Evening star., 1943-03-13
EVENING WASHINGTON, D. {, Is,
D. T.. Commissioners
Waive Dock Fees
On Produce Boats
Hope Action Will Aid
Food Situation; New
Price Ceilings Awaited

The Commissioners acted to-
day to help relieve the critical
shortage of potatoes and other
fresh vegetables in the District
by permitting produce boats to
dock at the Municipal Fish
Wharf without charge for a
three-day period.
The action was taken on recon-
intendent of weights. measures and
markets, in the hope that the re-
moval of dockage fees for a period
long enough to allow boats to unload
their cargoes would increase the flow
of vegetables into Washington mar
kets. Mr.. Kennedy said more IA
vorable charges at the Baltimore
wharves had resulted in many car
goes being diverted to that city.
Under the new regulation, ap-
proved today, boats of any size car
rying food supplies for delivery to
and consumption by District resi-
dents will be permitted to tie up
without charge for three days. after
which a fiat fee of 50 day will be
charged.
Old System Replaced.
This regulation replaces a system
of rates which had been in effect
since 1884 and which varied between
81 and SO per day for the first three
days, depending on the number of
tiers and the nature of the cargo
carried
Vessels carrying potatoes, for ex-
ample, were charged SO per day for
the first tier during the first three
days and 81 per day thereafter, plus
81 per day for the second, third and
fourth tiers during the first three
days and 81 per day per tier for
every day thereafter. Thus, a potato
boat with a four-tier argo. tied up
here for three days, was charged s18
with $40 charge for every day be.
yond three.
Mr.. Kennedy told the Commits
sioners that if his recommendation
was followed and the action of the
Commissioners broadcast, the fooc
supply of the city would undoubtedly
be increased. He said that in 1888
before the rates were raised, from
IL to % boats tied up at the wharf
daily during the winter months
Nowadays. he said, it is considered
good day" when two or three YES
sells dock here. Total revenue from
the wharf last year, he pointed out
was only $2.700, a substantial por-
tion of which represented fees paic
by non-cargo carrying vessels.
Price RevisiOns Awaited.
Meanwhile, no announcement has
yet been made on revision of price
ceilings which produce men say
would help bring relief.
Robert K. Thompson. District OPP
director, said the new ceiling rate:
were being prepared at the regiona
Office in New York and were sup
posed to be sent here for releas,
yesterday. Sylvan Joseph, a re.
gional director, was here Thursda,
comforting with Mr. Thompson an,
national OPA officials.
Earlier. produce men said the,
were told by national OPA repre-
sentatives that local officials had tn
power to change ceilings whereve
1t seemed advisable, but Distric
OPA officials said this authorit
would have to come from the re
| gional office.
Supplies Nearly Exhausted.
Meanwhile, the supply of pota
toes, cabbage, beans and greens wa
all but exhausted. While an up
ward revision of the ceilings gov
erning certain vegetables was ex
pected to increase the local supply
little hope for resumption of potato
shipments was seen until arounl
April l.
Under a priorities system estab,
llshed by the Interstate Commerc,
Commission to govern the use of re
frlgerator cars, potatoes for tabl.
use may be shipped only after need.
Of the armed forces have been me
and seed potatoes have been SEN
into the Middle Southern States.
Another phase of the potato
shortage appeared to be headed to.
ward a solution as the OPA consid.
cred placing temporary price cell.
ings on seed potatoes. The fac
that prices Of seed potatoes were
uncontrolled have induced man,
farmers, it was said, to sell crop.
raised as table stock for seed in
stead. Price ceilings on potatoe.
for civilian consumption ALREADY
exist.
The vegetable shortage, which
commission merchants blame partl,
on lnequitable ceilings in this area
was made more serious by the fac
that the demand for fresh fruits anc
vegetables has increased appreciably
since rationing of canned goods be.
gan on March l. Transportation diff.
culties and the freeze" which dam.
aged Southern crops have furthe
affected deliveries into Northern
cities.