Evening star., 1943-06-08
still have something to do with food


policies"
Mr.. Hoffman had replaced DR.. j.
K. Galbraith, who had previously
quit in the midst of an internal
feud with Lou R. Maxon, Detroit
advertiser and OPA's information
director.
Wallace Handles Price Program.
Mr.. Hoffman had been placed in
charge of food prices, with all other
prices under Donald Wallace. Mr..
Wallace now will take over the en-
tire price program, but he is still
designated as an acting" deputy,
thus leaving open the door for fur
ther changes.
1T does seem little strange"
Mr.. Hoffman said last night, but
the other arrangement was only
temporary from the first"
Developments in Congress yester-
day included:
l. Demands by representatives of
the retail grocery industry before
the House Small Business Commit
tee that OPA's food rationing and
price-f1xing esponsibilities be taken
from that agency and placed in the
hands of a single authority, with
War Food Administrator Davis
mentioned most prominently. This
was followed by suggestion from
Chairman Patman that the food
functions Of OPA be placed directly
under Economic Sterilization Direc-
tor Fred Vinson.
2. Announcement by Representa-
tive Hartley, Republican, of New
Jersey that he will introduce legis-
lation calling for the complete liqui-
dation of OPA.
Would Limit Funds Use.
3. Introduction of an amendment
to Justice Department appropria-
ton bill by Chairman Murray of the
Senate Small Business Committee
which would prohibit the use of the
departments funds for prosecuting
OPA violations where it is demon
stra.ed that the regulations (a) do
nc, afford fair and necessary op-
Grating margins; (b) do not make
adequate provision for the fair dis
tribution Of supplies, or (c) have
been issued without due consultation
of the industry
4. A request by Albert S. Goss,
master of the National Grange. ask
ing the Senate Agriculture Com
mittee to write legislation prohibit
ing the payment of subsidies for
farm products and a report that
sentiment was growing among men,
bers of the committee to submit a
bill which would ban such subsidies.
S. The announcement by the Sen
ate Banking Committee that OPA
officials would be questioned on the
extent of the subsidy program.
O'Daniel Issues Warning.
6. A warning by Senator ODan-
iel, Democrat, of Texas that "a big
housecleaning of elected officials" is
necessary to avert dictatorship.
Senator ODaniels statement came
after he explained he had written a
letter to poultry raisers in his State
in which he had charged OPA
GEARS and bureaucratic" are trying
to change our form of government.
OPA's community dollars and
cents price ceilings, which were CEN
sured by half a dozen witnesses be-
fore the House Small Business Com
mittee yesterday, were issued, one
grocery leader said he was told by
an OPA official, ito placate labor
and John L. Lewis" during the coal
controversy. The witness was Patsy
D'Augustino, president of the New
York State Food Merchants Asso-
citation, New York
Fears Government Distribution.
At the same time, Donald E. Rob-
inson, representing retail grocery
firm in Pittsburgh, warned that a
continuation of present OPA policies
would force the Government to pur-
chase all food supplies and distribute
them under Government grades.
What do you intend to do If
changes aren't made?" Mr.. Ploeser
asked the witness.
big concerns like us are gold
fish," the witness replied. There's
nothing We can do but close up.
The smaller stores, though-well,
you remember what happened to
the Prohibition Act. There will be
a complete reputation of Federal
law"
"You better do something else
than give up," Mr.. Ploeser advised.
You had better fight"
Mr.. Ploeser said later it was
doubtful in his mind whether q sin
gle authority over food problems
would be given a chance.
1--WE have a policy in this ad-
ministration of superimposing struc-
lures on crumbling foundations, he
said.