The Wilmington morning star., 1947-10-26

A 20 level, TIC liltCl G1OAlol ollOS 10.
tct Louis, n of the worlds larg-
~ announced a general price in
1oase (Which will hit the retail mar
lot about January u boosting chill
drsn's footwear about IS cents a pair
md mems about 95 cents.
housewives are reported stocking
soo on commodities either in prepare
inn for new price rises or in anticipa-
,ion of shortages in specific lines later
M There was g run, for instance, on
ratail sugar Immediately preceding a
government announcement that it
Sould pay higher prices to Cuban
nroducers for the new crop.
The White Collar Lament
Virtually every price change during
the week was up, increasing the vari-
ous induces that sum up the total cost
of living. Since every rise shrinks still
further the purchasing power of the
consumers dollar (now worth slightly
more than half its 1926 value) the
wall of the white collar worker and
his mate gathered volume.
The Labor Department in Washing
ton reported city living costs in mid
August were higher than ever before
and said they probably are higher this
week than at that time.
Food isn't the only item. Crude oil
went up 20 cents a barrel and steel
scrap advanced at Boston, New York,
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. 1t is only
q matter of time before these in
ereases are translated into higher
gasoline, fuel oil and finished steel
prices.
Weekly earnings in manufacturing
plants hit an all-time peak of $50.42
in September, more than double the
figure of prewar 1889, according to the
Bureau Of Labor Statistics. A Bureau
chart showed that by comparing dol
lar values, however, it represented
only a 80 per cent hike in actual
earnings.
In the field of housing, the Bureau
reported $4,000 new dwellings were
started in September-a 20-year rec
ord. Total construction, which in
eludes factories, Office and public
buildings and roads, is not up to the
1920 level or up to the marks set
during the a
The Krug Report
a report from Secretary of the In
terror Julius A. Krug, released by the
White House, stated emphatically that
the United States will be able to de-
liver the goods for a 20 billion dollar
aid program under the Marshall plan
without impairing American re-
sources.
Some shortages will result but it is
impossible, Krug maintained, to make
a case that the aid program will have
a serious impact upon American
economy.
From the standpoint of a day-to-
day DRAIN" he said, "the export pro-
gram is just not consequential"
Congressional leaders were sum-
moned to the White House later in
the week. Under discussion was a
new formula to obtain emergency aid
for Europe without a special session
Of Congress.
Sen. Claude Pepper (D.-Fla.), who
does not always reflect the majority
viewpoint among his Democratic col
leagues, called the Krug report
"timid."
That is only nibbling along at the
Job of winning the people," Pepper
declared. "The obvious fact is that we
cannot afford not to help Europe and
the rest of the world and that it is
going to require some American sac
rlhce to get the job done"
Republicans Want More Data
Republicans generally adopted a
IetS-hear-more attitude and indicated
the Krug report, as well as others to
be filed later, would get a thorough
golng-over by Congress.
Another survey committee, headed
by Secretary Of Commerce W. Averell
Hartman, may recommend that the
Administration ask Congress for a
single years appropriation without
setting any final cost figures on the
Marshall plan.
Still another report on foreign aid
rs being prepared for Mr.. Truman by
MS Council of Economic Advisers,
headed by Edwin G.. Nourse.