The Daily Alaska empire., 1944-05-16
They Can Give Us Pain Without Making
 Us Mad
Seattle Times)

Seattle Times Is the O. P A. gaining or losing popularity? This question quite hot in current Congressional discussion was brfely touched upon in the local hearing of case wherein price ceiling violation the charge. Federal Judge Lloyd Black remarked that unduly harsh rulings would tend further to alienate an a- ready critical public. Counsel for the O. P A. offered opinion that an altogether sympathetic public strongly fayors heavy penalties both in flnes ana ln prison terms for price gouging.'
 The public view in any O. P. A. case naturally varies somewhat in accord with the known circum- stances Accusation and arrest are not conclusive as to guilt Most o. P A. penalties are imposed without reference to court Many accused persons accept the penalties as the least costly way of getting the O. P A. off their necks
 But when accused persons are haled into court, o P A. agents and counsel sometimes talk as if the offense charged were more henous than any other. The courts to hearing all kinds of cases, may not so regard it. No disposition toward enience, nor any disregard of proper procedure is indicated m dealing with O. P A. charges according to the facts and the law.
 Occasion for price control are recognized by every body In respect of it's main purpose, Of Keeping prices within reasonable reach the o. P. A. has general public approval. Exasperations, sometimes running to point of defiance, are mostly que to arbitrary administration, rap-baitng and stool pigeoning O P A. agents who resort to dubious practices to make up cases reflect discred on what should be wholly useful effort.
 Senators and Representatives in Congress just now are in a dther o. P. A. The law creating that agency is to expire by limitation, June 30 There is no serious dispute of the continuing necessity o1 price control; but many changes are demanded, and there can be little doubt that extension of the life of the O. P A. will be attended by some trimming of powers that have not always been wisely and fairly used.
 One demand is that the o. P. A. be deprived of power to assess triple damages for price violations Another is that the O. P A. be stripped of authority to enforce it's rulings, without court review O1 course such changes and others now proposed would cramp the style of some O. P A. agents, and would probably lead to some such cutterng of the courts as prevailed through the years of attempted pro- hibiton enforcement.
 Chester Bowles whose comparatively sane top administration has brought the O. P A. into better repute than it formerly enjoyed, recently advised Congress of the impossbility of painless price con- trol" He is right and the public already has re- iected the thought of painessness in any dealings with the government.
 But still there is need of law; of law to replace whimsy and prejudice; of law that will be easily understood and command compliance. No agency Of government should be permitted to run anybodys and everybodys business shifting rules having no real basis in law.
 Congress need not try to make price control pam less; but it be made respectable.