Evening star., 1941-07-06
D. {. Employees
ToGet Gasoline
Economy Quiz
Survey to Examine
Motoring Habits in
Move to Suve Fuel

The District Commissioners, seek
ing new methods for conserving gas
oline consumption in Washington,
are planning a survey among some
10000 employees of the District Gov
ernment to ascertain their methods
OF transportation to and from work
with a view toward cutting down
the use of private automobiles, it
was disclosed yesterday.
The city heads revealed that ques-
tlonnaires similar to those used in
the Interior Departments recent
survey will be sent to municipal
employees in the hope some practic-
able plan can be worked out whereby
motorists would either abandon use
OF automobiles in travelling to and
from work or would increase their
passenger load
The Commissioners issued instruc-
tions to Maj. Beverly c. Snow, As
sistant Engineer Commissioner and
chairman of the District Petroleum
Conservation Committee, to prepare
the questionnaires for easy distri-
button to the employees.
Would End Congestion.
District officials said they felt that
such plan, if operated successfully,
would help relieve traffic congestion
in the downtown sections, as well as
aid in reducing gasoline consump-
ton.
Maj. Snow said the questionnaires
would be sent TO most of the en-
ployes in the District Building, the
new Municipal Center Building and
other municipal institutions. and to
the more than 5000 school employees,
some 1900 members of the Metro
politan Police Department and ad-
ministrative staff and the more
than 1000 employees of the Fire De-
partment.
The queries will not be sent to
about 5000 workers employed by
the Government on a per diem
basis. Mai Snow said.
This development is in line with
the Petroleum Conservation Com
mittee's efforts to cut gasoline con-
sumption by 20 per cent wholly
through voluntary cooperation on
the part of District government
employees, commercial concerns and
all motorists.
Placards to Be Used.
A plan for distribution of posters
and automobile stickers throughout
the city now is being worked out
by the publicity subcommittee of
the conservation group. These
placards will call on Washington
motorists to make periodic checks
of automobiles to determine wheth-
er they are operating with maxi
mum efficiency. .s
In the survey conducted in the
Interior Department by Secretary
Ickes a total of 3,611 employees re-
turned answers to the question:
naires, and of this number, Asa car
driving employees indicated their
willingness to provide space for ad-
ditional passengers in travelling to
and from work.
Department officials figure that
the extra car space volunteered
would provide transportation for
about 1900 additional passengers,
and it was felt that a practical plan
could be worked out whereby a ma
jority of motorists would pick up
their fellow employees on way to
work.
Speakers Bureau Created.
Another result of the Interior sur
vey showed that 760 workers who
drive their cars to work would be
willing to use common carriers if
necessary.
The Districts Conservation Com
mittee also has set up a Speakers
Bureau, headed by Bruce Baird.
president of the National Savings
& Trust Co. to provide speakers
to appear before citizens aSsocia-
tions. professional, business and
patriotic groups to tell how citizens
of Washington can cooperate in
the voluntary effort to reduce gas
! oline consumption.