On This Day, 22 November 1917

Birmingham Mail

Thursday 22 November 1917

TEA QUEUES

SCENES IN BIRMINGHAM SHOPS

STORY AT THE LOCAL TRIBUNAL

At the Birmingham Local Tribunal this morning, before Mr. Wainwright, in the chair, the military asked for the review of the case of the costs clerk of a firm whose shop was described as the largest retail grocery and provision establishment in the city. He was 34 years of aged and passed for general service. It was stated that on behalf of the firm that the vast majority of the employees were women, and that the man was doing work which could not be delegated to others. The manager was frequently away from Birmingham dealing with rationing and other questions affecting the distribution of food supplies, and it was necessary to keep a responsible man on the premises to meet any emergency that might arise in connection with the tea queues. A solicitor stated that between nine and ten o’clock this morning a queue of 1,000 persons was supplied with rationed quantities of tea; and yesterday morning the queues were much larger. Some of those who had been waiting declared that if other classes of customers were served first they would help themselves. It was necessary to have a man about who could exercise some authority over the crowd.

The exemption, which expires on January 18, was made final.

Enquiries in the city show that the tea and butter and margarine queues have grown this week to an inordinate length. Generally speaking, intending purchasers show commendable patience, but incidents are reported of unruly conduct. At one large grocery establishment many petty thefts have been committed. On Saturday last the counter was stripped of the whole of the ready-made plum puddings. Difficulty is often experienced in regulating the business owing to the fact that the customers have to enter and leave by the same door, thus causing much congestion.