Evening star., 1951-01-25
Area Milk Prices
May Be Subject
lou. ). RoI|back
StobiIizers Studying
Jurisdiction Angle
After Surprise Rise

The Economic Sterilization
Agency said today it is studying
the question of jurisdiction over
increased milk prices in the WASH
ington area when price rollbacks
are ordered.
Milk and cream prices were
raised here and in parts of Mary
land after the Virginia Milk Com
mission authorized a surprise in
crease in that State.
An ESA spokesman said officials
are interested in the local milk
situation and are examining pro-
visions Of the Controls Act which
may have application for a roll
back. The question hinges on the
price parity provisions. it was said.
ESA lacks control if prices are
below parity.
900 of Parity Last Month.
At the Agriculture Department
it was pointed out that the ma
tional average for whole milk at
the producer level was about 80
per cent of parity on December
Is. The January IS price will be
announced next week.
In Virginia, meanwhile, State
Senator Charles r. Fenwick Of
Arlington, implied the Milk Com
mission members may have made
up their minds to increase milk
prices even before holding public
hearing on the matter.
The increase, unrequested either
by producers or dairies. became
effective Sunday. At the hear
ing, they had asked only that
existing prices be continued be-
yond April /. when a seasonal
drop normally occurs. Distribu-
tors had asked higher cream
prices, but said nothing about
milk.
Senator Fenwick led the Ar
lington delegation to the State
Legislature in calling for a recon-
sideration of the commission rul-
ing and the holding of a new
hearing. Acting Commission Chair
man V. P. Randolph, jr., replied
to Senator Fenwick yesterday.
Letter Made Public.
His letter. made public by the
Senator. said, in part:
II realize any price change up
ward is an unpopular thing to do,
with the public as whole. The
increase we granted followed the
pattern as set by the commission
in all its recent hearings within
/ the past two months in which the
uncontroverted evidence and re-
search by impartial V. P. I. ex-
perts virginia Polytechnic In
stitute economists at the request
OF the commission has shown a
substantial increase in the cost Of
producing and distributing milk"
I Senator Fenwick, commenting
on this section of the letter. said:
What is the use of holding a
hearing if they have already made
up their minds"
He said he did not receive the
impression that the commission
was contemplating changes in the
whole milk price structure.
No Consumer Witnesses.
II am satisfied that, if the pub
lie knew this. there would have
been some consumer representa-
ton at the hearing" he added.
The hearing, held in Alexandria.
drew no consumer witnesses.
Senator Fenwick said that "it
seems rather remarkable that in
creases were granted when ap-
parently no one requested higher
milk prices
Mr.. Randolph, in his letter. ex-
planned that legal notice was
published "in a number of news
papers several times in which the
entire pricing in that market was
expressly opened up"
The official made no mention Of
any plans to reconsider the de-
cision or to hold new hearing.
Senator FenWick observed: II
intend the pursue the matter fur
ther through the Office OF Gov
ernor Battle"