Evening star., 1942-09-27
35.kiIe Speed
Limit Ordered
ThroughoutU. 5.
Effective Oct. J.;
Common Carriers
Get 15-Doy Respite
By JAMES Y. NEWTON.


35 miles an hour as rubber con-
servation move was ordered yes
terday by Joseph B. Eastman,
defense transportation director,
for all rubber-t tired vehicles. The
order becomes effective October
l for all vehicles except buses
and trucks operated as common
carriers, which will be brought
under regulation october Is.
simultaneously, Price Administra-
tor Leon Henderson announced
merging of the gasoline and tire
rationing program into single sys-
tenn to control mileage of the Ma
tion's passenger cars according to
essentially of use. The plan will
become effective about November %
when, a spokesman said, OPA hopes
to have Nation wide gasoline ra-
tioning in operation. No date was
set for registration of motorists out
side the East.
Mr.. Henderson did not explain
how the merger Of tire and gaso-
line rationing would accomplish the
mileage control objective. He did
say compliance with the 35-mile
speed limit will be basic require
ment for obtaining tires and gaso-
line. Tires on all cars, he added,
must be submitted to OPA for on
wheel inspection every so days.
Plans to enforce that regulation
have not been worked out.
Requests to Governors.
Mr.. Eastman said he would re-
quest all State Governors directly
and through the Council of State
Governments to put into effect in
their States a 35-mile speed limit
by proclamation or otherwise. He
will call on local and State officers
for strict enforcement.
The Eastman order marks the
second step in unfolding recon-
mendatlons for conservation of rub
Der made by the Baruch Committee
in investigating the rubber situa-
ton. The committee also recon-
mended periodic tire inspection
Late Friday, the new rubber direc-
tor, William M. Jeffers, directed
OPA to institute Nationwide gaso.
line rationing. Mr.. Eastman sale
he conferred with Mr.. Jeffers befor,
issuance of the speed-control ordel
The effective date of speed contro
for buses and trucks operated a.
common carriers, that is vehicle.
regularly scheduled over regular
routes, was postponed to October /:
to give carriers time to make neces.
sary adjustments in operations.
HauIage Problem.
A spokesman for the ONCE ol
Defense Transportation admitted
that reducing speed of long-hau
buses and trucks, especially those
trucks engaged in hauling vital wal
materials, raised a special problem
which might require more attention
later. The transportation capacity
of buses and trucks would be greatly
reduced at the limit speed, thus
throwing a heavier burden on the
already taxed railroads.
There are certain types of buses
and trucks which are geared to high
speed. The spokesman said he
doubted if those vehicles would op-
crate efficiently or last as long il
forced to run in a lower than nor
NAL gear.
! Vehicles operated by the armed
services or in emergencies. such as
ambulances and fire engines, were
exempted from the 35-mile limit
Emergency vehicles, however, must
not be driven "at rate of speed in
excess of that which is reasonable
under conditions prevailing at such
| time"
States Action Needed.
While the 35-mile speed limit be-
comes law on the fixed dates under
| powers delegated to Mr.. Eastman
from the Second War Powers Act
it will be necessary for the States to
pass individual laws to assure proper
enforcement. =
| Theoretically, the Government
could enforce Mr.. Eastman's order
with Federal officers and Federal
courts even though the States took
no separate action. In such event
a speeding motorist would be SUBJ
| ject to the severe penalties pre-
scribed in the War Powers Act. In
only one instance, however, has ac-
tion been undertaken independently
by Federal authorities to enforce
an ODT order. That occurred re-
Gently when an automobile thrill
show in Buffalo, N. Y, was halted
by court injunction.
In the District, Secretary of In
terror Ickles already has reduced the
speed limit in parks to IS miles an
hour. Gov. O'Conor by proclama-
ton recently set Maryland's limit to
conform with the Eastman order,
while in Virginia, Gov. Darden has
called a special session of the Legis-
| lature for this week to consider