Evening star., 1946-09-14
Letters to The Star
How Fixed Lumber Prices
Hurt Free Enterprise

Az thc 1uAtoi oi Inc otSE-
David Lawrence's articles on the
lumber situation in the United States
and in particular as they concern South
ern lumber retailers have been very
interesting
In 1884 while a student at the Uni
versity of Florida I assisted in the con-
DUCT Of an extensive cost-of Living sur
vey in and around Jacksonville. One
OF my assignments was to obtain the
average retail price of lumber and build
ing materials In the conduct of this
assignment I priced lumber at practi-
cally every retail lumber dealer in the
city. Prices from Independent local
dealers, local chain retailers, State and
national chain dealers We're obtained
At every dealer the exact same price
for each grade and type of lumber was
given to me. Prices did not vary one
red cent regardless of where I went
Why? I did not know then. I know
now. Further investigation revealed that
prices were fixed. BY OPA? No. there
was no OPA in 1884. BY FERA? No.
FERA had no such function or author
lty. No, it was not the New Deal nor
any State or Federal bureau. 1t was
the local retail lumber dealers associa-
tlon. Those farsighted men realized
that the people of the fair city Of Jack
SonVllle must be protected from the
vicious law Of supply and demand.
Dealers told me, at that time, that
nrlcp fXinU -
cutthroat competition. 1t did prevent
competition. Whether or not cutthroat
was the only kind prevented may be
open to question, but doubt it.
AS consumer l am opposed to long
term price fixing. Unhampered, the law
OF supply and demand will protect the
consumer. However, it must be unham-
pered. Not only unhampered by the
OPA but also unhampered by the Ma
tlonal Association of Retail Lumber
Dealers and its local chapters.
1t is certainly agreed that OPA and Mr..
Wyatt have in many respects fumbled
the ball. What else can be expected?
Look at the strong line the other team
has-60 per cent of Congress. the Ma
Gonal Retail Lumber Dealers Associa-
ton, National Association of Manufac-
turers and David Lawrence.
Please, Mr.. Lawrence. continue to tell
the people of bureaucratic fumbles, but
please also tell them just a little about
now free enterprise is being sabots eed
by free enterprise.
MAI. HENRY H. FORD
Referendum on Policies Wanted
To the Editor of The Star:
With so much loose and offhand talk
about going to World War III. it might
be well to examine the situation to see
II there are alternatives to that way
OF making known the beliefs and prin-
ciples we in this country are asserting.
Most OF us want far greater tendency
to survive and implement the decisions
made! The immeasurably increased
pestllence, hunger and anarchy could
well finish off many left over from the
atomic onslaught: besides, push
button" war is far less glorious. IL
there ever was glory; and far too
handy.
A national referendum on our foreign
policy would show our unity, strength
and continuity of attitude. Who doubts
the outcome Of the submission of the
question of the continued occupation of
Germany and Japan, or the unification
and demilitarization of Germany? Or
whether thereby we would make known
our disapproval of giving a share of
Turkish waterway control to the Rus
sian military? Or whether we envisape
the opportunity of democratic processes
in Poland?
Inc resort to referendum would
strengthen the hand of the nepotiators
IN the United Nations and treatv-
making meetings reassure those who
view with misgiying Or doubt the pre-
Vlous statements of our policy exponents
and win friendship and cooperation
from among those nations that are
hesitant now. HOWARD BURSLEY
Disagrees With Admiral Halsev
To the Editor OF The Star:
Admiral Halsey's statement in vour
issue OF August %. "Nobodv's damn
business" seems to have gained quite a
lew admirers. but such utterances only
build for disagreement.
We have had enough war. The nrice
we have paid and will continue to pay
is proof
Inc crosses on the graves of our dead