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N0KFQ > TODAY 29.11.14 17:01l 51 Lines 2295 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 41113_N0KFQ
Read: GUEST
Subj: Today in History - Nov 29
Path: IZ3LSV<IW8PGT<IW7BFZ<I3XTY<I0OJJ<N6RME<CX2SA<N9PMO<KQ0I<N0KFQ
Sent: 141129/1555Z 41113@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA BPQK1.4.62
Nov 29, 1942:
Coffee rationing begins
On this day in 1942, coffee joins the list of items rationed in
the United States. Despite record coffee production in Latin
American countries, the growing demand for the bean from both
military and civilian sources, and the demands placed on
shipping, which was needed for other purposes, required the
limiting of its availability.
Scarcity or shortages were rarely the reason for rationing during
the war. Rationing was generally employed for two reasons: (1) to
guarantee a fair distribution of resources and foodstuffs to all
citizens; and (2) to give priority to military use for certain
raw materials, given the present emergency.
At first, limiting the use of certain products was voluntary. For
example, President Roosevelt launched "scrap drives" to scare up
throwaway rubber-old garden hoses, tires, bathing caps, etc.--in
light of the Japanese capture of the Dutch East Indies, a source
of rubber for the United States. Collections were then redeemed
at gas stations for a penny a pound. Patriotism and the desire to
aid the war effort were enough in the early days of the war.
But as U.S. shipping, including oil tankers, became increasingly
vulnerable to German U-boat attacks, gas became the first
resource to be rationed. Starting in May 1942, in 17 eastern
states, car owners were restricted to three gallons of gas a
week. By the end of the year, gas rationing extended to the rest
of the country, requiring drivers to paste ration stamps onto the
windshields of their cars. Butter was another item rationed, as
supplies were reserved for military breakfasts. Along with
coffee, the sugar and milk that went with it were also limited.
All together, about one-third of all food commonly consumed by
civilians was rationed at one time or another during the war. The
black market, an underground source of rationed goods at prices
higher than the ceilings set by the Office of Price
Administration, was a supply source for those Americans with the
disposable incomes needed to pay the inflated prices.
Some items came off the rationing list early; coffee was released
as early as July 1943, but sugar was rationed until June 1947.
73, K.O. n0kfq
N0KFQ @ N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
E-mail: kohiggs@gmail.com
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