agreements" were most effect
i've while attempts of Germany,