The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-09-14
By S. BURTON HEATH NEA Staff Correspondent


 The American people are up against the worst meat shortage in modern history.
 How severe it may become, how long it will last, and what effect black market operations may have on it are all subjects of speculation. But to one major retail food chain, which operates more than 5000 meat markets in 38 states, there is no speculation about the current Situa- tion.
 Tn six words, we're out of the meat business" spokesman for this chain said.
 These are the facts, as gathered by NEA Service from reporters in major cities of the nation:
 l. New price ceilings found re- tail meat counters either cOm- pletely bare or virtually so in every city canvassed.
 2. The immediate retail short age was aggravated by an almost panic buying rush over the last price-free weekend in anticipa- ton of just what did develop. The vacuum behind the retail short age-the empty cOldrOOms of packers and wholesalers - like wise was aggravated by the earlier rush of growers and fatteners to market livestock before ceilings were restored at that level.
 3. Meat would cost more than before June 90 but less than be- fore Sept. 10, if it could be Ob- tained through legitimate chan nels at ceiling prices.
 4. Notwithstanding the strer1u- Ous efforts and stern warnings Of OPA enforcement agencies, the black market made its reappear- ance simultaneously with retail price ceilings.
 5. A substantial proportion Of meat markets in major centers are remaining closed because they have nothing to sell.
 To these facts can be added one prediction which apparently is not challenged by any recognized au- thority:
 A SHORT RESPITE
 THEN ANOTHER LOW
 The shortage of meat in legiti- mate markets at ceiling prices vii. decrease somewhat in the near fu- ture, unless the black market runs riot and takes over the entire busi- ness. The supply may become rela- lively plentiful later in the Fall, but only temporarily. After that will come another low level - how low and for how long gets again into the speculative and the controver- sial.
 Some of the specific reports or which the immediate situation car be judged may be summarized ir this fashion:
 Boston - Local supplies sparse Packers have received almost noth- ing, and retailers had only about one days supply when ceilings were restored.
 New York-More than half the city's meat markets did not oper as ceilings went on because theil operators said they had no meat But consumers reported getting the old black market telephone calls saying, in effect, My store will b' locked, but the boy will deliver tt my old customers. If you wan meat just take the package wher it comes and pay in cash and don ask questions. OPA checkers founC one out of 10 stores visited, tha' were open, were selling at over charges up to 100 percent. Kosher butchers serving two million per. sons voted to close until they coulc buy at legal prices.
 Pittsburgh Now facing wors shortage in history. Even the blacl market has no meat. One of tht biggest independent packers closed both his plants the day before re- tail ceilings were announced.
 Atlanta Retail price lid wen back on almost empty meat count CTS. Independent retailers repor merely mo meat" Chain store plan attempt to glamorize poultr. and fish. one chain elated at get ting fair supply of lamb and som' sausage "by luck, but no idea wha next.
 St. Louis-Restoration of pric, control found most counters bar of fresh meat and wholesalers mak ing no deliveries.
 Chicago-Retailers almost meat less following housewives run jus before price control restored. Blacl market revival delayed by big re serves acquired by many hotels ant restaurants at uncontrolled prices
 Dallas - Meat quality began t drop day wholesale ceilings wen on. Large weekend buying run emptied retail shelves. No furthe substantial supply in sight.
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