Greenbelt cooperator. (Greenbelt, Md.) 1937-1954, 1941-08-29
Only Residents
Will Get Gas

Because of the 10 percent reduc-
ton in gasoline deliveries to SER
vice stations, as ordered recently
by OPACS, the local station since
Thursday August FL, has sold
gasoline to Greenbelt motorists
only. The quantity that may be
delivered to the station during
August is 80 percent of total July
deliveries, necessitating a severe
restriction in sales during the
last week and a half.
During the first 20 days, how
ever, the station had sold about
80 percent Of the quantity receiv-
able for the month. Approximate
ly 20 percent was left for the re-
naming II days of August. This
was the predicament in which the
station found itself on August 10
when d flyer was issued announc-
ing the restriction Of gasoline sales
and requesting Gr,erbalt motorists
to attend a meeting next evening.
The management of Greenbelt
Consumer Services had to decide
whether to keep on selling until
the pumps ran dry and close them
for several days at the end of the
month or re limit the purchases.
The decision was to provide for
the stations regular patrons, the
local motorists. as much as pos
sible. The available supply was
divided up into daily quotas for
the remainder of the month.
At a Commute meeting Zone
Of Greenbelt's shortest) of the
motorists, the situation was ex-
planned briefly by GCS president
Frank j. Lastner and acting Gen.
eral Manager Thomas B. Kicker,
who is also the service station
manager. Since that time, Mr..
Ricker's figures of available supply
as presented at that meeting have
been somewhat revised, resulting
in even more Of a restriction than
had been anticipated.
It was announced at the meet
ing that small windshield stickers
would be provided for local motor
lists to Immediately identify them
when they drove into the station.
The names Of 176 local car owners
desiring the stickers were turned
in at the meeting. Sixty-two had
been received that day at the sta
ton, and more have come in since
Gasoline is being sold only to those
possessing these stickers or to
those who otherwise identify
themselves as Greenbelters, after
which they too are given the
stickers.
Last Saturday was the first day
that the daily quota was sold out
resulting in the closing Of the
pumps at 3 o'clock. The station
however, was kept open for other
services until the usual closing
time at Z pm. When the pumps
are closed and a motorist is COM
pletely out of gasoline, one gallon
will be sold to him.
There is no uniformity of policy
among all Of the stations regard
ing rdLlOnlnS. some SCaClOnS III
the area have already sold out and
have closed for the remainder of
the month. Others are not limit
ing their sales in any way, and
will sell until their pumps run
dry. Still others are selling
limited quantity to each purchaser
in an effort to remain open until
August 81.
Mr.. Kicker stated "The station
will do everything it can to ale
viate the situation. AS in the past,
we will bear in mind at all times
our patrons interests and will
work toward giving them all pos
sible satisfaction during this
emergency. However, the whole
problem of restricting gasoline
sales creates a difficult situation
over which the management has
no control, and the thoughtful CO.
operation of all is a necessity for
the good Of everybody concerned"