Evening star., 1943-06-09

thority for funds constituted "a
sinister aspect"
The floor attack, interrupting de.
bate on an s82O,OOo, 900 agriculture
appropriation bill, was Joined by
Senator Taft, Republican, of Ohio
who said he will propose broad new
restrictions against subsidy pay.
ments except where authorized by
Congress.
He declared, however, that he be.
lieved subsidies should be authorized
in some instances, such as to equalize
transportation costs when inequai-
ties developed because of the wal
emergency.
Meanwhile, congressional critics
of a roll-back in food prices ex-
pressed belief that a general price
decrease for most foods is in pros
pect with the companion probable
ity of more subsidy payments to
compensate for lowered returns.
That opinion was strengthened,
they said, by disclosure before a
Senate committee that the ONCE Of
Price Administration already is
planning to apply the roll-back to
fresh vegetables as well as to butter,
meats and coffee.
While the new order is not ex-
pected to extend subsidy payments
to vegetable producers or process
sors, some opponents predicted that
an estimated $450, ,0O0, 900 to be paid
out for the 10 per cent cut in but
ter and meat prices would be "a
drop in the bucket" compared with
subsidies which they said would be
demanded for decreases in prices Of
other foods.
Sees Precedent Set.
Senator Maloney, Democrat, Of
Connecticut declared that OPA had
established a precedent in granting
subsidy payments for butter and
meat price cut-backs and that vege-
table growers could be expected to
demand similar treatment.
Asserting subsidies should be
blocked by legislation, Senator Taft
Republican, of Ohio announced he
is considering introduction of pro-
posal to limit such payments to
Government purchases of needed
materials and for assuring adequate
transportation.
Senator Taft and other subsidy
foes maintained that the savings to
the consumer by the roll-back in
prices would be more than offset by
taxation to pay the subsidies. The
bill would be greater, they contended,
because of the added costs for in
terest and administrative expense
Praise for the roll-back- subsidy
directive was voiced before Senate
Agriculture Subcommittee by wit
nesses representing aflliates of the
Congress of Industrial Organizations,
who called it a sign that OPA is
"at last beginning to show Its
muscles"
The vegetable price plan came out
in a hearing before the Senate
Banking Committee, which was in
quiring into how far the OPA planned
to go in rolling back food prices
Retail butter prices are due to dror
about S cents pound this week
under a subsidy plan, and subsidies
of cents a pound on dressed car
casses, intended to compensate pro-
ducers for an average retail reduc-
ton of cents in retail meat prices
in a few weeks, began yesterday
Coffee also is on the list for a retail
price cut.
Richard Gilbert, economic adviser
to Price Administrator Brown, told
the committee regulations for addi-
tional rollbacks were being drafted
with vegetables next in line. He said
the vegetable project included nc
subsidy plans to compensate pro.
ducers.
Legislators from several of the
Nations agriculture States ham.
mered away anew on their demand.
for appointment Of a single fooc
czar, while the House yesterday
heard in particular complaints thai
swift action is needed to aid the
canning industry,