Evening star., 1943-05-09
Ceiling Violation
On Potatoes Laid.
To Arlington Firm
Operator Of 5 Markets
Accused Of Charging
12h Cents q Pound

A complaint that the Country
Garden Super Markets in Airing
ton County were selling potatoes
yesterday at illegal prices was sub
mitted by the Arlington County
Ration Board to the State OPA
Office in Richmond, it was learned
last night.
j. Maynard Magruder, chairman
of the board, said reports which
had come into his office during the
day were forwarded to the Rich
mond Office for investigation and
enforcement if necessary"
The potatoes - new potatoes -
went on sale at three Country Gar
den Markets in Arlington County
and one in Alexandria at two pounds
for Is cents.
At $50 O'Clock last night, two
Star reporters bought total of Is
pounds at cost of $225. At the
store at 1918 Wilson boulevard, Ar
llngton. The clerk who was kept
constantly busy by eager customers
had just opened the last sack. A
sign over the counter, which gave
the price in large letters, also said,
mo limit"
Most Patrons Buy Four Pounds.
Patrons were not buying in large
quantities. Most of them bought
four pounds and were handed
small bag for SO cents.
They're worth anything to me-"
one woman said.
A man next to her told the clerk,
Il don't care what they cost. You've
got 'em. That's all that matters" :"
Ceilings on all kinds of white po-
tatoes are based on prices at ship
ping points with allowances for
freight and handling and with
markups allowed for wholesalers and
retailers. According to Mr.. Ma
gruder, the markup in Arlington
County is the same as that in the
District for the retailer. This allows
the retail dealer % per cent over
the wholesale price The current
ceiling price on potatoes in this area
is around cents pound
Sam Shanker, owner of the Coun-
try Garden Markets. said he did not
know there was a ceiling on new
potatoes. He explained it was his
impression that, since old pota toes
were no longer available, no max
imum prices controlled shipments of
new stocks.
Says Price Was $40 Bag.
Mr.. Shanker said his buyer had
purchased 500 bags of the potatoes
yesterday from a reliable WASH
ington firm at $40 a bag, and that
he did not believe this firm would
violate price ceilings.
I'VE always have kept up with
the ceilings here" Mr. Shanker said.
I'VE have nothing to hide Our
business is too big to jeopardize on
something like potatoes. I wouldn't
dare to take chance
TO be honest, 1 didn't like the
idea of handling potatoes at that
price. But these were new pota-
toes, and that was the price that
was called for"
On the basis of wholesale price
of $40 bag, the retail price repre-
Sented a 25 per cent markup, or
somewhat less than the legal mar
gin allowed by the OPA. Mr.
Shanker pointed out that because
of waste in handling them, he was
making virtually no profit.
Divided Among Stores.
He said he had divided the ship
ment among his four stores and he
had made no effort to conceal the
price. Earlier. clerk at the Alex
andria store admitted potatoes we're
being sold there. but when he was
asked the price, he replied, I'VE
don't quote prices over the tele-
phone
Mr.. Shanker said yesterday was
the first time since the shortage
developed that he has had potatoes
for sale.
Across the street from Mr..
Shanker's store on Wilson boule-
ward, at the Open Air Market, po-
tatoes were also being sold at the
same price-two pounds for 25
cents. 1t was reported that some
L.,