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Show Food Racketeers Being Hunted Down in Britain LONDON. Former detectives some of them old Scotland Yard men have been enrolled by the ministry of food to try to stop the racket of the food "black markets." At the "black markets" it is possible pos-sible to buy the rarest rationed food in almost any quantity provided the purchaser can pay the price. They are faced with difficulties because people who could tell won't. Detectives believe that intending witnesses have been bribed to keep silent. Wholesalers and retailers all over Britain but particularly in London are being watched. Some of them are suspected of sidetracking legitimate legiti-mate supplies to the bootleg market where they can make more profit. At one London "black market" a ham was offered for $8 and sold. Hams are rare in London. Even rarer are onions and oranges. Butter is being bought at 60 and 70 cents a pound and as much butter but-ter can be bought as the housewife gets in two months of rations. Eggs are 10 cents each, lemons 8 cents, oranges 6 cents. And there are "black cafes," too. These places sell heavyweight chops and steaks and will serve meals containing three or four rationed foods for a price. |