Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-01-05
Tire Rationinq
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Az Stations
Retreod and Recap
Price Complaints
Filed With Board

Seven petitioners for that rare
commodity, automobile tires, visited
the two local tire inspection stations
during the forenoon today as the
Districts threatening program got
under way.
More than 100 other motorists,
who apparently had not read the
instructions on how to go about get
ting a tire rationing card, took their
requests personally to the newly
opened Offices of the Tire Rationing
Board in the old Force School on
Massachusetts, avenue.
They had some difficulty getting
the procedure explained to them be-
cause painters and carpenters still
were at work trying to get the four
room headquarters on the second
floor Of the school ready for Chair
man Whitney Leary of the Ration
ing Board and his staff.
No Rush at Stations.
But there was no rush at the
two automobile inspection stations,
which are serving as the tire test
ing headquarters. BY noon, only
three hopeful car or truck owners
had called at the Northeast station
at West Virginia and Central ave-
nues NE, and four had visited the
one at Tenth and F streets S.W.
First applicant to have his ma
chine certified as needing new tires
was Samuel S. Streb, plumbing and
heating equipment dealer, who
drove his truck to the Southwest
station, had his tires inspected,
filled out his application and took
it directly to the Force School head
quarters.
His application now must be
passed by one of the three sub
committees handling the rationing
machinery.
The Rationing Board quickly
found itself on the receiving end Of .
complaints against rising prices for
retreading and recapping of tires.
Several Protests Received.
Eugene T. Brady, chief clerk OF
the board, said about 10 people
dropped by to protest that they were
being charged "exhorbitant" prices
for retreading and recapping jobs.
One said dealer was asking double
his normal price.
A poll of tire-rebuilding dealers
showed that prices have gone up as
little as so cents and as much as
$3.50. None of those called had
raised prices as much as SIS or S.. as
some of the compliments charged.
At any rate, Mr.. Brady told the
compliments that the Rationing
Board had nothing to do with prices,
and referred them to the office Of
Price Administrator Henderson.
The first customer" at the North
east inspection station was physi-
clan, who explained that a dealer
had sold him a set of understood
tires, that he had just discovered
it and wanted to get four new tires
Of the correct size. The inspector
told him his tires were in pretty good
shape, but the physician was given
an application anyway.
Satisfied With Operations.
Mr.. Leary said the program had
been put into operation in such a
short time that there were bound to
be few kinks that would have to
be ironed out. On the whole, how
ever, he said he was satisfied with
the way things were going on the
first day.
He urged the public to follow the
procedure outlined by the board last
week. The first thing to do, if you
feel you are eligible to purchase
tires, is to drive to one of the in
spection stations and have your tires
examined.
If they are in bad condition. you
will be given an application blank
by the station supervisor. This must
be filled out and taken to the boards
headquarters to be passed on.
There was some confusion at the
two testing stations as to how to
handle the applications. but Mr..
Leary said this would be Strengthened
out soon.
Organization Meeting.
Others who applied at the North
east station were a former school
teacher, who was told that she was
not eligible. and a driver for a
baking company.
One of the three committees
which will pass on the applications
held an organization meeting at the
District Building today. and ar
ranged to hold its first official meet
ing Wednesday at the Force School.
This committee, headed by John
w. Guider, will deal with applica-
tons for essential transportation of
materials. such as ice, fuel. build
ing materials and the like, and
service by common carriers.
The other two committees are
expected to hold meetings prior to
a general meeting with the execu-
tive committee of the Rationing
Board on Wednesday afternoon.