Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-08-02
The Grade Label Menace


/ PEALED two of the recent acts OF Congress.
In the first instance he has held that the action of
Congress providing for the termination of the services
of three government emroyes-for pupQrted association
with subversive organizations-s not binding upon the
executive branch of government.
In the second and graver instance he has hed that
legislation enacted by Congress and signed by HIM
self the clear purpose Of outawng the Office of Price
Administrators grade labelling program will be no
hindrance to that program
If the President can thus set aside the acts of Con-
gress whenever they dspease him. what purpose to be
1t is certainly not an INDEPENDENT Congress. if it
only enact and sustain such legislation as the Presi-
dent approves.
CAN Congress if that Is the case.
And of course if the only law that is to be effective
in the United States be such law the President
desires consents to- then the institution of Congress
a fiction and very expensive fiction and might as
well BE- dispensed with
THE President has only CONSTITUTIONAL method Of
expressing his dsappoval Of legislation enacted by Con-
eress-thc veto.
Iflcgson vetoed by him is thereafter e-enacted by
required two-hrds majores both houses Of Congress,
legal method moral right to impede ignore
nuify it.
However it is an amazing fact President Roosevelt
and exercised precisely these nonresident
methods and rights-not merely once but TWICE
Unquestionaby the President will be challenged this
issue by on the vital question of grade
labelling"
Ii is unfortunate that Congress in position
challenge Immediately due to its iladvised and
self-decared two menths vacation
But Chairman the House committee which spon-
ored the grade labelling prohibition assures the country
that:
question will have to be dealt with by the
Congress when it reassembes
IS says the intention Of Congress we'll
the Prohibiting Act was abundantly clear
THE approved by Congress and signed by the Presi
/ dent FORBIDS the Office of Price Administration
require grade labelling FORBDS eliminate restrict
the of trade brand
only permits the setting Of prices in terms of grade
if such standards already industry
already required by another federal agency and then
only permits Standardization of commodity if mo practicable
alternative for securing effective price control with
respect to such commodity
These "permissive" features are of course
THE LOOPHOLE sought and found in it by the President
And 1t is because Congress left such oophoe that it
deal with the subject all againf the original
and proper detectives and intentions Congress are to
prevail
Consequently the whole grade labelling standardized
ton program Congress and the country had thought
a end remains to the country
A points as o @f:' Dry ''''' Association" Of "a" FRANCISCO
Standardization and grade labelling improperly pursued
TOTAL ELIMINATION of branded merchandise
that have been business
use throughout the years
"Many such brands devised through of
pansakng costing untold dollars They have been
the public reliability and safe purchasing They
made the American retailer the outstanding distributor
Of the world with their Oneprice stores reliable merchandise
and moneybaCk policies We retailers will not he
the removal of brands. standa rdizaon of
chandise any other subtle method to DESTROY FREE
ENTERPRISE under the guse of winning the war"
As long Congress must do this necessary job AGAIN,
let it be TO do it WELL