Evening star., 1947-10-07
Truman Commended
For Accepting 1aft's
Eat-Less' Program
Hesitation Due in Part
To Peoples Skeptieism
On Reports From Europe
Bv David Laurence

President Truman has finally
come out with an "eat-less" pro-
gram. He Is to be commended for
his courage because it took lot OF
stamina to accept anything that Re-
publican Senator Robert Taft, OF
Ohio, had already advocated
Promptly Senator Flanders, Of Ver-
mont, calls 1t the Bipartisan ap-
proach."
Tho President originally had ad-
vocated . "waste-less" program, but
now he has gone the full distance.
The American people are to be asked
and urged and pleaded with from
now on to conserve food. The
campaign will be based on the idea
that voluntary curtailment is prac-
ticable and can be made effective.
If. 1t isn't, then compulsory alloca-
tions or rationing may come, despite
all the handicaps foreseen for such
a method.
In a broad sense, some of the
Presidents hesitation can be under
stood. The American people are
skeptical about what they hear from
Europe. Rightly or wrongly, the
case has been presented in frag-
mentary form and with considerable
controversy.
Likewise, the problem Of food re-
lief has been confused with the
problem Of industrial rehabilitation.
Also the problem of high prices at
home has been confused with the
cries Of profiteering, speculation and
blame for ending the OPA.
Frank Confession.
The facts have not been forth
rightly presented heretofore by the
administration, doubtless because
1t dislikes to make any political con-
eession. Mr.. Truman, however, now
has frankly confessed that all the
extraneous reasons had little to do
with the high prices OF food when
he says In his broadcast:
Exports have some effect upon
domestic prices Of grain, but they do
not exercise q controlling 1nf1uence
upon food prices. Most Of the up
ward pressure on prices is q result
of competition among Americans for
scarce goods. The success OF our
food-saving program will help TO
reduce these inf1ationary pressures. ;"
This is an important admission.
It might well be read by the CIO
and the other pseudo economists
who blame industry or management
for all the price troubles of, the
country.
1t might also be read by those
who are advocating = return OF
price control. When articles OF
necessity are scarce, price control
brings "black markets" and boot
Logging" The only practicable way
to avoid this Is to increase produc-
ton to the point where supply and
demand are in balance. Price con-
troll can't do it.
The objective, however, can be at
tanned temporarily by reducing con-
sumption. Operated on = bipar-
tisan basis, the plan to conserve
food should succeed. Prices can be
diminished If consumption Is re-
duced. or rather II American con-
sumption is tapered OIL so that the
needs of the world can be salts
fed by better distribution.
Important to America.
The voluntary program Is OF the
utmost Importance to America De
cause it Is q means OF avoiding
starvation abroad where uncertain
political conditions can be aggra-
waited by famine.
There will be some persons who
will not wish to gave food Just to
help Europe. But they certainly can
be reached with an appeal to help
keep prices down and to prevent
further infiationary trends.
Certainly businessmen who do not
want to see another spiral OF wage
increases that could upset their
price structures will wish to CO.
operate energetically on q food
conservation program that Will
bring down the cost Of living or at
least keep it from going higher.
There are persuasive reasons OF q
domestic nature which call for a
nationwide campaign to save food,
but it will be necessary for both
political parties to take the subject
out Of their campaign polemics II
the whole country is to get back OF
the program. With an appeal to
hold prices down at home and to
feed starving peoples abroad lest
they become victims of communistic
opportunism. there is every reason
why the food-conservation effort
should promptly bring results even
beyond the announced schedules Of
saving Of grain.
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