Evening star., 1942-10-05
byrnes Urges
Pub|icSupport
In Initiation War.
Takes Over New
Duties; All Rents
Ordered Frozen
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Prest.
James F. Byrnes, the economic
stabilization director, said today
that I'VE at home must unite in
waging all-out war against any
further increase in the cost Of
living of the American people"
The director, who resigned from
the Supreme Court to take the new
post at President Roosevelt's request,
asserted that to-day some people
profit; many more suffer" as he
warned "this war must be fought
not only upon the battlefield, but
upon the home front"
Mr.. Byrnes talked at the Supreme
Court Building for newsreel photoe-
raphers before moving his of1ices
to the White House to direct the
economic sterilization program, fol.
lowing quick Government action de-
signed to halt rises In food and rent
costs.
Following up Saturdays order ex.
tending price ceilings to 90 per cent
Of all food products, Price Admin
lstrator Leon Henderson, who will
help administer the general policies
formulated by Mr.. Byrnes and his
Economic Sterilization Board, last
night ordered all rents rolled back
to their March 1 levels.
The food price freeze, q 6o-day
emergency order to be followed soon
by permanent ceilings for the dura-
tion, is effective today. It enjoins
all retailers, wholesalers, manufac-
turers and professors to charge no
more than the highest price they
charged between September % and
October 2.
Few Foods Are Excepted.
Only important foodstuffs ex-
cepted were fresh fish, most fresh
fruits and vegetables, and peanuts,
which probably will be treated with
later on q seasonal basis. =.
The rent order, a further carving
out Of President Roosevelt's anti
imitation directives, was to be issued
today.
All landlords who have raised
rents In the last seven months will
be asked to reduce them to the
March levels.
Mr. Henderson said the stabiliza-
tion order. covering an estimated
10000, 900 householders living out
side the 395 defense rental areas
already designated, would mean that
tne cost OF housing to American
familfes-the most important single
Item In their budget-will be kent
stable throughout the war"
In addition to controlling rents. he
SAID existing regulations would be
changed to prevent eviction of ten
anus through the sale of property,
except In cases Of legitimate real
estate transactions or where hard,
ship would result If the propertv.
owner could not regain possession.
OPA to Seek More Funds.
Mr.: Henderson noted what ha
called a growing practice of own
ers forcing tenants to purchase the
premises IN many cases at exorbitant
prices" Declaring this practice fre.
quently was q device to avoid tho
enect OF rent control, he said It must
stop. ' ~ '-'''''
Enforcement machinery will be set
up as rapidly as feasible, Mr.. Hen.
oefson said, and In this Connection
Paul A. Porter, deputy administrator
IN charge Of rents, indicated that
aooltlonal funds would be sought for
OPA. Congress approved only x12o
100000 OF its $210, ,000, 900 request last
summer. 'o''
Mr.. Byrnes, e3-year-old so,,th
Carolinian, grasped the economic.
nelm with q minimum Of Comment
1t will be his task, under broad
directive powers from the President
to dictate general policies eovernin~
wages and salaries as well as prices.
rents and other factors affecting ths
daily lives Of every civilian.
Board to Be Named Soon.
The wage, salary and farm uriee
levels prevailing on September Is
last Will be taken as the stabiliza-
tion point.
TO complete the top set-up, the
President was expected soon ia An.
polnt TWO representatives of labor.
management and farmers to serye
with MI: Byrnes and his Department.
mead colleagues on the stabilizatio
board. '''4'
Raj Bombs in 10 Nights