OPA and Rationing

The Office of Price Administration was established in 1941 under Leon Henderson to administer price controls that began in the summer of 1941. 8000 rationing boards were created with 200,000 volunteers to assist the 60,000 employees of the agency. Food rationing included restrictions on sugar and meat; clothing rationing restricted silk and nylon. Gasoline rationing began in May 1942 on the East coast, limiting use to five gallons per week. By the end of 1942, half of the nation's automobiles were issued an A sticker, allowing 4 gallons per week. The other half of automobiles had either a B sticker (supplementary allowance for war workers) or a C sticker (vital occupation such as doctor). Truckers had a T sticker for unlimited amounts. A black market developed in stolen or counterfeit stickers that were used in 5-30% of gasoline sales. By 1945, there were 32,500 motorists arrested for using such false stickers, 1300 convictions, 4000 gas stations closed.


Color poster by Roy Schatt
from Patch-NA

horse meat exempt
from Life magazine

"An eager school boy gets his first experience
in using War Ration Book Two.
With many parents engaged in war work,
children are being taught the facts of point rationing
for helping out infamily marketing."
photo by Alfred Palmer, Feb. 1943
from Patch-NA

Sugar ration line
from Patch-NA

Ration book

Ration book

Ration book

Ration book

Ration book

Ration book

Ration book

Ration token

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