Evening star., 1944-12-27
DeaIers;Warnet
Not 10 Accept
Invalid Stamps
District OPA Plans
Suspension Actions
Against VioIotors

:
istration officials warned today
they would seek suspension of
food retailers found accepting
invalidated stamps from con-
sumers, "if evidence warrants it."
The warning follows an appeal
from the national OPA urging
housewives to destroy all food
stamps that became invalid yester-
day. These are blue stamps A-8
through z-8 and AS through VS.,
and red stamps AS through Z-8 and
AS through P-5.
The local OPA has warned that
"any retailer accepting coupons
without an accompanying transfer
of commodities is In violation Of
the rationing regulations, and such
practices will not be countenanced"
This will only result in unbalanced
stocks among the retailers, an off,
cial said.
Some Stores Use Old Charts.
OPA said 1t had received reports
that grocers, either through design
or accident, were collecting the in
validated coupons from housewives.
1t was pointed out grocers could de-
posit these stamps in their ration
banking accounts-a practice which
would materially help food mer-
chants having point deficits.
Without official confirmation OF
ration changes announced Christ
mas Day. some stores were reported
operating under the old point charts
In such stores. shoppers bought large
quantities OF canned vegetables now
back on the ration list
The District opA. which did not
receive official word OF the changes
until late Yesterday. indicated that
new point charts might not be avail |
able 10 retailers before the end of
the week Many stores. including
The chain eruccrs. were operating
local newspapers,
Merchants reported some sem
hlanec Of order to-day. following one
ci the most confused shopping days
yesterday since ratiouing began,
While the CPA lacked reports OF
runs" on foods Il was learned that
some customers were buying up
quantities OF canned soups and Veg
etahleS which are not even included
In the ration changes. Canned fruits
also were purchased above normal.
despite the fact point values will be
lowered~-in some cases rs much as
70 points a can-beginnins Sunday.
Runs apparently failed to develop
on those meats returning to the ra-
uon list Sunday. simply because
supplies are short.
Ration Inventory Required.
Meanwhile. approximately 1900
industrial food users, such as restau-
rants and hotels, were served notice
that they must file with the OPA
report of all ration evidence on
hand and physical inventory of all
rationed foods lin points as of the
close of business December 81.
This is necessary. officials said,
because Of the changes in the ra-
tioning program and the need for
working out new ration allotments
in 1945. 1t will be the first time
since March, l943, that industrial
users have been required to take a
ration inventory.
OPA assured housewives that red
ration tokens will continue good for
meats. fats, cheese and butter.
Grocers will continue to give them
as change for red 10-point stamps.
The use of blue ration tokens now
is banned, having been discontinued
in October, when OPA began listing
processed food point values in null
tiples of 10.
Fruit Points Change Sunday.
To clear up another point not
brought out in earlier announce
ments. OPA said lower point values
for canned fruits do not go into ef-
feet until 1901 am. next Sunday,
although the new values for pro-
cessed vegetables became effective
yesterday and butter was advanced
from 20 to "a points a pound.
Stamps continuing to be good and
those soon to be made good are: Red
stamps Q-5, RS and SIS, which
became valid December 3; red
stamps T-5, Us, VS., W-5 and KS
will become good on Sunday; blue
stamps KS, Y-5, rs, Az and B-2.
In addition, blue stamps CO, d.,
E-2, F-2 and G-2 will become good
on Monday. Sugar stamp No. "a is
the only coupon now good, and an
other sugar stamp will become good
IloI,r11orI,