Evening star., 1943-05-29
Brown Assai|s Critics
OF 0PA, Calls Price
Control We'll Done
Two Courses Seen Open
To Bring Living Costs
Back Into Line

Price Administrator Brown, Strik
ing back at critics of his Office OF
Price Administration. insisted today
in a statement that the agency had
done good job in controlling price
and distributing necessities impair
TALLY, then promised it would be
even more effective in the future.
Mr.. Brown admitted that "the
cost Of living has gotten away from
u.s. and added, I'VE are. therefore
confronted with the choice of rolling
back the cost of living to the levels
we were directed to hold or permit
an adjustment of wages and other
income in line with the increase
in the cost of living. If we take
the latter course, we shall be Civ
ing ground again just as we have
given ground before. If We take
this course we shall in the next
three months be faced with an in
crease in the cost of living even
greater than the increase in the
past three monhs.
we cannot hold the line bv civ
ing ground. This time, therefore
we are rolling back the cost of liv-
ing to the level to which we were
directed to hold it September Is
l942). This is what the statute re-
qulres. This is what the President
has ordered. This is what We shall
do
Denies OPA Coming Apart.
Mr.. Brown said the charge that
OPA Is coming apart at the seams
Is nonsense - adding. some people
nave left the Observation-Disclosures
undoubtedly will leave from time to
tlme. L demand of my staff that
they carry out my instructions with
1orce and with intelligence. Those
who cannot or will not follow those
instructions will CO."
The administrator contended that
OPA was doing more effective lob
than ever before and will do an
even more effective job in the davs
ahead. Do not be misled by all the
nue. and cry in Washington. The
American people are solid behind
the OPA. l will not let them down. .
Polntlng out that stabilizing prices
ana rents and rationing scarce sup
plles means interference with nor
NAL personal and business habits
ne SAID resentment against OPA lis
OF Two Sorts-resentment against the
administration of the programs and
resentment against the policies laid
down.
Criticism Noted
during these past weeks there
mas appeared a growing volume OF
criticism of the OPA, much of it ]
regret to say, intemperate. These
attacks have come from representa-
yves OF retailers and wholesalers
lhey have come with equal vieor
from the representatives of pro-
ducers and consumers as we'll. ]
nope that l shall never fail to profit
from criticism. however intemperate
l am determined. however, never tc
let clamor turn me from the course
lald down by the Congress and the
PRESIDENT. The very fact that TODAY
Cile clamor comes from all quarters
oersuades me that our general course
is the right one"
From Representative Taber, Re.
publican. of New York. came fur.
ther support Yesterday of a plan te
place the rationing and pricing OF
1ood under one agency. Three
agencies are now engaged In these
problems-War Production Board
the OPA and the War Food Admin.
lstration-Mr. Taber told the House
and as result they are making 8
terrible mess of things"
Mr.. Taber did not suggest what
agency should have the food pric.
ing and rationing job. although some
members Of Congress favor the VITA
assuming charge.