Evening star., 1942-05-07
Flexible Gas Rationinq
Based on Proved Need
Ordered for May Is
O.P. A. Issues Regulations;
z to 6 GoIIons Seen for
Non Essential Driving
/ct1~., - ~
(Story on D. C. Rationing Plans
on Page BIZ
BY ]. A. FOX.

By ]. A. FOX.
The Office of Price Administra.
tion today was broadcasting in.
structions for the Inauguration ol
the gasoline rationing program or
the Eastern seaboard May 16, but
the question of the allowance to be
made for non-essential motoring
still was to be decided.
The only approximation ranged
from two to six gallons a week, be-
tween the starting date and July
l. when the initial program, a stop
gap proposition, is to be replaced
by more comprehensive plan
Even these figures, vague rs they
are, are subject to change, the O.
P. A. said, depending entirely on
the amount of gasoline available
when rationing' becomes a reality
and thereafter.
Normal deliveries, now down one
third, are to be cut so per cent on
May 16-and even before the O.
P. A. estimate was made public last
night when the regulations were
issued officials identified with the
oil conservation program had ex-
pressed the opinion that this re-
duction meant a five or six gallon
weekly allowance for non-essential
driving.
The rationing plan follows the
outline laid down two weeks ago
when the hrst announcement OF
the program was made. 1t applies
to motor vehicles and boats-cer-
tain categories, including CONNER
cial vehicles, are excepted-and will
be administered By the use of three
types Of card.
Graduated to Needs.
The ordinary user will get an "A"
card. Those who use their cars
''in driving to and from and in
the course of their gainful occu-
patton to an extent greater than
would be permitted by the basic
allotment of "A" cards will get "B"
cards. The latter run "B-1," "B-
2" and "B-3," and the extent OF
the proven need will determine
which type is issued to the indi-
vidual.
There is another provision in this
connection, and grants supple
mental ration when the gasoline
allowed by the "a" or "B" cards '.is
not suff1cient to permit a vehicle or
boat to be used to the extent neces-
sary to the life or the work Of those
who depend on it,"
Finally, there is an "X' card per-
mitting the sale of unrestricted
quantities of fuel when the regis
trant states that the vehicle or
boat is used entirely or almost en-
tirely as an ambulance or hearse,
as public carrier or conveyance for
hire or for public rental, by min
listers, doctors and nurses in their
professional capacity, for ofIicial
Federal, State, local or foreign gov
ernment business, for trucking,
towing, delivery, mail carrying and
messenger services, for transporta-
tion of materials and work crews in
construction and maintenance, and
for dredging, guiding, numbering, or
other specified means of livelihood
in the case of boat" Farm trac-
tors and other farm equipment also
are exempt.
Registration May IL to IA.
However, no card is necessary
when purchases are made for clear
ly identifiable" ambulances and
hearses, governmental vehicles and
commercial vehicles and boats.
Holders of ofIicial governmental
travel orders also may obtain gaso-
line without cards.
Registration will be carried out
at public schools-as in the case OF
sugar-May H. 13 and IA. Late
applicants will 60 to local ration
ing boards, the same units serving
for gasoline as now handle tires
and sugar.
Every vehicle and boat will call
for card and persons owning more
than one automobile will obtain a
card for each. The cards may be
obtained through an agent, and
tourists coming from outside the
rationing area will be required to
get them. The three classes of
card will be obtainable at the place
Of registration, but persons seeking
the supplemental" supplies must
apply at local rationing boards,
which are empowered to require
the production of witnesses or other
proof of need.
The "A" card for vehicles will be
obtainable simply by showing a reg
istration card. Written application
must be made for the others.
In instructions to supervisory Of
ficers, the o. P. A. in specifying the
qualifications that an applicant for
supplemental supplies must meet,
explains that in order to make such
an allowance you must find first
that transportation is essential to
the life or pursuit OF the gainful oc-
cupation OF the person using such
vehicle or boat. and second, that
there is no reasonably adequate al
ternative means Of transportation, ~
For example. an applicant can be re-
quired to show that his business
could not be carried on equally as
we'll by mail or telephone. and that
his transportation could not be OBJ
tanned by doubling" up with a
friend.
The "A" cards will contain seven