Evening star., 1943-04-21
Meat Point Values
Expected 10 Be Cut.
After Can Reduction
OPA Drops Stamp Count
For Canned and Frozen
Vegetables and Fruits

Reductions in the point values
Of certain kinds of meat are eX-
pected to follow point value
slashes in canned vegetables and
frozen fruits and vegetables
which go into effect tomorrow.
Meanwhile, two other develop
ments growing out of meat ration
ing became apparent:
l. The local supply of meat was
diminishing again, though dealers
and packers here said they did not
believe an actual shortage is immi-
nent.
2. The national OPA's enforce
ment division promised vigorous ac-
ton to curb the Nationwide black
market in poultry. If this campaign
is effective. local dealers said, the
flow of poultry into local markets
would be resumed
The value of all kinds of frozen
fruits in ordinary 16-ounce contain
ers has been cut from 13 to points
Baked beans frozen and in some
sized containers were cut from s to
4 points, while the value of peas
and all other frozen vegetables. in
l2-ounce containers were reduced
from 10 to 4 points.
Blackeyed peas were taken off the
rationed list, since some varities are
highly perishable in warm weather
BY the pound, point values of
frozen asparagus, green and waXed
beans, lima beans, corn. peas and
spinach, were cut from 13 to s
points
Soups Cut up to Half.
Canned and bottled tomato soup
in the ordinary l0l2 2-ounce contain
ers was reduced in point value from
s to 3. All other types of canned
soups were dropped from to 4
points value. The value of dried
and dehydrated soups was cut in
half and the number of weight clas-
sifications reduced from eight to
four These classes are less than
4 ounces; from 4 to 8; 8 to Il, and
IL to Is ounces. New point values
for the four classes are l, 2, 3 and 4,
respectively
officials declared that point values
Of frozen fruits and vegetables and
all soups were reduced generally
because the foods were moving too
slowly from grocery shelves. In the
case of dehydrated soups, the added
factor of spoilage with the approach
OF warm weather Influenced the
action
Since new set of blue stamps in
War Ration Book 2-stamps J. H.
and G-becomes valid April "a. and
the current processed food stamps.
series D, E and F, will continue in
force until April 30. considerable
activity is expected to the reduced
value foods in the next 10 days.
OPA stated that frozen foods.
especially in commercial container
sizes, were moving SO slowly through
the trade that storage facilities in
many places is taxed to the limit.
1t is necessary to get remnants of
last years pack out of the way to
make room for this years pack.
Point values Of frozen foods we're
cut more sharply in commercial con-
talner sizes q to 10 pounds than
IN the smaller domestic sizes. This
was done to restore the normal flow
of the goods to hotels, restaurants
and other large users The value
of the foods in commercial sized
containers was reduced to 4 points
a pound.
Ham May Be Reduced.
Although the OPA said point
value reductions were being consid-
cred on ham and on some sausage
and luncheon meats. the cuts would
have to be accompanied by in
creases in some other kind of meat,
possibly hamburger. Ham. which
has point values ranging between
9 and II points pound, is the
second most expensive" commod-
ity on the meat list The highest is
dried beef at IL points a pound.
Hamburger meat has been selling
for points pound and has been
regarded as bargain by house
wives. Most standard types of meat
sell for or 8 points a pound.
The changes, If any, probably will
come at the end of the month.
The shrinking meat supply here.
which packers said they did not be-
lieve would reach serious proper
tiors. was regarded merely as a
leveling off after unnatural condi-
tions created by heavy meat buy
ing just before rationing began.
Meat Arrivals Slower.
Most housewives. it was recalled
managed to stock up on meats dur
ing the last -rationing days.
When rationing went into effect on
March % buying fell off sharply, but
stocks continued to come into butch
er shops for some time. The result
was that some dealers became over
stocked with all types of meat and
were compelled to feature point
sales to dispose of their supplies
before they deteriorated.
In the meantime. dealers said. the
flow OF meat into the city has grad
ually declined. At the same time
the supplies which housewives had