Evening star., 1946-04-22
Sets0ff
Loud Word Row
In Committee
Calls Agency Support
Hokum,' Then Finds
Self 'OverwheImed'
BY the Assoeiotsd Press

pr Hc SssoeioIeo F'eSS
Arthur Besse, president of the
National Association of Wool
Manufacturers, today called OPA
supporters guilty of "hokum" and
set off loud word row in the
Senate Banking Committee.
Testifying at the start of hearings
on legislation to extend price con-
troll beyond June 30. Mr.. Besse OBJ
served that administration leaders
wanted OPO extended without Grip
pling amendments" and called this
"hokum of the highest order"
Senator Tobey, Republican, Of
New Hampshire shouted for Mr..
Beese to steer clear of opinion.
Are you saying that anybody
who favors extension of OPA is
guilty of hokum?" asked Senator
Barkley, Democrat, of Kentucky.
Told by Mr.. Beese that was the case,
Senator Barkley roared:
Then I'm guilty of hokum. You
will have to improve your testimony
before I have any respect for it,"
Repartee Overwhelmed Witness.
Senator Tobey remarked he was
going to discount the Besse testi-
mony
We'll, I'm not discounting it."
Senator Capehart, Republican, of
Indiana declared. Senator Capehart
said Economic Stabilizer Bowles and
Price Administrator Porter had
called businessmen every sort of
name"
What is sauce for the goose Is
sauce for the gander," Senator Cape
hart summed up.
We'll, let's get on with the goose"
suggested Senator ,Barkley and Mr..
Besse resumed his testimony
little overwhelmed" he said.
Mr.. Besse said he called the ad-
ministration stand against crippling
amendments "hokum,' because OPA
is crippled by its own inefficiency,
stubbornness and lack of realism"
Mr.. Bowles and Mr.. Porter have
declared that amendments to the
price control law adopted by the
House would be inflationary. The
House changes, including a guaran-
teed profit clause and an a pro-
gressive end to subsidies, are before
the Senate.
Mass Meeting Hears Porter.
| Downtown, Mr. Porter addressed
mass meeting of 5000 OPA work.
ers today, declaring:
Il believe the opposition has
reached its high point. There is
widespread public support for con-
tlnued strong price control
Those who have appraised the
House bill objectively, including
some of our critics in Congress,
agree that the bill has got to be
readjusted."
Mr. Porter added that given "ade-
quate" legislation and favorable
circumstances" he was pretty con-
f1dent that We can hold the price
line just about where it is now"
Mr.. Porter haid that during the
present transition period, OPA has
three major responsibilities
l. To prevent imitation.
2. To see that price controls do
not hamper production.
3. To make speedy decisions" on
price adjustments.
! He expressed the opinion that
OPA now has completed the major
part of its postwar price adjust
mentS.
Besse Blames OPA.
Mr.. Besse told the Senate COM
mlttee that what administration
leaders are asking is that OPA be
continued ''as is" and allowed for
another year to cripple industry
and delay the attainment of higher
production levels"
The wool association chief said
OPA is still insisting on regulations
designed to enforce production of
low-priced clothes.
He said if it had not been for the
effect of these regulations on the
wool industry, there would have
been enough production in the last
six months for 100000 more mems
suits.
Mr.. Besse suggested the following
as worthy amendment:
whenever a new price regulation
is promulgated the price ad-
ministrator shall establish ceilings
which will *** provide prices which
will exceed prices prevailing in 1s4l
to the same extent that the cost of
producing exceeds the cost OF
producing such items in 194l."
Downey's Mail for OPA.
Before the committee session,
Senator Downey, Democrat, of Cali
fornia said OPA's chances in the
Senate may be considerably i'm
proved by mail from consumers
who don't like the way the House
treated the price-control agency.
My mail and kilograms are run
ming 20 or Is to in favor of con-
tinuing OPA without Gripping
amendments, Senator Downey said.
Il am satisfied from talks in Cali
fornia that the people are over
whelmingly for it, except for a few
businessmen
Noting that Senator's who want to
(See OPA, Page A-14J