9.+The+Office+of+Price+Administration,+The+War+Production+Board+and+other+gov’t+agencies+and+their+objectives

**Date of Birth**: August 16, 1904 **Main event taking place at this time**: Office of Price Administration **Occupation**: Stay at home mom. **Background**: I have 2children and a husband who is in the army. My hopes are when he comes back I can go to work and lend a helping hand in supporting my family, just like my husband does. World War II is causing a lot of chaos, one minute we are involved in one thing the next minute another. The United States is trying to utilize three hands when it only has two. Nevertheless, times are relatively good not too much to complain about after experiencing the whole depression. Mr. Roosevelt has worked wonders, I don’t know how he did it so quickly but he kept this nation alive. I just can’t wait until my husband comes back so I can show him that I can work. I’m so anxious to go out there and show him what I can do; show that women are more than people who just stay home to cook and clean. Right now money is a little scarce due to the raise of the taxes. The Office of Price Administration was one of the many agencies established during WWII. The purpose of the OPA was to prevent wartime inflation. Wartime inflation is when the nation’s money becomes of less value as a result of the production of more money due to war. The OPA was established in April of 1942 (Nielsen, 1). The OPA made prices charged in March of 1942 the ceiling prices or the maximum price regulation otherwise illegal (Nielsen, 1). There were 3 main supply agencies: the War Food Administration, which handled foods; Petroleum Administrator for War, controlled petroleum products; and War Production Board covered all the other commodities (Nielsen, 1). These agencies were responsible for not only the products, but supplying military needs, controlling civilian production and allocation as well. With the establishment of the OPA the way I buy my food is really different. I have less left over money as a result of the high taxes so the money I have only goes to necessities. The government encouraged Americans to use their extra money to buy war bonds (Danzer, 61). I had to buy my necessities using rations. The OPA was directed to implement rationing. There were four types of rationing used, which depended on the commodity: point rationing for food, uniform coupon rationing which was for shoes and sugar, differential coupon rationing for fuel and gasoline, and certificate rationing for automobiles and rubber boots (Nielsen, 1). It was hard adjusting to these rations but, after a while it becomes pretty easy. I do what I can to support my family, if that means using rations, then so be it. Also I am helping out my country and right now I’m focused on what I can do for my country and for my family. Just like Mr. Henry G. Wallace once said, “ If we really believe that we are fighting for a people's peace, all the rest becomes easy. (Dear, 1) ” Dear, I.C.B. “Office of Price Administration.” **__ The __****__ Oxford __****__ Companion to World War II __** **__. __** Oxford University. 2001.  Danzer, Gerald A., et al. __The Americans__. Boston : McDougal Littell. 2003.  Nielsen, Judith. “Office of Price Administration.” Idaho : Office of Price Administration. 1985.
 * Name**: Bella Rose