davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-12-23
Price Increases Held
Unstopped by Law
Writer Discusses Problem
Of Rising Costs Of Necessities
Since Sturt of Conflict
BIZ Bertrdm Benedict.

For period, prices in the present
war followed the trend of prices in the
last war. That is, for some months they
remained on fairly level keel, then be-
gan to rise steadily and sharply. The
difference is that as World War I con-
tinued, the price increases continued
steady and sharp; in World War II they
leveled off, except in the case of food.
From November %, 1941, to November
%, 1912, the wholesale price level in the
United States rose from 923 per cent of
the 1925 average to 100.1 per cent-an
increase of only 7.8 points or about a
point month. In a corresponding pc
riod of World War I the wholesale price
level rose 354 points, an average of al
most 3 points month.
The Price Control Act of January 80,
1912, gave the Government qualified
power to fix price ceilings. CThe form
ula on farm prices worked out to an
average of 116 per cent Of parity, going
IN some cases as high as $50 per cent?
In the six months prior to March Is,
1912, the cost of living for wage earners
In large cities rose l6 per cent; in the
following six months, it rose per cent.
On April %. 1912, OPA ordered gen.
eral price freezing Except for uncon-
trolled farm prices, as of the highest
figure in the preceding March. The or
der was effective in mid-May. In the
six and one-half months from mid May
to the end of November, 1912, the gen.
eral wholesale price level rose only 13
points; in the preceding six and one
half months, 1t had risen SO points.
On October 2, 1912, President Roose-
welt signed the anti-infiation bill allow
ing price ceilings to be fixed on farm
products at 100 per cent of parity or the
highest price between January l and
September IS, 1912, whichever is higher.
Under this authority OPA has placed
ceilings on practically all farm prices
except those Of fresh vegetables and
fruits, and peanut butter The retail
costs Of food in large cities, with the
1859 average equaling 100, have been
as follows:
Evening star., 1942-12-23
National Income Rise


merce Department that national in
come this year is expected to reach
an all-time high of slit 900 900, ,0OO-
an increase of $22,00O,OOO, 900 over
the l94l flgure-provideS further
evidence of the progress achieved
toward the mobilization Of our re-
sources for total war. Though part
OF the recordbreaking income rise
this year stems from higher prices,
the major part of the expansion, as
Secretary Jones points out, has been
due to the expansion in productive
activity. To meet the demands of
war production, millions OF workers
nave been added to the Nations
labor force, and millions Of men have
been taken into the armed services.
The Commerce Department figures
throw new light on the distribution
OF this expanded income flow. Pay
ments of wages and salaries this
year will exceed $4,000, 900 900, as
compared with $61,OOO,OOO, 900 in
l94l. Expanding employment high
er hourly wage rates, and longer
average hours of work are the prin-
c1pal factors contributing to the in
creased wage and salary total. In
percentage terms, however, agricul-
tural net income, with As per cent
rise, has scored the largest advance
among the various components that
make up national income Due pri-
marily to the higher taxes that went
into effect this year, the net income
OF incorporated businesses, accord
ing to Commerce Department figures,
will fall about or per cent under
the 1941 total.
Though the war boom has pushed
national income to new peak, the
American people face a dwindling
supply Of civilian goods, for more
than half of our industrial produc-
ton is currently devoted to the out
put Of war materials. To assure
effective curbs against imitation, 1t
Is clearly essential that as great a
proportion as possible OF the in
creased income be diverted from the
spending stream, through taxes and
savings. The income figures, which
reveal a particularly sharp rise in
wages, salaries and farm earnings,
thus emphasize anew the Importance
Of taxes and savings as a means OF
closing the inflationary gap between
the expanding purchasing power of
the people and the stock of available
goods.
On the basis OF the present price
level, and further rise In the out
put of goods and services, the Com
merce Department estimates that
national income in 1943 will reach
$135, 900 100000, more than three
times the total at the bottom Of the
depression In 1882. Unless checked
by adequate curbs, the inflationary
elements inherent in the income rise
will therefore remain a continuing
threat to our wartime economy
NaIlOnal income, curing the de-
preston years, dropped in terms Of
current dollars from about $83 3,000,-
100000 in 1929 to $4,000, 900, 900 in
1882. Full employment must be
maintained, in the period of post
war readjustment, II national in
come Is to remain at high level,
and we are to be saved from an
other disastrous economic tailspin
when peace comes. The war and the
postwar period are two parts Of
the same national emergency, and
in conducting the fight to defeat the
Axis we should also prepare plans to
cushion the shock Of the transition
Of the country from a war to peace
time economy.
Evening star., 1942-12-23

