Evening star., 1942-06-15
Autoists Must
Prove Need
For Extra Gas
Double Rution on
Existing Cards
Effective Today

Eastern motorists who have used
up their gasoline rations for pleasure
driving were faced today with the
prospect of being forced to put
their cars in the garage for the next
30 days, unless they can prove to the
satisfaction of their local boards
that they need additional fuel for
business purposes.
A warning to this effect was is
sued by the once of Price Admin
istration last night shortly before
its order raising the value of pur-
chasing units on A and B rationing
cards from three to six gallons went
into effect.
Declaring that no additional cards
would be issued except to motorists
who convince local boards of an
actual need, the OPA said the now
doubled units on the rationing cards
should allow motorists enough gas
oline to last until July IS, when the
permanent rationing program starts,
provided they have conserved wisely.
Should Get Enough.
Some motorists have the impress
sion that if their units are all used
they should automatically receive
units for. the two-week, period be-
tween June 80 and July Is" Joel
Dean, chief of OPA's fuel ration
branch, said. This is not the case.
The cards now in use were issued
with enough units to provide for
their gasoline needs through June
80. With the value of the units
doubled, card holders now should be
able to get enough gasoline to last
them, not for two weeks, but for
four, until July l5."
There were indications that many
motorists forfeited their usual Sun
day drives to take advantage OF the
doubled value of gasoline purchas-
ing units. The American Automobile
Association said traffic yesterday was
very light" and that gasoline sta
tions didn't have much business.
Originally, the emergency ration
ing plan. which began May l5, was
to end June 80, but when OPA post
poned the effective date Of the per-
manent rationing system to July 10,
it doubled the value of the gasoline
units to take care of motorists needs
for the extra two-week period.
Mr.. Dean said motorists who have
been using their cars only for nee
essary driving should have a pro-
portionate number of units left
today. Those who have exhausted
their quotas and want to obtain
supplementary rations must show
that they actually need more gaso-
line to meet their business needs
before July Is, he said.
Three Registration.
Registration for the new rationlng
program will be held in District
schools on July /, 2 and 3. Plans
for the new registration now are
being prepared by rationing author
tiles and school officials.
Meanwhile, Eastern motorists,
taking stock of their first month OF
gasoline rationing. found the results
both good and bad. On the credit
side of the ledger, an Associated
Press survey showed, decreases in
traffic fatalities and in juvenile de-
linquency combined with the conser-
walton of gasoline to temper the
pinch of rationing.
On the debit side, filling stations,
revenue producing bridges and tun-
nels, amusement centers and some
sports events have been hit in vary
ing degrees. Authorities from Maine
to Florida reported these major re-
suits:
Traffic fatalities decreased, in per-
centages ranging up to 40.
Accidents on the highways de-
creased, by as much as so per cent
In some sections.
Hundreds of service stations were
forced to close.
Juvenile delinquency decreased
somewhat as parents saved their
cars for their own necessary uses.
Toll bridges suffered revenue
losses up to rs per cent.
Golf, minor league baseball and
beaches we're among the most seri-
ously affected sports events and rec
reational activities.