Milford chronicle., 1949-12-30

AnALA OeAHt aARAk "~@A"H
press their support Of A. & P.
Groups ranging from small far
mers in rural areas TO nationwide
enterprises such as the trucking In
dustry have expressed concern ov-
er the Justice Departments action
against q company they consider
a model Of American business
More than the future Of A. & P.
is at stake. according to the be-
liefs expressed by many groups
in their resolutions.
The resolutions showed there
was 8 growing concern among AM
orleans that the government may be
moving toward q revision Of tradi-
tional standards Of competition un-
der the guise Of acting against
monopolies.
This concern was reelected IN the
action Of the American Farm Bu-
reau Federation at its national COM
vention IN Chicago
Representing the heads Of some
1.350,OOO farm families, the FEEDER
alton said IN its recent resolution
that It is essential to .dinerentiate
between vigorous" competition
and "actual" monopoly power.
Americas biggest farm group
did not specifically mention A. &
p. in its resolution. But the reso-
luton dealt with basic points at
issue between the government and
the food chain.
The Federation said It favored
strict enforcement Of monopoly
laws but did not agree with Inter
pretations which apparently are be-
ing given to these laws in certain
recent cases and administrative
ruling"
eTn this highly controversial
field" the resolution continued, "it
is important that distinction be
made between conditions rejecting
the effects of vigorous competitive
actions and actual monopoly pow
er. Size and area Of activity are not
necessarily indications Of mono
poly"
Regulations should not be used
to eliminate the possibility Of inte-
grated systems that are efficient
and competitive. Such systems
have the possibility of bringing
about a badly-needed reduction in
the margins that now exist be.
tween the producers and cOnsum'
ers of many items"
On similar grounds, the Fedora
ton opposed the governments cad
ministrative interpretations Of the
RobinsOn-Patman Act" These in.
terpretatiOns Of the act, which lin
it the use Of quantity discounts
interfere with the freedom Of com
petition between normal channels
Of distribution" the resolution
said.
Likewise, the Federation said,
twill support legislation to repea
the MilIer-T -Tydings Act" dealin
with retail price maintenance.
The survey of a mounting tide G
resolutions showed the America
people. are worried oyer what wi
happen II the government chops 4
& P. into little pieces and make
it incapable Of continuing its pol
icy of buying In heavy volume an
retailing at a small profit.
Resolutions and stands support
ing A. & p. embraced such organ
ized groups as unions, chambers {
commerce, farm bureaus, farmers
poultry raisers, egg producer
fruit growers, Gamers, packer
professors, distributors, supplier
truckers, fishermen and house
wives.
Here are a. few Of the fears el
pressed by these groups as to tn
effect dismembeFment of A. &
would have on the national ecoI
omy.
1. Enlarged powers for govern
ment officials to control America
business to the detriment of Il
free-enterprise system.
2. Higher food prices and a loy
er standard Of living for the col
sumer.
3. Increased expenses and small
er profits for producers now doi1
business with A. & p.
4. Slower and cOstlier methods
food distribution.
5. Duplication Of marketing, sail
promotion and advertising pr
grams at increased costs all aloT
the line.
6. Curtailment of experiment
ton and pioneering in packagiI
and processing Of food.
Several chambers Of CONNER
we're among those who believed tn
the government was moving in
direction which threatened esta
lished business methods in L
United States.