New-York tribune., 1922-07-23
d,.h Rates We're Maintained
While Stocks ere
year Record Peak, Gov
.rnment Figures Show
Protests by Motorists
1,t,ers by Users of Automo-
biles Helped 10 Bring
About u. S. Investigation

...,ally are manifessing keen concern
the investigation into the high
O.'ass 0.s Of gasoline which now is being
- nv q sub mmitsee of tae SEN
ramuaittce on Manufactures. Ler.
-, from automobile users as we'll rs
-, other gasoline consumers are urg-
That the investigation be made and
y,ss fscts in the matter uncovered.
~, subcommittee some days ago
-. out ouestionnaire TO all the
'.sinr asi oil snd gasoline companies Of
i. iisited States calling for detailed
.soynstion about their affairs. The
..srers to these questiornafres are
..r reaching the sub committee. It is
.,s,esed they will be compiled within
- Or three weeks, and that after that
earrings will be conducted and many
;~so,tsnt figures in the gasoline and
4, Industries will be summoned. The
,,,,ent plan is to begin the hearing
Z washington. Later they may he
,s,stsd to some of the centers OF the
ii and gasoline business.
Senator La Toilette is chairman Of
.ss ,ub-committee. but he is campaign
- In wisconsin just at present, and
s.sato. McNely, Of Oregon. is acting
Ghairr,an. The subcommittee has en-
ard counsel and experts, and the lat
=, are busy assembling the data which
i. government already possesses
vsich have bearing on the present
sl and gasoline situation.
Thorough Inquiry PIannc5
The resolution under which the sub
esmmittee is acting Is a comprehensive
81, and requires the Committee or
a,nuiacturers, which ia acting through
subcommittee, to investigate and re-
ssrt on stocks o. crude oil, gasoline
and other petroleum products month BY
soath for the last three years; the
beldsrs OF such stocks; the prices in
a.h month o. the last three years;
shsther the recent increases in the
prices Of gasoline or other petroleum
PRODUCTS have been made generally or
uniformly By all companies; the profits
d companies refining and marketing pc
roeum; whether there is an under
sanding or agreement to raise or de-
wess prices: whether there are any
csnditions or ownership or control Of
Ill properties or Of refining and mar
tsting facilities which prevent effective
ssmpettion; and all such other facts
bear upon the recent changes in
,rees Of crude oil, gasoline or other
niroleum products.
The resolution was adopted by the
Senate over a month ago. 1t has been
Il anecessity slow process TO organize
or inquiry into matter Of such mag
atude. In the mean time it is signifi-
can't thst there has come announce
nsnt Of reductions of prices OF crude
oil and prices Of gasoline in large
part oi the country.
Senators on the sub committee are
Watching the reductions keeniy and are
inclined tosthe view that great oil and
raining interests are becoming con-
esrasd ever the Senate investigation.
II Is noteworthy that the increase in
gasoline prices in this country came
iils spring at time when there we're
saormoas reserve stocks on hand and
Faen those reserves had not begun 20
y depleted. Now, when there IS a
isg summer consumption OF gasoline,
nd stocks OF gasoline are declining,
msts have begun to go down. Such
ssTslopments as these in the gasoline
atustry whet the appetite OF the sub
esnmittee for q full knowledge OF all
'ht facts and members Of t,lat body
t.clare they are going to the bottom
II them
Western Situation Surveyed
The Federal Trade Commission has
been diligently exploring some phases
Of the oil and gasoline business. 1t
made recent report on the Montana
and Wyoming oil and gasoline situa-
tion. This report in fact applied to an
extent TO the entire country. The trade
commission found that the great units
OF the Standard Oil Company, which
supposedly were pried apart by de-
cree Of the Supreme Court, are actually
held together by interlocking stock
ownership. The commission recon-
mended legislation to prevent such in
tsrloeking. II is believed the Senate
Committee on Manufactures will back
up this proposed legislation.
IN statement on gasoline produc-
ton and consumption the Bureau Of
Mines says:
On June ! stocks on hand at the
fehneries amounted to S56,607.l02 gal
ions, which is 35,661 900 gallons below
the record figure of s92, ,267, 1855 gallons
attained at the beginning of May. The
isct that the billion gallon mark
forecast in some quarters was not
reached seems due to the tremendous
increase in domestic consumption Of
gasoline, which amounted to 4se ,o42,34
saacns in May. This figure represents
an increase in domestic consumption
vl gasoline Of 100000 gallons over
me month OF April and 1A5, ,Oo0.o gall
iehs ever the month Of May, 1921.
Gssoline consumption figures for May
s0hssitute record for that month and
ore Gre within 100000 gallons Of the rec
Ssa yaa, setting figure attained in August,
nst, although occurring three months
ssIofe the customary month of largest
assumption.
Increase Shown in May
Production Of gasoline in May
sMounted TO 613,s5s,966 gallons, an in
tease Of 100000 gallons over the
aoatn Of April. The sharp increase in
.asoiine :ss consumption, however, was
Sa.cient Sa..snt to Offset the increased pro-
S.s,.s Son and to inaueurate the seasonal
ssssihe IN stocks month earlier than
= Usually occurs.
;, reports to the Bureau Of Mines
i,s NV ~ that Bis rehneries operated dur
mey, an increase Of twelve as COM
sa r..sn Win the previous month. Plants
a.porling during May were running an
iasi.Ie isises OF IS per cent Of their daily
"a,ested a1s capacity.
exports OF rnso';ne cor
ue,su ,vahted to 55,s23, sac gallons; i'm
n.ns. we're 7.104,87p gallons, and ship
sSsss, 20 ,nsular possessions were l.
'0s;s27 30 gallons.
reesyouction reears of fuel oil set g new
e; aa,, IN May, amounting to a36,742
,s;sIions. The previous monthly pro-
SsS nnn o record of this product was
Der Syo.ooo ,os. gallons attained in Decem-