Evening star., 1940-02-13
Hearing Is Set
On Gasoline
Standard Here
D. G. House Group
Will Probe General
Market Practices

CHAIRMAN Nichols OF the special
subcommittee appointed by the
House District Committee to inves-
tigate gasoline market practices In
the District said today he would
probably hold hearing Friday into
reports that District drivers are be-
ing fieeced by dealers selling reg
ular grade gasoline at premium
prices.
Mr.. Nichols, q one-time service
station operator, said further that
George M. Roberts, superintendent
Of weights, measures and markets,
has been asked to prepare reports
Of his investigation last year.
Coming from an oil-producing
State and as q service station oper-
ator in Eufala, Okla, after the war,
am at least conversant with the
problems involved" Mr.. Nichols
said. II hope to get this hearing
over before the end Of next week"
Dealers to Meet.
Meantime, the Executive Commit
tee of the District Petroleum In
dustries Committee was to meet this
afternoon to consider the gasoline
situation. Mrs. Mary c. Mallon,
secretary. said the committee con-
sists of Is members representing in
dependent and chain station dealers.
Mr.. Roberts said today further
investigation Of his records tended
to indicate there was considerable
amount Of gasoline being sold as
high test when 1t was Of low grade"
He said additional samples were
purchased within the past month,
but analyses have not yet been
completed.
His agents last year made SO pur-
chases OF premium gas and tests
by DR.. H. G. Dickinson, chief of the
division Of heat and power of the
Bureau OF Standards revealed n
per cent of the purchases were of
regular grade or lower. One SAM
pie was little better than kerosene.
DR.. Dickinson explained that the
high-test gas should have an oc-
tame rating of between 76 and 80,
and straight gasoline about 72.
The octane rating Is a technical
measure of the gasoline's knockless
quality. High ratings produce less
knocks.
Special Auto Tank Used.
The purchases were made in
specially equipped automobile in
which the regulation tank is not
connected with the motor. The mo-
tor feeds on another tank located
in the luggage compartment.
NJ Roberts said the tests had
Indicated that 'it Is the hardest lob.
w6.ever n1deFtook To Obtain ! sl1ort
measure Of gasoline in Washington.
This he attributed to the strin-
gent District law against short
measuring pumps. There are no
laws in the District, however, to
protect gasoline purchasers on
quality.
Bill Pending.
A bill prepared by Mr.. Roberts.
but still with the District Com
missioners, provides a fine up to
$500 and a jail term I'D to six
months, or both, for failing to ad-
vertise the quality and standard of
the gasoline being sold. 1t would
also permit the District Commits
sioners to set the standard to be
maintained.
A similar law in North Carolina
provides for grading gasoline into
premium" regular" and motor"
The premium gasoline must have an
octane rating Of IS; the regular, 6s,
and the motor, lowest grade and
unsuitable for automobiles with
high-compression motors, go. State
tests are made frequently, begin
ming with the entry of the fuel
into the State and again in whole
sale distributing tanks and in deal
ers' tanks.
BY comparison the District of CO.
lumbia has no tests, and one OIL
cial Of the biggest distributor in the
East said dealers tanks are not
regularly checked. Tests are made
"only when we suspect something"
he added, land are made without
our knowledge locally" from the
New York Office.