Evening star., 1943-06-28

anything approaching these condi-
tions."
Presidents Letter to Davis.
The Presidents letter to Mr.. Davis
said:
Il have given a good deal of
thought to your letter of June l6!
and your request to be relieved of
the responsibility for the future di-
rection Of the food program.
mo one appreciates more than I
do your ability in dealing with agri-
cultural matters. But I am sure
that you will agree with me that
effective teamwork is absolutely
necessary.
Before the Office of Economic
Sterilization was established, diff
ferences as to prices and wage
policies arose between the various
war agencies which frequently had
to be brought. to me. The act of
October 2, 1912, directed me to sta
bilize the cost of living so far as
practicable on the basis of levels
prevailing on September 15,. and
authorized me to exercise my au-
thority through such department,
agency, or officer as I might direct.
Under that act and before you
accepted the Office of food admin
istrator. set up the Office of Eco
nomic Sterilization and authorized
the director among other things to
resolve disagreements which might
arise between the food administrator
and the price administrator, and to
issue to them policy directives.
Must Coordinate Task.
IF We are to stabilize all prices
we must place the final RESPONSE
bility in one official. I know of no
better method of co-ordinating the
work of food administrator and the
price administrator, although that
method does require a willingness on
the part of both administrators to
accept the decision of the stabiliza-
ton director. The country realizes
that stabilization applies not only
to food, but to many other things
such as rents, clothing and wage
decisions.
THE broad objective is, of course.
to prevent the cost of living from
spiraling upwards and the purchas-
ing power of the dollar spiraling
downward. I agree with you that
we cannot fully or effectively en-
force our price or rationing pro-
gram or fully or effectively stabilize
the cost of living without an ade-
quate tax and savings program to
drain of excess purchasing power.
II have emphasized that fact in
my budget message, in my statement
on the hold-the-line order and on
other occasions. But because the
Congress has not yet provided tax
legislation I have requested 1 can
not sit back and fail to advocate
other measures, such as limited con-
sumers' subsidies, which 1 am con-
vinced can help to prevent the cost
Of living from getting completely
out of hand. OF course, you know
that also favor and have advocated
such support programs and incen-
CANC PdyHlCliCo W pIOuuCeTS as WILL
enable us to obtain the necessary
war production.
No Program Offered.
81 think you will also realize that
I did not announce a program of
broad general subsidies at my press
conference on June Is. I stated my
views on limited subsidies in order
to maintain farm prices and hold
down consumer subsidies, and stated
my willingness to give full and SYM
pathetic consideration to any pro-
gram which would accomplish those
two ends. None has been offered to
me.
II am truly sorry that you feel
unable to continue as food adminis-
traitor. subject to the co-ordinated
control which I have established,
and which I believe essential to the
proper functioning of the war eff
fort. But it would be unfair to you
to insist that you remain In your
position when you feel that all
things considered you cannot whole