The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1945-08-23
BLUFFT0N BEGINS
ADJUSTM MENT TO
PEACETIME BASIS
Jap Surrender Ends Gasoline
And Blue Point Food
Rationing
Draft InductiOns Are Modified; /;
Many Other Sales Restric-
tions Are Lifted

last Wednesday and Thursday in
celebration of the end of the war,
Bluffton this week is rapidly ad-
lusting itself to a peacetime routine.
First effect of the return to a
peacetime basis was felt by gasoline
filling stations within IL hours after
Japan's surrender was announced,
and eager cries of ''fill 'er up" were
heard by operators when the OPA
discontinued gasoline rationing.
With unlimited supplies of gaso-
line available, stations are reporting
greatly increased sales, and evidences
that the public is going on a late
summer motoring spree were amply
evident Sunday.
Some complications are expected
to enter into the situation, however,
for increased driving at higher
speeds will rapidly wear out tires
which already have given most OF
the service that can be expected of
them.
Keep Ration Books
Altho gasoline no longer is being
rationed, motorists have been advised
by the OPA to retain their ration
books. These will be needed in ap-
plying for tires, even after the dis
tribution of new rubber becomes
general, and ration books should not
be thrown away.
Another bright spot in the ration
picture was the lifting of all ration
ing of canned and processed foods
formerly covered by blue ration
coupons. In spite of relaxed ration
ing, however, there was only small
increase in sales volume, grocers
reported.
Draft regulations were modified to
halt the induction into the armed
forces of all men over 26 years of
age, and future Selective Service
calls will take only registrants
between the ages of 18 and 26.
Registration will continue for all
youths as they reach their 18th
birthday, and no further relaxation
is expected until Congress changes
the draft law or Selective Service
issues other orders from Washington.
Take Men 1926
Men with wives and children will
continue subject to induction if they
fall within the 1926 age bracket, it
was announced by Col. C. w. Goble,
Ohio Selective Service director.
Bluffton also is anticipating a
sports renaissance with the close of
the war, and pre-war football
schedules and crowds expected this
fall. Now, there is no restriction on
travel which during the war years
played big part in cutting down
the attendance at sports contests.
More interest is expected in the
Bluffton High school football season
this fall than at any time since war
started. No plans have been made,
however, for a resumption of foot
ball at Bluffton college, because of
anticipated delays in discharging
men from the army and because 18-
year-olds will continue to be inducted
into the armed forces.
Discontinuance of priorities for
plumbing, heating and cooking
equipment is expected to set off a
boom in Bluffton home improvements
that will move just as fast as the
supply situation will permit it.
Many improvements
Announcement that all restrictions
had been lifted on those items proved
a boon to local householders form
erly supplied with heat from the
municipal waterworks and light
plant which discontinued it's service
last spring.
Removal of fuel oil from rationing
restrictions simplifed the problem
for those who wanted to install oil
heat.
Thus far there has been no change
in the coal situation for next winter
which was expected to have been
critical. In a rationing setup put
into effect last spring, householders
were limited to SOC of last winters
supply for the coming cold months
but some relaxation is expected il
mines can expand production as .
result of miners being discharged
from the armed forces.
AItho meat rationing remains il
effect, there are prospects that i
may end or be relaxed early thi'
fall, according to the nations foot
chief, Secretary of Agriculture Gin
ton Anderson.