The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1945-03-22
Distribution and Regulation
Factors Vital to Food Problem

| Ildily supply VIC ihoAS NASs'
areas have been getting q small
er portion of the meat animals
Aggravating bad distribution
among civilians has been the
fact that the government has
had to depend very largely upon
the bigger plants to supply the
Army and lend-lease and to
provide foreign relief. These
plants have been forced to cut
down on supplies moving to
their civilian customers.
CHANNEL EFFORTS
The government from time to
time has frightened regulations
designed TO channel more meat
animals into pens of the larger
plants, but those moves have not
been completely successful. Of
ficials say that the only way to
obtain an even distribution
would be to place a policeman
on every livestock farm, in
every slaughter plant and in
every retail store.
Often complaints revolv e
around an insufficient supply of
a particular cut or type o. meat.
F example, complaints are be-
ing made in the south of a
shortage of salt pork, highly de-
sired by some consumers there.
Much of this type of meat,
which the large packers would
normally ship to the south, is
filling lend-lease requirements
of Russia.
Another cause Of maldistribu-
ton is an understandable at
tempt on the part of som proc
essors to favor their better Gus
toners. 1t is their desire to hold
these customers for peacetime
markets. Frequently transpor-
tation difficulties cause tempo
rary local shortages.
SUGAR SITUATION
Government distribution poll
cies for sugar, as we'll as a war
time decline in the domestic
production, have affected sup
plies of this commodity. Last
year the government allowed
civilians larger rations, princi-
pally for canning. 1t also in
creased allowances to indus
trial users, such as soft-drink
makers, bakers and candy max
ers.
These increased allowances,
sharply opposed by some gov
eminent authorities, had the eff
feet of largely depicting sugar
reserves. The action in granting
larger rations was prompted
largely by the belief that the
war in Europe was about over.
Now food officials regret their
1914 liberality. They since have
reduced allowances for both
civilians and industrial users.
Looking backward, 1t is easy
to see now that rationing could
have been used more effective
ly in 1914 to make supplies of
present shortage items last long
er.
RE-RATIONED ITEMS
Meats, lard, shortening, other
fats Except butter)H and some
canned foods were taken off the
ration list in the spring. They
were not returned until late in
December, after it became ap-
parent that the war would con-
tinue we'll into 1945. When they
finally were restored to ra-
tioning, the action was not
taken without an inter-agency
controversy.
The move was urged by the
Office of Price Administration
but was opposed by the War
Food Administration.
This difference in opinion Is
explained largely by the fact
that OPA is "consumer-mind-
ed" That is, it was fearful Of
shortages. VIA, on the other
hand, is largely producer.
minded" which influenced it to
fear SURPRISES. The matter wa!
settled in favor Of OPA by the
Office of Economic Stabilize.
ton, referee in such contro.
VERSES.