The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-03-24
TO CHANGE GASOLINE RULES.
NEW STATE STANDARD Takes
EFFECT JUNE 1.
Chanees Should Yield Higher Grade
and at Lower Cost Commissions,
Watson Says.


sary by the much changed conditions
IN the petroleum industry, on June 1,
change in the specifications for gas
oline in this State, and consequently a
n" standard for gasoline, is to he
enective. The change will consider
aoiy lower the present very high
standard, but still give to the people
higher grade of gasoline than is
supplied in any State in the Union.
II should also result in an annual
saving on prices to the consumers OF
about $4,000
The new specifications call for not
more than 16 per cent residue at $50
C., with distillation and flash test re-
quirements the same as heretofore
and fixes the dry point at not more
than 200 degrees c. Heretofore the
residue was 80 per cent. and there
was no dry point specification.
Commissioner Watson in speaking
OF the change said: Heretofore our
requirements forced the retiners tc
ship only high grade light gasoline
specially distilled for this market.
Under the new standard all straight
run first grade gasoline, about the
same quality furnished the United
States navy. will be admitted"
Speaking of the gasoline situation,
the commissioner said: -.
Under the requirements hereto
fore we have been securing to the
people the highest grade Of gasoline
furnished in America. For more than
a year, however the supply situation
In tho petroleum industry has been
becoming more and more acute with
each week. and four months ago 4.
became obvious that the supply Of the
grade we were requiring could not be
maintained. This has been due to the
enormous increase in consumption OF
all grades Of gasoline with no cor
responding increase in production
For months we have been making the
most exhaustive study of the situa;
ton In the effort to reach speciflca~
tions that would insure continuity of
supply, and at the same time, give
this State the highest quality sold in
the United States. The standard ]
have finally adopted, effective June 1.
will accomplish this due purpose, and
in prices paid ought to save to the
consumers about $4,000 year. ~
This State now has about $40,
900 worth Of motor driven vehicle
including pleasure cars, trucks, trat-
tors. motorcycles, etc. The annual
consumption of gasoline is about So,
100000 worth, there being close on
to 100000 gallons consumed. Ir
the State there are Independent job
hing companies selling In the aggre-;
gate about 100000 gallons a year
The situation as to short supply ha6
become so acute that the companies
were about to be put out of business
as the large refineries could no longer
take care of their own business and
furnish them also. For these reasons
it became necessary to broaden the,
scope Of the source of supply. and
hence the action I have taken. OF
course, the general public will not be
able to discern the difference in the
old and the new standard material, rs
under the new specifications there will
be furnished quality of gasoline su-
perior to any found on the open mar
ket anywhere in tho country. aboHi
the same quality as is now furnish e,,
for export. The dry point require
ment will keep out all heavy OF
mixtures