Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-08-21
Meat Black Market
Fear Strictly Phony,
Clio Official Says
BY The Associated Press


Fear Of a BLACK market" in
meat was expressed today by
some meat industry spokesman
In commenting on revival of
price ceilings, but a Go official
termed such talk strictly
phony."
Industry reaction to the Decon-
troll Boards order was mostly I'M
favorable, although one official, rep
resenting some Eastern retailers
and independent slaughterers,
termed 1t COURAGEOUS"
Some Congress members from
livestock states deplored return of
OPA ceilings on meat as inviting
chaos and confusion.
The American Meat Institute.
spokesman for the packing industry,
declared stern enforcement meas
ures" will be required ito prevent
return of all the evils of the black
market, including maldistribution,
shortages and waste of valuable by
products
Ballyhoo by Packers Charged.
However, Ralph Helstein, CLIO
United clearinghouse Workers pres
ident asserted that ANY talk of the
return of the black market is strict
ly phony. the black market
never was large enough to make a
noticeable dent on our resources of
livestock. 1t was ballyhooed by the
Dig packers to place the blame for
artificial scarcity on little men who
weren't there"
Mr.. Helstein said price control will
assure fair distribution of meat
and put an end to merciless gouging
by retail and wholesale distributors. I"
The Meat Institute hit the boards
decision establishing subsidies to
the industry as means of keeping
prices down, saying: The entire
livestock and meat industry is
opposed to these taxes being i'm
posed on consumers. The consumers
should be expected to pay only the
price actually charged over the
counter; a price established by fair
and open competition"
r. c. Pollock, secretary and man
ager of the National Livestock and
Meat Board, said the industry will
be terribly disappointed" by the de-
control boards action.
Now Up to the OPA.
But Jack Kranis, president of the
National Meat Industry Council,
said the decision was "a courageous
one and added from now on it is
up to the OPA to guide the industry
In such manner that it will not
have any black market activities in
It," Mr.. Kranis' group claims an
affiliated membership of $4,000 re-
tailers and $500 independent slaugh-
terers in eight Atlantic seaboard
States.
James E. Elliott, vice president of
the Retail Meat Dealers ASsocia-
ton, argued restoration of controls
lis an open invitation to crossroads
slaughterers to re-enter business,
simply because there are not enough
policemen in the world to keep them
down when opportunity comes"
j. E. Mcdonald, Texas commits
sioner Of agriculture, said it looks
like it would be pretty hard to en-
force ceilings on meat when there
are no ceilings on feed"
Leo Goodman, secretary of the
CLIO Cost of Living Committee, |
agreed.
In similar vein. Senator Wherry. |
Republican, of Nebraska, among
the first lawmakers to comment, |
said ito control meat and leave |
grain decontrolled will produce
chaos and confusion not yet ex-
perienced in this country. - 1t |
will CRY up our meat supply"
Other Comment From Hill.
Other congressional comment:
Representative Gossett, Democrat,
Of Texas-"There is no rhyme or
reason for price control of meat, of
which there is surplus"
Representative Miller, Republican,
OF Nebraska-"A foul blow was dealt |
the meat industry" The meat order
gives the black market boys a |
TRANSMISSION with a hypodermic of
adrenalin."
Representative Wolcott, Repub- |
lican, of Michigan We may
expect increased shortages from now
on or increased prices"
Senator ODaniel, Democrat, of
Texas-"Black marketeers will now
do a flourishing business while
housewives will soon again gaze at
empty meat counters.
Representative Wadsworth, Re
publican, of New York-"tI am glad
they kept dairy products and grain
free from controls, but sorry that
the same treatment was not given
livestock and meats"