The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-02-05
PUTS UIL ON
LICENSE BASIS
Presidents Action is a War
Measure
WELLS ARE NOT AFFECTED
Business Above 100000 Barrels a
Year Goes Under Regulation on
February II.

Washington, Feb. 5.-Pi esident Will
son Issued his proclamation putting
under license manufacturers and dis
tributers OF fuel oil with an output
Of over 100000 barrels a year.
Preference in shipments is to be
given first for war purposes at home
and abroad. public utilities and pri-
vate consumers in the order of leces-
sity. The proclamation reads:
Whereas, it is not possible to move
promptly our abundant oil by reason
OF the traffic congestion on our rail-
ways and the transfer to transatlan-
tic service of a larger number of
tank steamers ordinarily engaged in
coastwise trade. and it, therefore,
seems desirable that a plan of con-
troll be made effective in case the
distributing companies are unable to
transport as required, fuel oil to all
consumers now being served.
And, whereas. ii is essential, in
order to carry into effect the provis-
ions of the said act, that the. powers
conferred upon the president by said
act be at this time exercised to the
extent hereinafter set forth.
Nov, therefore. I, Woodrow Will
son, president of the United S ates Of
America, by virtue of the powers con-
ferred upon me by act of congress,
hereby find and determine. and by
this proclamation do announce, that
it is essential, in order to carry into
effect the purpose Of said act, to IL
cense the importation, manufacture,
storage and distribution of fuel oil
to the extent hereinafter specified.
"All persons, firms, corporations
and associations engaged in the bui
ness of manufacturing and distribu-
ing of the fuel oil Gncluding gas OIL
whose gross sale of fuel oil finclud-
ing gas oiD amount to more than 100-
600 barrels year. ere hereby requ r
ed to secure on or before February
II, 1918, a license, which license will
be issued under such rules and regu-
lations governing the conduct of tfe
business as may be prescribed. 40
plication for license must be made to
the, United States fuel administra.
tion. Washington. license division.
ANY rsff s5ss. fsii. s1f5Cf attss: u
association other than those herain
before excepted who shall engage in.
or carry on any business hereinbe-
fore specified on and after February
II, 1918, without first securing such
license, will be liable to the penalty
prescribed by act of congress-"
The proclamation is essentially a
war distribution measure and exerts
no control or restriction over the or
wells. Government officials say there
is no shortage of fuel oil or gasoline
production.
Traffic congestion preventing suff-
cient shipments to the allies and al
lowing the movement Of fuel oil to
industries that are secondary in i'm
rtance to war needs brought about
4ie order. as previously outlined ex-
clusively in these dispatches. ...
Mark. L. Requa, recently appointed
oil director by DR.. Harry A. Garfield,
fuel administrator, will have powe~
to move oil to those industries need
ing it most, classes of priorities 'ng
issued also by President Wilson in
rules and regulations governing those
distributors licensed. They are pro
mulgated by the president under pow
er conferred by the act of congress
approved August 10. 1917, which Is
''to provide further for the national
security and defense by encouraging
the production. conserving the supply
and controlling the distribution of
food products and fuel"