Evening star., 1942-05-15
TaxicabDemand
Scars dsCity
Rations Gas
Streetcor and Bus
Traffic Increased;
Fewer Autos in Use

Gasoline rationing, in effect
today for the first time, resulted
in a noticeable decrease in the
number of private automobiles
on the streets, a somewhat heav-
Ter load on streetcarS and buses
and a tremendous" increase in
the demand for taxicabs.
Officials of the leading taxicab
companies agreed requests for taxis
were so heavy this morning that
even the operation of the new
Combined Cab Service" switch
board. serving six of the largest
companies, could not take care Of
the business.
Traffic police In the congested
downtown centers said the decrease
in passenger cars was so noticeable
that vehicular traffic was much
easier to move at the worst inter-
sections. They also noted a heavy
gain in pedestrian traffic.
136,73S Register for Gas.
Meanwhile, the results of three
days registration for gasoline ra-
ton cards at % schools showed
l37,447 car owners were registered.
About one out of every four OBJ
tanned the "a" card, supplying the
minimum amount, three gallons a
week. The *" cards with an un-
limited supply, went to 11.3 per
cent OF the car owners. In other
classifications los per cent received
B-1 cards, 14.4 per cent B-2 cards
and 38.9 per cent B-3 cards.
Yesterdays registration was
Ightest of the three days by nearly
10000. Its total was 39,361, COM
pared to 48,329 the day before and
49,737 Tuesday.
OF the grand total, 34,147 were
given A cards; 14,377 B-l cards,
1906 B-2 cards. 53,442 B-3 cards
and 1906 x cards.
Classification Figures.
A breakdown in classification by
days follow:
A cards-Yesterday. e,O65; We'd
nesday, l1,22l; Tuesday, 1851.
B-l cards-Yesterday, $3.50; We'd
nesday, 4,946; Tuesday, 5.581.
B-2 cards-Yesterday, 1888; We'd
nesday, 1897; Tuesday, $3.50.
B-3 cards-Tuesday 1924: We'd
nesday, 19,345; Tuesday, 1853.
X cards-Yesterday, 4,143; We'd
nesday, $500; Tuesday. 5,857.
Slight Demand for Gas.
Dealers reported slight demand
this morning, because so many mo-
torists filed up their tanks yester-
day.
The Capital Transit system re-
ported some increase in passenger
traffic in az least four of its lines.
The heaviest increases were shown
on the Chevy Chase bus line, the
Wisconsin avenue, Rosslyn and
Seat Pleasant, Nd. car lines. The
Mount Pleasant line was tied up
about 20 minutes when a plow
grounded" at Connecticut avenue
and S street. at $40 a. m
The Arnold-operated Washington,
Virginia and Maryland Coach Co.
reported a slight increase in pas
sengers during the rush hours. but
a substantially heavier increase dur
ing the middle of the morning. This
would indicate, officials said, that
many women who formerly drove to
the city for shopping were using
buses.
Reports from parking garages and
lots conflicted. Some said they were
doing a normal Friday business"
while others reported big decrease
up to so per cent in the parking of
private automobiles. Those who
noted normal" conditions attrib-
dted it to several things. Many mo-
torists had filled up their tanks yes
terday, before rationing went into
effect, they said. The Friday bar
gain day in many stores. and also
pay day in parts of the Government
also were said to be factors. Many
wives usually drive their husbands
to work on Friday and remain for
shopping, it was pointed out, espe-
cially if Friday is pay day.
More Pedestrians on Streets.
At the crowded corner of Four
teenth and F streets NV. Traffic
Policeman r. Y. Hesse, who has
been on duty there since June. said
the biggest changes were in the
large decrease in private automo-
biles. and corresponding increase in
pedestrian traffic. Formerly, he
said, it was frequently necessary to
stop eastbound traffic until the
filled-up block between Fourteenth
and Thirteenth streets could be
emptied eastward The policeman
(See GASOLINE, Page A-6J
|CviIion Defense