The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-01
FRENCH RATION
BLOW At CAKE
New Regulations Aim to Reduce It's
Consumption by WeIl-to-do
Classes. .

Paris. Jan. 2S.-Since the first of
the year, when the drastic enforce
ment Of the bread regulation went
into effect. Paris has begun to fel the
effects of the most serious attempt to
ration the French people that the gov-
ernnent has taken. Beginning De-
cember 20 restaurants, tea shops and
cake shops were ordered to obey the
new orders which apply to business.
These regulations are intended to re-
duce the consumption og cakes and
bread by the well-to-do Glasses, so that
the supply of grain will lie conserved
for the making OF bread for the
masses. To accomplish this the fol-
lowing orders were issued:
In all restaurants persons who pay
more than 4 francs for q meal shall
only be served with 100 grammes
IS ia ounces) Of bread. Those pay
ing less than 4 francs for a meal shall
receive not more than 200 grammes
g 2-3 ouuCes).
No cakes containing any material
that can be used in the making of
ordinary bread shall be baked or sold.
No cakes or pastry shall be eaten
on the premises where made or pur-
chased.
Tea shops and restaurants shall not
make or sell cakes or pastry OF any
kind
Effect of Regulations.
The effect of these regulations is
that persons fond of cake with their
tea may buy them at one shop, then
go to the tea shop. where they get
their liquid refreshment. Some Of the
prominent tea places in their endeav-
or to retain their trade nave announced
that cutoners may even bring their
bread with them. which will be toasted
the house charging only for the tea.
coffee or chocolate communicate
these being served without milk.
No one who has not lived in France
has any idea of the part bread and
cheese play in the feeding OF the
French people. The reduction of the
meat allowance during the spring and
summer was accepted without any pro-
tests. but TO cut down the daily con-
sumption of bread is a more serious
matter,
To accomplish this economy and yet
not restrict too heavily the principal
source OF nourishment OF the working
classes the government waa compelled
to adopt a schedule of rationing
based upon the nature of the individ-
ual's occupation and means
The first division is composed of;
Workers employed In heavy manual
labor. including farm lAborers other
than those fed on the products of the
farm where they are employed. and
very poor persons will be rationed as
follows:
Male more than sixteen years of AGE.
600 grarnmes of bread a Sayi about
one pound. three and one-third ounces
Females more than sixteen years OF
age. 500 grsnmes OF bread n day,
boz one pound.
The Second division composed OF
workers employed in light labor. per
sons in moderate circumstances and
those employed in offices. department
stores, shops. certain trades. profess
sional men will be rationed as fol-
lows:
Males more than sixteen years of
age. 400 zranmes OF bread a day:
about thirteen ounces
Females more than sixteen years OF
age. 400 grerlmes OF bread a day; about
ten ounces.
The Third Division.
The third division comprises all
those who do not come under either
the drst or second classification and
includes all children under sixteen
years OF age. all persons without oc-
equations, all old non-producers, IN
GLIDING the idle rich and the thous-
amos OF women ana men VINO nave DSSn
thronging the tea shops and restau-
rants afternoons and evenings devour-
ing the most expensive food without
regard to price or quality.
1t is this last class that the new
regulations affecting restaurants "
cake shops are aimed at particularly.
All persons in the third division will
receive a daily ration of 400 grammes
of bread: about six and two-thirds
ounces.
The ~rationing will be controlled by
OF bread cards. The regula-
lions drawn up by the French min
lister of agriculture provide h a in
communes or aggiomerations of com-
munes OF more than 10000 fnhabi-
tants the projects are empowered 20
issue individual bread cards after
consultation with the municipal oun~
ellis. These cards are not transfer
able.
At the same time as h card n
communal once will distribute to
vi one or more books of tick
cts containing as many tickets for
100 nal as are allowed in tho
monthly bread ration. These books