“Our Allies Are Starving” was the headline that greeted readers of the Caddo Herald on January 11, 1918. By that time Europe had been involved in World War I for several years and had devoted so many resources to the war effort that citizens of England, France, and Italy were on the verge of famine.
Though much too complicated for us to examine in detail here, the “short story” version of the solution was an American “food pledge” to ration our abundance in order to create efficient distribution and fair pricing of basic food supplies to everyone.
At first that rationing applied to wheat, meat, and fats. Monday and Wednesday were “wheatless” days and NO wheat products were to be used. Also, one wheatless meal was required per day.
On Tuesday, no meat was to be consumed. Pork was considered a separate item and was not to be eaten on Tuesday or Saturday. Everyone was encouraged to eat more fruits and vegetables grown in the home garden and to save milk for children.
Citizens were encouraged to reduce the use of all fat every day in every form, including soap. Baking and boiling were preferred over frying.
In January of 1918, representatives from 26 grocery stores, four meat markets, two bakeries, and six hotels held a “food conservation meeting” in Durant to discuss ideas for obtaining greater cooperation from customers. Many business owners had personally witnessed non-compliance and even hoarding.
Across the nation food hoarders were condemned as “working against the common good and even the safety of the country.” But most of our ancestors seemed willing to make sacrifi ces for the war and many housewives adapted to the wheat, meat, and fat schedule without too much hardship.
However, compliance with the final request was a bit more difficult, perhaps impossible for some. In August of 1918 the Caddo Herald reported: “The American public is asked by the food administration to go on a sugar ration of two pounds per capita monthly beginning August 1, to meet a world shortage in this commodity and to care for the immediate demands of allies and American military forces; the American public at present is on a three pounds per capita ration monthly, under a request issued by the food administration a month ago. (Our allies were also doing their part: England, 2 lbs.; France 1 ½ lbs.; Italy, 1 lb.)” Some public eating houses, hotels, and dining cars enforced an even stricter ration and made use of sugar substitutes such as syrups, honey, and molasses. Thoughtful guests took their own sugar when visiting friends and relatives.
Getting ready for the holidays in 1918 must have been a struggle for our ancestors. While sugar rationing seems like a minor sacrifice, in retrospect it may have been the “last straw” for a nation that had reluctantly entered into war and was just beginning to realize the power of the Spanish flu. Oklahoma had also experienced a 10-year drought and 1918 found them with an overabundance of rain, followed by record winter snows and sleet.
Christmas Day 1918 fell on a Wednesday. No rolls or bread stuffing? Did everyone save their sugar ration that week so they could have pie? The family dinner may have been very different that year.