Evening star., 1942-05-27
Rubber Experts Called
Before House Group
To Explain Situation
Federal OfficiuIs to Be,
Asked How Essential
Needs Are Being Met
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Put on notice that Nationwide
gasoline rationing may be the
next step in the rubber con-
servation program, the House
Interstate Commerce Committee
called on Government rubber
experts today for an explanation
of the situation and what is be-
ing done to meet it.
Representatives Of the Army, the
Commerce Department and other
agencies dealing with rubber were
requested by Chairman Lea to tell
how essential needs were being met
and would be met in the future.
The main purpose of the investiga-
ton, he said, was to keep the pub
lie informed on the situation.
On the basis of existing techni-
cal developments, official predictions
have been that there will be no new
tires for civilian use until 1914 at
least, and probably not until 1945.
However, officials continue to hope
for quick development of rubber
substitutes to relieve the famine.
President Expects Solution.
President Roosevelt told his press
conference yesterday 1t was neces-
sary to save rubber by methods still
to be decided on; but he expressed
expectation that certain tire sub
stitutes would be available before all
the tires now on the road wear out.
He said he thought the civilian
transportation situation would be
worked out satisfactorily.
Answering a question on whether
anything was being done to develop
q supply of synthetic rubber for nom
military use, the President spoke Of
men to and from war industry
plants and said work was in progress
on two or three kinds Of tires
which required no rubber. He said
that if people got them and drove
Is to 80 miles an hour they could
get to town all right.
Nothing to Get Excited About.
There was nothing in the Situa-
tion to get excited about, Mr.. Roose-
welt added, speaking of situation
which was described as grim only
a few days ago in joint statement
by Donald M. Nelson, head of w.
P. B.; Leon Henderson, the price
administrator; Joseph B. Eastman,
transportation director, and Arthur
B. Newhall, rubber co-ordinator.
Mr.. Roosevelt also said he ex-
pected to talk with Mr. Henderson
soon, and also expected shortly
report on the proposal to lay pipe
line across Northern Florida to re-
1ieve the gasoline shortage in the
East.
This line, he added, would cost
about 100000. Funds for it are
contained in legislation pending in
Congress, he said, but he suggested
that to expedite matters he would
be willing to allocate money to 1t
from a special emergency fund
which is at his disposal.
The House Interstate Commerce
Committee heard Ralph K. Davies,
deputy petroleum co-ordinator, in
dicate yesterday that Nationwide
gasoline rationing might have to be
resorted to as means of compelling
motorists to save their tires. Mr.
Davies emphasized that while the
gasoline shortage existed only in the
East and to lesser extent in the
Northwest, the rubber shortage was
Nation wide.
He told reporters he had no
knowledge of any plans for the Gov
eminent to commander the tires
on private automobiles. He ex-
planned that the conservation of the
tires was for the benefit OF the
private motorist, so his means OF
Transportation would last longer.
Tire Requisition Move Seen.
However, some committee men,
bers saw in Mr.. Davies words
yelled hint that after Nationwide
rationing of gasoline would come a
move for Government use Of private
tires.
why force a private motorist to
save his tires by preventing him
from driving his car. unless the
Government has in mind taking
the tires for its own use?" one men,
Der commented privately. What
good will the tires be to the motor
ist if he can get no gasoline for his
carr"
Mr.. Nelson said at a press con-
ference yesterday that no rubber,
including synthetics, was in sight
for civilian tires within the next
two years.
Mr.. Nelson said the w. P. B. had
discussed with Mr.. Eastman "the
rationing of transportation as ap-
piled to rubber-ti vehicles, but
it doesn't look as if it would be ad-
ministratively possible to get it un-
der way by July l."
July lids DeeH tne Qdle most
frequently mentioned as the posi-
BILE starting time of Nationwide
gasoline rationing and Mr.. Eastman
has been instructed to prepare plans
for such rationing, subject to the ap-
proval of the w. P. B.
In Boston last night, Secretary of
Interior Ickes advised New England
oil dealers that rather severe" ra-
tioning Of all petroleum products "is
likely to be necessary throughout
the East for an indefinite period"