The Nome Nugget

PROPHETS OF DISASTER REFUTED

The nation's foremost prophets of disaster, as former Governor Alfred M. Landon of Kansas observed in his recent speech, have been effectually refuted by the course of actual events since the sudden termination of the powers of the Office of Price Administration.

There has been a constant and violent campaign of propaganda in the country ever since the end of price controls "to instill fear in the minds of a people already bewildered by our discordant Democratic administration," Mr. Landon told the Young Republicans Club of Newton, Kansas.

Oddly enough, President Truman has spearheaded this campaign, although the price control system was killed by his own willful act, the congress having provided for its extension under restrictions that did not impair any of its useful powers but only suppressed its abuses.

The President has been strongly supported in his predictions of disaster by former Price Administrator Bowles, both giving dire warning to the country of the inflated costs of essential goods which would supposedly follow the removal of price controls.

Both the President and Mr. Bowles contended that restricted price control would be worse than no control at all, and that unless congress passed a price control act conforming to their dictation there would be chaos in the country.

However, there has now been a considerable interval of time without price control, in consequence of the President's arbitrary veto, and Mr. Landon remarks upon the very obvious inaccuracy of these gloomy predictions, which amounts to complete refutation.

"There is no evidence to support President Truman's and Mr. Bowles' predictions that unless total OPA was continued there would be chaos," said Mr. Landon.

"We are living once again a more normal American economic life, and the OPA discontinuation has not been the disaster predicted by administration spokesmen."

"Certainly events since the discontinuation of the OPA do not warrant a continuation of the stiff and arbitrary wartime control, either in the OPA, or other agencies, which the President is requesting."

The events of which Mr. Landon speaks certainly bear him out.

The principal commodity markets of the country, particularly meats and other basic foods, have become vigorously active since the end of price control.

There was a considerable upsurge of prices in the first few days of active trading.

But much of this represented nothing but absorption of the subsidies which had been paid out of taxes.

And the prices leveled off as soon as the markets were replenished.

So the American people have not been gouged by ruinously inflated prices as the President and Mr. Bowles said they would be, but instead have been relieved of burdensome subsidies and for the first time in a very long time are beginning to have an adequate supply of basic commodities which have hitherto been in short supply or not available at all.

In fact, the longer the country goes without price control the more abundant basic commodities become and the more reasonable prices become -and the less need there is for any price control at all.

In any event, congress should be adamant in its determination to restrict the Office of Price Administration-if it is revived --to absolutely essential and useful and reasonable functions, and to restrain it from the arrogant and unconstitutional powers it has heretofore exercised.

Continues on Page Seven the usurpation or abuse of power. And if the President will not accept and sign such a bill, but still insists upon having his own willful way or none, then congress should let the present natural course of events continue--and there is every prospect, as Mr. Landon suggests, that the country will thereby attain and enjoy a more normal American economic life."

(Seattle Post Intelligencer)