Montana labor news., 1945-11-01
THE HOUSEWIFE
And The 0PA
(By Anna Sullivan, Butte, Mont.

And The 0PA
(By Anna Sullivan, Butte, Mont)
All of US, you and l, Mr. Merchant,
producer, laborer, farmer and consumer,
have a big job ahead Of US if we are
to hold the line on prices. The OPA,
working under adverse auspices, has
done lot to prevent initiation but this
is not only an OPA responsibility; it
is your job and my job as we'll How
ever, before a sound, steadfast public
opinion can be formed, it has to be in
formed; not manipulated, not tricken,
not wheedled, but given all the facts in
the case. That's the job confronting all
of us today A free people are not
children to be humored, cajoled or
lollipopped with half truths for fear the
whole truth will frighten them; the way
to sell truth is to give truth.
The OPA is taking a terrific spank
ing. This is understandable, for Of all
the civilian agencies, the OPA is closest
to the people Nearly every citizen has
contact with it one way or another
However, much Of the public's gripping
is based on misconception as to the pur-
poses of the OPA and its functions.
The agency's job is to distribute avail
able supplies fairly and to hold the
line on prices. Thus, to the average
family it ranks as a firm friend and
not as an enemy The history Of for
mer wars has taught us that after each
war we have had a dislocation of our
civilian economy, and the merchants
and the merchants and people suffer
severe hardships We have just con-
cluded a World War successfully, in
which we civilians got through with
very little suffering except in those
homes where a telegram had been re-
ceived from the War department, tell
ing them Of a son, husband, brother, or
father being killed or wounded. Ex-
cept for these the rest of us have fought
the war on a pretty comfortable basis.
This is partly due to the sensational
productive power Of our country; but a
good deal of the credit should go to
the OPA.
It has been accused of having guessed
wrong as to the amount of supplies
available. The OPA should not be
blamed for guess-work. 1t must accept
the figures Of the Department OF Agri-
culture on available supplies. AS you
know, the Department Of Agriculture
not the OPA is responsible for all food
supplies. The OPA is only concerned
with problems Of food distribution and
price.
BY and large, rationing prices have
been smooth and fair. Despite continual
pressure for initiation, OPA has sue
ceeded in holding down prices and to
the extent not thought possible. Price
increases during and Immediately after
this war can't hold a candle to those
that took place during World War L.
We must conclude that OPA has done
a masterful job in holding the line.
Criticism OF OPA on the part of selfish
y motivated pressure group has
reached its height since the cessatin
of hostilities.
Should these pressure groups prevail,
they will take us far along the road OF
runaway prices and initiation. The stu
alton is serious right now and such
groups have declared open season on
our price structure.
Some day the public will realize the
OPA has been a good friend. When
that day comes the agency will be ac-
corded the credit and gratitude it de-
serves. There is more need today than
ever for the public to understand the
OPA and give it support and confidence
Demand to break the price line is
heavy. From all sides weight is being
brought to bear to induce the OPA to
stretch the prices at this point or at
that point. AS times goes on these
pressures will intensity. Only public
support can enable OPA to Withstand
them.
Initiation is the real danger We were
able to fight and win this war with a
minimun of civilian hardships and sac
rfces largely because OPA has held
the line and blocked initiation 1t would
do untold damage if inflationary tenden-
cies were permitted to get the upper
hand now
We have never had in this country