The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-10-12
Price Officer
 Hits Black Market
William Smith Emphasizes Seriousness That Follows
 CareIessness on Part of Retailers
WATERTOWN stephen Can Correspondent Avenue Telephone lOO6

Watertown, Oct. I2.-A meeting of the block plan organization, Wa tertown War Council, and of the Connecticut Volunteers was held in the town hall Monday night,
 William D. Starr, chairman of the local War Price and Rationing Board, introduced William smith, OPA price officer for this district. MT. Smith emphasized the fact that Q serious black market situa- tion can grow out of carelessneSs on the part of retailers, and lack of interest on the part of consumers. He stated that the Home Front pledge was part of an educational program designed to interest con- sutners in watching their commun- ity ceiling prices, particularly on food, and reporting violations to the local board office.
 The Home Front pledge, which block plan leaders will solicit asks that each person agree to pay no more than top ceiling prices and to accept no rationed goods without giving Up ration stamps.
 William D. Starr explained the personnel and duties of the price panel of the local board stating that members of the panel are working with the retailers toward close compliance with price regula- tionS. He emphasized the fact that best results will be obtained if consumers will become familiar with the community prices and VIII watch for irregularities.
 Answering the question on how to register complaint on overcharge' MT. Starr explained that details should be given by phone or letter to the local board for investigation, and stated that the name of the person making complaint can be kept confidential. It Is necessary to have Q sales slip to prove that 0 violation occurred.
 In closing the meeting Mrs. Gil- bert Strubell, chairman of the block plan organization stated that dis cussing these subjects with corsum- mers will have strong educa- tional value which will benefit the community by making the house. wife price conscious, and will be In the long run protect her interests by keeping prices fair and uniform.
 Mrs. Strubell announced that the Home Front Pledge campaign will start immediately.
 "Gray Ladies"
 Mrs. Sherman Cawley of North St, Mrs. Colin Barrett of Hamilton Ave, Mrs. Sherman Perry of Main St., Mrs. George Mattson of Hill crest Ave, Mrs. Charles Sherwood ST., of Woodbury Road and Mrs. Samuel Spalding of Nova Scotia Road, all members of Watertown chapter, American Red Cross were graduated in the first class of Gray Ladies, Red Cross volunteer nurses, at ceremonies held at the Water bury hospital Monday morning. The class of IS women from the Water bury and Watertown chapters re- presents the first civilian hospital Gray Ladies unit in Waterbury. Mrs. Sherman Perry of Main St., chairman of the hospital and recrea- ton corps of the Waterbury Red Cross chapter presented tho gradu- ates with special service pins, de- signating volunteer service in the Red Cross and certificates from ra- tional headquarters in recognition of completed training were present. ed by Maj. John M. Burral, Water bury Red Cross chapter chairman. Local Awards
 Tn addition to awards made to members of the Spartan All club, which were recently announced, other awards made to Watertown persons at the first Litchfield coun- ty All Fair Achievement night held at South school, Oakville last week were as follows:
 Beatrice Peck, blue ribbons for squash; acorn squash and sign board; white ribbons for three var ieties of canned vegetables and for grape jelly; Alice Allmand, blue rib- bon for three varieties of vegetables, red ribbon for three varieties of fruit; Myron Hubbard, red ribbon for sign board. A total of 47 prizes were awarded to aWtertown boys and girls. A cash prize was awarded with each blue. red or white ribbon.
 New Books Tn Free Collection
 New books rC sently added to the free collection at the Watertown Library are announced as follows: Forest and the Fort. by Allen: Week End Murders, by Archer; Primer for Combat, by Boyle; Arm and the Darkness. by Caldwell: Thorn.Apple Tree. by Campbell: Look to the Mountain, by Cannon.
 Bride Saw Red. by Carson; Affair at the Boat Landing. by Cunning ham: Wolf in Mans Clothing, by Eberhart; Men of Albemarle. by fletcher; Another Claredia. by Ffanken; Border Line, by Gregory: Professional Hero. by 0Teig: Spice BoA. by Hlil; Affair Of the Splinter ad Heart. hy Knight.
 Also: Against 0 DaTkening Sky.