The Pittsburgh Press (August 11, 1941)
STOCKING DILEMMA
By Mrs. Walter Ferguson
The stocking situation is shocking. One newspaper tells of a woman who went out and bought herself $54 worth – which means that lots of working girls may have to do without.
Harriet Elliott, head of OPM’s Consumer Division, appeals to American women to resist this perfectly natural urge to “lay in a supply,” and we’d better take heed, because democracy functions only in a system where those who are rich are willing to share goods with those who are poor. And we needn’t expect the manufacturers or merchants to be noble about this – they’re going to take the money when it’s offered, just as you and I would if we were in their shoes.
This time it’s up to the customer.
William Shirer, home after years in Berlin, says American women will probably have to imitate German women and go bare-legged. This presents difficult decisions. And right away we’re stumped. Where should the available supply of hose be rightly placed – on the legs of young or old women?
One minute I find myself leaning to this side, and the next I swerve sharply to the other. From an esthetic point of view, young legs are prettier and therefore when bare do not so much offend our sensibilities. On the other hand, if stockings do add anything to feminine charm and we’ve been led to think so – then by rights the girls should get the breaks.
Of course I’ve seen a good many girls who didn’t look any too alluring in ankle socks – but if all the fat women with varicose veins have to come to them, I certainly pray that short skirts will go out, and take this darned war with 'em.