The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-08-06

y
Henderson, head of the Office of
Price Administrator, a purchas-
er can sue a retailer for at least
500 if the retailer charges a price
higher than that established by
retail price ceilings. Under Mr.
Henderson's order, which is ex-
pected to aid greatly in the en-
forcement of maximum prices, a
civilian can sue for treble the o.
vercharge by retailer, or for $50
which ever is greater, and the re-
taller will also be required to pay
court costs, lawyers fees, etc.
On many lines of goods the reg
ulation is expected automatically
to take care of enforcement, but
there are still many difficulties
which stand in the way of per-
manent price sterilization.
The demand for freezing of
farm prices and for the freezing
of wages has increased greatly
during the last month. The rap
idly increasing costs of certain
meats, plus the shortage of meats
in some cities, is blamed on the
lack of control over farm prices.
Figures indicate that the cost of
living continues to rise because
of the food products which are
not under price control. Accord
ing to figures released by Mr..
Henderson, the price of uncon-
trolled lamb rose 10 per cent be-
tween May IS and June IS, the
greatest increase there ever has
been in such a short period, the
price of uncontrolled roasting
chickens rose 9 per cent.
On the controlled foods, such as
beef, bananas and canned fruits
and vegetables, the price has de-
clined in most cases, but the in
crease in prices on uncontrolled
items has offset all reductions
and caused an increase in the to-
tai cost of living.
Although thousands of types of
products are under strict price
control. the cost of living, in the
eyes of most people. is measured
primarily by the cost of food.
With food prices rising there is
an increasing demand that all
food prices be put under control
of the OPA. But it is not likely
that congress will agree to this
at least until after the election
because of the strong farm bloc in
congress which insists on watch
ing out for the interests of the
farmers no matter how contrary
that procedure may be to the in
terests of the nation as whole.
This attitude of congress was
clearly demonstrated when both
houses, despite presidential op-
position, passed measure to es-
tablish a separate government a.
gency to encourage the manu-
facture of synthetic rubber from
farm products. Because Of the
controversy over whether synthe-
tic rubber should be made from
farm products, from oil, or from
both, congress decided to take
this matter into its own hands
and see that the group with the
largest number of votes got the
break, no matter which method
was adjudged best by experts on
the War Production board.
The insistence of congress on
doing favors for the farmers, no
matter what the consequences to
the nation may be, is considered
here to be the chief dangerpolnt
in our efforts to stem Imitation
and may also interfere with our
war production, as threatened by
the synthetic rubber move.
The next most important threat
to our emergency program is the
unwillingness of the government
to take a firm hand with labor.
The decision of the War Labor
board to increase wages IN the
Little Steel" industries by an
amount equal to the increased
costs of living-a decision which
has set formula for the demands
of all industry-is believed by ex-
perts here to be a move which
practically forces initiation. Under
that formula, each time there was
an increase in living costs there
would be more demands for pay
rises, manufacturers would have
to increase their prices to meet
the increased labor costs and a
vicious circle would be put into
operation in which wages and
prices would race upward togeth-
er.
All of the Little STEEP COM
panies have accepted the War La
Dor boards ruling because they
have been forced to under the
threat of losing their businesses
if they didn't comply. In state
want made following acceptance,