Evening star., 1942-03-05
Henderson Hints
Possible Seizure
Of Tires in Use
Suggests Rotioning
Of Cos, Speed Bon
For Pleasure Cars
Earlier Story on Page A-1)
By ]. A. OIEARY.

Gasoline rationing and limit
ing Of automobile speed to 40
miles an hour were suggested to
the Senate Defense Investigating
Committee by Price Administra-
tor Leon Henderson this after
noon as. possible measures to re-
strict the use of pleasure cars"
during the war.
At the same time, Mr.. Henderson
disclosed that some thought has
been given the idea Of requisitioning
tires on private passenger cars-a
plan which Chairman Truman char
acterized as very serious matter"
that might prove troublesome in
carrying out.
The price administrator advanced
these suggestions after informing
the committee that rubber needs
of the United Nations for the next
three years do not allow a single
pound of crude rubber to make new
tires for the 100000 passenger
vehicles in the United States.
Recapping to Keep Some Rolling.
This means" said Mr. Henderson
that when the tires on the average
passenger car begin to go bad, that
car will have to be taken out OF
operation. We hope at best, as we
see it now, to maintain in operation
over the next three years total Of
100000 passenger cars, including
thncn hnlnp1nipO IN
Of defense workers.
This limited number of passenger
cars rated as essential are to be
kept rolling, he indicated. by en-
couraging the process of recapping
old tires with small amount of
new rubber
There is no use in fooling our
selves" he added I'VE may face
the necessity of requisitioning all
rubber scrap"
Meanwhile, Petroleum Co-ordina-
tor Ickes said he expected to know
by the week end whether the oil
industry believed gasoline rationing
would be necessary. and he added
that he very likely" would follow
the industry recommendations.
Curfew Decision Due Soon.
Also, he told his press conference.
a decision is due soon on an indus
try recommendation for Nation
wide 7 pm. to 7 am. curfeW on
filling stations.
If rationing is ordered. Mr.. Ickes
said, it probably will be applied
throughout the Nation.
Some oil industry executives be-
lieve. he said, that the tire shortage
would reduce civilian use of motor
vehicles to such an extent that
rigid curtailment of gasoline con-
sumption would be unnecessary,
while others are convinced that ra-
tioning is unavoidable. The CO.
ordinator added that he had re-
ceived report that the tire situa-
ton already had resulted in an l8
per cent decrease in gasoline pur-
chases in the Chicago area.
Seizure SERIOUS Matter"
In revealing that consideration has
been given to the requisitioning OF
tires on private passenger cars, Mr..
Henderson observed:
Its a very serious matter to take
the tire off of civilian car and give
it to another person for preferred
use"
Its a very serious matter" Chair
man Truman broke in "and you may
have trouble if you undertake it
I'VE have been back and forth
over that and I frankly don't know
what to do about it," said Mr.. Hen
derson.
Senator Truman said he believed
that if the people could be con-
vinced that they are being treated
on a basis of equality they will do
whatever is necessary to win the
war.
Mr.. Henderson said he believed
they would be willing to give up
their tires for a police car or an
ambulance.
Jones Hears Testimony.
Senator Connally suggested to Mr..
Henderson he would encounter a
constitutional barrier to the taking
of private property unless it could
be shown it was to be put to pub
lie use
Secretary of Commerce Jones,
who gave his views on the rubber
outlook to the committee several
weeks ago, was an interested spec
tator seated behind the committee
table, as Mr.. Henderson unfolded
the most serious version yet given
of this phase of the defense pro-
curement problem, there has been
indications since Mr.. Jones testified
that other war production officials
(See RUBBER, Page 2-x)