Evening star., 1942-12-29

10 call 1t. Another merchant re-
marked gloomily that there weren't
going to be any real runs on food
stuffS because the hoarders had
stocked up long ago until their
cupboards were bulging and there
wasn't any more room under the
bed to stow their ill-gotten gains.
So maybe we were too pleased
with the first reports Of this morn
ing's activities. And we did hear Of
a number of wholesalers who had
been approached by private con-
sumers who wanted cases of things
sent to them Immediately. That
isn't pretty, either. And the top
commentary Of all is that the only
real attempts at stocking up were
seen in the wealthier sections of
the city-thereby again proving the
case for rationing, so that those
with time and money to do so can
not buy up supplies that will be
needed later for every one.
This rationing is something that
is going to put a stop to all this
flnagling, we earnestly hope. We
only wish 1t could have been done
sooner, on greater volume of foods,
and we wish it could have been
started with less warning to the
public. Such an advance notice is
simply an engraved invitation to the
selfish individuals-whoh have shown
by their past behavior that honor
system is just so much print to
them. It's too bad. We're all In
this war together. our boys are
fighting to keep this country for
the hoarders as well as the patriots,
and 1t doesn't seem fair. Why must
there always be a minority that low
ers the efficiency and staying power
Of the whole team?
I don't hold with tattling on ones
neighbor. That's too suggestive of
methods employed by the Nazis. But
why can't silent disapproval be
brought to bear? Why, when some
one gurgles that they have managed
to stock up on few cans of this
or a pound or two of that, can't
the listener show in no uncertain
terms his or her disgust and con-
tempt? If we don't let these CHS
elers think they are smart, if we
express our scorn for such miser-
able and selfish tactics, maybe we
can shame them into refraining
from obstructing the war effort. I
say, maybe. It's hard to prick a
conscience that is armored in self
love.
Now. just word about what you
may be able to find in our some
what battered stores and markets
for your New Year dinner. Some
merchants had geese and duck or
dered for the traditional feast-but
clamoring customers bought them
out at Christmas time We have no
definite dope as yet on whether or
not new shipments will arrive in
time for Friday-so we suggest you
watch the advertisements for the
last-minute news. If we get word
of such supplies. we'll run recipes
for cooking ducks and geese on this
page tomorrow
In fact, it is hard to say what you
can expect to find. 1t is really a
matter of catch as catch cam
and shopping with an open mind
There's no point in heading for
market with a fixed menu in view
you'll Just find it all changed by
the time you get home with your
purchases. There should be plenty
of lamb and pork available, and
chickens, although the last men,
toned are bit scarce.
Fruits and vegetables are higher,
in the produce markets, and you
will have to shop very carefully if
you wish to be economical. String
beans have gone up, along with
tomatoes, lettuce, celery and peas.
Greens, broccoli, cabbage and Jeru-
salem artichokes stay about the
same as last week, as do the root
vegetables, which are the least ex-
pensive. Potatoes and onions, under
ceiling prices, are unchanged, and
you will find lima beans are a little
less than they have been.
The reason for this is that Wash
ington housewives are more used to
buying their lima beans after they
have been shelled-now, with labor
as scarce as it is, this service has
been discontinued. and the price on
the beans in the pod lowered ac-
cordingly.
Strawberries are a little cheaper
than last week. grapefruit remains
the same, but oranges are up some
what. Apples stay steady and good.
Tangerines have been unusually
fine. We suggest that while oranges
stay high you use grapefruit as
much as you can in place of them.
We should see drop when oranges
become the Victory Food Special on
January 7. We hope so, anyway |!