The Bismarck tribune., 1929-04-19
A.A. A. IS IN FAVOR
OF CONSERVING OIL
BUT Fears COUCINC
Demand for Gas Growing, With
Storage Supply Ranging
From 22 to Al Days
WOULD FIGHT PRICE JUMP
Failure to Accumulate Reserve
Of Liquid Fuel in 1923
an Illustration
WOULD FIGHT PRICE JUMP

Washington. April l3.-Car owners
CT the country. who annually spend
over two billion dollars for gasoline
and OIL favor . constructive program
10 conserve the nations Oil resources,
but will be quick TO resent any move
on the part Of the industry To create
All artificial shortage with the pur-
poe of raising prices To the con-
sumers. according To bulletin issued
by national headquarters OF the
American Automobile association.
The A. A. A. statement was issued
under the signature OF Its president,
Thos. r. Henry, OF Detroit. Mr. Henry
said that the national motoring body
Is IN whole-hearted accord with the
policy OF President Hoover as far Is
the oil resources OF the public owned
domain Is concerned.
When II is considered" said the
A. A. A. president, that America has
only about Ia per cent Of the world 5
oil resources, and In 1923 produced
68.2 per cent Of the world production,
IT Is time TO adopt some means Of as
suring 4 supply for the future.
III all elements OF the oil industry
are sincere in the move TO join Presi-
dent Hoover In honest conservation
OF these resources there is little dam
ger OF unfayOrable reaction on the
part OF the consumers. II. on the other
hand, there develops any indication
that the oil interests intend 70 use
conservation as q cloak for the cre-
alton OF an artificial shortage the Or
ganizcd car owners, through their ma
tional and local associations, will be
found ready TO do battle"
Mr.. Henry cited figures for 1928 to
show that there was no unusual cx-
cess IN the gasoline supply, although
there was an Oyerproduction OF crude
oil.
"As \ matter OF fact" he said, 1T
appeared that rcftnerS did not &C.
cumulatc sufficient supplies OF gaso-
line during the spring and were
pushed to I'LL orders in midsummer"
The statement continued:
Gasoline production totalcd ST.
lB3,OOO barrels. or 1891 .686 900 gall
IONS. IN 1928, which represents an IN
crease over 1927 Of II per cent.
This increase resulted both from
increased runs to stills and from an
Increased percentage OF recovery OF
from 30.6 per cent In 1927 TO 4l.3 pcr
cent In 1928. The increased yield OF
gasoline from crude oil was due partly
TO increased cracking activity.
The indicated domestic demand for
gasoline In 1928 amounted to 32S.-
$4,000 barrels. or 1880, ,9o4, 900 gal
Ions, m increase over 1927 OF II pcr
cent.
I'm view Of this situation. 1t is quite
probable that the low point in stocks.
26.378yO00 barrels, or l.lO7, ,876 900 gal
Ions on September 30, 1928. repre-
sentcd only working stocks.
Moreover. figures for 1928 show
that the supply In storage varied from
one sufficient to meet n days de-
mand. In January. to ~ days, In Aug
ust. the peak Of the motoring season.
when there Is the greatest demand for
motor fuels and lubricants.
However. 1t Is natural to suppose
that u the oil industry succeeds In
curtailing the production OF crude
oil 1t will naturally diminish the
amount OF gasoline.
The car owners feel that they have