Evening star., 1944-04-02
|vinson Asks Retention
|0f Price Control Act;
Opposes All Changes
Sterilization Proerom
Hos Held the Line He
Tells Federal Bor Group

Declaring the sterilization pro-
gram has "held the line" against in
flation, Economic Sterilization Di-
rector Fred M. Vinson yesterday
appealed for retention of Federal
wage and price controls unhampered
by new congressional restrictions.
In an address before luncheon
meeting of the Federal Bar Asso-
citation at the Mayfiower Hotel, Mr.
Vinson asserted the Government
has successfully complied with the
command of Congress to. stabilize
the national economy.
"The danger is not that our pro-
gram will be junked or our controls
thrown overheard" he declared. "It
is far subtler. Those with real OF
fancied grievances may persuade the
Congress to insert an amendment
here or an amendment thereto i'm
pose this seemingly innocent re-
striction or that clarifying clause
all of which added together may
spell a serious impairment of the
stabilization effect"
Aims to Correct Injustices.
Despite price and wage curbs, Mr.
Vinson asserted that every major
economic class and group is enjoy
ing peak incomes. Admitting there
have been injustices to particular
individuals and particular groups
within these large categories, Mr.
Vinson said the Federal program
constantly aims to correct these in
justices without endangering the
main objectives.
But If Congress, by restrictive
amendments to the stabilization law
should seek by a statutory strait.
jacket to correct every injustice WI
could no longer hold the line" hi
declared.
Mr.. Vinson pictured business pros.
perity as general under the eco
Inomic stabilization program. He de-
clared that corporate profits were al
an all-time high and business fail
ures at an all-time low.
Labor and farmers also have
prospered," Mr.. Vinson said. "The
average weekly earnings of factory
workers have increased from $23.8t
In 1899 to $43.15 in 1913. The farmer
has more money than at any time
In our history, his income is not
only higher, it is higher in relation
to the incomes of nonagriculturaI
groups than at any time in oul
history"
Despite the higher wages ano
profits, the cost of living has risen
only 25.9 per cent since August
1889, Mr.. Vinson added, compared
to 64.6 increase during a similar
period in World War 1.
Concluding his address, Mr.. Vim
son said, 1T is my deep conviction
a conviction which 1 believe is
shared by an overwhelming ma
jority of my fellow countrymen-
that our stabilization program has
succeeded-that it is succeeding to-
day and that the future welfare OF
our country demands its continu-
ance without substantial restriction
or curtailment."
Japs Face New Surprises.
In another address, 1t Gen. Alex
ander A. Vandegrift, Marine Corps
commandant, promised that the
Japs are in for some new tactical
surprises. Maj. Gen. De Witt Peck
assistant Marine Corps comman-
dant, read the speech for Gen. Van
degrift, who was unable to attend.
A distinguished group of guests
attended the meeting. Among those
introduced by Miss Marguerite Ra-
walt, president of the Federal Bar
Association, were: Elmer Davis, di-
rector of the Owl, Byron Price, di-
rector Of censorship; Maj. Gen. Lew
is B. Hehshey, director of selective
service Rear Admiral Emory S
Land, administrator of the War
Shipping Administration, and Rear
Admiral Thomas L. Catch, judge
advocate general of the NAVY