Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1942-05-21
Questions Answered On
Control of Prices
Price control went into effect

Price control went into effect
Monday.
The law setting up price cell
ings under the national anti-ln-
flation program was devised to
prevent the cost of living from
spiraling during the war.
The Licking County Defense
Council will frequently be asked
about the price control opera
tions. Meetings are being held to
iron out technical questions
among consumers and retailers
alike, conducted by the Office Of
Price Administration.
Some questions and answers
which may help to enlighten the
public, follow:
@. What is meant by ceiling
prices" under the maximum price
regulation
A. Beginning May 18, 1912, re-
tailers must sell a commodity at
a price which cannot exceed the
highest price charged for that
commodity in March, 1912. The
maximum price charged for a
commodity by a retail establish
ment in March, 1912, now becomes
the ceiling price for that COM
modify in that store.
COMMODITIES
@. What are the -of-living
commodities
A. Cost-of-living commodities
are those most important in the
budgets of the low and medium
income families.
@. Will the price of a commo-
dity be the same in all retail
stores?
A. No. Because the regulation
places ceiling on individual
store prices some stores will
charge more than others. There
may be as many different cell
ing prices as there are retailers.
Q. Which commodities are not
included in this price regulation?
A. UnprOcessed farm produce
is excluded. Others items are
such as fresh fruit and veget-
ables, fresh fish, antiques, fin
ancial securities and living ami
mails are also excepted.
BEVERAGES
Q. Are there ceilings on sales
of food or beverages by lunch
rooms, restaurants and hotels?
A. No, these also are exempt.
1t is thought that if restaurants
costs are largely stabilized,
there will be little or no excuse to
raise prices.
@. What about services? Is
there limit on charges by laun-
dries, tailors, dry cleaners, auto
repair shops, radio repair men,
storage establishments and the
like?
A. Yes. Price ceilings effective
July /, 1912, are being placed ov-
er these retail services perform
ed in connection with a commo-
dity. Purely personal services
such as those performed by beau
ty shops and babers, as we'll as
professional services of physi-
clans and lawyers, are exempted
by the act.
@. What are the provisions of
the regulation about store licens-
es?
A. Every retail and wholesale
establishment automatically is
licensed to sell under the gen
eral maximum price regulation
at the date the ceiling applies to
it and every new store automati-
cally receives a license.
Q. What has happened in Eng
land due to some consumers will
ingness to pay eXorbitant prices
for scarce or rationed goods?
A. This unpatriotic practice
has led to the creation of Black
Markets, which are illegal or
bootleg shops. Reputable retail
ers cannot and will not report to
the breaking of price ceilings, and
thus endanger their licenses.
These bootleg markets are men
ace to consumers, retailers and
the welfare of the entire nation.
CONSUMERS
@. How will the consumer know
what the ceiling prices are?
A. The regulation lists about
100 of the most important groups
of items in the average family's
ost-of-living. The maximum
prices on these items must be
displayed by anv retailer selling
them after May 1S.