Evening star., 1946-07-28
Board Named
By Truman for
Price Decontro|
New Orleans Banker
HeodsGroupInc
Bell and Ohioun

President Truman yesterday
named the members of the De-
control Board which will have
the final say on what items shall
be subject to price Ceilings under
the new price control act.
The President sent to the Senate
the nominations of the following
men for the three sl2,000-a-year
posts:
Roy L. Thompson. president of
the Federal Land Bank of New
Orleans since 1888, designated as
chairman.
Daniel w. Bell, veteran Govern
ment official and one-time acting
budget director, who resigned as
Undersecretary of the Treasury to
become president of the American
Security & Trust Co.
George H. Mead, chairman of the
Mead Pulp e. Paper Co., Dayton,
Ohio, and former industry member
of the War Labor Board.
Will Rule on Meat, Dairy Products.
These men, subject to Senate con-
flrmation. will form the high court
Of the law of supply and demand,
releasing products from price con-
troll as fast as adequate supplies
become available.
The Decontrol Boards first task
will be to determine whether meat
dairy products and the other items
conditionally exempt from ceilings
shall continue free of controls after
August 90
The nominations reached the
Senate near the end of yesterdays
session with few members in at
tendance. The Senate Banking
Committee, to which the nomina-
tions were referred, called a meet
ing for tomorrow morning to decide
whether hearings will be held
No signs of opposition to the nom
nations were apparent. Senator
Taft, Republican, of Ohio, and Sem
ataor Tobey, Republican, of New
Hampshire, who played leading
roles in the long struggle over the
continuation of price controls, were
not present.
Bell Appointment Praised.
Senator Whery, Republican, of
Nebraska, a leader in the fight
~,
dairy products, said Mr.. Bell was
the only one of the three he knew
and that his appointment was
good one.
Senator Hill of Alabama, Demo-
cratic whip, who has been a leader |
in the administration effort to OBJ
tain a strong price control bill. said
the nomination of Mr.. Bell was
fine one. He said that from what
he had heard of Mr.. Thompson, it
was good nomination also.
Senator Hawkes., Republican, of
New Jersey. said he thought all
three are New Dealish."
In New Orleans, Mr.. Thompson
was quoted by the Associated Press
as saying, Its all news to me.
Frankly, I've got to get better ac-
quainted with the OPA.''
He said that several days ago he
was asked about working on the
board" and said he replied that I'D
be glad to render any service
could"
Will Retain Presidency.
Mr.. Thompson said he expected
to retain the presidency of the Fed
eral Land Bank.
LAS I understand it." he said, "the
position should not require my full
time. I believe I can carry both
positions, going to Washington
whenever it is necessary to carry out
the work of the Price Decontrol
Board"
In Dayton Mr.. Mead told the As
sociated Press last night that the
appointment came as complete
surprise" to him. He would not
commit himself Immediately on ac-
ceptance. Mr.. Mead, a Republican
said he had not received a message
from the President
Mr.. Truman promised in his mes
sage to Congress after signing the
bill Thursday that the board men,
bers would be men in whose iudg-
ment and fairness the Congress and
the country will have complete con-
f1dence." He told his news confer
ence the same day that he aimed
at an unpacked jury.
Mr.. Bell said last night that while |
any meeting OF the three awaited
Senate confirmation, I'VE had bet
ter meet soon if we are going to
make determinations by August 20.