Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-04-16
Hosiery Rules
Unfair, Retailers
,Sdy;Ask Exchange

NEW YORK. April 16 (INS)--
Five hundred representatives OF
retail merchants throughout the
United States today called upon
the OPA 10 withdraw and redraft
its rayon hosiery regulation on the
grounds that it is thoroughly I'M
American" and unfair TO consum-
ers as we'll as retailers.
At a mass meeting yesterday
the retailers adopted a resolution
attacking the recent hosiery order
as a blow directed at the American
system of private enterprise. The
order established two standardized
grades of rayon hosiery and a
complicated set Of price ceilings
placing trademark brands at a
decided disadvantage.
HITS PRIVATE ENTERPRISE
II was cited by the retailers as
one of many regulations issued
by the OPA that are not limited
10 the control of prices but under
take TO change the American
system Of private enterprise"
Pointing out that the savings
20 consumers promised by the OPA
will not materialize because the
regulation permits increases in
price on approximately two-thirds
OF the entire production Of hosiery
which is unbranded. the state
naent adopted by the retailers
declares:
I'VE demand observance Of the
traditional American principle of
representation i'm the drafting
and enactment Of laws by which
we are 10 he controlled. This IL
provided for In the price control
act of l941. and II has never
been observed properly In the
preparation of the mandates
of OPA.
.In order To promote that
.willing and eager cooperation
(Which will insure effective price
control. we urge the price adj
ministrator 30 make full use Of
the advice and information
which retail merchants and their
accredited representatives stand
ready at all times 10 provide.
OFFER TO AID oPA
ITO this end. we suggest rep
resentatiyeS of retailers chosen
by. and among Themselves he
given ample opportunity tn ace
~ IL
the OPA all orders and regula-
tons before they are issued. In
this way. many. costly misunder-
standings and errors can be
avoided.
Specifically, we call upon the
price administrator 20 withdraw
the rayon hosiery regulation
and TO disavow the repugnant
principles contained In that reg
ulation and 10 call together the
Representatives Of the various
branches of the hosiery industry
70 the end that they may par
ticfpate In the drawing Of a fair
and effective price regulation.
UN-AMERICAN RULING
THE principles embodied in
the rayon hosiery regulation 10
which we so strongly object. and
which we regard a. thoroughly
un-American. are the following:
"A-The establishment OF vari-
Gus classes Of purchasers and
sellers. All retailers should he
free 20 buy In the customary
manner.
"B-NO price regulation
should undertake 10 establish
fixed standards Of merchandise.
II IL the duty of OPA To control
prices, not 10 dictate what shall.
or shall not. he manufactured
\ and distributed.
"C--Price regulations must he
&based upon = realistic instead Of
theoretical approach. Hence.
they must he closely related to
the service and the cost expert
ence Of the individual merchant"
Lew Hahn, general manager Of
the National Retail Dry Goods
Association. disclosed that retail
ers throughout the United States
will call on their congressman 10
a.