1t will be seen that the legislation so
far has not slowed down the rise in food
costs during 1912 On Wednesday, De-
cember 9, administration spokesmen"
estimated that If the pending agitation
in Congress were successful in adding
farm labor costs to the parity price
formula, the general cost Of living would
be thereby increased by to per cent,
and the costs of food and clothing, by
from 13 to IA per cent.
OPA has petitioned the ICC for a de-
crease in freight rates. to make for
lower prices, but the railroad unions are
demanding a wage increase which, If
granted, would tend to keep railroad
rates up. The general per cent tax
on railroad freight imposed in the 1912
revenue act now is effective, and may
tend to raise prices somewhat.
Evening star., 1942-12-23
At Christmas Time

Lord OF the harvester,
Who long ago
OF fire small loupes and scanty fish
Made food for thousands,
Here today,
Beside our table,
Bless each dish:
That as we kno,r the plenty
OF Our land,
Our hungry brothers, eueryDhere,
May share it
And be comtorted
In spirit
By q Fathers care.
LOUISE CRENSHAW RAY,
Evening star., 1942-12-23
JENNINGS, Chairman.
Home Hospitality Committee
Discusses Relation Between
REA and Food Supplies.

hNLh huu VUu supplies,
To the Editor Of The Star:
The majority of readers of metropoli-
tan newspapers live in urban or sub
urban centers and many of them know
too little Of the farmer and his problems.
However, the pending food shortage,
which is probably more real than al
legged, Is making a lot of us conscious
of Mother Earth, which is the source,
not only Of our bread and butter but
Of every object we see about us-no
matter what.
Labor trouble for the farmer was in
evitable once We got into production
and defense plants began to pay as
much per week as the farmer could
afford to pay in month. Lack of mod
ern facilities on our farms more partic-
ularly as regards electricity, with its
1nnumerable uses, Is one important rea-
son why thousands Of farmers have re-
Gently thrown in the sponge. I should
like to give your readers few significant
facts in this connection.
In 1885 the Roosevelt administration,
realizing the importance Of keeping the
farmer on the farm, established the
Rural Identification Authority by exec
utive order. Here was New Deal move
to applaud. Only 10 per cent Of our
farms were electrified seven years ago.
Nine out of ten farm women had to
Evening star., 1942-12-23
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the 10rtter. although the use OF
a pSeudonyn, for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters NTH
q rie1O to condensation.
Evening star., 1942-12-23

House Plants How to care for
house plants and grow them success
fully is contained in this Government
publication on the subject. Every
one likes something green in the
house the year round, and house
plants give an air of nominees to a
place, note of cheerfulness, espe-
cially through the winter. If you are
one of the persons who never has any
luck with flowers and potted plants
send for copy of this helpful booklet.
To secure your copy inclose cents in
coin. wrapped In this clipping, and
mail to The Star Information Bureau.
Name
Address
Evening star., 1942-12-23

