The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-10-21

again, and tomorrow in Lon afford to pay the price will eat steak or roast from illegally ulOughtered beef.
 That is only one instance of the markets operations, which despite all official efforts constitute one of tho greatest threats to Britain's wartime rationing system and which has been only partly offset by lend- 1eNne food now arriving from Amer 4ea. Yt deals in food, clothing, Mhlskey, wines--almost any com &nodtty for which there are customers who want more than the regular channels provide.
 According to official figures, every person in Britain should receive ewo eggs during October. But any American correspondent can have an egg with bacon every morning provided he pays about $l.9O for beeskfast.
 Serious Problem
 The ministry of food admits It Sg a serious problem. It would like Co see offenders given severe prison sentences instead of fines, which is tho usual practice. What good does Ak do Co fine an offender 100 pounds aE he has profited 15o by the otfense," Nne official asked.
 The ministry has frightened up distribution, licensed wholesalers and put out inspectors, but the net-up still has plenty of loopholes. These holes the ministry is attempt &g Co plug up as speedily as possible.
 Only . few foods actually are ra- tioned. They include meat, bacon, butter, lard, margarine, cooking Gats. preserves, tea, sugar, and cheese. Legally they can be purchaS- cd only with ration books.
 Some foods, such as eggs and onions, are "allocated" which means Ahat Q person must register at one shop for them. Milk is distributed under e separate plan under which expectart mothers and children un- der six are guaranteed a pint o day, children between six and IS has pint and invalids in hospitals an s'adequate" amount.
 All other foods are "rationed" only by supply shortages-that Is, as far as the working class Briton Is concerned. A well-to-do Londoner told this correspondent, My family nevev uses @ ration card. We don't need to because we can get anything we want without 1t and as much as We want"-thanks to the Black Mar. ket.
 American Food Helps
 To the Briton who can't afford to trade on the Black Market, the naggest help has been American food which now is reaching Britain in considerable quantities under the the lease-lend act.
 The ministry of food has placed maximum prices on all foods impor- ted from the United States and they sell here for little more than back there. However. the quality of Amer acan food products available here as not as high as in the United states.
 The main American products re- eeived here are condensed milk, cheese, eggs and bacon. Condensed milk sells for about IS cents for 0 "A 1-3 ounce tin, "store" cheese for about 90 cents 6 pound, eggs-and many of them are of doubtful" quality by the time they get here for about 50 cents a dozen, and bacon--most of 1t what Americans etreaks of lean-for about 30 cents . pound.
 Slow Down Jumps
 Unlike its experience with the ssDlack Market" the ministry of food with its maximum price system has achieved marked success in slowing spiraling food and living costs. Using July, i94l, figures as 100 per cent, the cost of food during September, 1Doe. was 138, for September, lo40, and September, 104l, 166.