Evening star., 1942-05-15
Rutioning Disclosures

Some unexpected and probably
very significant facts have been
brought to light during the three
days that have been devoted to the
issuance of gasoline rationing cards.
The most striking development is
the marked disparity between the
official estimate of the numbers and
types of cards that would be needed
and the actual demands of the mo-
toring public. This gulf between pre-
rationing estimates and the stated
requirements of motorists has been
so wide that many local rationing
agencies ran out of B cards entirely,
and in at least one nearby commu-
nifty the supply of B-3 cards was ex-
hauSted on the first day.
This suggests two things-inade-
quate planning on the part of Off
cials in charge and the exaggeration
by some motorists Of their actual
needs. The Office of Price Admins
tration had estimated that A cards
would constitute about 80 per
cent OF the total issue, but it
is indicated that only about rs
per cent of the motorists have
applied for this type card. Another
suggestion is that there have been
serious abuses in the issuance of X,
or unlimited, cards. As a result of
these developments, o. P. A. has
warned that it may be necessary to
reduce the present unit allotment of
three gallons. If it be assumed,
however, that the excess Of x cards
and B cards is due to misrepresenta-
tions on the part of some motorists,
the proposal to lower the unit allot-
ment would have the effect of pc
nalizing all motorists because some
may have overstated their needs.
This could hardly be considered a
proper or equitable remedy.
1t would be a mistake, however, to
assume too readily that the apparent
miscalculation is due entirely or in
large part to false statements by
drivers. A greater probability is that
the actual mileage driven by the mo-
toring public, for both business and
pleasure purposes, Is considerably
greater than the official estimate.
If this be the case. it clearly in
dicates that further consideration
must be given to the desirability Of
rationing gasoline throughout the
country-or by some method ration
ing the use of automobiles-as a
means of conserving tires. Petro-
leum Co-ordinator Ickes has indi-
Gated that something of this sort
may be in the offing. and Dr..
C. F. Phillips, head of the o. P. AS
Tire Rationing Division. has issued
blunt warning that all non-essential
driving may be halted through gaso-
line rationing with a view to saving
rubber
In these circumstances, the ra-
tioning which goes into effect in the
District and seventeen States today
should serve a highly useful expert
mental purpose. On the basis of ex-
perience in issuing cards. 1t seems
reasonable to draw one of two con-
illusions: Either that car owners are
doing more driving to and from work
which it not truly essential than was
officially believed to be the case, or
that they expect to do more driving
than is necessary II they can get
gasoline for that purpose. In either
event the wear and tear on the
Nations irreplaceable stock of tires
will be the same, and il this prospec-
tive waste of an invaluable wartime
asset can be prevented only through
strict national rationing of gasoline,
which seems to be the case, it Is to
be hoped that the responsible Off
cials will not hesitate to take timely
and appropriate action to that end.