Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-09-13
Pharmaceutical Prices


To the Editor Of The Star:
The latest merry go-round spiral of price
rises in the drug field by the various manu-
facturers Is going too far indeed.
The usual excuse for the rise which the mail
man brings daily is by now common and stereo-
typed The excuse given of higher cost of raw
materials and labor" sounds too silly by now
In view of the fact that these same manufacture
ers show a greater profit than ever before.
The various promises given by N. A. M. in
holding the line" was never sincere and by
now the motives and greed are clearly visible
We pharmacists are confronted with very
serious situation We are to face the public in
a guilty manner, offering apologies and ex-
plantations for the rise in price of an item,
which excuses are not at all impressive. Most
customers resent the sudden price change and
became very indignant The goodwill created
by us with the public vanishes for no good
reason. Actually the fault does not originate
with the retailer at all. That is why the So
called well publicized "Newberry plan" failed
It was sponsored by the retailer only with
out the manufacturers cooperation.
T believe, however, that the time is ripe for
the retailers in united and concerted action to
stop this vicious circle and cycle of unwarranted
price rises. Bearing in mind that the manu-
ldCtuIClS uCFCAlo oRoAA SAAS ASSoASAo AVA
distribution of their commodities, the retailers
can and should refuse to accept these price
changes by not buying those items at all. We
are to educate the public by sponsoring less
known brands on which prices have not
changed We can adopt other methods, where
by the manufacturers would not jeopardize
their we'll advertised products with the buying
public They, the manufacturers, would then
think twice before deciding on a price rise.
HERMAN MORTON.
Sees MISGUIDED Humor in Cartoon
To the Editor Of The Star:
What happened to Mr.. Bergman on the
evening of Saturday. September 6? For many
years the master cartoonist of The Star has
been looked to by the readers of this newspaper
as one whose wit never failed to interpret &C
curately and shrewdly the news of the day and
who could be counted on unhesitatingly to use
his satirical genius and influence in cham
pioning just or necessary cause.
Now-with Europe and the whole world hop
ing for and relying on widespread, approving
support and the successful working of the Mar
shall plan-Mr. Bergman, In series OF four
brief and graphic cartoons, has not only given
those who oppose American aid to Europe
very disable piece Of propaganda, but seems to
me to have aimed vicious blow at the basic
principle of the Marshall plan-that of Chris
tian brotherhood.
When every means is so desperately needed
for the support Of about American relief to
stricken European countries and at time when
any adverse propaganda is SO dangerously de-
laying it is incredible that a man like Mr.. Berry,
man should so disappoint those who depend on
him for intelligent, constructive criticism and
Interpretation of the facts. I hope the results
Of his misguided humor viii not be so de-
plorable as they threaten to be.
L. CRAWFORD.