The Washington times., 1916-03-08
Forty-Cent Level Expected by
June, and Fifty Cents Before
War Ends.
HOUSE HEARING IS LIKELY
Rules Committee Probably will
Consider Resolution for
Probe Of Increase.

Gasolene took another jump this week.
II now WHOLESALERS at 23h cents. This
means the consumer is paying from Ab
to q cents.
But that is far from the worst.
Forty-cent gasolene by June. and 30
cent gasolene before the war ends!
That Is the prediction Of experts who
have made a careful study of the sit
uation.
Automobiles already are keenly alive
to the imminent higher prices. But the
predictions that the prices will continue
to advance now are beginning to disturb
the thousands OF motor boat owners.
A large majority of these. II is believed,
win not run their boats with gasolene
selling around 40 cents.
Opinion of Government experts, from
economists OF universities. from pro-
ducers, and from jobbers and retail
dealers. all point to the prospect OF a
steadily increasing price.
Hearing Expected.
Coincident with this general concern
came the announcement that the House
Rules Committee probably will give
hearing on the Dowell resolution Tor
comprehensive investigation Into the
reasons for the high prices of gasolene
and into the gasolene and oil situation
generally.
Congressman Dowell has obtained
mass of data bearing on the question
of high gasolene prices. Independent
oil men in various parts OF the country
are writing to ask about the inVestlga-
ton and they are supplying data.
These independents declare they are
being rapidly crushed out by the stand
ard Oil Company subsidiaries, and UNI
less relief Is given by the Government
they face ruin.
. One of the important questions as to
which the Dowell resolution asks an
investigation Is whether, in spite or the
Supreme Court decision in the STANDARD
OH case. the monopoly still persists
through mutual stock ownership In the
concerns which were formerly held to-
gether by the Standard OIL Company
Of New Jersey.
heard by the Rules Committee. That
committee will consider whether a
situation exists which warrants II in ad-
yisiRg the House to adopt the resoiu-
ton. e.
Experts tefsely sum ups the reasons
for the advance In three words. supply
and demand"
Few OF the Reasons.
Here are a few of the reasons for the
ulkuSE 40 oeotSu w ShSoS 0NN
dents of the situation:
A 80 per cent increase in consumption
of gasolene in 1915 over 1914 In 1916, 1t
IL estimated, 100000 more automobiles
will be manufactured and sold.
The use of gasolene in the 1000 Brit
ish submarine chasers and patrol boats.
carrying gasoline engines Of 400 to 800
horsepower.
The slump in the Gushing field. pro-
ducing $780, 900 barrels a day OF crude oil
OF high gasolene content, which slumped
during 1915 to less than 100000 barrels
daily.
Little oil coming from Mexico because
OF the lack OF transport facilities.
When the war closes, these experts
say, there will be an immediate slump.
A large factor will be the tremendous
production OF benzol (benzine) from the
by-products recovery plants installed by
the United States Steel Corporation and
other American industries. This coal
tar product now Is bringing from 80 to
80 cents while, before the war, II was
worth only about 20 cents.