The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-29
SAYS GASOLINE RISE
IS NATIONAL SCANDAL
Continued from First PageJ

CONTINUED from First Page.)
the easolene supply will
this to be true, and Will
reveal that tho sasolene supply on hand
II was reported today that the De-
partment Of Commerce is one of the
Government departments which has
sought to renew contract with the
refneT,es whiSh expires bs s,S on nentract
II is said, calls for lucent gasolene.
while the refineries will not consider
a renewal at any figure under 10 cents
per gallon.
Statement With Bill.
In a statement accompanying his bill
for an embargo on gasolene, Congress-
man Howard said:
Crude petroleum Is one OF the great
natural products of our nation; one or
its by-products. Hasolene, Is universally
used, and science has not yet discov-
cred an economical substitute for II. A
restriction OF its use by the exaction OF
eAorbitent prices will AFFECT hundreds
of thousands OF our people in every
walk OF life. The gas engine Is a
great dynamic force in our agricultural,
Industrial. commercial. and social ac-
tivlties.
course to pursue for quick, positive, and
remedial legislation.
"No one in Congress, in either branch,
desires to interfere with or impede the
great prosperity with which this nation
is blessed. so long as that prosperity
II derived from legitimate profttsi out
the continual rise In the price OF gaso-
ienc, arbitrarily fixed by the rehneries.
has not only reach the limit OF endur-
ance but Is becoming national scan
dial.
Defind Their Action.
THE refneries defend theT action In
fixing the existing and contemplated ex-
brilliant prices by saying that there Is
an increased demand occasioned by the
European war and a decreased produce
ton In crude oil. Neither OF the state
ments is true II the various Govern
mental departments. including the De-
partment OF Commerce. the Interior De-
partment. the Interstate Commerce
Commission (pipe line hearings) or Fed
eral Trade Commission, are to be cred
tied.
The war in Europe has not Increased
the expectation OF gasolene, but II has
decreased, according to the figures.
Expectation, un gallons)-l9l3. III. 72s.-
900: 1914. 162. 669.O 900: 1915. III .56OOOO.
Production of crude petroleum (esti-
mate from Bureau of Mlnes) in barrels
of fifty gallons-l914. a,9l5.0OO; 1915, a.
900, 900.
Supply Is Greatest.
Tho report of another governmental
investigation. shortly to be made public.
will show that the ION hand" supply Is
greater than at any time in the history
OF the country.
Tho legislation 1 have asked for to
meet this situation has been enacted
proved by four of the great Presidents
of the United States.
Tho discretion this bill gives to the
President to lift the embargo when the
price OF gasolene is fairly fixed has leen
declared constitutional by the supreme
Court In long line of decisions, as late
as the case of Field VS.. Clark, I43 u. s.,
In discussing the constitutionality OF a
clause In the Mckinley tariff act.
The bill may seem drastic, but the
situation demands such action. II the
people do not demand the immediate
passage OF this bill, you may look for
4O-cent gasolene by June /.
No Further Probe.
There is no need for any further in
vestigation. Reliable information in
abundance has been gathered. Action is
what is wanted and needed; and the
people have a perfect right to ask their
Government to converse for their use
and benefit one of the great resources
OF their country that has been ,gobbled
up by an association of retiners who
have proven themselves to be con-
scienceless as we'll as unpatriotlc."
Congressman Stevenson. who wouli
give the Federal Trade Commission
authority to regulate the price of
gasolsne made the following analysis
of his measure:
The Stevenson bill is in the form
or an amendment to the Federal
trade commission law. 1t defines
fuel oil. and clnssifics dealers in said
commodities In larger quantities than
1000 gallons as Wholesale dealers In
petroleum.. and requires them TO post
list Of prices in their respective
places OF business ADD also to file the
same with the commission. All prices
Iare required TO be Just and reason
able. and upon complaint that such
prices are unjust or unreasonably
high, the commission Is given power
to prescribe Just and reasonable
max lmum prices to be maintained in
the future. and is authorized to Issue
an order demanding the dealer to
cease and desist from charging higher
prices than prescribed by the COM
mission.
Courts Given Jurisdiction.
The United States courts are giver
jurisdiction upon application OF the At,
torney General. at the request OF tn,
commission, to issue writs OF manda
mus, commanding the dealer NOT Il
charge In excess of the prices pre-,
scrIbed. under a penalty, for Violation
OF the act. OF $1,000. =.
The theory OF the bill is that tn,
power OF Congress to regulate inter
state and foreign commerce Is not lin
| tied to prescribing. as in the commerc,
| act the conditions and prices of trans
| tality OF commensurate to regulating
competition. as in the Clayton act, bu
| Is picnary and extends to regulating
| commerce itselI-the sale and eXchang
| OF goods-and includes prescribing Jus
| that commerce.
THE fact that heretofore this powe
| has not ben exercised but has Iail