Show National Buying Splurge Growing shortages of domestic supplies possibility of continued soaring prices abnormal y high profits from which few 1 the forecast for the next few months if the ne type of American the continues his current With the initial announcement that American forces would come to the aid of embattled other rushed to their local stores and in a sweeping display of loyalty ana consideration purchased canned meats ana shortening and Other heroic defenders of the home front descended on department of stores to garner available supplies denim cotton yard goods and electric Tires ana other rubber supplies quickly vanished from the All these conditions in spite 01 f assurances that there is a plentitude of all that the Only shortages are temporary and caused by As a result of the intemperance of the buying crusade Salt Lake department store sales jumped 51 per cent over a year according to reports of the federal reserve bank of San Since prior to the Korean incident the level of sales had been practically equal to that of only one answer is The real tragedy of the situation lies in the realization that these reckless expenditures by selfish irresponsible flutter-brains damage any mobilization effort by increasing ultimately costs of all by preventing many families from securing their urgent and by preparing the nation for a period of spiraling inflation should the international situation become more In recognition of the critical strain caused by hoarders on American Guy M. chairman of the Senate agricultural committee on utilization of farm has warned that government price control and rationing be necessary unless scare-buying is stop The senator pointed out that certain b 31 ness interests have added to the buying example would be the radio announced by one local tire dealer urging potential CUst mers to buy tires before his stock was comp And if controls were who complain Who would object most to the danger to American free Who would be the first to resort to the market in an attempt to the ration Why it would be these same these same exploiters of any the ones who caused the shortages and in the first If government controls are to be avoided the only realistic solution lies in restraint practiced by businesses local store has already announced that lay-away purchases of scarce items have been and radio advertisements with that shortages are acute must be And there is not better means of securing this condition than through pressures exerted by business organizations on their own Channeling the power of public opinion in 3 concerted attack on the hoarders will be helpful But unhappily public castigations need if they are to be a limitation on reckless buying could be attained by recording purchases of scarce commodities and then publicly announcing those who buy excessive Such a course is distasteful to most Americans and in addition would be But perhaps the threat of action would be all that was necessary to bring Americans to their At least the measure is worth Barbara |