Evening star., 1943-08-17
Byrnes Pledges
Substantial Cut
In Living Costs
(Tert of Byrnes Speech. Page As.
BY ]. A. FOX.

BY j. A. FOX.
The Nation today had a def
mite promise from a White
House spokesman of "a substan-
tial reduction" in the cost of the
necessities of life.
In radio address last night,
Director James F. Byrnes of the
ONCE of War Mobilization told of
a move under way to stabilize prices
as near as possible to the level of
September. 1912, and reported def
mite progress" He said wages as
we'll as prices must be held down.
Mr.. Byrnes' declaration was made
against the background of recent
demand by labor leaders for cut
back in prices to the 1942 base pre-
scribed by the Sterilization Act.
Unless something is done, it was
asserted by William Green, president
of the American Federation of Labor,
and Philip Murray, president of the
Congress of Industrial Organizations
labor cannot support the stabiliza-
tion program.
Major Battles Lie Ahead.
Mr.. Byrnes' speech covered activ-
tiles on the war as we'll as the
domestic front, and embodied
warning that there is nothing to
justify the hope Of unconditional
surrender by the Axis powers in the
near future" Mr.. Byrnes added
that he had been authorized by
President Roosevelt to say that in
his Judgment, as of today, the jor
battles lie ahead of us, not be-
hind us"
He also limited that vast new op-
erations are imminent by saying
that the Allies have the initiative
but it would be 'of no value unless
followed vigorously with great
force"
The war mobilization chief did
not indicate what the administra-
tion has In mind in the way of
cost control program but he spoke
strongly in favor of subsidies for
price "rollbackss which are vigor-
ously opposed in Congress. Mr..
Roosevelt recently let it be known
that a new price control plan was
under study. Mr.. Byrnes reiterated
the administration argument that
excess purchasing power must be
drained off by taxation or enforced
savings.
Fault Finders Assailed.
The director made passing ref
erence to intra- governmental bick-
ering, which he deplored, and
sharply attacked fault-finders and
destructive critics." in urging that
politics be adjourned for the present
TN the fall of 1914 there will be
. national election" he said. Then
there must be political discussion.
Until then, the less the better"
In line with a recent press con-
ference statement, Mr.. Byrnes said
that 1t is hoped, without lessening
the war effort, to increase some
essential supplies for civilians. He
insisted, however, that regimenta-
ton of civilian life in total war is
as necessary as military discipline
on the battlefield.
In his home-front discussion. Mr.
Byrnes also announced that the
President had authorized Fuels Ad-
ministrator IckeS to institute an
8-hour day and 48-hour week In
selected coal fields to meet the de-
mand for more coal.
Warns Foe Is Still Strong.
In emphasizing the prospective
hghting job ahead for the Allies.
Mr.. Byrnes said that, altogether.
Germany and her European satel-
htes have put only about half of
their combat divisions into actual
battle, whereas the Allies are using
three-quarters of all their combat
troops which are in the European
area.
II Italy should be knocked out of
the war and her army surrendered,
he continued, the Axis still will have
as many divisions in Europe as the
Allies, even when the American mo-
bilization is completed.
Only in the air will we have nu-
merical superiority" he said.
In the Far Eastern theater. he
recalled, Japan occupies one-fourth
of the territory of China proper:
dominates one-half of its popula-
tion and controls its developed re-
sources. In addition, she has taken
over from neighboring countries and
Islands many valuable resources
including 80 per cent of the worlds
crude rubber.
The roads to Berlin and Toxic
are still long, hard and bloody" he
warned.