The Coolidge examiner., 1944-03-17
Small Over CHARGES
Should Be Told
Local 0PA Board
Chairman Taylor st a t e S
They Are AS Important
AS Larger Amounts -
Apply To Items Wit h
Large Quantity Sales.

Two or three-cent overcharges
are just as serious as greater
amounts and should be reported
to the local OPA Board, it was
pointed out today by r. w. Tay-
lor. Chairman.
There has been some tendency
among all of u.s." Chairman Tay-
Tor said, "to consider such small
overcharges as trivial and not
worth botherlng about
The opposite is true. 1t should
be remembered that small over
charges usually apply to items
which have a tremendous guam
tity sale and, as such. they defi-
nitely contribute to the overall
higher cost of living.
Further, while a retailer who
sells a 15-cent item at 18 cents,
may be taking an illegal profit
of only cents, more Importantly,
he is raising the cost-of-living on
that particular item full 20
percent.
Finally, the dealer who feels
he can raise the price several
cents on one item without run
ming into difficulty will be en-
couraged to raise prices on other
items"
Some consumers have been re-
luctant to report overcharges,
Mr.. Taylor said, because they
felt the overcharge might have
been an honest mistake on the
part of the merchant.
This undoubtedly is true in
some cases, although it is the mer-
chants duty to know his correct
ceiling prices. But, if the mistake
is an honest one, the average mer-
chant is appreciative when it is
called to his attention.
I'VE have the opportunity, the
duty and the authority to make
the price-control work within our
community" he said. "All we need
is the sincere and continued sup
port of our citizens"
He said complaints should be
reported to the Price Clerk at
tached to the local OPA Board.
Retail merchants who have en-
countered difficulties and delays
interpreting OPA price regula-
tions will find themselves greatly
assisted by our Price-Control Com
mittee." Mr.. Taylor said.
while the members of this
committee will, in the course of
their work, report price violations,
the retailer in understanding the
their objective also will be to help
government regulations which war
has imposed upon him." Mr. Tay-
lor said.
"They will approach the mer-
chant as a friend and neighbor,
eager to give information or to
perform any service which will
aid him in meeting these wartime
requirements.
IF a merchant is not quite
clear on a specific pricing prob
lem, he will be able to clarity the
question quickly and accurately
with the help of the visiting
price-control committeeman.
IF he lacks printed regulations
affecting his business, the COM
mittee member will deliver them
to his store, personally
IF he has some particular
grippe against any of the regula-
tions he will, without going to
an OPA office, be able to form
ally register the complaint through
this volunteer worker.
In many instances the COM
mittee memeber and the dealer
will have been old friends or ac-
quaintancs. AS such, they will be
able to discuss and settle prob
lems' and misunderstanding in a
friendly, helpful manner.
1.-The dealers who are trying
earnestly to abide by the complex
requiremnts of a government at
war will find the Price-control
Committee representative a help
not a hindrance.
"The others who selfishly re-
fuse the rules-will undoubtedly
be disturbed to realize that MEM
bers of our own community are
going to do what we can to
fight black-markets, chiseling and