Evening star., 1943-04-06
Poultry Scarce,
Dealers 10 Ask
0pA for Relief
Appeals Planned
To Court Set Up in
Price-ControI Act

A small amount of poultry came
into the Washington market today
and was quickly sold to a public
hungry for unrationed chicken.
Unless the OPA takes action by
Saturday to alleviate serious Short
age of fowl in the Washington area,
it was learned, local poultry dealers
will seek relief through the Emer-
gency Court of Appeals, established
by Congress last summer in the
Emergency Price Control Act of 1912.
BLACK market" conditions, which,
it is charged, have become acute in
the New York and Philadelphia
areas, and which have drawn poul-
try away from the legal markets
here, were blamed on the OPA's
price ceiling regulations.
OPA Reasoning Criticized.
Joseph B. Danzansky. attorney
for the poultry dealers, said today
that the regulations were based on
"fallacious economic reasoning" He
pointed out that although the cost
of dressing poultry is 6s4 cents, the
OPA, in determining it's ceilings. al
lowed only cents. Mr.. Danzansky
said OPA conceded that this was
too low but that it hoped this would
force the price of live birds down.
ward. Mr.. DanZansky said such
reaction could not be expected where
the market demand exceeds the
supply.
A protest was filed with OPA by
the local dealers March 2. Under
the Price Control Act, OPA has 80
days to answer such protests or pro-
vide satisfactory relief Although
the 80 days expired last Thursday,
Mr.. Danzansky said the dealers had
agreed to give the Government
Today extension on its promise to
issue an amendment before that
time. If this amendment is not is
sued by Saturday, or if it does not
bring the desired relief, Mr.. DAN
zansky said, court action will be
| filed.
One Wholesaler Has None.
Although some chickens were re-
ported to have come into the WASH
ington market today, one of the
| ScSO WllOlCodlClS III ll1C IHIy ilou
none today and little hope of get
ting any for the remainder of the
week. This dealer said his agents
had searched Virginia yesterday,
but were unable to buy chickens at
a price that would permit resale on
the legal market without incurring
a loss
Our only chance now" he said,
lis to find some remote place where
the producers haven't yet learned
what's going on There's no possibil-
ity of getting anything in sections
where the New York and Philadel-
phia buyers have appeared with
their high offers"
This wholesaler said he could see
little improvement in the poultry
situation until some changes are
made in the OPA regulations, either
placing ceilings on the producers or
! permitting wholesale and retail CELL
ings to rise.
Delivery Service Cut Out.
Another wholesaler said load OF
| fryers had come in this morning and
were being drawn while his regular
customers waited for their share at
the produce house.
1--WE used to deliver" he said, but
we don't have to now. They stand
around here and wait for the stuff" ;"
Only a few customers got share
of the chickens, the wholesaler said.
One more load is in sight this week.
he explained. and after that he had
no idea whether there would be
more. In normal times two or three
loads a day come into his establish
ment.
A few other dealers said some
chickens had been received since
yesterday. but in every case the sup
ply was still far below the demand.