The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1942-10-29
Facts From
Headquarters
On Gas RationS
Letter to Senator Wheeler
Gives Much Information
On Timely Topic.
ALL NEEDS WILL
BE TAKEN CARE OF

BE TAKEN CARE OF
Senator B. X. Wheeler writes
that he is receiving great many
letters from Montana on the SUBJ
iect OF gasoline rationing. In search
ing for all available information,
he wrote to Leon Henderson and
received the following letter IN re-
ply. The letter contains much time
" information and follows:
My dear Senator.
Your letter of October 3, 1912, /
concerning the nationwide mileage
rationing program is greatly ap-f
preciated.
The Office of Price Administra-l
ton has been ordered by Mr.. Will
liam NJ. LETTERS, the Rubber Direc-
tor to institute nationwide mile
age rationing program through the
control of gasoline for the purpose
of conserving our rubber-borne
transportation. This order from Mr.
LETTERS is in accordance with the
recommendation of the Special
Committee appointed by the Presi-
dent to study the complex rubber
situation.
This office is now engaged in a
study of the problems involved III
such d program and in the formu-
lation Of the plan. Your comments
and suggestions are appreciated and
YOU may be sure that they will be
given careful consideration in the
preparation of the nationwide
mileage rationing program. Inc
problems of long distances and IN
adequate transportation facilities
are receiving special consideration.
In fact, you may assure your con-
stituents that the nation wide mile
age rationing program will provide
whatever amount Of gasoline IS
necessary for essential driving, re-
Eardless of distance.
The needs of people living III rural
areas will be adequately provided
for in the nationwide program
Preferred mileage IT, e., occupation
al mileage in excess of 4I0 miles
Der month"; will be available to
farmers for the operation OF a pas
senger automobile to transport farm
products and necessary farm sup
plies between farm and market,
Shipping point or point of delivery,
.or between one farm establishment
and another. Such mileage will al
so be available for the transporta-
ton of farm workers between their
residences or lodgings and their
places of employment or between
places of employment,
Special rations will be available
to farmers, under certain conditions,
to make it possible for him to Sc
cure necessary medical attention or
therapeutic treatment, or to pro-
cure necessary food and supplies.
The program will also provide what
ever amount of gasoline is needed
for the operation OF farm machinery
or equipment, stoves, and household
appliances.
The nationwide program will al
SO provide whatever amount OF gas
oline IS necessary to enable work
ers in agricultural, industrial, OF
extractive establishments to travel
between their homes and theiI
places of employment.
Under the nationwide program
people who have occupatlonal neec
for gasoline will be eligible FOL
supplemental rations for their oc'
cupational purposes 1t will also DC
possible to issue tires for their cars
in view of the fact that the mileage
rationing program will provide
strict control over the operation
of the cars. This control will in
clude the IS mile speed limit and
compulsory periodic tire Inspector
as well as the mileage rationlng
They will be issued basic ration
book providing 240 miles of trave
peramonth, calculated on the basl
of Is miles per gallon, and will al
so be eligible to receive supple
mental rations to the extent pres
emily provided by the "B" book. Il
qualify for supplemental rations, tn
applicant will be required TO SHOW
that he is sharing his car with q
least three other people or that
is impossible to do so and that al
ternate means of transportation ar
not available. The maximum mile
age provided by the b. boo
amounts to 800 miles per month
This. in addition to the mileage pro
vided by the basic ration, will max
available a maximum of $50 mile
per month for all occupational pun
poses not included Ia the preferre
mileage category
Concerning the necessity for ns
ton wide mileage ratloning, tn
Baruch Committee has reported thu
the existing rubber supply situatio
is so dangerous that unless correc
tive measures are taken immediate
ly , this country will face both
military and civilian collapse. TIL
committee also informs us that ga
oline rationing is the only way
conserving our present rubber SUI