The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-12
The OPA

In news story from Seattle which has reached this desk
learn that the operators of three
packing house have been indicted by grand
jury charges of violating regulations issued by the Office
of Price Administration also relates that five in
dctments returned probably in connection other
types of infracton of meat regulations.
According the story The operators the retail
markets all of the demonstrating
at prices in of those authorized by the OPAs general
maximum price regulation issued April a. 1912 failing
to keep record of prices charged required by the
regulation"
The report Dealers accused
of violating price ceilings had been warned by letter before
action taken In the prosecution the lead taken by
the enforcement attorney for the OPA the basis of nfor
nation and proof of violations of the regulations by
The fact that an attorney prosecuting the charge
is of special interest here in Montana Proof of violation
by retail brought OPA
short ago action person made
plant (Which the OPA officials termed jused)
was told he should an attorney to prosecute the
plant civil action; that the OPA had filed criminal
actions August 1912 and the data the had been
sent through the winding redtape estooned official channels
through Denver thence Washington and other points east
north south and that criminal actions SLOW
what the state OPA says true then there is
thing radically wrong with courts the methods of han
ding of by the OPA both and housecleaning is
needed Whether not criminal actions too slow, is
however, the direct responsibility of the OPA It's
responsibility would seem to be simply to institute criminal
violations have occurred It's job enforce
price regulations this at least that the under
standing of the people And with the number of employees
particularly highsaaried who the payrols it
would that the people of the state have right expect
them to do job.
short time ago. we discussed the OPA with one of the
officials and suggested to him that publicity might
auary woudbe chisees the regulations
established 1t is realized, of that
orally particularly company daily press would prob
ably give any publicity to inracons of regulations by
potential advertisers However, this publication would and
the offered. We have had word them
the OPA that actions have been taken against
volators of the price regulations.
We disposed to think that in general the retailers
will pretty we'll with those of other states
observing the laws However, suspect that they
ethical than their fellow retailers in other states
inclined believe that the OPA not functoning
in
officials stated the time the OPA started in the
interested the welfare of the retailers Some
evidence to the contrary would be welcomed.
people of the state taking raoning and other
incident to the without complaint
heard of discomfort about those mat
ters heard however, pretty distinct about
of the OPA They note increased prices When
they protest they told that the increases authorized
why? That something the people want to know
retailers Disseminated against Are the fat boys in
processing of commodities powerful enough in
influence be granted unsuitable increases and the
retailers have to be given leeway if they
These questions that bother the rank and file
of the public and they entitled to be informed.