Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-05-20
Additional Gas
Seekersface
Rigid Tests
O. P. A. to Demand
Applicant Submit
Work Affidavit

Work Affidavit
Rigid regulations were laid down
by the Office of Price Administration
today for motorists who seek sup
Elemental gasoline rations-that is
in excess of A or B allowances they
originally received-one Of the re-
quirements being that an applicant
who is employed must present an
affidavit from his place of employ
ment that the extra fuel is needed
for transportation in connection
with his work.
The applicant also must state the
minimum" mileage for which gas
oline is essential up to July /, when
the temporary rationing program
will be supplanted by permanent
plan, O. P. A. said.
Meanwhile, Nationwide gasoline
rationing, possibly starting July /,
appeared likely today as Govern
ment authorities mapped plans for
. complete rationing program to
conserve rubber.
Rules Now In Effect.
Under the rationing regulations
now in effect in the East, o. P. A.
explained. local rationing boards
are authorized to grant supple
mental supplies only If they find
that they ARE essential to life, or to
the pursuit of a gainful occupation
and that no reasonable adequate al
Tentative means are available" A
supplemental ration will he granted
by issuance of an A card or what
ever B card or combination OF cards
are necessary to provide for the
amount sought.
The applicant must state why
his present ration is insufficient. He
must support this reason with
facts" O. P. A. said.
The agency urged motorists who
seek additional rations to arm them
selves with all necessary facts about
their driving requirements before
making their applications. The
board, in turn. is directed to render
its decision on any application
within five days and, In case of an
apparent emergency, within "a
hours. First consideration is to be
given applications Of persons en-
gagged in war production.
Case of Salesman Cited.
IN citing reasons why a person
might need supplemental rations,
the o. p. A. said that a travelling
salesman who uses his car in his
business might point out that his
gainful operation might require
more fuel than that provided by a
B-3 card-57 gallons-the best that
could be obtained at the time of
registration. Or, perhaps. it was
added, person might have changed
his residence and needed more gas
than he originally sought.
20. P. A. has not issued any in
structions on how much of the ap-
plicant's present ration card must be
used up before he can apply for an
additional ration" it was said. The
local boards are authorized to ex-
ercise their own judgment in grant,
ing supplemental rations whenever
they are convinced that the appli-
cant is in need Of more gasoline
than he can get with his present
card"
The War Production Board di-
rected the Office of Defense Trans
portation to draw up country-w
plan, in consultation with Petroleum
Co-ordinator Ickes and Price Ad-
ministrator Henderson, shortly after
President Roosevelt disclosed at his
press conference yesterday that eX-
tension of rationing was being con-
sidered.
The projected plan would be re-
turned to w. P. B. for final de-
cision as to whether such a drastic
measure was necessary 10 cope with
the rubber shortage.
The w. P. B. was understood to
have decided to prepare for ration
ing on Nationwide scale after
hearing a report that American
motorists were wearing away tires
and tubes at the rate of 45,625 tons
a year, or 100000 pounds of rubber
q day.
Transport Diversion Hinted.
President Roosevelt indicated at
his press conference that diversion
of certain transportation facilities to
other sections of the country to help
bring fuel oil and gasoline to the
Eastern seaboard might be neces-
sary,
Declaring that the oil shortage
should be considered as a national
problem, although he emphasized
that the situation is made critical
only by lack of transport facilities,
the President said he believed there
should be some pooling of tank cars
and trucks.
Specifically, Mr. Roosevelt pointed
out that some other sections of the
country draw supplies only part way
by pipe line and then complete dis
tributed by other means. Where
this is the case, he explained, por-
ton of these other means might be
diverted to use on the Eastern sea-
board.
llc fItSlUcllU acknowledged Clldt
this might result in degree of ra-
tioning in other sections, but he de-
clared that there would be no
thought of imposing restrictions in
places already supplied directly and
in full by pipe lines.
Mr.. Roosevelt also remarked that
he would not consider it necessary
to impose curtailmen-~ localities
where oil was produc' rough he
indicated that some ra. g might
be needed in these areas to conserve
rubber.
Another ominous note in the crit
ical Eastern supply situation was
sounded yesterday when Robert
Allen, petroleum Office official, told
a House committee that "the most
strenuous efforts" would be required
for the 1250,000 homes heated by
oil in the seaboard States ito keep
warm next winter"
The permanent gasoline rationing
system to be inaugurated following
the interim plan now in effect will
a.. -. an