Evening star., 1946-05-29
District Bakers
Allowed toCut
'Loaves 10Pct.
Commissioners Agree
To U. S. Order; Strike
Threat Postponed

The Commissioners today issued
an order permitting District bakers
to comply with Government regula-
tions reducing bread weight by 10
per cent by ruling that such COM
pliance Shall not be considered
violation" of the District bread
weight law.
On advice of Corporation Counsel
Vernon E. West, the Commissioners
issued the order to J. Thomas Ken
nedy, superintendent of weights,
measures and markets. Under the
present law enacted in 1921, bread
must be baked in loaves of a half
pound, one pound, pound and a
half or any multiple of a pound
Today's action means Mr.. Ken
nedy will not prosecute under the
terms OF the bread weight section
OF this legislation during the emer-
gency period covered by the order
issued by the Department of Agri-
culture Monday night.
United States Order Put First.
The Commissioners explained that
they felt the Government order
issued under the War Powers Act
must supersede the present legis-
latlon temporarily. but they made
1t clear that their action did not
lnvalidate any other parts of the
law.
The Government order calling for
10 per cent reduction in bread
weights is another in a series de-
signed to make more grain available
for famine relief. 1t was directed
at eight States and the District,
where existing law interfered with
compliance in the weight reduction.
The order further provided that
any baker who because of eouip-
ment difficulties could not comply,
is exempted if he informs the de-
partment by June 10 and presents
his reasons. The 10 per cent cut in
weight will not result in price re-
duction, since OPA has already au-
thorlzed bakers to sell the smaller
loaf without an equivalent price
reduction.
Strike Decision Delayed.
Meanwhile, action on a threatened
strike of 1000 bakery workers in the
District area which might affect as
many as 40 bakeries will be deferred
until the end of the week Charles B.
McClosky, business agent of bakers
local union No. lib, indicated today.
Before holding meeting with the
unions Executive Board at an un-
disclosed location Mr.. McClosky
said that a conference would be
held Saturday morning between
members of the Executive Board
and the bakery employers and that
regular meeting of the union
would be held at pm. Saturday bv
the bakery workers in Building
Laborers' Hall, 525 New Jersey ave-
nue. NV.
The union business agent said
bakery workers from the District
area would carry their problems
before the Senate Small Business
Committee Monday afternoon
Aim of the threatening strike.
union officials indicated was to
Aoeuo dItelltlol on an extreme
shortage" of -four in this area.
Andrew W. Myrup, research d.
rector for the AFL Bakery and Con-
fectionery Workers International
Union OF America said that bakery
workers seek ito get the full amount
.of flour to which bakery owners
are entitled under a recent order
limiting consumption of -four this
year to IS per cent of 1e45 pro-
duction.
Earlier, Mr.. McCloskey said local
bakeries were receiving right now
less than Is per cent of As consump-
ton because of a -four shortage.
and that there was mo present
relief in sight"