Cross View Blog

In my mother's collection of memorabilia were ration books from World War II. These books were issued to each American family by the Office of Price Administration (OPA). Mine was five pages of tiny stamps showing drawings of guns, airplanes, tank and aircraft carriers.

Each stamp authorized the purchase of rationed goods in the quantities and at the times designated by the OPA. Without stamps these goods could not be legally purchased.

Rationing was a vital part of our country's war effort. Price ceilings were established by the Federal Government. Dealers were required to post their prices conspicuously. Buyers were encouraged to support rationing, thereby conserving vital goods necessary for defense. They were to be guided by the rule, "If you don't need it, DON'T BUY IT".

To be sure, there were many goods sold on "the black market" that circumvented rationing, even though severe penalties threatened violators.  Just as in Prohibition, rationing was not popular but it afforded many people the bare necessities of wartime living.

My mother noted, "All families were required to register with their local OPA for ration books. The books were numbered and required for the purchase of meats, butter, lard, oleo, sugar and soaps. Later, stamps were required for shoes and some wool clothing."

She continued, "When meat and butter purchased did not amount to the ration ticket, the merchants gave the change in red and blue tokens. Soaps used for washing were hard to find in the stores because of the scarcity of fat needed to manufacture soap powders. When dissolved they made little suds so stains and spots remained in the laundry after washing".

It's been a long time since the days of rationing. Many of us now in our eighties were youngsters. We may have other memories of the sacrifices and efforts all families made to survive and win the war.

If it were absolutely necessary in the future, I hope Americans could still unite and make a concerted effort as our parents and grandparents did in the 1940's. Who knows what it will take to set aside our differences and face a common enemy? Americans have been tested by COVID and will soon be tested by even greater problems. How we face them will depend upon what we remember of the past.