Evening star., 1945-08-15
Canned Goods Are
Exempt; War Orders
Cut ga to 100 Pet.
BY JAMES Y. NEWTON.

HatlOnlng OF gaSOllne, Iuei OIL,
canned fruits and vegetables
and oil stoves was ended abrupt
ly by the Office of Price Admin
istration today as the Nation
moved full tilt toward a peace
time way of life.
However, rationing of meats, fats
and oils, butter, sugar, shoes, mems
rubber footwear and tires will be
continued until further military cut
backs or increased production bring
civilian supplies in balance with
demand.
This was the best postwar home
front news announced so far. It
was closely related to cutbacks in
Army orders totaling $23, 500 ,O00,-
900 year, including orders for Pc
troleum products and food and an
earlier Navy cutback OF $6,000,-
000, 900.
Full Economy in Is Months.
Meanwhile, John w. Snyder, di-
rector Of war mobilization and re-
conversion, issued a report which
said "at least II to 18 months may
be required to reach the expanded
peacetime economy which is needed
for full employment
The Army announced 1t dis
patched kilograms to contractors as
soon as President Truman an
nounced japanese surrender, cut
ting production of weapons 81 to
100 per cent and leaving only ex-
perimental and maintenance con-
tracts in effect. The move reduced
the Army procurement program
from 81, ,400, ,000, 900 to $435, 900 600, Of
which s26s, 900 900 represents food
purchases.
Among the more important items,
aircraft production was cut "a per
cent; tires, 100 per cent; gasoline,
A per cent; artillery, tanks and all
types Of ammunition, 90 per cent.
The end Of gasoline and oil ra-
tioning was made possible directly
by 4 reduction in military require
ments of 565 ,000, 600 gallons Of Pc
troleum products q month. This
step was made public by the Army
Navy Petroleum Board in q mes
sage to the Petroleum Administra-
ton for War.
Restricted Driving Ends.
Commenting on the loosening of
civilian controls, OPA Administra-
tor Bowles said:
The day Is finally here when we
can drive our cars wherever we
please, when we please and as much
as we please. Wen be happier still
when tires, too, can 60 OF ration
ing"
Mr.. Bowles said it was impossible
to tell at this time when the other
rationed commodities could be freed
from controls, and he added: You
can be sure that these items will 20
OH the list the minute we hear that
supplies are anywhere near big
enough to 60 around"
Mr.. Bowles added that the imme-
diate removal of civilian commodi-
ties from rationing may mean some
local shortages for a while, but he
said the supply agencies have given
assurance that the return to nor
NAL channels of distribution will
take care Of these trouble spots
promptly.
Processed foods which have re-
quired blue ration stamps went on
the ration list March /, 1913. AS
In the case of gasoline, fuel oil was
rationed in the Eastern States be-
fore the rest of the country, con-
trolls being placed on home -heat-
ing oil on October l, 1912. The fol-
lowing March it was extended to
the rest of the country.
Boards Asked to Stay On.
Mr.. Bowles also disclosed he was
asking members of OPA's $500 local
ration boards ito stay on the job
for the present" He added that
I'VE will continue to need their help
(See RECONVERsION, Page A-13.l