Evening star., 1946-11-11
DecontroI Fails
To Raise Prices
On FirstDay
Coal Costs Moy Jump
Auto and Laundry
Services Unchanged

ory-clean1ng services remained un-
changed in Washington establish
ments today despite the end of con-
trolls, but some dealers admit price
increases are in the ofing.
The possibility Of an increase in
coal prices was seen, with dealers
claiming they have never had fair
margin under OPA ceilings. Much
depends, they say, on the outcome
of Government negotiations with
John l.. Lewis, head of the United
Mine Workers.
An official of the Yale Laundry
said an increase in prices was con-
templated, but that it hinged on the
return to the city of the owner, j. P.
Conger. Robert Flanagan, laundry
superintendent, pointed out that
many concerns have increased their
prices Is per cent under boost
allowed by OPA some time ago, but
that Yale had not raised prices.
Accordingly, he said, there was a
good chance the company might in
crease its prices by the 16 per cent
figure.
Depends on Other Laundries.
At the Sterling Laundry an en-
ploye commented: mot yet; 1t all
depends on what the other laun-
dries do" This was the same report
from Conger's Laundry.
Other establishments checked in
sisted there would be no changes in
services.
George N. Walker, secretary of
the Laundry-Dry Cleaning Owners
Association of the District, main
tanned that there would be no "im-
mediate change in the price struc-
ture." He added, "Of course, some
adjustments may be made for laun-
dry and dry cleaning, but they will
not be material"
A survey of representative auto
repair shops showed dealers gen.
orally insistent that no changes are
contemplated. But some dealers
were not too sure about prices OF
repair parts, pointing out that 1t,
depends. on manufacturers.
Edmund o. Carl, head of one Of
the citys largest automobile repair
businesses, said today his company
will make no increases in charges
for repairs or services. AS for the
price of repair parts, he believes
there will be no more increases, but
instead, a reversal of the trend.
Auto Parts Prices to Come Down.
THE price of parts went UP IT
per cent about a month ago." he
said. "This new action will stop
it all They'll be coming down
shortly"
Costs for both parts and labor
are way too high now" he declared.
He said he had talked to several
operators of automobile service
concerns yesterday and that they
all agreed with his views.
Leo Rocca, Inc, reported: 1--WE
are not going to change" Toms
Garage said: "The same prices for
paint jobs and body work" An en-
ploye at L. P. Steuart Commented:
I'VE are not up today, but parts
probably will go up."
The Potomac Gas 81 Service Sta
tion reported no changes in repair
services, but did not know about
parts costs. H. B. Leary, Jr., Co.
said: mo, sir, we are still operating
the same as always"
At the A. P. Woodson Co., it was
pointed out that coal dealers never
had enough margin during the war
and they need it badly" An en-
ploye of w. H. Hessick g. Son, Inc,
observed that an increase depends
on what John L. Lewis and Krug
(Secretary of Interior) do today"
The American Ice Co. felt that
coal prices would rise because of
President Truman's decontrol action
of Saturday plus the outcome of coal
miners negotiations. John P. Agnew
& Co., Inc, would only say mot for
q while" when asked about contem-
plated increases.
G.. M. Prices Unchanged.
Floyd D. Akers, president of the
Capital Cadillac Co., observed that
"I don't see why anything should
20 up." He said that his firm would
continue fair and equitable prices
established by General Motors
practices.
Meanwhile, with other business
men pledging to hold the line on
prices, particularly in department
stores, the Washington Committee
on Consumer Protection planned
meeting of its Steering Committee
tomorrow night.
Mrs. Sarah Newman, committee
chairman, said the group, which re-
presents 80 Washington area organi-
cations, must consider plan to edu-
cate consumers to hold back on
many items that will come on the
market at high prices"
Fears Buying Rush.
"People have been waiting SO long
for many goods, particularly con-
sumer durable goods, that we are
afraid they will rush to buy without
regard TO price" she declared.
Department store officials here,
however, have pledged to maintain
present prices and say they will go
up only If the goods they receive
from manufacturers are increased
in price.
Meanwhile, the Nations $4,000
automobile dealers were urged by
the National Automobile Dealers
Association to maintain present
prices. despite the end of controls.
Sees No Boost in Car Prices.
Lee Moran, executive vice presi-
dent, said in his opinion there would
be no increase in the price of new
cars and that used car prices would
start declining when production of
new cars increases.
The NADIA message to dealers said:
'The wiping out of price controls
on automobiles and automotive serv-
ices now gives every dealer the
privilege of writing his own rules.
With that privilege comes a response
bility to the American people. In
the public interest and as a fur
ther demonstration that public con-
f1dence in automobile dealers is
merited, NADIA urges dealers every.
where to continue to maintain the