The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-08-27

the present case, however. he said, the other distributors had not fol- lowed the lead of Socony.
 Local stations, many of them with their supplies running low, will close again this Sunday at l p. m. They will be given extra supplies for the holiday weekend but the amounts delivered will be charged against their September quotas. Many deal- CTS are now reported in favor of closing ell day Sundays after Labor Day.
 At Washington yesterday, Price Administrator Henderson promised action within 4S hours" on price increases in gasoline in the eastern states.
 Ratio1ing Cards
 Washington, Aug. 2g-(UP)-sen. Sheridan Downey, D., Calif., de- naanded q Tationing card system to control of gasoline consumption along the Eastern Seaboard today. He suggested that rationing all consumer commodities probably was the only alternative to imitation.
 Sen. D. Worth Clark, D., Ida, agreeing, asserted that the admin istration,s failure to issue rationing cards indicated they have not con- sidered this (shortage) too seriously themselves"
 These demands came as Leon Hen- derson, chief of the office of price administration and civilian supply, prepared to "crack down" on rising gasoline prices in eastern states, reported in some instances to be as much as three cents gallon. He promised yesterday to take action within 48 hours"
 A senate committee begins an i1- vestigation of the gasoline situation tomorrow.
 President Roosevelt told his press conference yesterday that the gaso- line shortage would be eased by next spring, unless a major German offensive in the North Atlantic in creases Britain's need for American tankers. New tankers and two new pine lines from southwest oil fields are being rushed, he said. In proposing hationing fall con- sumer commodities, Downey said defense orders would create about $25 ,000. 900 600 in purchasing power next year.
 "That purchasing power will not meet with an adequate supply oi consumers goods" he said, "and the result will probably be the be- ginning of an upward price spiral Taxes cannot meet the situation and I can see no other answer but ra- tioning cards for all consumers purchases.
 Doesn't Know Everything
 ''Of course, do not know all the facts concerning the gasoline short age on the east coast, but if the shortage does exist the only feasible method for meeting it, I believe, is through rationing cards. Cutting de- liveries to dealers does not appeal to me as a means of cutting down consumption of motor fuel
 Clark said motorists could obtain full tanks of gasoline now by merely driving from station to station, buy ing a few gallons at each. He said he had ben told of one station operator who merely requir- ed his customers to drive around the block between each five gallons they purchased.
 WiIIful PrOflteering
 The OPACS is studying price in- creases to determine whether "col- fusion" is involved.
 In any case, 1t was understood Henderson will issue . blast-prob. ably today-at "'willful protiteering' in gasoline. If he finds there hal been colluslon, it was said, the easel will be turned over to the jtistic. departments enti-trust division tol prosecution.
 OPAs officials conceded that { general price order, greezing price ct 6 certain level, would probably be reserved until ail other method had failed. An order, it was polntes out, would be extremely difhcuI since it would affect ct least iOQ,00 stations along tho Atlantic Eea
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