U.S. At War: Rationing Comes of Age

The first notable victory over the rationing problem was scored this week: the Office of Price Administration put shoes on a coupon basis (three pairs—or less—a year*) with a minimum of fuss. For the first time, OPA drew up the order in secret, mailed out instructions to local boards on Saturday night, announced the rationing on Sunday afternoon—effective at once. In Manhattan, gossipy Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia let the secret out prematurely and helped start a run on East Side stores, which remain open Sundays. Elsewhere U.S. citizens were given neither urge nor time for frantic hoarding. Only confusion was a crop of rumors of impending rationing of all clothes—which is not even under consideration now.

Other rationing notes of the week:

> When meat rationing starts April 1, each civilian will get not quite 2 lb. a week, according to newest unofficial Washington estimates.

> Best new guess on the butter ration, due about May, was 13 lb. a year (¼ lb. a week), compared with normal peacetime consumption of 16 lb.

> Because of reduced inventories and military requirements, one pound of coffee must now be stretched from five to six weeks (three-fourths cup a day).