06/18/2026
FROM THE ARCHIVES 🗞️
During World War II, local War Price and Rationing Boards enforced the federal Office of Price Administration (OPA) rules right here in our community. Their job was to keep restaurant prices fair by enforcing “ceiling prices” — maximum amounts eateries could charge based on earlier base-period rates. Restaurants had to post these prices and couldn’t raise them without approval.
In August 1944, vacationer complaints led the OPA to charge Maurice Panneton of the Warren Inn and 15 other Warren County restaurant operators with price violations. Panneton, a friend of the town judge Frank Pasco, pleaded guilty and received a five-day jail sentence … which was promptly suspended.
GLENS FALLS TIMES
Saturday, August 12, 1944
“Vacationers’ Complaints Lead To Convictions Of Operators Of Restaurants On Price Charges”
WARRENSBURG – A number of restaurant owners and operators have been charged with having higher prices on their menus than were listed with the local War Price and Ration Board as their base period prices by Harold E. Ball, OPA investigator from the Albany District office, it was revealed last night.
Maurice Panneton, doing business as the Warren Inn, Warrensburg, on August 8, pleaded guilty to the charge before Justice of Peace Frank Pasco, and was given a five days’ sentence in jail, which was suspended.
The investigator acted on complaints from vacationers in this area, who have complained that some restaurants have been overcharging them.
More local history coming soon ...
