Evening star., 1942-01-16
Free Use Of Tires
By D. {. Cabs Fought
By Henderson
Price Administrator
Opposes Exemption
To Rotionine Rule
By JAMES E. CHINN.

The Nations rubber stock
pile" even though the largest
in history, would be exhausted
in seven months If normal con-
sumption were allowed to con-
tinue. Price Administrator Leon
Henderson told the House Dis
trict Committee today.
The price administrator appeared
before the committee TO oppose q
resolution it has under considera-
ton to exempt taxicabs in Wash
ington from the Governments tire
rationing order.
The rubber shortage is critical"
he declared 1T may well be that
the functions performed by the taxi
cabs in the District of Columbia are
Of great convenience and perhaps
importance TO the community and
the Nation. That. however, is not
the decisive question. The question
is what are the most important fun
damental uses which must be con-
tinued with our sharply limited sup
ply Of tires"
Consumption Of IS Million.
Mr. Henderson pointed out that
35.000.0 900 tires are normally con-
sumed in this country every year.
while 5000 900 tires or less may have
to serve the needs of the country
for long time to come" supple
mented by q minimum and very
small production of tires which may
become possible.
The impact Of this program upon
the country has scarcely been felt"
he declared. Fortunately. vehicles
now on the road are relatively we'll
equipped with rubber tires. Many
are new, or manufactured within the
last two years.
1T may confidently be expected,
however. that the shortage of rub
Der will pinch more and more, and
with increasing intensity. 1t will
then no longer be a question of tires
for taxicabs in the District of Co.
lumbia. The groups of persons seek
ing access to new tires will run into
the thousands and tens of thou
sands. Their cases will be meritori-
Gus. Their demands will be hard to
refuse"
After Mr.. Henderson's vigorous
opposition to the proposed legisla-
ton to let the rationing bars down
on District taxicabs, John H. Royer,
president of the Association of Taxi
cab Owners. warned that 1,700 of
the 4,700 cabs in Washington would
60 out of service in 80 days because
OF the inability to replace tires.
He declared if taxicabs are al
lowed new tires cab companies
would brand them and not allow the
cabs to be used for pleasure pur-
poses.
The small committee room was
jammed with District officials and
spectators as Mr.. Henderson pictured
the Nations rubber plight. The Dis
trict oficials. which included the
Commissioners and Chairman Greg
ory Hankin of the Public Utilities
Commission, had been called to dis
cuss with committee members
Washington wartime public trans
portation problem. and the part that
taxicabs might take in alleviating It,.
Praises Rent Control.
At the outset, Mr.. Henderson ex-
pressed his appreciation for action
Of the committee in sponsoring and
paving the way for enactment of
the present District rent control law.
Il am gratified with the rent
control bill and the caliber of the
people chosen to administer the
rent law" he declared. There is
a feeling of confidence in the Rent
Administration which will resound
to the credit Of the District Com
mittee"
Mr.. Henderson explained that in
rationing tires and tubes. it had
been necessary to allocate them only
to top flight" classes and declared
they had not been given enough
either"
Suggests Retreads.
I'VE may be forced" he added. ito
give that group use of retreads and
recaps."
The rubber stock pile. therefore.
must be made to serve the needs of
the Army and Navy and push the
war program to . successful con-
clusion. This will necessarily leave
. minimum for essential civilian
uses"
Mr.. Henderson told the committee
Q complete inventory Of stocks IN
Continued on Page Al, Column s.