Evening star., 1942-04-26
Drivers Here Stage
Run on Gasoline
Filling Stations
Cons. Buckets and Bottles
Brought in os Motorists
Seek Extro Sunday Supply

While Ralph II. Davies, deputy
petroleum co-ordinator, yesterday
was advising motorists to quit wor-
rying about rationing and concen-
trate on voluntary saving of gaso-
line, Washington drivers were stag
ing a run on filling stations, some
going so far as to lug in cans,
buckets and bottles to obtain aux
iliary supplies.
Apparently mindful of the situa-
ton last Sunday when the one-day-
tions stranded many motorists, the
farsighted yesterday sought to guard
against recurrence by buying early
and plentifully.
Several stations in the downtown
district ran out of supplies in the
middle of the afternoon, but said
their tanks would be replenished
later. One of the principal service
centers in the business district re-
ported a brisk trade in 5-gallon-can
lots.
Buckets and Bottles.
Business also was good in the out
lying districts in late afternoon
and one station proprietor reported
he had some customers come in
with buckets and bottles as well
as with closed cans. No sales were
made to those with the open con-
tainers, this being banned by law.
Members of the gasoline retailers
organization had anticipated a large
business yesterday in view Of wealth.
er conditions and the fact that sta
tions generally are closed Sunday.
A spokesman for the organization
emphasized last night, however.
that there is no danger of a shortage
here and that stations almost with
out exception will be able to handle
all of their usual business under the
existing quota.
In calling on motorists for VOL
untary saving, Deputy Co-ordinator
Davies in a statement emphasized
that every one should do his bit" 4"
IF each motorist during the crit
ical supply period of the next few
weeks would drive only when abso-
lutely necessary, he would be doing
his part to prevent more serious
curtailment," he admonished.
Conflicting Rumors.
There have been conflicting ru-
mors as to how much gasoline auto
mobile owners will be allowed when
rationing begins May Is in Eastern
seaboard States. but Mr.. Davies said,
'Rumors and unofficial statements
should be ignored" adding that cur
tailment depends upon the future
course of events not now reliably
predictable"
Some reports have put the ration
as low as ga to gallons a week
and others as high as 80 to so
gallons a month Average con-
sumption is about SIS gallons a
month.
At the Capitol. Senator George,
Democrat. of Georgia told reporters
that If rationing was necessary the
restrictions should apply to all Sec
tionS and all States" He also wrote
Chairman Joseph B. Eastman of the
Interstate Commerce Commission
urging immediate steps to pool all
tank cars in the United States and
to grant permission to private truck
carriers to transport oil from pipe
| line stations
House Majority Leader McCor-
mack asserted that the situation
should be left in the hands of Sec
retary of Interior Ickes, the pc
troleum co-ordinstor. Rationing
would be handled by the once of
Price Administration under Leon
Henderson.
In a statement. Mr.. Mccormack
also registered his support of Sec
retary Ickes' repeated suggestion for
/ construction of a pipe line from
Southwest oil fields to the East
Coast. This idea has twice been re-
jected by war agencies on the
grounds the required steel was need
ed for tanks and ships.