Evening star., 1943-03-24

failed to appear on the point chart,
notably rolled rib beef roast. For
any such cuts, the point value will
have to be determined by weighing
up the original cut after which the
butcher can trim and roll or other
wise prepare the desired cut. Ac-
cordingly, butcher shops will not be
able to have such things as rolled
rib roasts on display and will have
to make them up on order.
On Per Pound" Basis.
All point values in this program
are on ~ per pound" basis, even
with regard to canned meats or fish,
and fractional weights will be figured
to the nearest full coupon point
except that at least l point must be
charged for even the smallest pur-
chase. Thus a steak which costs
points pound may be bought in a
half pound portion at points, or in
q pound and 3-ounce size at 10
points.
In this figuring, fraction
amounting to less than u point is
disregarded, while a fraction of u
or more costs whole point. Thus
ounces of pork sausage & points
a pound) will cost points, while 8
ounces will cost points.
Because of the difficulty in cut
ting meat to. axact weights, and
thus to exact coupon totals, OPA
authorized butchers to give coupon
change using 1-point coupons for
this purpose.
For instance, If person bought 6
points worth of meat and had only
an 8point coupon to pay for it, the
butcher can give him back two l.
point stamps. This is a departure
from the point system on canned
goods, where no change is permitted
In addition to the regular chart
including point values of about $50
different cuts and other rationed
items, OPA has prepared chart of
so kosher items, as we'll as a whole
sale point chart for dealers. Gener-
ally, point values for dealers are set
lower than those at retail, to allow
for shrinkage, waste, etc.
Normal Trim Ordered.
The Government ordered that all
meats should be sold on normal
trim" basis. That means that butch
ers are supposed to cut off nor
NAL" amount of bone and fat before
weighing. However, consumers will
have to do their own policing of the
order. and if dissatisfied can do
nothing but argue with the butcher
or take their trade elsewhere.
The Government said the new
rationing is necessary to divide up a
curtailed civilian supply because of
heavy diversion of these foods to
the armed services and lease-lend.
| Some packers and stockmen have
blamed the shortage on Government
interference with normal producing
and marketing procedures
One OF the most unusual features
Of the program permits, for the first
! two months Of rationing, bargain
sales of meat at reduced coupon cost
determined by butchers or other
! dealers on their own initiative. They
can cut point values in this manner
if they are, overstocked with some
products that are in danger of
spoilage.
Only farmers are exempt, being
authorized to eat as much as they
desire of their own produce, though
they must collect coupons if they sell
any of it to outside consumers.
Farmers also hope that rationing
will restrain wholesale and retail
meat prices sufficiently to obviate an
| OPA proposal for restricting the
prices Of live meat animals.
| The new point values were un-
yelled to the press by OPA with
charts, tables, volumes of explana-
tory matter and quiz sessions.