The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-09-01
Observations
Most Merchants
Cooperate With
Price Ceilings

TO police OPA ceiling prices of con-
sumner durable goods, consumer
services such as shoe repairing
and laundrying. restaurants, per
haps fuel 1t will be conducted by
housewife patrols
one OF the least publicized but
most successful undertaking of the
OPA was its creation of price pan
els last fall. Since they were set
I'D. the panels have made phenom-
email progress in enforcing the
communicable dollarsand-cents
price ceilings established on dry
groceries in more than $50 cit
les throughout the nation.
Three members of each OF the
country's $500 rationing boards
constitute a price panel These
members in turn recruit price
panel assistants. volunteers whose
Jobs it is to check on observance
OF price ceilings. More than AS
600 stores were contacted in the
Boston. Atlanta, New York, Chica-
20 and Cleveland areas.
Results obtained are little short
of amazing, OPA claims. In the
Atlanta area, which includes the
southeastern portion OF the United
States, from 80 to "a per cent
of the retail food stores are com
plying with the ceilings. In WASH
ington. where violations once were
openly fragrant, nearly 80 per cent
OF the 1900 groceries now are OBJ
serving the ceilings.
Clubwomen, housewives. PROBES
sional and small business men VINO
serve as panel assistants are CIV
ing full credit for the success.
Most price violations found are
settled peacefully at conferences
with ration boards. Few cases
reach the stage where enforce
ment actions are filed in the
courts.
In Detroit. during one two week
period. 246 complaints were in
vestigated and only two had to be
given TO enforcement agents
Mrs Anne P. Flory, who bosses
the show from Washington, is en-
thusiastic.
We operate on the premise that
the store keepers are essentially
honest and want TO comply she
saws. IF we didn't we couldn't run
this program.
Competent Labor Observers in
Washington are predicting that
wave Of labor trouble-strikes-
will break out in September carry
October at the latest. Sore spots
are the munitions. aircraft, auto
mobile and coal industries. Even
administration circles in the cap,
itaI admit that there is lot OF
unrest among workers. due TO wage
freezing and rising prices.
Headline maker John L. Lewis
NAV hit the front pages again. HIS
United Mine Workers union now
has its plea for wage raises before
the War Labor Board. A decision
is expected soon. If the wage DE-
mands are turned down, miners
NAV walk out without awaiting
any strike call from Lewis.
Another problem: Secretary OF
Interior Harold L. Ickes Is return
ing government-operated mines to
their private owners. The govern
ment seized them after first
coal strike in May. Lewis has been
insistent that the government op-
crate them. said that his MINERS
would work for Uncle Sam but
not private operators unless wage
demands are met.
A showdown may come when
Congress returns Sept II. At It's
last session. Congress enacted the
smith-Cennally Anti-Strike bill,
which. among other things. carries
provisions that could put strike
leader in Jail. But how effective
the measure is going to be sun
awaits a major test.
In this connection, look for more
frequent use of the word sane
lions" in labor dispute cases. Pres
ident Roosevelt, in signing the exc
cutive order promising the WLS
full support Of the government In
enforcing its decisions. told how
"sanctions'--it was his word
could be applied.
. Reluctant workers could be draft
ed; they could be jailed II they
picketed or encouraged a strike
and they could be black listed
from all jobs for. the duration Of
the war In extreme cases If neces-
sary with their social security ben
efits also temporarily cut Off In
dustries producing only civilian
goods could be driven out OF bust.
ness by Withholding OF materials
II they refused to comply with
WPB edicts War industries would
be taken over by the governments
Those are the sanctions which
could be clamped down. Big ques.
ton is how tough and how far
the government wishes IN 90