Evening star., 1942-10-24
Jeffers Warns Nation
On 0yeroptimism
Rubber Situation
Director Sees Fighting
Chance to Keep U. S.
On Tires for Duration
BY JAMES Y. NEWTON,

Rubber Director William M.
Jeffers said today that there is
fighting chance that we can
accomplish our purpose of keep
ing the Nation on rubber" but
he warned that overoptimistic
statements regarding the rubber
situation are damaging to the
program.
MI. Jeffers referred directly to
story published in a Washington
morning newspaper today which
stated the rubber problem had been
licked. The article implied that tires
would be available for all users on
November Is.
Mr.. Jeffers told press conference
that newspaper reporters have a
very definite duty in a crisis such as
this--just the same as I have--that
is to avoid making statements that
are over optimistic"
I'VE are going to do everything
humanity possible" Mr.. Jeffers con-
tinued. "to provide as much rubber
as possible. However, there must be
no non-essential or unnecessary
driving.
There is fighting chance that
we can accomplish what we set out
to do-that is to keep the Nation
on rubber. But the only way this
can be done is for every person
driving car to play the game "
Damaging to Operations.
The rubber director said that state
ments like the one made by the
Washington newspaper are very
damaging to operations of our pro-
gram because it gives the people an
entirely wrong impression
Mr. Jeffers said that to keep auto
mobiles in operation for essential use
throughout the war, it would be
necessary to adhere strictly to the
program already under way for curb
ing driving and holding speed below
the 35-mile limit.
Nationwide gasoline rationing
which will become effective Novem-
ber %, Mr.. Jeffers believes. will ac-
complish the objective, keeping the
annual mileage of cars below the
5,OO0-mile limit recommended by the
Baruch rubber report. He said that
at this time he did not think it
would be necessary to impose any
additional mileage restrictions on
drivers such as a speedometer check
suggested by Defense Transportation
Director Joseph B. Eastman.
In answer to question, Mr.
Jeffers said that Nationwide ration
ing would not be deferred past the
November % deadline. He said
that he did not believe voluntary
rationing would accomplish the
necessary curtailment of driving.
Can't Take a Chance.
Il have an abiding faith in the
people of this country to do what
is right in a situation like this,
Mr.. Jeffers said But this situa-
ton is too serious. We can't afford
to take the chance of voluntary
rationing."
In reference to the program tC
purchase from automobile owners
tires in access of five which they
possess, Mr.. Jeffers said that un-
doubtedly a considerable amount OF
rubber would be obtained. He said
he didn't know the number of tires
the Government would gather fol
stockpile, but he thought many
of them would be useless-too badly
worn for recapping.
Mr.. Jeffers was asked if there
was a plan under consideration tt
raise the national speed limit fol
high-speed trucks. Owners of these
trucks have complained the 35-mile
limit made it impossible for then
to operate such vehicles efficiently
He implied that some relief may bt
granted along this line, but said ne
action could be taken until it was
definitely determined how the tire
conservation program was working
out. o,
Synthetic Program Progresses.
Mr.. Jeffers said the synthetic
rubber production program wa.
progressing very well, about in line
with recommendation of the Barucf
report. He said the program wa.
being pushed to the limit and thai
the annual potential production
would be raised as soon as possible
from the current $4,000 tons a veal
to 1900 900 tons.
Paul M. OLeary, OPA admins
traitor in charge Of rationing, whit
(See RUBBER, Page 2-X0