Evening star., 1943-05-06
Rationing Extension
Recommended by
+wPB Planning Unit
Outlines 6-Point Proqrom
To Offset Expected Drop
In Goods, Services
BY JAMES Y. NEWTON.


A six-point program, including
wide extension Of consumer ra-
tioning, to Offset impact on the
civilian economy of an expected
10 to IS per cent decrease in
consumer goods and services
this year, has been recommend
ed by the War Production Boards
Planning Committee, it was
learned today.
Earlier. Paul M. oLeary, deputy
OPA administrator In charge Of ra-
tioning, had predicted that the COM
ing year Is likely to see LESS, rather
than more. rationing." Mr.. O'Learys
organization administers the ration
ing programs, but does not set policy
or initiate controlled distribution OF
goods. He made the prediction on
the anniversary of the issuance of
the flrst ration book-now used for
sugar, coffee and shoes. Since last
May half billion more books have
been printed.
20 Per Cent Drop in Goods Seen.
A voluminous study of the civilian
economy, which has been turned
over to WPB's new ONCE of Civilian
Requirements, states that the drop
of available consumer goods and
services from 1912 may be "as great
as 20 per cent overall in the second
half of 1943.
In some important areas like
clothing and furniture. the report
states, "the declines may be even
greater. In few cases-household
and motor fuels, transportation and
domestic service-supplies may well
fall below minimum requirements,
unless the distribution of available
supplies is managed with great
efficiency"
The recommended six-point pro-
gram to meet the situation follows:
l. Eliminate civilian manufactur-
ing and as much of wholesaling as
possible from labor shortage areas.
2. Increase productivity of retail
trades and service industries with
emphasis on localities where labor
Is short.
3. Curtail less essential goods and
services and simplify and standardize
the more essential.
4. Extend consumer rationing as
far as staff and experience permit.
S. Protect the consumers mini
mum requirements in every impor-
tant area.
6. Make the public understand the
program through an educational
campaign to show the necessity for
imposing wartime restrictions.
Main Lines Set Forth.
Key words OF the program are
concentration, naturalization, sim
plification, rationing, minimum pro-
lection and public education" These,
1t was said, set forth the main lines
along which the production agencies
will have to move in order to adjust
the civilian economy to the necessi-
ties of the war program this year.
Mr.. OLeary said in an interview.
meanwhile: II can say honestly that
have no intention of rationing
anything.
THAT doesn't mean that some of
my staff aren't thinking from time
to time Of various new rationing
plans. That's common sense pre-
caution. But 1t doesn't mean any
of these plans will necessarily ever
see the light of day"
I'VE may see less rationing rather
than more" he added, but refused to
elaborate on that statement.
Mr.. OLeary insisted that, for con-
sumers, rationing is not very COM
plicated. Not, he added, until you
introduce dif1erentials," such as the
demands of lumber workers and
others for extra allowances of meat.
The real complexities, he said, are
for the businessmen, and OPA is