Evening star., 1945-06-05
Letters to The Star
Readers Continue the Debate
on Price Control

on Price Control
To the Editor of The Star:
VIII some one be kind enough to
answer question that has been trou-
bling us for some time? Before posing
the question there are several pertinent
incidents which should be recalled
For three long years there has been
an excessive amount of tampering with
the supply, distribution and prices of
various articles This management or
mismanagement of the Nations meat
supply has created such chaotic situa-
ton that in the large cities we are faced
with meat famine.
We all remember the election summer
Of 1914 when certain rationing controls
were either eased or lifted At that time,
some Republicans even thought that
this was an election trick to gain the
favor of the voters. But, of course, that
was not true. Officially, it was due to
hog glut and the farmers were also
urged officially to raise 20 per cent fewer
hogs for 1945.
Our housewives who received the 1914
Christmas present of stab in the back
also will remember that: "Our whole
distribution system was likely to col
lapse unless those extra stamps were
. removed from circulation"
At the present time we are aware of
the fact that certain control act is due
to expire June 30. In spite of the above
mentioned precautions and at this cru
clal moment, the distribution system
breaks down and we are faced with a
meat shortage. Perhaps fast talking
bureaucrat can explain. We hear: Food
controls must be kept this year If
they're not, things will blow up How
ever, certain committee granted ex-
tension for another year by vote of 10
TO and already We read: The new
meat control program is making great
headWay-We expect more meat on East
ern tables by July l."
And now the question is: How much
longer do We, the people, intend to
tolerate these so-called public servants
of ours, this mismanagement and these
shortages, when actually the amount of
livestock on our range is second only to
last years all-time high? FHS.
To the Editor of The Star:
number of organizations have pro-
claimed the week of June 10 to June II
Fight Imitation Week" The appeal is
being made to the American people to
continue fighting against disastrous in
f1ation by vigorously supporting price
control. All can help by simply sending
penny post cards to Congress urging
that price control be continued after
June 80, the date when the act expires.
We shall have no one to blame but our
selves, If we become the victims of sky
rocketing prices through our own ap-
athy.
Profits in almost all industries are at
an extremely high level today and there
is absolutely no excuse for abolishing
price control simply because few self
1sh interests backed by a minority of
sef-seeking Congressman wish further
TO enrich themselves and enhance their
power at the expense of the American
wage earners.
This busy minority can render a far
people and to the cause of economic
stability by urging the people to buy
more War Bonds. Instead, they spend
great sums of money in an effort to
convince Americans that it would be to
their advantage TO pay monopoly prices,
thereby reducing their earnings.
DAVID P. ASCH.
To the Editor Of The Star:
These bureaucratic bunglers In the
OPA and VIA finally have succeeded
in depriving the American housewife
of sugar for home canning. Meats have
just about disappeared from the mar
kets in Washington. Now they are
stopping the manufacture of frosted
foods. They also have succeeded sub
stantially in preventing the manufac-
ture of piece goods for home dress
making. Chester Bowles announces
that the OPA is now permitting the
manufacture of civilian goods but
here is the catch-the prices to be
charged are those of 1912. The OPA
now has a "break-even" manufacturing
plan which is just another name for
communiStic production for use" Prof
its are considered immoral by the OPA.
The question is: How many manufac-
turers are willing to work for fun or
their health? And, incidentally, Just
how long is the American public going
to put up with this bungling?
HENRY G, PARKER.