The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-08-26

of business. Most local retailers are closing not only each night at 2 D. m, but also on Sundays at p. m,
 The new price increase brings regular gas to 20 cents or more gallon and premium gas to 21 cents or more.
 Probe Shortage
 Washington, Aug. 26 - (U.P0 = The senate commerce committee today unanimously approved a resolution for special commit tee investigation of the shortage of gasoline and fuel oil along the Atlantic seaboard.
 The committee also approved resolution for sperate investiga- ton of the administration of the defense priority system.
 The senate committe action came shortly after Price Administrator Leon Henderson announced that the government act within 48 hours" to stabilize retail gasoline prices in eastern states.
 Henderson advised President Thomas P. Henry of the American Automobile Association that q price stabilization program was neces- sary because some dealers "are wilfully profiteering at the expense of motorists"
 Conferences on gasoline prices began today between officials of the office of price administration and civilian supply and the mar keting committees of the petroleum industry.
 Price officials said that it was within the realm of possibility" that ceiling prices might be set on gasoline but indicated that some less drastic program probably will be worked out.
 Henderson advised Henry in al telegram that g study by OPACS indicates thta no advances in prices to dealers have been made by major oil companies, which have adhered faithfully to an agree ment with this office not to raise prices without prior consultation"
 Increased Their Profit
 But the dealers have independ- ently increased their margin of profit in many instances by retail price advances" Henderson said.
 T believe dealers making such advances are either miSled by un- justified fear of drastic restrictions in operations or in certain cases are wilfully profiteering at the ex- pense of motorists since projected curtailment for the next six weeks will not offset additional profits reaped by gasoline dealers from heavy demand for petroleum pro- ducts during the first seven months of 1941."
 Henderson said that the dealers apparently do not take into consid- eration reduced expenses due to the closing of stations from 2 p. m. to 2 a. m.
 Meantime, three non-interven- tionist senators challenged the ad- ministration to prove that the shortage of gasoline on the east coast is real and not "just an at tempt to bolster the war spirit"
 Their statement was issued as the Senate commerce committee consid- cred resolution by Sen. Francis T. Maloney, D., Conn.,, for an inves- tigation of the oil shortage. Som mittee Chairman Josiah w. Bailey, D., N. C., predicted that the commit tee would vote an inquiry.
 Sen. Gerald P. Nye, R., N. D., led the attack, charging that the gaso- line shortage was a "1O0 per cent occasion for performance to cre- ate a war consciousness" He was joined by Sens. D. Worth Clark, D., Ida, and John A. Danaher, R., Conn.
 Conflicting Statements
 There have been so many con- hicting staetments from various government agencies that it is im- possible for an observer to ascer- tain the factS," Nye said. There should be an investigation and ad- rninistration officials should come before Congress and present facts and figures demonstrating whether this shortage really exists"
 With growing apprehension along the eastern seaboard about the gaso- line situation, the office of price administration and civilian supply promised to take action to stop rise ing retail prices.
 Indications that ofiiclals were thinking in terms of rationing were seen fin the revelation that 6 sample ration card has been printed for the District of Columbia. It was de- signed by district officials for the consideration of the districts petro- ieunl conservation committee Chairman Beverly o. Snow said. it would be sent to other eastern cities if they wanted to see it,