Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-08-21
Delay Of 12Days
PIa tanned onMedt
Price RoIIback
FinoI Decision Due
Lote Today on Dote
To Renew Ceilings
(TeTt OF Price Decontrol Boards
Rulings on Page A-f6.)
BY Malcolm Lomborne, Jr.

nollDack OF retall celllng prices
on most meats may be delayed
about II days, with the OPA
tentatively setting September 2
as the date for meat prices at or
close to June 30 levels, it was
learned today.
An OPA official told The Star the
Labor Lay date was under consider
alton and that final decision would
be reached late today after con-
ferences of OPA and Agriculture
Department officials on last night S
action of the Price Decontrol Board
in returning livestock and its prod
ucts to ceilings.
One plan under consideration by
OPA called for placing ceilings on
livestock Friday, with time inter-
val before they apply at the packer
wholesale and retail levels. This
would allow various segments OF the
industry time to dispose of stocks
purchased at uncontrolled prices
since lapse of ceilings July !.
'SuOSAuANo ~ DC &JuL JdnudIy,
Housewives, in any event, could
look forward TO lower prices on
beef, pork and veal, and possibly
lamb until January 10. At that
time, the board directed, subsidies
will be halved. This will provide a
more gradual transition to the
eventual removal of the entire sub
sidy by next April l, the board
explained.
On the question OF milk, butter,
cheese and other dairy products,
the consumers can expect no roll
back to June 30 prices. The board
ruled that these commodities shall
remain free of ceilings, but served
notice on the dairy industry that
controls may be restored If prices
rise.
The board also ruled against re-
storing ceilings on nearly all grains;
ordered price controls established
on soybeans and cottonseed prod
ucts, including salad and cooking
oils, and brought fiaxseed and grain
products made from faxseed back
to control.
Unreasonable Price Increases.
In the case of commodities re-
turned to ceilings, the board said II
had found that prices had increased
'unreasonably above june so cell
ings, that supply was scarce and
that price regulation was 'practi-
cable, enforceable and In the public
interest"
Chairman Roy L. Thompson said
the board had received reliable re-
ports that livestock prices rose from
20 to SO per cent after lapse of con-
trolls and had learned OF many cases
In which wholesale prices doubled
He added: ut stands to reason that
those high prices had to carry right
through to the meat counter, and, OF
course, without any price control
the butcher could add further to the
increases.
The board pointed out that the
Government has at hand adequate
techniQues to enforce" meat and
livestock regulations, including
slaughter controls, the subsidy pro-
gram and overriding" ceilings on
livestock. In addition, the board said
it had been informed that Opa is
prepared to enlarge its staff and the
scope OF its enforcement program.
Agree on Milk Shortage.
Board members were in agree
i11ent that milk and it's products will
fall short Of demand, at least until
the next flush season, beginning in
the spring, and that regulations of
these products is enforceable and
practicable. But on the third stip-
ulation set up by Congressional it
must be found that prices have
risen unreasonably above June-the
board said 1t has failed to make
such finding.
The information received to date.
however, seems to evidence restraint
and to show that in general prices
have been in the neighborhood of
the June 80 ceiling plus the subsidy, +"
the board declared.
Conceding that the board was 90
ing to hear plenty of criticism" of
Its decisions, Mr.. Thompson, in a
radio broadcast last night, declared
that the spirit in which the Nation
accepts these decisions OF this board
VIII, III the weeks ahead, provide a
true test OF the country's willingness
and determination to protect itself
against the tragedy of initiation
All decisions OF the board an
r1ounced last night were reached
unanimously 1t was pointed out.