Evening star., 1944-12-26

Many food stores in the Wash
ington area were reported in
confusion today as major changes
in food rationing went into effect
The city's 1,500 food retailers
resumed business without officiaI
word OF. the revisions, which senI
butter rising to "a points poune
and return a number Of canned
vegetables to the ration list.
The District Office of Price Ad-
ministration reported it was flooded
with inquiries from consumers and
grocers and was without Official
confirmation of the changes an
nounced yesterday from either the
regional or national OPA.
''All We know is what We read in
the newspapers" food rationing
official at the District Office de-
clared. He said some retailers were
confused over certain phases of the
new program as result of con-
f1icting reports"
Will Mail Charts Today.
The National OPA explained that
ration changes are channeled
through regional Offices and the
regional Office in New York. which
serves Washington, reported that a
telegram confirming the changes
was going out today to the local Of
fice.
A spokesman in New York also
reported that printed charts with
the new ration values probably
would be mailed grocers here by to-
night. This is the usual procedure,
it was said. Steps could not be taken
sooner, he said, because of the
Christmas holiday, which found
most district and local OPA offices
closed.
OPA originally had planned to
announce the change tomorrow
morning, but'"leaks" developed over
the week end, forcing the agency to
make the changes public yesterday,
National OPA spokesman said
Pending report from the local
OPA, stores were depending on
newspaper accounts of the revisions
to carry them through the day.
Its mess" an official of one
chain grocery commented. I'VE have
six phones going, answering ques-
tions. We are telling them to go
along as best they can, from what
they read in the newspapers"
Runs" Not Expected.
Meanwhile, with point-free meats
Including bacon, sausage, liver and
utility beef going back on the ration
list Sunday, store operators braced
themselves for runs" on these com
modities.
Both the food industry and the
local OPA expressed belief, however
that runs would not develop, because
supplies of some meats have been
low for some time, and in many
stores, not available at ALL
In returning canned vegetables te
the ration list and raising the point
value of butter, the OPA Cancelled
all red and blue stamps which be-
me'good before December l as well
as all sugar stamps and home
canning certificates except sugar
stamp "a.
All of these changes are effective
today. Canned vegetables which
once more require points are canned
corn. peas, green and wax beans
asparagus and spinach.
| Most Meats Require Points.
In further broadening of ration
ing, about IS per cent of all meats
will take points beginning Sunday
| Meanwhile, the Republican Fooe
Study Committee called for fooe
'.czar' with unlimited authority ovel
pricing and distribution.
| Representative Jenkins of Ohio
chairman of the 44-man Hous.
group, did not comment spe
cifically on OPA's announcement
over the week end of tighter foot
|rationing. But he said the presen
food situation was due to failur
Iof the administration to appoint
single man to supervise the han
ldling of food as the committee rec
commended some time ago.
Il "A single individual, free from tn
(See FOOD. Hage A-3.)