The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-07-02

Boston, July 2.-Additional in- structionS to retailers on how to display their maximum prices for the nearly 200 "cost-o living con1- modities" were issued today in question and answer form by the N. E. Regional OPA Office.
 The questions and answers fol- low:
 l. Q. What are "cost-of living commodities?"
 A. They are nearly 200 important categories of food, clothing, fur1i- ture, etc, for which, under the Gen. eral Maximum Price Regulation, the storekeeper must display his maxi mum prices prominently. A retail er's maximum price, in general, IS the highest price he charged for product delivered or offered for de- livery in March, 1922.
 2. o. Why are these cost-of-hving commodities picked out, and these particular price-display rules adopt ed for them?
 A. These items are among the most important in the average tam- ilys coet-of Living, and when
 housewife enters 8 store, and sees
 the storekeeper's March maximum prices for soap, bread, hosiery cigarettes, shoes, and other articles on this list, all plainly displayed she knows she Is paying no more TOT them than she did in March. She thus has unmistakable encouraging evidence that her cost-of-hving IS being held to the March, 1922, level. 3. c. How does proper display of ceiling prices aid store? A. This proper display, now ana in the months to come, will con- tribute to 6 store's good will. It en- ables the stoFekeeper to demonstrate visually to his customers that they are not paying more than they should, and that he is cooperating fully in the price control program.
 4. Q. How does a retailer ind out the items for which he must display his maximum prices, and how does he learn the proper way to display them? A. He must display his maximum prcies on all items he carries which are on the list of "cost-o living commodities, in Appendix B of Bulletin No: issued by the Offlce of Price Admin istration. This bulletin contains the full text of the General Maximum Price Regulation. Bulletin No. ?. entitled What every retailer should know about the General Maximum Price Regulation" also contains th.s list. together with detailed inStruc- tions on the proper method of dis playing ceiling prices.
 5. O. Are the articles on this cost-of- living list ( , only one cov- cred by the General Maximum Price
 Regulation? A. No. All items sold by retailers are covered by this regulation, with certain definite ex- captions, which are listed in the regulation, or are covered by special regulations. For the items not on the cost.of- loving commodity list. the retailer is required to adhere to his price ceilings, but does not have to display these price ceilings within view of the purchaser.
 6. c. Are there more ways than one in which . retailer may marx ceiling prices? A. Yes. In order to Nghten the retailers work, OPA has provided considerable flexibility in the methods which may be used to display ceiling prices. The retail CT may select the method of mark ing or posting which will be easiest and most effective for his particular merchandise assortment and store layout.
 '. O. What are the three chief ways in which the retailer can conn., ply with the marking provision for coSt-of living commodities? A. (l) By marking the ceiling price on the item iteslf, (2) by marking the shelf, bin, rack, or other holder or container, upon or in which the item Is kept, or (S) by posting ceiling prices at the place in the business establishment where the item is offered for sale. The price must be posted under a heading ceiling price" or "our ceiling" A reading of the section entitled How the re- taller determines his maximum seu- ing prices," in Bulletin No. 2; What every retailer should know about the General Maximum Price Regu- lation," will tell the retailer how 10 arrive at the price ceiling.
 8. e. What are few specific acceptable methods of ceilins price diSpiay2 A. CD A single ceiling price display card may be used Tor a group of related items, listed by brand name and size or grade. The heading may be, for example, "our ceiling prices on tooth paste" Un- derneath, the ceiling prices can De listed after the brand names, with one column of ceiling prices for large size, and one column for small size. In this instance, the ceiling price need not be marked on each sAparate item in bin or on counter. | (2) A ceiling price display card may be placed on . table, counter or bin = one card serving for a group of articles ell having the same ceiling price. The card may | read "ceiling price 10 cents" Or "all white, thickly tufted chenille | bedepreAds ceiling price 4S.D0" If this is done the ceiling price need | not be marked separately on each | Item. (O 4 self marker may