Evening star., 1942-11-21
Eligible Drivers
1oAsk Recaps
After Dec. |
OPA Warns Motorists
Not to Wear Tires
Below Retreod Stage

Motorists in the District, along
with their fellow drivers throughout
the Nation, will become eligible for
replacement tires or for the recap
ping of their present tires after
December l, but they were reminded
today by the Office of Price Admin
lstratlon not to allow their old tires
TO wear down beyond the point at
which they can be recapped.
L. P. Steuart, OPA rationing
ofncer for the District, meanwhile
reported tire registrations were
fewer than anticipated. Only LOG, ,779
reglstrants were recorded and of
these only $3.50 reported they had
more than five tires in their possess
sion. The total number of excess
tires indicated was 7.106 The total
figure fell below even the official
figure announced last Saturday after
the close of registration as 1O8,O99.
Today's total indicates that 3O,663
cars have gone off District streets
in the last six months.
The mileage rationing registration
form, which District motorists
signed on November II and 13, and
which car owners in nearby Mary
land and Virginia are still filling
out, contains a pledge over the
signature of the applicant not to
drive his car after any of the tires
are worn to point beyond which
they cannot be recapped. Motorists
will learn through the periodic tire
inspections when they are ap-
preaching this point.
II the tire inspector indicates that
tire should be recapped, the
driver will be obliged to obey his
pledge not to drive on that tire
until he has had it recapped or re-
placed.
All May Apply.
After December /, ration boards
Will accept applications from all
motorists, whether they hold a."
b &C. or ID" cards. for recap
ping or for replacement tires. Re-
gardless of the kind of rationing
book he holds, any motorist may
apply for recapping at any time.
When he receives certificate from
ms board, he may then have his
tire recapped-provided there is
enough rubber to do the job.
For replacement tires, which are
to be designated in various grades
consistent with the Importance of |
applicants mileage to the war ef- !
tort, the driver may find himself in
Volved in a priority setup, depend
Ing on the amount of rubber avail
eble to his board. "a" card drivers,
for example, will be allowed to ap-
ply for replacement tires only after
the 25th of each monthly which
time his local boards allotment of
requirements will be pretty well
used up.
II there are no tires left for the
"A book driver after the 25th, he |
Will have to wait another month be- |
fore he may reapply for a replace
ment. He is not restricted, however.
in applying for permission to have
his old tries recapped.
War Mileage Decides.
Even supplementary book drivers
may have to get in line for replace
ment tires. If local boards find
they have more applications than
tires, they will allot their supply of
rubber first to those drivers whose
necessary mileage seems most i'm
portant to the war program.
Drivers who fail to keep their
pledge not to drive on tires that
are ready for recapping probably
Will find scant sympathy from their
ration boards when they come in
TO apply for replacement tires. The
board will not be obliged to accom-
modate such drivers, especially if
there is not enough rubber to 90
around.
Whitney Leary, District OPA di-
rector, yesterday warned owners of
trucks and commercial vehicles to
apply for recapping before they have
worn their tires down too far. Such
drivers have been eligible for recaps
and requirements for some time.
District motorists were supposed
w lliS tlle IeSlSl dtlOn forms at the
schools last week, but those who
failed to do SO were given until to-
Gay to get their forms in the mail.
Motorists in all areas also were re-
minded that beginning tomorrow,
when No. coupons in the gasoline
ratloning books become valid, that
they must write their license num-
ber across the back of every ration
Ing coupon turned in for gasoline.
At the same time, all "a coupons
Will be reduced in value from to 3
gallons. The monthly allotment for
the "a bookholder has been re-
duced from 16 to IL gallons a month
because of the further curtailment
OF oil shipments to this area.