Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1942-06-05
MUCH DAMAGE
TO The CAUSE
OF CONSERVATION

With the country in an utter state
of confusion over shortages, ration
ing detectives and rationing inequi-
ties affecting automobile use, the EX-
ecutive Committee of the American
Automobile Association has declared
that untold damage has been done
to the cause of conservation by a
welter of conflicting statements from
Government officials and it is i'm
perative that the people be given the
facts by persons vested with authori-
ty, if necessary, the President of the
United States.
The statement by the American
Automobile Association Executive
Committee, made public by Thos. P.
Henry, of Detroit, Mich, President of
the national motoring body, followed
a two-day session during which Jo-
seph B. Eastman, Director, Office of
Defense Transportation; Arthur B.
Newhall, Coordinator of Rubber, War
Production Board; and Ralph K.
Davies, Deputy Petroleum Coordi-
nator, gave the Committee a factual
picture of the rubber and gasoline sit
uation. The Federal officials were in
agreement that passenger automo-
biles have a vital role in the whole
war program and must be maintained,
consistent with the needs of our
armed forces.
The policy declaration adopted by
the A.A.A. governing body was an
nounced by Mr.. Henry as follows:
"There is accommodating from day to
day overwhelming evidence that
Americas fleet of 28,5OO,OOO passen-
ger cars will be called upon to play
vital role in connection with the eff
fective prosecution of the war and the
maintenance of a sound civilian econ
Omy back of the war effort.
up to the present time it does not
appear that some of the policy MAX
ers in Government have had a clear
appreciation of the Importance of the
automobile. This was indicated by
constant references to pleasure cars,
which, as a matter of fact, are things
of the past.
ITO the extent that some policy
makers have made this mistake, they
have overlooked the fact that this ma
ton, over a quarter of century, has
built up a social an deconomic system
centering largely around the pass
-enger automobile, and that violent
of its use would bring dis
.aStrouS consequences.
From now on, it is of the most ur-
gent Importance that all government
tai agencies which have a response
bllity for transportation efficiency
should concentrate their attention on
maintaining in necessary and useful
service as many passenger cars as
possible. The rehabilitation of any
great number of passenger cars would
place a tremendous burden on mass
transportation facilities. These facili-
ties cannot be g realty expanded due
to scarcity of critical materials. Thus,
a breakdown in passenger car use
would inevitably retard war produc-
,tion, demoralize our civilian economy,
and hamper the whole war effort. Nor
must it be forgotten that state reve-
nues, particularly as they affect road
building, maintenance, and bond is
sues, are almost wholly dependent on
the taxes paid by motorists.
at is incumbent upon every owner
of a passenger car in America to use
the car as a public trust, to conserve
the vehicle and the tires SO that their
life and usefulness can be extended
for the duration of the emergency.
But public cooperation in conserva-
ton program can only be had if the
motorists understand what is expect
ed of them and if Government gives
them a clear picture of the shortages
that exist in critical materials.
unfortunately, ulColu udilldSe has
been done to the cause of conserva-
ton by a welter of conflicting state
ments emanating from Government
officials as to actual shortage condi-
tions pertaining to rubber and gaso-
line. The country is today in an ut
ter state of confusion as to shortages,
rationing detectives, and rationing
inequities. It is imperative that Gov
eminent give the people a consistent
story as to the facts and that the
telling of it be not left to subordinates
but come from the people vested with
authority, if necessary, the President
of the United States.