Evening star., 1941-07-29

chN' DhNU ftCkOs
rels daily. We are hopeful that It will
also be permitted to increase the
load-line in tankers engaged in In
ternational trade.
Other Means Taken.
We have sought to increase the
efficiency of the tankers remain
ing TO us by eliminating cross
hauling and correcting other COM
petitive practices We have asked
the oil companies to make greater
use of railroad tank cars. even
though transportation costs by this
method are greater At the same
time, we have asked the companies
to absorb the increased cost. I know
of nothing that has been overlooked
in our efforts to obtain maximum
deliveries for the East Coast.
Despite all of these efforts, there
lies ahead a serious shortage vhose
full impact will be felt long before
pipe lines can be completed. long
before additional tankers can be
launched. Industry has 81 tankers
and the Maritime Commission has
70 under construction or contract.
But tankers require time to build
and no more can be undertaken at
one time than available shlpvard
WAYS permit From 10 to 20 tankers
will be launched in each three
month period. but the entire pro-
gram will not be completed befors
le43
I have asked private industry to
contract Immediately for the con-
struction of from 40 10 so additional
large, high-speed tankers But,
necessarily. it will be months be-
fore these tankers will actually 60
INTO service.
/ I have recounted what the Gov
eminent and the oil industry have
/ been doing TO make up for the de-
flciency in transportation of oil to
! the East Coast 1 am glad to say
/ that the oil industry mas been thor
! oughly and cheerfully cooperative
at all times. In all of my experience
! have never worked with men more
willing, regardless of the effect upon
/ their own business, TO put their
shoulders to one mired wheel Wills
the Government pushed the other.
Curtailment Necessary.
We hope that these various RENE
/ dial measures-pipe- line construc-
/ ton. an augmented tanker-buildinz
program, full use Of tank cars, etc,
Will. before TOO much time has
elapsed, give us sufficient additional
transportation to meet our needs.
But, in the meantime, curtail.
ment will be necessary. This il
nobodys fault. If there isn't any
gasoline to buy, there will be mons
to burn. You can't get food out of
an empty icebox or fuel out of an
empty tank. We should be cheer
ful about circumstance that none
OF us can help. We should not
blame any individual for situation
that is the result of a world condi-
ton. The most that the Govern
ment can do at such a time as this
is TO assure fair and equitable dis
tr1outlon TO all The democratic
way is to ration fairly when ra-
tlonlng is necessary.
We greatly desire that the peopl.
IN the affected areas should ration
themselves voluntarily. They can.
II they will. curtail their consunp-
ton OF petroleum products. In
spirit Of good will, and with an
honest desire to cooperate. tn.
american people can achieve
miracles
l believe that when the peonls
realize the gravity of the situation
they Will cheerfullv volunteer for
the emergency. Certainly this is M
occasion for indulging in ridicule az
some have done, for being vitunera.
i've or even for being merely in
olnerent. This is the time, now
mat we are up against an IN
pleasant fact to show of what stuff
We Americans are made: this is tn.
time to prove to ourselves and tn
our neighbors that We are for all
out aid to Britain. even II all-o,1t
aid involves personal sacrifice.
This is a call for conservation
volunteers. Every filling station and
every oil tank truck is now on tn.
battle line of democracy.
There are many ways in which oil
and gas can be saved. You and YOU,
neighbors who are employed in trf
same part of town could use on.
automobile in going back and forth
This would save gasoline: it would
also mean money in your pockets.
Each of you could have his car
checked for gas-wasting mechanical
faults. This again would save both
gasoline and money. You could
confine the use of your automobile
more nearly to necessary purposes.
You might, occasionally. take walk
instead Of ride. This would not
only save gasoline, it would do us
all lot of good physically.
Find WAYS to Save.
All of us can find ways and meanI
to reduce our consumption q,
petroleum products. ways and mean,
that will not greatly inconvenienr.
us. And If there are those who. in
different to the equal rights of
others, persist in wasting gasoline,
local authorities should persuads 4
them Of the error of their wavs bv
enforcing laws that exist-and hay.
existed for years-in practically
every locality and the enforcement
OF which would do away with much
existing waste.
may be preaching but am also
practicing. MY family does not use
any automobile for pleasure driving
I have already put into effect a
practice that will result in a SAVING
! of fully so per cent of the gasolins
that have been using personally