Evening star., 1942-07-12
$4,000 Motorists
In District Register
For Gasoline Books
OPA Reported PIonninq
To Eliminate Rule
For Buffer Zone

Registration of motorists under
the permanent gasoline rationing
plan ended yesterday with 1913 900
District car owners. some with shiny
limousines and others with jalopies,
In possession of A coupon books.
Those who failed to register in
the three-day period must wait until
July "A and apply to a local ration
ing board, OPA regulations state.
The period is designed to afford the
boards opportunity to consider ap-
plications for supplemental rations
and other matters before permanent
rationing becomes effective July "a.
Meanwhile, 1t was learned from
OPA sources that the part of ra-
tioning regulations setting UP q So
mile buffer zone thanking the re-
stricted Eastern area will be elimi-
mated. Such an amendment of
regulations is expected early this
week.
Ofhcials felt. it was said. that the
rule prohibiting dealers in the So
mile zone from selling gas to motor
lists from the rationed section was
too drastic. A plan which pos
sibly would extend the zone and
place some restriction on sale to
rationed drivers will be substituted.
A Book Good for 1872 Gallons.
The buffer plan was to prevent
motorists from burning up valuable
rubber In the quest for gas. 1t was
also a protection to dealers just
within the rationed area who afe
new virtually without customers,
while dealers over the line are do
ing boom business. ...
Registration in the District ended
at pm. yesterday. In other parts
Of the metropolitan area schools
were open until late last night.
Lawson ]. Cantrell, District sup
ervisor of registration, said the total
figure was approximately $4,000
short of the total signed in May
under the temporary card plan
when trucks and bus owners also
were registered at the schools. The
number of applicants increased as
the registration deadline neared,
though Mr.. Cantrell reported no
serious jams as occurred in May.
The A book now in the hands of
most motorists will be good for 1872
gallons of gas, which will carry him
ct Is miles a gallon a total of 1850
miles. The A book allotment must
last for q year. Each page of eight
coupons represents . two-month
supply and must be used in that
period to be valid. Four gallons of
gas may BE- purchased on July % and
thereafter with each coupon. The
unit value may be increased or de-
creased at any time by OPA In ac-
cord with the overall supply.
Gas Situation Called Tight"
Rationing boards. which have been
engaged the last three days register
ing owners OF trucks, buses, a1nbu-
lanees and non-highway users OF
gasoline, such as boat owners, al
ready are receiving number of ap-
plications for supplemental rations.
Extra gas will be given to preferred
classes already announced and to
others for occupationa1 driving who
have formed car-sharing clubs and
whose needs exceed the 150-miles-
per-month Of occupational driving
provided by the A book.
OF more immediate concern to
motorists, the gasoline supply situa-
ttons for the week end was reported
~titht." but not so short. as op re
cent week ends.
Some stations were closed: just
what percentage could not be de-
termined. However, Harry VAIN
wright. director of the Retail Gaso-
line Dealers of the District. said
motorists should have no difficulty
obtaining fuel" He explained the
second third of the July quota OF
gasoline was delivered to most sta
tions yesterday.
Mr.. wainwright said he was not
notified Of any rush at stations for
fuel.
Gas War Feared.
The smaller stations expect dis
aStrous gas wars" if the War Pro-
duction Board repeals its Ito order
restricting deliveries of gas to so per
cent OF normal sales. Repeal of the
limitation order Is under considera-
ton. II that action is taken, the
supply of fuel each station would
receive would be governed by sales
to motorists. More powerful sta
tions, financially, would be able to
get more business by luring motor
lists through cut prices. Smaller
stations would be driven out of
business, it was said.
Meanwhile, in Maryland, Col.
Henry S. Barrett, State director of
air raid precautions. announced that
OPA had acted to assure extra gas
rations for Maryland's $4,000 VOL
unteer air raid spoilers. The plan,
Col. Barrett said, would apply
throughout the rationed area. OBJ
servers first would submit applica-
ton to district commanders or chief
observers. These oficials would de-
termine the amount needed for
civilian defense work, then local
rationing boards would act on the
certified applications.