Evening star., 1942-07-22
New Rationinq
Ends Famine Of
Gas in Capital
OPA ReIuxes Rules
To Let Dealers
Get Supplies
(Ration Information, Page Al

from the stations last night and
this morning-after the Office OF
Price Administration at the last
minute relaxed its rules so opera
tors might begin the permanent
rationing system with some fuel in
their pumps.
Late yesterday nearly every serv-
Ice station in town was reported
to be bone dry" The original
plan was that retailers could get
no more fuel until they registered
with rationing boards today and
tomorrow and received inventory
coupons to turn in to their suppliers.
Get Coupons Later.
Yesterday the OPA decided to
let suppliers make their deliveries
Immediately with the agreement
that station owners obtain their
coupons and yield them to the
wholesalers within "a hours, ac-
cording to information from the
automobile associations and re-
tailers' spokesman.
An early survey by the American
Automobile Association revealed no
stations which did not expect to re-
ceive some gasoline fcr sale today.
A majority already had 1t in their
tanks.
Like retailers, some of the con-
sumers may be getting their gas on
coupon credit" today.
Between one-half and one-third
ofJthe operators of commercial au-
tomobiles in this city repeatedly
have not yet received their "S' cou-
pom books. Lacking "A" coupon
books, these trucks. taxis and
buses might quickly be laid up ex-
cept for credit" scheme OPA an
nouncd last night.
May Advance Gasoline.
To meet the situation, OPA said
filling stations may deliver gas to
regular customers without receiv-
ing coupons from them until July 81
If the customers agree to turn in
coupons as soon as they get their
books.
Paul M. OLeary, deputy admin
istrator, said that "of course, all
service stations will be held re-
sponsible" for such sales. Retailers
will never be able to replace the gas
they sell until they get customers
coupons to exchange for new sup
plies.
A spokesman for local retailers in
dicated the operators will go slow in
such credit" sales, since as late as.
ii o'clock last night other OPA rep
resentatives were warning meetings
of station operators they face severe
penalties If they dispense fuel with
out receiving coupons.
Lacking direct instructions from
OPA, district managers of all large
local oil companies are instructing
retailers to do no business ION the
cuff" they informed the AAA short
ly before noon. If this is followed,
no one without coupons can get gas.
Most Books Now Ready.
The Is local ration boards worked
to last midnight on the applica-
tions for commercial ration books.
according to L. P. Steuart, chief of
the system here, and virtually all
the cases have been completed. He
said nearly all applicants could pick
up their books at the boards today.
Mr.. Steuart praised his personnel
for working through the steaming
heat of last Sunday and succeeding
nights to get their work done.
A few of the boards have begun to
consider applications for supple
mental rations asked by owners OF
private autos, he said, but few If
any have been issued.
Until they are, he said. motorists
may use as many as eight OF their
"a" coupons, each of which is good
for gallons.
A driver who has neglected to get
his "A" coupon book may not apply
until Friday, except in case OF dire
emergency, it was stated.
Operators to Register.
Today and tomorrow the boards
will be busy registering the filling
station operators-more than 900 OF
them. Retailers will state how much
empty space they had in their tanks
at closing time yesterday. They will
receive inventory coupons for that
gallonage, enough to give their sup
plyers and receive full tanks of gas
Any future deliveries to retailers
must be in exchange for coupons
given by motorists.
Many private motorists seeking
supplemental gas rations were
among hundreds who stormed local
ration boards late yesterday ano
many were turned away. They were
expected back today.
About 10000 District drivers have
applied for these supplemental cou.
pons, it was reported. This is 6
relatively small number WHEN com,
pared with those who asked for ano
got extra gas under temporary" ra-
tioning. When files we're made pub
lie at the end of last month it was re-
vealed that more than $4,000 TX
cards alone had been issued.
Price War Feared.
Some retailers are worrying abou
the prospect of a price war. Ont
spokesman explained that big sup
plier in excellent financial condition
might try to capture the limitee
market from small firms and inde'
pendents by cutting PRICES. Or
supplier put in shaky position by the
current situation might try similal
maneuver, it was said.
Alarmed. a committee of five rep
resenting the Eastern States Case
line Dealers Conference gathered
with about 20 Senators and Repre-
sentatives on Capitol Hill yesterday
it was learned. Through the in
fuence of some of the members O
congress, the committee later talked
with Price Administrator Henderson
Mr.. Henderson took the position
that a price war is unlikely, ac-
cording to a retailers account Of
the conference, and the price ad'
ministrator also indicated that ut
considered it was not his business
to fix minimum prices.
Senator Bridges, Republican, ol
New Hampshire yesterday declared
Nnf vytTo a.