Evening star., 1942-11-13
Rush Expected
Tonight in Gas
Registrations
Only 48,491 D. c.
Motorists Enrolled
At Schools Yesterday


son G. Cantrell. assistant superin-
tendent of schools, in charge of the
registrations.
This was proportionately much
lighter than the number of appli-
cations recorded on the first day of
the July registration. On that day,
49,503 motorists applied, but the
registrations were divided over three
days instead of two as in the current
program.
Agents Turned Away.
The light registration was at
tributed partly to the fact that
many persons. unaware that the car
owner himself must sign the appli-
cation, sent agents to the schools
to register for them. These persons
had to be turned away, but they
were given application forms to be
taken home and signed by the owner
before being returned to the regis
tration center. Many owners, un-
able to go to the schools, had their
neighbors. friends and wives pick up
the forms for them.
Registrars expected their heav-
lest load tonight, after car owners
return from work and before the 9
pm. deadline.
Altogether there are 5000 pas
senger cars registered in the Dis
trict. Last July, however, .only
l22,664 drivers signed up for their
permanent rationing cards, and the
total this time is not expected to
exceed the July figure. If anything,
registration officials pointed out,
there will be fewer drivers re-
registering, as more of them dispose
of their automobiles or put them up
until driving conditions improve.
Figures Compared.
During the first registration for
temporary cards last May, 49.737
motorists registered on the first day.
The three-day total then was 137,-
AT, but this included owners of
commercial vehicles who are not re-
registering under the current setup.
On the second day of registration
last July the number of applicants
rose from 49,503 on the first day to
53,547 on the second day and
dropped to 1854 on the third and
final day.
At Roosevelt High School, where
nearly 10000 persons are expected
to register. only 1902 signed up yes
terday. At Eastern High School,
the figure was 1888, with about
$500 expected today.
Applications al Mckinley High
School Yesterday totaled 2.11O. Reg
istrars there reported that the flow
OF applicants was smooth and steady
throughout the day so that it was
seldom necessary for applicants to
stand in line and wait very long.
Few Applications Held Up.
Few applications were being re-
jected because the car owners listed
tires in excess of five, registrars re-
ported. OF the 1902 registrants at
Roosevelt, only 143 had their ap-
plications held up until they dispose
OF their surplus tires through the
Railway Express Agency.
Registrars reported that yester-
days applicants. on the whole, were
cooperative and in a good humor.
Throughout the day, car owners
were gwen prompt service by the
5000 teacher volunteers who are
conducting the registration, which
will bring the District in line with
the Nationwide program.
Agents Sign at Eastern.
At one school-Eastern High
registrars yesterday interpreted the
regulations broadly enough to per-
init signatures by agents. Charles
Hart, principal of Eastern, said he
understood the chief purpose of the
re-registration here was to get in
formation concerning the available
rubber supply and that he could see
little difference between having this
data supplied by the owner himself
and having an agent bring it in.
Mr.. Hart announced today, how
ever, that agents hereafter would
not be permitted to register for own
ers unless the owner was i'll or out
of the city. He pointed out that
the validity of those applications &C
cepted from agents yesterday would
not be affected.
Heaviest periods during yester-
days registration were between 4
and S pm. and between 7 and 8
pm. Even when lines formed dur
ing these crowded hours, the teach
ers handling the registrations
worked swiftly and efIiciently and
saved registrants from long waits.
Must Bring Cards.
Motorists were reminded that they
must take with them their automo-
bile registration cards. their "A" or
d." as well as "B" and &C." gaso-
line rationing books, and must be
able to furnish the serial numbers
of all their tires and the number OF
their local Rationing Board.
If the serial numbers of some tires
are illegible the owners may list
merely the kind of tire.
The registrations Yesterday and
today are preliminary to the Ma
tion-wide tire inspection program
which begins December l. Between
that date and January 81, 1943, all
drivers of passenger vehicles must
undergo their first tire inspection
"A" and ID" book holders will be
obliged to have their tires inspected
once every three months and those
who have been granted supplement-
ary gasoline rations must report to
an inspection station once every 60
days.