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A Columbia County Boy's Recollections and Memories of Columbia County Florida (2012) Lenvil H. Dicks
and so she went down and talked to Mr. Sanders and gave him a deposit whereby he agreed to deliver
the second Plymouth to her. He did this and both of the first two Plymouth automobiles to come to
Columbia County after the war were both sold to a family member in our family.
After that, the word got around that the dealers were keeping such a list, and they pretty soon learned not
to tell anyone where they appeared on that list. Everybody already knew that Pearl Dicks and Fay Gay
were the two first names on the list, but from there on if you wanted a new car after the war you got
your name on the list and they delivered it to whoever they felt they would like to have it, and perhaps to
people who may have slipped them a little money under the table. Both ma and Fay had the opportunity
to sell their positions on that list at a great profit, but both declined, since they had rather have the car
than have the money.
Those people reading my book who are old enough to vividly remember World War II will remember
this, but most of the middle aged people and younger people have no idea of the food and materials
rationing which we had to endure during the war. To buy sugar you had to have a sugar coupon which
limited you to a certain amount. The same was true of meat, coffee and many, many other items which
the Government felt needed to be conserved in order that there would be an adequate amount to serve
the military. Also, gasoline was severely rationed, and there was no joy-riding going on. A person did
not bum gas if he could help it, because some people’s gasoline ration was only 5 gallons per week.
There were exceptions to that if the owner of the car could demonstrate that his use of the car was
contributing to the war effort, or if he was a doctor or a preacher. Doctors and Preachers, and people
who were in professions that were contributing to the war effort, got extra gasoline, and the same was
true of tires. An ordinary citizen could not go buy a brand new tire at any price, since the Government
was quite severe in issuing coupons for the purchase of tires.
The writer of this book is beginning to wonder whether or not, under this President Obama that we have
now, this type of rationing might be used for medical services and medical treatments. I pray not.
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