@. How many banks are there In the
United Statess-W L.
A. On June 30, 1912, there were 14,8l5
banks in the United States.
@. What happened to the gun with
which President Lincoln was killed? p
c. P
| A. This weapon is kept In the safe Of
the Judge advocate general OF the Army.
@. Can you give comparison Of the
average weight of our soldiers in this
war with those in the First World War
and the Civil War?-O. H. T.
A. The average selectee today weighs
$50 pounds, in the First World War he
weighed l42 pounds and in the Civil
| War 1875 pounds.
| @. Which game was invented first
| basket ball or football?-G. B. E.
A. Football was not invented. II
evolved gradually from early Greek and
Roman games. 1t was in 1914 pro-
hibited by law in England. Basket ball
was invented in 1891.
O. Did the Romans ever conquer
Carthage?-L. A.
| A. The Romans conquered Carthage In
202 BIC. and burned the city to the
ground. 1t was later rebuilt and finally
destroyed by the Arabs.
| @. For what purposes are dogs trained
in the Army?-F. r.
| A. Dogs are trained as water and SUD-
| ply carriers to lay telephone lines by
carrying drums from which the wire Is
unrolled, as we'll as for sentry duty.
O. What was the name OF the sailor
with Columbus expedition who actually
first sighted the New World2-B. R. I.
A. Rodrigo de Triana was the first
one of the Columbus expedition to sight
land, October H. 1892.
@. Are injuries to the eye an impor-
tant cause Of incapacitation?- ?-N. G.. C.
A. Injuries to the eve are estimated
to occur at the rate of 1000 a day, caus-
Ing an annual loss of 5000, 100000.
@. Does a chicken hawk strike with
its talons or wings in diving on It's
prey?-R. H. L.
A. The feet of the hawk are used to
strike the blow that stuns its prey.
@. Why was Boston formerly called
Tremont?-S. F. H.
A. The original name Of Boston was
| Trimountaine. The name was given to
the peninsula because it had three hills
The modern spelling is fremont On
September II. 1890, it was oficially or
dered that the settlement should be
called Boston.
@, What happened to the Emperor Of
Korea when Japan annexed that coun-
try?-H. S.
A. On August 29 1910 the Emperor
of Korea, by formal treaty surrendered
| his title and country. Shorn of all his
| power he was given the title of Prince
vi.
@. Who served on the committee to
draft the Articles Of Confederation?-
T. B. o.
A. Among those who served on the
committee to draft the Articles of Con-
federation were John Dickinson. Samuel
Adams Roger Sherman and John Rut-
ledge.
@. Is 1t true that no man may obtain
a commission in the British Army un-
less he is first private?-H. D. T,
A. Only men from the ranks can ap-
ply for commissions in the British Army.
@. Did Herbert Hoover have anything
to do with fixing the price of wheat at
the time Of the last war?-J. O.. w.
A. Mr.. Hoover had nothing to do with
determining the price Of wheat during
the First World War. The basic price
was fixed by the Fair Price Committee
appointed by President Wilson.
Evening star., 1942-12-23

a. The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
ne use for republication of all news dispatches
credited to It or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein
herein also are reserved
Evening star., 1942-12-23
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
Bp Frederic J. Hdskin.

4 reader can get the dnsDer to any
question OF fact by ,oriting The Eve-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Hdsktn, director, Washington,
D. c. Please tnclose stamp for return
postage.
@. What are the oldest comic strips7-
c. A.
A. The Yellow Kid was the first, the
Katzeniammer Kids the second. and
Mutt and jeff the third.
@. What is the total worlds wealth
and how much is attributed to the
United States?-S. N. D.
A. The total worlds wealth Is esti-
mated at 81 .4o1 ,os9, 900 900, of which the
United States has 44.8 per cent.
@. What is the source of the quota
ton used by Prime Minister King OF
Canada in his speech of December .,
1912. in which reference is made to our
brothers chains?-B. N
A. True freedom is to share, All the
chains our brothers wear. and with the
heart and head to be Ernest to make
others free" is from "Stanzas on Free
dom" by James Russell Lowell.
Evening star., 1942-12-23

The monthly rises in the large-city
retail costs Of food have been as follows
before and after the Price Control Act
Of January 30, 1912, and the Anti-Infia-
ton Act of october 2, 1912, were
adopted:
Evening star., 1942-12-23
Explains That Christmas Dinners
Are Waiting for Service Guests.
To the Editor ~ Tbs a+.r

To the Editor Of The Star:
AS there is always a possibility that
there may be misunderstanding as to the
hospitality which the people OF Wash
1ngton are able to offer to servicemen
and war workers at Christmas time, I
would appreciate the opportunity of
making brief statement on this subject.
Despite the fact that the newspapers of
this city have given wide publicity to
the Share Your Home at Christmas"
program, I have reason to believe that
there are those who are .unacquainted
with the facts.
Under the Home Hospitality Com
mittee, which includes the City Wide
Hospitality Committee, which has done
magnificent work under Mrs. Martin
Vogels leadership, the Defense Commits
sion of the Federation of Churches and
committees representing various other
organizations, elaborate plans have been
made to take care of those who are
serving their country and find them
selves away from home at Christmas
time. Every effort has been made through
the channels of the military and naval
authorities and service clubs to acquaint
the men in service that a welcome is
awaiting them in Washington home,
and the same is true OF the Government
workers through their agencies.
Many hundreds of hosts and guests of
this character have thus far been brought
together, but there are at this moment a
good many more dinners awaiting to be
eaten In homes than there are those who
have been found to partake of them.
Should any one, as a host or guest,
want to have any part in Christmas hos
pitality call Grover Hartman, Decatur
1892.
COLEMAN JENNINGS, Chairman.
Home HOSPITALITY Committee
Evening star., 1942-12-23
Member Of the Associated Pres.

