It's beginning to look as if toilet paper rationing will figure largely in the stories today's young parents tell their grandchildren about life in Iowa during the COVID-19 crisis --- and that's just sad. Especially when you compare adversities we've experienced during March of 2020 with those that faced the World War II generations during March of 1943.
That was the month strict rationing of processed foods commenced across the nation, as detailed in a story with a banner headline on the front page of The Chariton Leader of Feb. 23. Vehicles, tires, gasoline, sugar, coffee and shoes already were rationed; other items would be added to the list as 1943 advanced.
Other stories on that page illustrate other concerns. Russell's U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Floyd Zimmer had been reported missing in action. Information published here about that was inaccurate, placing him in the South Pacific. In reality, the B-24 Liberator bomber that he was serving aboard had failed to return from a bombing mission over western Europe on Feb. 16. His remains never were recovered. A cenotaph in the Russell Cemetery commemorates him.
In addition, most young men were facing the draft --- or had been drafted if they had not enlisted. Dr. M.C. Fisher, a young dentist, had been ordered to active duty. In a few days, John Baldridge, of The Chariton Newspapers, also would receive orders to report.
Here's a transcript of the lead story on this page, under the headline "Point Value Will Limit Consumption," illustrating some of the homefront challenges our families and their friends experienced --- and rose to meet --- 75 years ago.
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Lucas county residents today were attempting to work out a program with which they could get by on the drastic scale of point values announced by the government earlier this week. Lucas county school houses are filled with persons registering for ration book No. 2.
The schedule of point values announced will limit consumption of processed foods to less than half of normal. The 48 ration points allotted to each man, woman and child for March will be used up after purchase of two cans of sliced pineapple. Or three cans of peas can be bought during the month. Or the points might be spent for 48 cans of baby food.
The 48 points may be spent, of course, on a variety of different foods. Here is what some of them will "cost" in the most popular can sizes:
Peas, 16 points; corn, 14; tomatoes, 16; green beans, 14; pears, 21; peaches, 21; grapefruit juice, 23; tomato juice, 32; soup, 6; baby food, 1. Prunes and raisins "cost" 20 points a pound; frozen foods mostly 13 points a pound.
The point values for dried beans, peas and lentils --- brought under this rationing only Saturday night --- will be announced later.
The values announced Sunday are expected to remain in effect throughout March, although they could be raised or lowered at any time. At the end of the month, the OPA (Office of Price Administration) will announce the values for April, which may be the same or different.
The first 48 points provided by the new ration books to be distributed this week are designed to cover purchases for the entire month of March. During the last week of March, however, some of the April ration coupons may be used if necessary.
It has been announced previously that the individual allotment for March would be 48 points, but the value of these points was a closely kept secret and Sunday's announcement constituted a severe blow to householders who have been relying mostly on canned goods for their tables.
"This means we will be eating less than half as much canned and processed foods as we ate the prevous year," commented Prentis Brown, OPA administrator. "We'll do on this scant ration so that our fighting forces and the fighting forces of our Allies may have the food they need to carry on."
He estimated that civilians will have from March 1 to September, 1944, a total of 254 million cases of canned fruits and vegetables --- an average of little more than 13 million cases a month compared with 30 million cases a month in 1941-42.
Of adult foods, the only thing "cheap" on the table was canned sauerkraut, at 5 points a common can, but very little is on the market. Most stores have no canned kraut left, but sell it in bulk, which requires no ration points.
The next best bargain for cans is beets at eight points a pound. Canned beans also are in this 8-point class, but many grocers have none because the government has discouraged use of metal for pork and beans and similar products.
The highest pointage-per-pound required for canned goods is 13. In this class are lima beans, peas, tomatoes and such tomato products as puree.
A family of four having 192 ration points for March could have during the month: Canned soup at two meals, vegetables at about three, processed fruit at about six, baked beans once, tomato juice twice and a bottle of catsup.
Canned meat and canned fish remain under a sales ban, but are due to be rationed along with meat at the end of the month. Canned milk, butter and other edible oils probably will join the ration list soon. Bread, milk, soaps, fresh fruits and vegetables are all unrationed.
Prepared foods specifically exempted from rationing include candied fruits, chili con carne, fruit cakes, fruit puddings, jams and jellies, olives, pickles, potato salad, preserves, relishes, frozen fruits in containers of more than 10 pounds, frozen vegetables in containers of more tan 10 pounds.
Fruit juices in containers of more than one gallon, meat stews containing some vegetables, paste products such as spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, whether or not they are packed with added vegetable sauces, vegetable juices in containers of more than one gallon, and byproducts such as soybean oil.
The point table will be posted in grocery stores and cans and shelves will be marked the the point values.
The new No. 2 book will be given to anyone who has a No. 1 ration book (used for sugar, coffee and shoes). Besides canned goods, the new book will cover meat rationing when it starts about March 23.
The stamps come only in denominations of 1, 2, 6 and 8 points and grocers cannot give "change." therefore, the larger point stamps should be used first so that it will be easier late in the month to make exact change with the small coupons.
Stamps should be removed from the book only in the presence of the storekeeper or his employees, including delivery boys.
Housewives who stocked up on canned goods before sales were halted did not find a bargain.
For every can on hand in excess of five per person, regardless of its size or contents, eight points will be deducted from the ration book. Persons who fail to declare "excess" stocks face maximum penalties of a $1000 fine, 10 years imprisonment or both.
OPA officials said that only in the instance of baby foods were diet and health factors in the value determination. Otherwise, available supplies for the next 19 months set the value of all items.
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