Evening star., 1946-10-15

also were singled out in the singing
attack the President leveled at the
opposition in vetoing the original
OPA extension bill,
The President, broadcasting from
the oval room at the White House,
pictured decontrol as the only course
promising to get supplies to the con-
sumner, and said the livestock inter-
ests had promised meat "at reason
able prices"
Skeptical From Outset.
In seeking to fix the blame on
Congress for the situation that has
brought Hardship" the President
recalled his efforts to have the OPA
extended beyond last June 80, and
the eventual passage of feeble
law" after he had vetoed the first
+OPA bill.
Declaring that he had tried hon
estly and sincerely" to administer
the measure of which he was skep-
tical at the outset, Mr.. Truman
said that enforcement was even fur
ther handicapped by continued agi-
tation for "the lifting Of even the
inadequate controls which Congress
had enacted.
"As q result" he continued. many
businessmen have held onto the pro-
ducts they would normally sell,
gambling on the possibility OF the
release Of price control and the OPP
portunity for greater profits. This
has been conspicuously true In the
case of meat"
While the President repeatedly
has warned against the danger of
imitation should controls be re-
laxed, he said last night that "the
risk in the action we are taking
in removing meat controls is less
than it would otherwise be because
production in general is now in
creasing at significant rate"
But he warned that any SLOW
down of production or boarding by
industry or unlawful" strikes BY
labor would threaten disaster"
"As we proceed in an orderly
out accelerated process of lifting
controls so shall all have to exer-
else restraint and common sense If
imitation is to be avoided and ade-
quate production is to be achieved"
the President concluded.
Higher Prices Seen.
In predicting gradual return Of
meat to the Nations tables, some
spokesmen for the meat industry
said that prices right away would
be higher than OPA ceilings, but
that they gradually would become
lower.
The National Livestock Producers
Association estimated that 1t might
take until midwinter to restore
ample supplies at normal" prices,
but said producers would speed pro-
duction now and that supplies
might become plentiful sooner, with
prices gradually dropping as a result.
Wilbur La Roe of Washington,
representing the small packers, said
the meat industry would now be ''in
the position for the first time in
long time that it won't have to fight
the black market. This means the
absolute death of the black mar
ket."
Robert r. Wason, president of the
National Association Of Manufac-
turers, and frequent critic Of price
control declared:
"The Presidents decision to take
OPA controls of of meat and
put them on the bureaucrats that
stifle our economy was long over
due" -
AFL Offcials Pleased.
There was little immediate COM
ment from labor circles, but in Chi
cago, officials attending the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor convention
applauded Mr.. Truman's action and
said they believed It will mean more
meat for the American family.
President William Green was not
available for comment, but he is on
record in favor of lifting wage and
price controls.
Ia jamestown, N. Y, Walter p.
Reuther, president Of the CIO
United Automobile Workers, said
that "for the second time In a year
will a miracle be wrought" and meat
reappear on shop counters.
This miracle will come about be-
cause great meat trusts have forged
shortage into a political
club"
Jack Kroll, director ofs the CIO
Political Action Committee, voiced
regret that the President has been
forced tn oeceda to thu ec0noY,aic