Evening star., 1941-08-16
How 10 Ration
Gas Puzzles
Local Dealers
Method of Effecting
10 Per Cent Reduction
Up to Man at Pump
BACKGROUND

DhCh oIbo W.
United States petroleum supply
is sufficient, but diversion OF
tdnkerS for British use hos
threatened shortage on Eastern
Sedbodrd. Secretary OF interior
IckeS, named defense petroleum
co-ordinator, called for voluntary
reduction in use OF gasoline.
When public failed TO cooperate,
gasoline stations Uere closed from
z pm. to 7 am, Early this Geek
Secretary IckeS said "curter"
had resulted in per cent in
crease in gasoline sale.
The Government order for an i'm
mediate 10 per cent cut in gasoline
distribution in the East went into
effect in Washington today amid
considerable confusion among the
men who are to do the ratloning-
the operators at the pumps.
Some of them began TO cut down
on their daily sales average this
morning, but the majority seemed
inclined to a business as usual
policy until the system is clarified.
Independent dealers expected to re-
ceive a uniform ruling from their
trade association by Monday and
chain stations likewise were wait
ing detailed instructions from agency
heads
It was the consensus that the
average motorist. whether on es-
Sential or nom essential business,
will have no trouble getting his
tank filled for trips this week end.
Dealers, however, who go ahead on
their usual sales schedules may run
out of gasoline entirely several days
before the end of the monthly period.
Their supplies will be rationed on
the basis of their sales last July,
a higher-than-average month In
Washington. dealers say.
The Federal order for the 10 per
cent slash gives priorities to oper-
ators of essential vehicles with the
probability that drivers OF pleasure
or non-essential' cars must take at
least a 20 per cent cut. More restric-
tions may be necessary including
curtailments in the Middle West and
on the Pacific Coast.
The rationing order was issued by
the Office of Price Administration
and Civilian Supply on recommen-
dation of Defense Petroleum CO.
ordinator Ickes. The measure is
without precedent in peace time, and
many of its provisions appeared
extremely puzzling 10 local distribu-
tors
The order. described as "provi-
sional' by Mr.. Ickes. and TO be kept
in effect only until further and
more comprehensive recommended
tons can be perfected limits the
delivery to consumers as well as TO
retailers and wholesalers.
Thus a filling station operator
with gas in storage could neither
sell nor receive more than 90 per
cent of the gas he sold in July. 1t
was said. The order became effective
Yesterday and. therefore, allows
operators to distribute during the
remaining half of this month only
As per cent of the entire July total.
On September ! the monthly 80 per
cent schedule will go into effect.
No Price Rise Forseen.
The Retail Gasoline Dealers Corp.
announced today that no price raise
is forseen under present conditions
resulting from the rationing and
curfew
Gasoline stations called at ran
dom throughout the city this morn
ing apparently were doing business
as usual pending official clari1ca-
ton of the new system.
All We know is what We read in
the papers" one operator said. 1t
was first come. first served" with
another, and third remarked:
i've been calling all my friends
in the business. Nobody seems to
know lust how we should start out. ="
Some Hold OFF.
Several other filling stations, al
ready operating under the 7 am
tot pm. curfew restriction. reported
the new order is not yet in effect,
insofar as they are concerned. The
retailers for the most part awaited
orders from their central Offices.
1t seemed clear. however, that
filling station operators will be in
direct control of who is to get first
call on their curtailed supplies.
There will be no issuance of indi-
vidual rationing cards under the
program as it now stands.
In doing out gasoline. the opera
tors are instructed not to dis
criminate between different con-
sumers of motor fuel or different
(See GASOLINE, Page AID