Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-08
District Dealers Hold
Shoe Rationing No
Hardship 10 Public
See End Of Unnecessary
Buying, Difficulties
In Securing Stock


hailed the Governments shoe ra-
tiOning order as move that will
be greatly beneficial to stores, con-
fronted for months with difflculty
in obtaining new supplies of foot
wear, and regulation that will not
bring hardship on the general public.
It's most notable effect, they
think, will be to cut out unneces-
sary shoe purchases, particularly
among women. and to stimulate
increased sales OF better-quality
shoes.
Sales of the rationed items have
been suspended until after midnight
tonight. Stores today were selling
only slippers. rubbers, hose and
other parts of thSir merchandise
which are not affected by the ration
ing order
A meeting of Washington shoe
dealers has been called for 8 o'clock
tonight in room N of the United
States Chamber of Commerce Build
ing, 1915 H street NV, the District
OPA announced today. All phases
Of the new rationing program will
be discussed in detail.
Believe Public Knew.
There were indications that the
public had been given an intimation
that the order was impending. Some
shoe stores reported that their bust
ness had been much larger for the
last week and that 1t was twice
normal Saturday. Women waited
in line in several instances and
bought shoes simply by description.
dispensing with the delay Of a Mt
ting.
The greatest hardship from the
regulation is expected to be felt in
the case of growing children and
some dealers were emphatic in their
opinion that some special arrange
mept would have. to be made in this
connection Only soft-soled chill
dren's shoes are exempted from the
order.
It Is thought likely that naval
officers. who change from dark shoes
in winter to white shoes in summer,
may have some difilculty, also.
Mail carriers. policemen and other
workers are expected to
be allowed extra pairs of footwear,
although an order to this effect from
OPA had not been issued today.
The only other resort for wearers
of this classification, it was pointed
out, would be for them to transfer
to their own use coupons allowed
other members of the family.
Won't Seek Extra Supply.
Vincent c.. Burke, Washington
postmaster, reported on the basis Of
inquiries made among postmen that
mail deliveryman needs new soles
every four or five weeks. He added,
however. that new pair of shoes
every four months would be SUM-
cient and that, for that reason. no
application for special allowances
would be made.
As for the general public, dealers
were unanimous in the belief that
three pairs of shoes per year would
be ample. The average man, they
said wears out no more than this
number as rule, while women, II
it were necessary, could get along
with the allowance.
A considerable reduction in the
number of women's shoes sold was
anticipated, The manager OF one of
the Districts largest shoe chains re-
ported that 1000 pairs of women S
footwear were sold to every 200 pairs
for men.
Il really feel that people have
been buying too many Shoes" said
one store manager. Now they will
be more careful in their purchases
end will buy to their need rather
than their pocketbooks.
Drop in Trade Foressen,
No reduction in sales is expected
for the first month or so, but some
shoe men felt that drop in BUSH
ness would be noticeable after
March. II this occurs, they ex-
planned, it will be necessary for them
to reduce their personnel.
Despite these possible reactions.
dealers agree that the order is both
advisable and necessary.
I'm glad 1t happened frankly
admitted one store manager. TT
seems the only way that we can
manage to get along. For the last
nine months We have had consider
able trouble in obtaining new Ship
ments OF both leather and shoes. not
to mention the difficulty we have
been confronted with in employing
statesmen"
Another store manager reported
that his stocks had been getting
lower and lower for several months
and that Government control over
sales would give him a chance to
catch up with demands.