Evening star., 1941-08-20
Daily Average
Curb on Sale Of
Gas Attempted
Utilities Commission
Warns Tuxis on
Unnecessary Cruising

The probability that they will run
out of gasoline entirely in the last
few days of the first 15-day ration
ing period was prompting members
of Gasoline Retailers of Washington,
Inc, today to curtail sales on a
daily average basis.
From August Is, when the ration
ing order went into effect, until the
end of the month dealers can re-
ceive and sell to consumers only As
per cent OF the quantity disposed OF
during the month of July.
Meanwhile a veiled threat that
possibly rules of more drastic nature
might be considered in the future il
voluntary cooperation fails. was
offered by the Public Utilities Com
mission yesterday as it called on
taxi owners and operators to cease
unnecessary cruising as means Of
saving gasoline.
Letters Warn Cab Owners.
The commission today is sending
letters to about 5000 cab owners and
| drivers urging them to observe all
existing regulations and law for
| bidding unnecessary cruising in
search of fares. This action was
taken as a result of request by
Defense Petroleum Co ordinator
Ickes that steps be taken to reduce
cruising as much as possible with
out placing an undue burden on cab
operators.
In the absence of specific ration
ing instructions on the sale OF gaso-
line here many dealers have gone
ahead on business as usual" basis
and now are far ahead of their
quotas, if figured on daily average.
Under a plan proposed by the
retailers, the filling station operators
will divide their allotment by the
number of days remaining before
September 1, making allowances for
busy days, such as Saturdays. A
dealers business experience, 1t was
said, should enable him to strike an
average for every day in the week.
Daily Quota Closings Advised.
1t was suggested that rationing for
non-eSsential uses be figured &C
cordingly. The dealers were advised.
it was said, to close when their daily
average was exhausted, rather than
run the risk of being forced to
close for several days at the end OK
the period.
independent dealers were to be
summoned to a meeting to pass on
the proposal as soon as word is re-
ceived from the distributors, 1t was
said.
The utilities board, in its letter to
taxi men, said:
1T is, of course, the desire OF
the Commissioners of the District
and the Public Utilities Commits
sion to cooperate fully with the
co-ordinator and your complete CO.
operation is essential to the fulfill
ment of this desire. You are ur-
gently requested to observe all ex-
isting regulations and statutory
laws pertaining to cruising.
Cites New Stands.
The Public Utilities Commission,
with the approval of the joint
board, has established numerous
taxicab stands adjacent to fire hy-
drants in the downtown shopping
area. Observation reveals that very
little use is made of such public
space. The commission believes that
greater use of these facilities would
do much to conserve gasoline and oil.
The Commission is hopeful that
your entry into the spirit of our
national defense program for the
conservation of petroleum products
will prevent more drastic action in
the future"
District officials frankly have
doubts as to how effectively they
can enforce present rules banning
unnecessary" cruising, so they
couched the letter in terms of a
plea for cooperation. Some Off
cials said, however, If it is found
there is widespread disobedience
hereafter they may have to con-
slider "other steps" which might in
clude bans on any cruising of cabs
in downtown sections.
Talk Slated Monday.
The District Petroleum ConSer-
vation Committee announced today
a talk on gasoline and fuel-oil saw
ings would be made Monday at S
pm. by Harold N. Marsh, attorney,
before the University Women'S Club
at 1884 I street NV. A film illus
trating oil-conserving driving will
be shown.
The Conservation Committee also
is starting actively today its cam
paign among $4,000 users of fuel
oil here to check their officiating
plants to get them into best oper-
ating condition, to urge insulation
of homes and to have fuel-oil tanks
filled now before the fall demand
arrives.