Entered Is second-cla matter post ONCE
Washington, D, C.
Evening star., 1942-12-23

@. How many banks are there In the
United States?-W. L.
A. On June 30, 1912, there were 14s15
banks in the United States.
Evening star., 1942-12-23

@. Are injuries to the eye an impor-
tant cause Of incapacitation?-N. G. C.
A. Injuries to the eve are estimated
to occur at the rate of 1000 day, caus-
ing an annual loss of 5000 900 900.
Evening star., 1942-12-23

@. Which game was invented first
basket ball or football7-G. B. E.
A. Football was not invented. It
evolved gradually from early Greek and
Roman games. 1t was in 1914 pro-
hibited by law in England. Basket ball
was invented in 1891.
Evening star., 1942-12-23

@. Can you give a comparison OF the
average weight Of our soldiers in this
war with those in the First World War
and the Civil War?-O. Fl. T.
A. The average selectee today weighs
$50 pounds, in the First World War he
weighed l42 pounds and in the Civil
War 1875 pounds.
Evening star., 1942-12-23

Address
The Hagerstown globe., 1942-06-26
REPUBLICAN PARTY
SEEKS FUND RAISER

All is not we'll with the COP.
1t is rumored that Ernest Weir
has quit his job as Republican
fund raiser and that Joe Martin
is on the lookout for someone to
take Weir's place, despite the fact
that following the meeting of the
Republican National Committee in
Chicago recently, Mr.. Martin said
the COP would run poor mans
campaign in the Fall elections"
According to Drew Pearson and
Robert S. Allen, who write the
Washington Merry Go Round"
column. the Republican Party has
hung out a sign, Wanted! A COP
mOney-raiser."
National Chairman Joe Martin
is quietly hunting for someone to
replace steel magnate Ernest Weir
as finance chairman of the Repub-
lican National Committee" Pear
son and Allen said.
1t wasn't announced at the time,
but Weir formally quit at the re-
cent National Committee meeting
in Chicago He gave as his excuse
lack of time due to war effort but
insiders say the real reason was
personal dislike for Martin. It's no
party secret that Weir and GILMAN
Joe Pew. Pennsylvania Republican
boss, wanted to eliminate Martin
as national chairman
If personal dislike was the rea-
son for Wier's resignation, the
feeling was mutual. On his part,
Martin was never fond Of the Pitts
burgh steel mogul. However, in
the interest of the party, Martin
was willing to work with him, but
if Weir didn't want to play, that
was okey with Martin.
Up to last week. Martin thought
The Hagerstown globe., 1942-06-26
A MERICA WARNED
AGAINST POSTWAR
ISOLATION RETREAT

crusader Mr.. Meyer replied:
Actually, the Presidents pro-
gram is thoroughly realistic in ma
ture. The world has become too
small for any nation, no matter
how powerful, to enjoy security in
a world in which the great majority
OF nations are insecure. The world
has become too small to permit
one section to live in luxury and
the rest in. poverty. Peace and
freedom are alike indivisible.
Shall we. once the war is over
and the victory has been won.
again retreat into our shell, once
again seek that Shangri La Of iso-
lation and 'normalcy?' II we do,
retribution will overtake US as it
overlook US six months ago. In
another generation, or sooner, we
would again be obliged to defend
our national existence, just as we
are doing today. And how many
crises do you think the resources
Of America are capable OF resolv-
ing?
1T stands to reason that we
cannot, in our own self interest,
seek to retrace our steps. The fu-
ture, so far as our relations with
the rest of the world are concern
ed, must be a continuation of the
present - not a retreat to the past
- as it was in 1919. Our course
must obviously be to participate
not grudgingly but fully in the
maintenance Of a peace that, with
our support, will be capable Of en-
during"
The Hagerstown globe., 1942-06-26
POLITICS ADJOURNED?

