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Up for sale or buy-it-now is an exceptional, unbroken 5-document historical archive tracking a World War II contract dispute between the Beech-Nut Packing Company and the U.S. Navy Department in July 1945.
This collection provides a fascinating, step-by-step look into corporate pushback against government wartime audits involving critical military supplies like Ration K, dehydrated vegetables, and chewing gum.
The lot consists of the following 5 original documents, arranged in chronological order:
1. July 5, 1945 – Beech-Nut Packing Co. Corporate Letter: Sent by Assistant Treasurer R.L. Fero to the Syracuse Cost Inspector. Beech-Nut officially refuses to disclose unit costs for chewing gum and candy, citing a desire to keep their commercial structures confidential.
2. July 6, 1945 – U.S. Navy Branch Office Memo (Syracuse, NY): Sent by Officer-in-Charge E.P. Hoerr, Jr. to the New York District. He reports on his physical visit to the Beech-Nut plant and notes that executives are \"reluctant to submit records.\"
3. July 9, 1945 – U.S. Navy Third Naval District Letter (New York, NY): Sent by Supervisory Cost Inspector Ernest L. Johnson up the chain of command to Washington, D.C., officially forwarding the dispute files and requesting instructions.
4. July 13, 1945 – U.S. Navy Bureau of Supplies & Accounts Letter (Washington, D.C.): The official high-level response confirming that because of the contractor\'s position, the Navy is temporarily suspending further cost inspection actions. Features a prominent \"For Victory: Buy War Bonds\" emblem stamp.
5. July 16, 1945 – Navy Purchasing Office Routing Slip (Chicago, IL): The ultimate piece of internal commentary. Features the official \"Received\" ink stamp on the reverse side, and clear handwritten pencil remarks from Captain W.C. Brown to his officers asking: \"Ha! Have we heard from them yet? Any reason for not proceeding?\"
This intact archive is a remarkable find for collectors of WWII home front history, military logistics, military rations, or corporate advertising history.
All documents will be shipped securely in individual protective sleeves with rigid backing boards to prevent bending. Please see the detailed photos to evaluate the condition of each sheet.
Up for sale or buy-it-now is an authentic, original World War II historical document.
This is a typewritten letter on Beech-Nut Packing Company letterhead dated July 5, 1945. Sent from the Assistant Treasurer of Beech-Nut (R.L. Fero) to the U.S. Navy Supervisory Cost Inspector in Syracuse, NY (Attn: Lt. E. P. Hoerr, Jr.).
The highly interesting historical content covers corporate pushback regarding a cost audit on war supply contracts. Key details mentioned in the text include:
- Unit costs for military contracts covering Beech-Nut Chewing Gum.
- Detailed cost reports submitted for special wartime products, specifically highlighting \"Ration K\" and \"Dehydrated Vegetables\" for the War Department.
- Discussions regarding holding regular commercial chewing gum and candy formula structures as \"confidential\" from the government\'s Price Adjustment Division.
A fantastic addition to any collection focusing on WWII Home Front history, military rations (K-Rations), or vintage corporate advertising ephemera.
Please review the photos carefully to evaluate the exact condition before purchasing. Ships securely in a protective sleeve with a rigid backing board.
Part 5 WWII 1945 Beech-Nut Packing Co Letter War Contracts Ration K Chewing Gum. Condition is Used. Shipped with USPS Ground Advantage
