Evening star., 1946-09-08
.Meat-buyih1g
Rush Fails 10
Develop Here
Stocks Sufficient
For Few Doys After
Return of Ceiling

Return Of Ceiling
Washington shoppers for the most
'art calmly await the return OF re-
all ceiling prices on meat Tuesday
nd IN only few scattered instances
tocked up heavily at markets yes
erday in the face of a shortage
'redicted by industry spokesmen.
So far as local stores and supply
iouses were concerned, a spot check
Indicated last night that q COM
'aratively large quantity and as
ortment will be available for several
lays.
Butcher shops In many other
arge cities reported record break
ng sales yesterday as housewives
'tormed retail counters in large
numbers to stock up.
Buyers Rush Expected.
A buyers rush, however, is ex-
pected by some dealers to develop
here soon after the new OPA cell.
lngs go into effect. These ceilings.
although on an average of 81 cents
a pound higher than the ones that
prevailed when OpA lapsed tempo
rarily last June 80, are substantially
lower than the present 'uncon-
trolled" prices, OPA declares.
wholesalers and retailers, uueried
ABOUT the new schedules, were prac-
tlcally unanimous in forecastinp q
shortage. The general feeling was
that this will begin to be felt early
next week. Industry representatives
said they based their opinion prin-
clpally on what we read in the
papers and the market reports"
about sharp drops in livestock ship
ments from Chicago and other
major centers.
Chicago stockyards reported an
l-tlme low in livestock receipts
Yesterday, with only 200 cattle, 800
nogs and 300 sheep delivered. This
compared with run of 10000
cattle alone at the huge yards II
days ago, a 23-year record, as
farmers rushed stock to market for
record-breaking prices before re-
of OPA controls.
OPA Sees Scarcity.
OPA officials, particularly Deputy
Administrator Geoffrey Baker.
agreed that meat may be scarce for
some time.
OPA emphasis at the District of
fice and national headquarters,
however, was on a campaign to
force compliance with the new cell
ings and to smash any black market
activity.
George Moncharsh, deputy OPA
administrator in charge Of enforce
ment last night promised "a rugged"
winter and spring for "big shots"
selling black market meat OPA 10
not SO much concerned with small,
time violators but hopes 1t will be
able to persuade them to help In
big operators In illegae
operations.
Although prices on most meats
will be lower Tuesday-despite in
creases Of as much as 18 cents O
pound over June 80 ceilings on So
called luxury cuts-the threat OF q
shortage was expected In soma
quarters yesterday to cause much
heavier weekend buying than
materialized.
No Heavy Buying.
A spokesman for District Grocery
Stores said he had received only
two or three reports Of unusual
Saturday buying Of meat. A check
at several large chair stores in the
Dupont Circle. Fourteenth street,
Georgia avenue and Brookland
areas disclosed only the normal
number of shoppers.
Roasts and sirloin steaks were
till available early yesterday after
1oon fat some meat stores in the
Northwest and Northeast sections.
But ham, repeatedly, was harder to
ind. Proprietors said shoppers In
'ecent days may have been buying
more ham because it keeps"
Managers Of individual stores
,esitated to comment on earlier
tatements by local wholesalers rep
that the new ceilings
will be of little immediate benefig
o the consumer because Of a prob
lble shortage.
Stocks to Last Days.
They reported that stocks on
land should last several days, and
his was verified by an official Of
ne of the city's largest warehous.
ng and refrigerating companies.
Yesterday was no holiday for the
augmented staff of 66 inspectors
nd investigators in the District
)PA Office. j. Grahame Walker,
district Enforcement Attorney and
Lloyd Williamson of the District
)PA Food Enforcement Section re-
,orted that the staff was investi-
ating "all meat markets and meat
hannels" In the District.
The District Office quoted Direc.
or Vincent A. Holmes as express
ng confidence that meat prices will
rapidly fall into line from the
lighs registered during the uncon-
rolled period" and conform to the
lew ceiling prices effective Tues
ay.
Other OPA officials estimated yes
erday that the newly announced
eilings, although below current
osts, will nevertheless add $780,
10000 annually to the consumers
leat bill. The $500, 900 900 is the
ifference between the cost of meat
une 80 and the restored ceilings
;heduled for this week, they ex-
lained.