Evening star., 1941-09-09
Pipeline
Continued From First Page.)

Pipeline
Continued From First Page.)
It added that the curtailment pro-
gram would not be lifted until We
are positive this may be done safely
without risk of precipitating a seri-
Gus gasoline and fuel famine this
winter"
Consumption Cut Tenth.
With the statement. figures were
released showing that motor fuel
consumption in II Eastern States
and the District of Columbia was
reduced by 10.1 per cent during the
week ended August 20, as compared
with the previous week, the largest
drop recorded since the Govern
ment resorted to. filling station
curfew and rationing of supplies to
retail dealers.
Gasoline delivered to filling sta
tions in Eastern States by II COM
panies during the week ending
August 20, Mr.. Davies reported,
totaled 113, ,291 ,947 gallons, as against
126,015, ,076 gallons for the week
ended August %, q reduction of
1874, ,129.
The officials statement that the
curtailed program would continue
did not estimate what the prospect
greater movement of oil by railroad
tank cars might have for Fastening
the end of restrictions.
Individual motorists, Mr.. Davies
said, played key part in effectuat-
ing the reduction in consumption,
''by recognizing the fact that need
for curtailment in consumption does
exist and by adjusting their re-
quirements accordingly"
Pipe Line Decision Due.
Meanwhile, a definite decision was
looked for today on whether the de-
fense program can spare sufficient
steel for a 20O0-mile Texas -to-New
York pipe line which would help
solve the East's petroleum trans
portation problem.
The question was up to the new
superdefense agency-the Supply
Priorities and ALLEGATION Board
which arranged to hold its second
meeting late In the day.
Defense sources yielded no in.
dication of the boards leanings, bu,
it was limited that considerable
weight would be attached to. the
claim of Emory S. Land, Maritime
Commission chairman, that alloca-
ton of 100000 to 100000 tons of steeI
for the pipeline construction woulc
seriously hamper the emergency ship
building program.
If the board refuses steel for the
pipeline-a $40, 1000 900 undertaking
the meeting is expected to indorse
one or more substitute plans fol
easing the oil problem caused BY
the transfer of tankers to Britain
Three Suggestions.
One recommendation, offered by
Admiral Land, is the construction o1
about 200 reinforced concrete barges
These could be built in about three
months, it WAS estimated, would re.
quire probably not more than 12,00t
tons of steel, and could be towec
by tugs or oil-laden tankers on then
regular runs.
Another proposal is the use of idle
railroad tank car capacity, which
J. ]. Pelley, president of the Asso
citation of American Railroads, ha.
fixed at 10000 unused cars.
A third possibility is a continued
program for rationing gasoline ant
fuel oil supplies in the East.
The s P. A. B. was expected Il
review the entire petroleum prob
lem, with particular emphasis on tn,
effect of the proposed pipe line OF
the Nations steel supply. The lin,
would require the same type o.
plates used in the building of ships
and orders for steel plate in the ire
mandous volume required would til
up a number of mills which other.
wise might be supplying other de-
fense needs, including tanks.
Only one board member ha!
voiced public opinion on the ques.
ton. Price Administrator Leon Hen.
derson said last week he would re.
serve judgment, but added, "Yol
can't sink a pipe line"
His reference to the relative in.
vulnerability of pipe lines from en-.
emy action in time of war helc
pointed significance with reference
to the causes behind the Eastern
fuel shortage. Mr.. Henderson anc
other officials have attributed tn,
strtngency to frightened transporta,
tion facilities caused by the transfel
to Britain of so United States tank
ers. British tank vessels have beer
prime targets for Hitler's U-boats
The proposed pipe line would be
feet in diameter, and would be abl,
theoretically to bring to the Eas
between 25O,000 and o0,o00 barrel
of gasoline day.