The most helpful sign of the
times, the greatest words of en-
couragement which could go out to
troubled world would be the cleo
tion of a Republican House of Rep
resentatives in November" Rep.
Robert A. Grant (Rep. Ind)
"As Republicans we are the
trustees of the only instrument
which protects our nation from a
one-party system. which is totali-
tarianism. Met with a national
crisis we shall rise to the occasion
by preserving the processes of a
democratic people. We shall pre-
serve free elections. In doing so
We shall preserve the means by
which blunders will be exposed
and mistakes corrected. ."-Thomas
E. Dewey, Republican nominee for
Governor of New York State.)
The Hagerstown globe., 1942-06-26
DISP c.
THE FOG
Continued from page II

Continued from page II
the battle of Midway, which shat
tered the NipEOnese armada Of
battleships, cruisers, deStroyers
and aircraft carriers and their at
tendant planes, was defeat for
the American forces. We know
that the attack on Midway, which
was doubtless intended as pre-
lude to the conquest of Hawaii, ut
terly failed. The obvious purpose
of the assault was to take Midway
and make Of it a Japanese base
for further assaults on American
territory. Else why were there
present transports loaded with
soldiers. evidently destined for an
Army Of occupation, thousands of
whom were left struggling in the
sea when the transports were de-
stroyed? The remnants Of the
armada fled, leaving an ocean
studded with derelicts - the
wrecks Of their planes, carriers
and warships of every sort.
The American forces and de-
fenses remain intact, and Midway
is still our sturdy outpost in the
d-Pacific.
Perhaps the story Of Axis vic
tory may be swallowed in Germany
where listening to a foreign radio
is punishable by death. or in Tokyo
where the myth that the inyincible
EmperOr's forces are never defeat
ed must be maintained, but when
the wounded vessels that escaped
come into their harbOrs some of
the Japs will know it and so part
of the tidings Of the disaster will
percolate to the people.
The yarn of japanese occupation
of the Aleutians has our folks puz-
zled. So far as known at this
writing, some Japs went ashore
on one of the desert rocks in the
remote, fog-wreathed archipelago,
that have few visitors except an
occasional seal hunter, but they
might as we'll have landed on an
iceberg. with equal military effect.
lat might afford a basis for a
propaganda romance, of the true
oriental type to cover their failure
to put Dutch Harbor out Of busi-
ness
The Hagerstown globe., 1942-06-26

knows sports. Here's his record:
Baseball, Basketball, Football
Professional, College and
High School. Track-Holds two
College records. Archery In
structor. Boxing, Swimming,
Wrestling, Golf, Tennis, Bowling.
Look for Bailey Coss at the
games and races and listen every
day to his hot-of-the-fre news.
And send him YOUR sport
news tips.
Courtesy of The National
Brewing Company, Baltimore.
Maryland, and over 5000 of
your friendly tavernkeepers and
dealers who serve you National
Beer.
The Hagerstown globe., 1942-06-26
Berle Assails Dewey and Isolationists
For Not Supporting War Intervention

Several weeks ago, according to
the New York Times, A. A. Berle
Jr., Assistant Secretary of State,
was the scheduled main speaker at
the statewide meeting Of the AT.
filiated Young Democrats in Sche-
nectady, but missed train connec-
tions' and was unable to attend
and deliver his speech, which had
been expected to open a campaign
against Thomas Z. Dewey, prob
able Republican nominee for Gov
ernor of New York State. Mr..
Berle's speech, however, was made
public recently by the Young Dem
ocratS.
In the text of the prepared
speech, said the New York Times,
Mr.. Berle assailed Mr. Dewey as
one who played it safe" and re-
fused to take any definite stand
on the question of isolationism
prior to Pearl Harbor and said
that people who came late are
hardly the people to whom we
should now entrust the active con-
duct of affairs during the war"
"The public is quite right in
placing most confidence in the men
who were alive to the need of de-
tense and anxious to help the anti
Axis forces before December Z,
1941, as we'll as later" Mr.. Berle's
copy read.
And let me add. the public is
equally right in insisting that to
have the public confidence the men
coming up for election and for
public position, should also have
been against the Axis and in favor
of democracy before June %, 1941,
the date of the attack on Russia, ~
said Mr. Berle.
Assailing Mr.. Deweys recent at
tack on the National Administra-
tiOn's postwar planning program
and its policies in dealing with
war industries, Mr.. Berle's speech
praised the Republican leadership
of Wendell L. WiTIkie and Repre-
sentative James w. Wadsworth,
but declared that "Mr. Dewey and
his friends" had failed to help
The Hagerstown globe., 1942-06-26
UNCLE SAM SAVED HIS FARM
-WHY SHOULDN'T HE FIGHT?

Farmer Floyd Corsou- of Barn
stead n. H., has enlisted in the
L. S. Navy with petty officers
rating because next to my wife
the United States government has
been my best friend for good
many years
COrson, father of five children.
explained that when he was down
and out" the Farm Security Ad-
ministration helped him to get back
on his feet by lending him enough
money to buy a team of horses, a
few tools, some seed and fertilizer
Two of his sons will run the farm