The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-01-20

on the market. .-...
Gasoline Is rationed In order to
save what there Is for the army.
Even the supplies Of charcoal and
carbide were rationed in November,
much to the digust Of the many
people who have converted their
cars, at great expense, into COAL
burners. 1t Is quite q shock to see
flame burning openly under what
used to be the gasoline tank OF a
converted Packard.
Electricity Now Rationed
Many people, having shivered in
Galley TWO-Galley Two .......
their partially heated apartments
last winter, invested in electric
heaters, hoping to avoid cold feet
again this winter. But the govern
ment, in November, decided to ra-
ton electricity for domestic uses
in order to increase the potential
electric power for industrial pur-
poses and save other types OF fuel.
However, those disappointed
people with cold feet can buy
plenty Of wool-lined and ersatz-
WOOL lined overshoes-if they have
the ration coupons. There also seems
to be a sufficient supply Of "long
wooden underwear" though the
American Red" styles are not
much in evidence. Most clothing and
shoes are raticned, but the quanti-
ties allowed are generous and stocks
are plentiful.
A potential cause OF social unrest
is the fact that wages during the
war years have increased only
third as much as have prices. But
unemployment is practically non
existent, due partially to the mo-
bilization of the army. Perhaps be-
cause the people have been work
ing hard to protect their land from
possible attacks, and their families
from possible hunger, there have
been no trikes this year, despite the
ever-increasing hardships Of life In
wartime. The Federal Council pass
ed a law, in September, providing
for compulsory collective agreements
between labor organizations and
employer organizations.
Two other potential causes of
trouble, the Communist and Nation
al Socialist parties, have been sup
pressed, though the movements
continue to exist and from time to
time distribute Illegal handbills.
Socialists Continue Criticism
The Socialist party. which in for
mer years was actively international
and anti-militarist, has periodically
RETAINED from over controversial
criticism Of the government since
the outbreak OF war. The "Inde-
pendents," Switzerland,s newest poll
teal party, continue to carry on
vehement campaign for social and
political reforms. However, the party
is still small and its policies mixed.
In an effort to counter act the
shortage Of foodstuffs, the govern
ment has instituted campaign to
increase agricultural production,
which has been fairly, though not
entirely, successful. The area OF
cultivated soil has been increased
about SO per cent since 1899. being
now some 667,OOO acres. It Is esti-
matCi that the nation must plant
at least twice that number of acres
in order to be elf-Sufficient agri-
culturally.
The agricultural campaign Is ex-
pected to bring revolutionary
change to Swiss farm economy. The
increase in land used for farming
will be accomplished at the expense
of pasturage, thus It Is estimated
that when the goal Of one million
and a quarter acres under cultiva-
ton is reached, the supply Of mich
COWS will have been reduced from
10000 to 100000, that Of oxen from
785 600 to $4,000, while the present
figure for hogs, 100000, will be re-
duced by half. The consequences OF
this reduction to the great Swiss
dairy industry can only be guessed.
The Federal authorities have
urged every household to produce
at least part of It's food require
ments, If this Is at all feasible. The
result Is sudden sprouting Of to-
matoes in former fiower-beds, and
the plots Of ground In front Of
some big city apartment look like
truck gardens. An empty lot beside
one of the main city squares In
Zurich was plowed up this summer
for an unsuccessful experiment at
growing peoples for their oil.
1t must not be thought that ra-
tioning here means privation yet.
The portions allotted in nearly all
rationed articles are perfectly ad-
equate. Nevertheless, most Swiss are
looking forward to the day they
hope is not too far distance, when
they can again live without carrying
around a pocketful Of coupons.