The Coolidge examiner., 1941-08-15

nylon and rayon stockings, unless
prices are curbed by government
control.
The many complications caused
by sudden scacity of one ma
terial are well illustrated by this
crisis in the hosiery industry. 1t
is, however, only one of many do
mestic industries which is being
disrupted by similar scarcites, in
Guiding such necessary defense
materials as aluminium, steel, rub
Der, tin, copper, etc.
Another example is the situation
in the automobile indutry which
was brought into the limelight
when the United Automobile
Workers Of America asked that a
program be worked out by the
government to cope with the pos
sible loss of jobs by hundreds of
thousands of automobile workers.
Most of us thought these workers
would be absorbed in the defense
work il the threatened so per cent
cut in automobile production goes
through. But they pointed out that
the defense business would not
absorb their workers since the
reason for a drastic cut in auto
mobile production would be a
scarcity of material rather than
manufacturing facilities and man
power and that they understood it
would lead to the closing of many
big automobile factories.
Curbs on gasoline in the East
also are expected to cause major
disruptiOns, due to need for less
workers in service stations and in
delivery work. The seven o'clock
closing idea is not expected to cut
gasoline consumption enough and
ii is now anticipated that ratiOning
may go into effect after Labor
day.
| DCSduoC vi bltudtlOho do
these a flood of control orders are
being issued here and legislation
Is being sought to protect the
interests of both workers and con.
sumers.
One of the major pieces OF
legislation which has been heated
ly debated is a measure making il
possible to put ceilings on prices
end on rents. The President has
warned that such legislation is
needed to prevent prices from
spiraling upward ON everything
from automobiles to food products
The majority in both houses OF
congress Immediately saw the need
for such legislation as analysis
showed prices on many products
already have gone up consider
ably. Chief opposition came from
the farm bloc in congress, which
didn't object to ceilings on prices
but also wanted a floor on farm
prices-a guarantee that prices
wouldn't go below a certain level
The suggested ceiling on farm
prices was 10 per cent of parity
which was satisfactory to most
farm groups.
Another major objection to the
measure which is being given
serious consideration, is that il
does not call for any fixing OF
wages. 1t is evident that major
wage increases would force prices
up or force a loss to the manu-
facturer or producer.
The tax bill changes suggested
by the President, which included
reducing the income tax base tc
include single persons with an in
come of $3.50 and married couples
with an income of $1,000 were re
jected by the house ways and
means committee, which already
had presented complete measure
hut his suggestion will undoubted
ly influence the senate bill.
Congressman face a difficult
job in pleasing their constituents
over both the price fixing bill ant
the tax bill, but because of the
emergency it is expected that botf
measures will be put through will
minimum of delay. When they