Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-01-30
BY PAUL MALLON

w Dark tales Of rackcteering
IN rubber have been heard on
the inside here, and YOU will
shortly see the Truman COM
mittee plunging in after the
CulpritS. Profteering prices
charged for secondhand tires
are only one Of the leading
features of the black market
that has been established. Even
the American Automobile AsSoci-
alton is quietly lending it's
weight for exposure of con-
dtionS.
Tho whole question OF the
feasibility OF the existing ration
ing system is likely TO be
opened. The government itself
has announced 100000 or
100000 new tires were in
stock when it cut off sales.
The limited list of eligibles for
these tires would not be able
TO consume so many until much
of the stock had rotted from
age Also there IS the queS-
ton Of how defense workers in
vital industries like that Of the
Martin bomber factory near
Baltimore are going 10 he able
10 get to and from work as
their tires wear out.
With 2S,O00,OOO car users In
this country cut off from tires,
and bidding for second hands
and retreadS, il was inevitable
that n situation somewhat like
that Of prohibition would arise.
Certainly there were not 2S,-
100000 drinkers in the nation,
nor was drinking as important
10 any one as is NChlCular trans
portation for which no SUBJ
stltute has been offered.
IF THIS nation is 10 avoid some
swift rising air bumps toward
initiation. Mr. Leon Henderson
will have 70 freeze prices where
they are now or were on a re-
cent date.
Mr.. Henderson has been WELD
ing his Scythc a year now. Just
as if he always had the lcgls-
lative authority he is now get
ting He has only restrained 90
items only one-slXth of all COM
moditicS if measured according
10 their true Importance by
value. Even including his in
informal steps. two-thlrdS of all
commodities today have escaped
his coverage by schedules or
freezing letters.
Since he started 10 work.
wholesale prices have risen Is
per cent: farm prices 36 per cent
more than one-thirdD Food is
up % per cent, textiles 33 per
cent. After Christmas, the
bureau of labor statistics index
Of 2S commodities rose Is con-
SeCutiVe days tmOStly on agrl-
cultural and foodStuff priCeSD
It Is obvious that If Hender-
son continues 10 work COM
modify by commodity, the war
may be over before he eStab-
fishes a price level. He may be
limited in what he can do about
farm prices, but the only way
he can stop the general surge is
10 step in with an overall freezer.
MIR. ROOSEVELT revealed no
WI startling military informa-
ton when he said SIN, eight or
ten American expeditions have
been placed around the world,
Any ono who has read all the
CommunlQucS closely cas- the
Japs and NaziS do daily could
count them Ireland. Iceland
Greenland. Dutch Guiana, Aus
tralia. Dutch East Indies
Tho first four were officially
announced here. as was the
presence Of substantial obSerV-
ing group Of army experts in
the Near East. The Australian
government announced fleet
bases were being turned over TO
Americans. that the dollar was
accepted as a-local @unlt-n
money official facts which
could be easily interpreted, al
though no comment has been
offered hero. The operations Of
American flying fortrcSSeS in the
Dutch East Indies has been her
aided I'm BataVan CommunlQucS
The President was apparently
Just making an illustrative side
remark which has been over
interpreted,
WHAT enabled the nattencd
w Rommcl Ia rise and strike
again AZ the British was Hit
lorS secret diversion 20 HIM Of
substantial forces maSScd in
Sicily 10 attack Malta
The Libyan desert has been
turned INTO q shuttle, run ny
whichever side happens last 10
have accumulated reinforce
mentS From lIalfaya TO the
baSe Of tho Sidran Gulf where
AT The fighting has taken place
50 far tho ground j. compare
lively unimportant The ohicc-
tNeS beyond both points Cairo
and TupohD would he Of major
importance but neither the
British nor NaIiS have been able
10 got close 10 them yet and
are not likely 10.
WIDESPREAD theftS Of use
Wv L. .iA.l 49, IL. 1911 LII -.