THE FREEZE: Little Brothers Are Watching

If the wage and price freeze has done anything for the American character, it has unleashed a streak of latent vigilantism. Righteous consumers are scouring supermarkets, restaurants and even football stadiums for evidence of violations of the freeze.

In Washington, D.C., the Consumer Federation of America is setting up a "retail employees price watch" to encourage reticent clerks, buyers and checkers to blow the whistle—anonymously—on companies that surreptitiously boost prices. Mark Frederiksen, one of Ralph Nader's consumer watch-birds, is feeding the pre-and post-freeze price lists of 77 Washington-area stores into a computer. The print-outs will be turned over to consumer groups...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!