Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-10
Officials Spike
Rumor CAUSING
Buying Spree
Nelson and Brown
Deny Preparations
7 o Rution CIothinu

Many Washington resident
awoke today to find the rumor which
impelled an unprecedented buying
wave of clothing in local stores yes
terday was just lot of talk, but it
reached such serious proportions by
nightfall that two very busy men
War Production Board Chief DON
aid M. Nelson and Price Administra-
tor Prentiss M. Brown-had to take
time out to deny plans for rationing
clothing
Numerous Washington women
took time out too, but it was to
stampede department stores, spe-
cialty shops and women's stores to
buy up, as one observer commented.
anything that could be wrapped
around their frames"
The buying wave began Monday
with the freezing CT shoe sales, but
it did not reach serious proportions
until yesterday. The rush became so
great late in the day that Mr.. Nelson
and Mr.. Brown were forced to issue
a statement denying WPB had di-
rected OPA to undertake the ration
ing of clothing or that OPA had set
up machinery for such rationing.
Wool Supply Plentiful.
Their statement follows.
Announcement of shoe rationing
appears to have stimulated scare
buying COT clothirg) in some parts
OF the country. Such buying is
unnecessary.
Supplies Of wool in the United
States are larger by several hundred
million pounds than they were when
the Japs struck at Pearl Harbor. At
the present time there is no shortage
Of clothing and therefore no need
for rationing.
The War Production Board has
not directed the Office of Price Ad-
ministration to undertake the ration
ing Of clothing.
The Office of Price Administration
has set up no machinery for ration
ing clothing.
"A continuance of over-buving can
create temporary maldistribution of
clothing stocks, and it's only effect
Is to handicap persons with a legit-
innate need for new clothes. It is
contrary to the best interests of the
war program and is totally unneces-
sary for the protection of the in
dividual."
Stores Issue Appeals.
Women who normally would not
think OF buying size 20 dress when
they wear size 16 purchased over
sized clothing. explaining to har-
assed store clerks that it made no
difference as they would make al
terations later. One large depart
ment store which reported run
on coats, suits and dresses as well
as yard goods halted all sales in
these departments at pm. yester-
day amid protests of frantic pur-
ChaSers.
Favorite rumor OF the day-one
that cropped up in such places as the
War and Navy OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
that OPA was going to freeze" all
clothing at midnight last night. The
dawn broke today with no such ac-
ton.
One department store official said
women came in claiming they had
heard from "a source in the Gov
eminent that rationing was immi-
nent. Attempts to trace the rumors
down, as usual. proved fruitless. He
told Of a man who came to the store
late yesterday with roll of bills he
had just drawn from a bank. His
wife had to have five suits, he said.
Frank R. Jelleff. head of the
Woman's store that bears his name,
advised women to buy only what
they really needed. There is plenty
of merchandise but if people buy
three or four suits when they only
need one, there is going to be little
to go around between now and
Easter"