Evening star., 1942-12-27
RutioninQ
Continued From First Page.)

courage purchase of the scarce
goods.
This can be done with the new
ration book, which contains coupons
which have numbers on them indi-
eating their point value. When
making purchase, the consumer
will surrender enough coupons to
cover the point value of the food
The coupons are numbered s, 5,
2 and l. When the food rationing
starts, OPA might find that an item
such as canned coconut was scarce,
while canned soup was plentiful.
Therefore, a high point value
would be set for coconut. 1t would
cost a consumer points, perhaps,
to get is-Whereas a can of soup
could be purchased for only / point
Then If soup gets scarce and COCO
nut plentiful the point values
would be revised.
Survey Under Way.
A survey of the country already
is under way to determine what
types of processed foods are scarce
and what are plentiful
Special provisions are being made
for certain types of boarding houses,
SO that all persons eating regularly
in these places will be required to
get ration books and put them in
pool" The boarding house pro-
prietor will then be able to purchase
processed foods only on ration cou-
pons of the boarders.
In making the declaration of
goods on hand, consumers will be
required to list all cans containing
more than eight ounces. Special
forms are being prepared for in
stitutional and industrial users.
Food Administrator Wickard has
informed the OPA that the canned
goods shortage is critical and that
the program must be undertaken
Immediately. 1t had originally been
planned to start meat rationing
tirst--but it has been decided to
delay this program until a short
time after the processed food ra-
tioning starts.
One factor which looms large in
creating the canned goods shortage
is the boarding which has taken
place already. 1t is estimated that
more than 24,OOO.OO0 cans of food
are being held out of circulation.
Forms Not Ready.
In spite of the urgency of this
rationing program, it will not be
possible to get it under way until
next month because the ration
books are not distributed, nor are
the other forms ready.
1t would be impossible to halt
all canned-goods sales for the month
until the ration books will be ready.
Such action would work a great
hardship on every one, it was de-
cided.
Price Administrator Henderson
took the position that rumors about
the rationing would leak out, since
it will be necessary to give out de-
tailed advance instructions to gro
GERS and OPA field officers.
Therefore, he felt that the
American people would appreciate
a frank declaration about the
program.
At first, it was thought that the
President might make tie an
nouncement, but this plan did not
materialize. Then Economic Sta
bilization Director Byrnes was ap-
preached, but he suggested that Mr..
Wickard and Mr.. Henderson make
the announcement.
Tremendous Problem.
The statement Yesterday that Mr..
Wickard and owl Chief Elmer
Davis would make an important
speech on food tonight indicated
that this pair had assumed re-
sponsibility for the announcement.
The distribution of 10000, 900
copies of War Ration Book No. 2
has furnished OPA with tremen-
dous problem. 1t has been des-
cribed as the greatest printing job
in history and II printing plants
have been working on it.
1t will be necessary to print and
distribute number of other forms
to go along with the ration books,
now that processed foods have been
included.
When consumers apply for the
new ration book. they will have to
bring in their War Ration Book
No. (which has been used for
sugar and coffee.
One coupon viii be torn out Of
this book to show receipt Of Ration