Show If tf sp iO n I I 1 By Joseph H. Roberts II U now fj I U I I I U I I r I don t know how other consumers feel about but for believe we are getting more tender loving care from the federal protectors than we need or can I feel like the overly protected child who cried out in ex- I'd rather do it Maybe I'm not the smartest shopper to come over the but I think I know enough not to be taken in by every huckster's spiel along that gaudy midway we call American I don t want the government to ride forth like a white knight clearing my way so I won t be gulled by hustlers who speak with glib I prefer a free market place where is the watchword and I have to depend upon my own common sense to guide Naturally I don't object to the govern- ment caretakers banning products or requiring warning labels on packages when there is good evidence the pre- ducts are They have the labs and can test things I If Grandma s Cold Remedy contains it should be taken off the counters If Somebody s Spring Tome is 50 it should be so I have no quarrel with the government on this score What I object to is the government's shift from concern for our safety to con- cern for our A case in point recent ruline ruling against the me American Home Products makers maKers oi of I i oon don't i own own a a share snare stock in that as far as j never taken an Anacin in mv life- but I resent the the for what it called the claims for Anacin were extravagant since they could not be The company did spread the old schmaltz pretty thick when it offered a simple headache remedy as a tension reliever that would enable cne cope with the ordinary stresses of everyday But no real harm was done dies from nervous and who maybe some poor souls beaten down by time and tides were helped by the promise of relief Even a placebo can work wonders if the patient believes it certainly the FTC did more than its duty to protect us in it challenged the company to prove its claims or stop making The pany responded by changing its Using and has not mentioned nervous tension some five years an ad- law judge for the has ruled the makers must correct false impression that may remain in the minds of In their next million of advertising year's they must is not a tension decision is allowed to it win establish a very dangerous prece- Government agencies may punish profit-making companies in our highly Competitive free enterprise by to advertise against caris 5 ta say about P but what has been approved by the f. Even if Hyun's decision is overturned hv the full commission there is still the insistence of the FTC that no claims be made for a that have not heen inis can en oris to increase i in advertising is an ideal every business should strive but it must be tempered with Not all qualities can be scientifically and much ha is imaginative and stimulating in advertising will be lost f the FTC ruling is strictly |