The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1942-05-14
GARRETT COUNTY
EXEMPTED FROM
GAS RATIONINC
Is Only One in Maryland Ex-
cluded From Gasoline Rationing
Area in Eastern United States

area Ill Eastern CHlle0 states
Garrett County has been excluded
from the gasoline rationing area and
from present restrictions on deliveries
to filling stations, under recommen-
dations made to the War Production
Board by Harold L. Ickes, Petroleum
coordinator.
Similarly, all of West Virginia, ex-
cept eight counties in the Eastern
| Panhandle, will be excluded. Ten
counties in southwestern Virginia,
twenty-five in Western Pennsylvania
and ten in Western New York State
will also be left out.
Mr.. Ickes recommendations which
were approved without revision by
the WPB, were based on the fact that
the production of gasoline augmented
by supplies from nearby producing
areas, was adequate to warrant I'M
limited deliveries.
Official word about the exclusion
of Garrett county, the only one in
Maryland, from the rationing, was
received in Oakland on Saturday
morning by telegram to Walter w.
Dawson, as chairman Of the rationing
board. The telegram came from Leo
H. Mccormick, acting regional direc-
tor, and stated "You will not partici-
pate in gasoline rationing. Only coun-
ties in Maryland East and Southeast
of Garrett County will ration gaso-
line under the OPA program"
The above was confirmed by tele-
phone. Immediately Mr.. Dawson and
F, E. Rathbun, county superintendent,
made arrangements to call off the
registration of automobile owners for
the purpose of issuing rationing cards,
which was to take place in all Gle
mcntary schools of the county on
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Letters were sent to all teachers.
As news of this "break" spread
quickly, county business men and own
ers of property in Mountain Lake
Park, Oakland and along Deep Creek
Lake became optimistic about their
usual summer resort business and
we're encouraged to believe that with
restrictions on in eastern areas, the
season might be one of the best in
years. as many people might plan to
spend most of the vacation season in
this area
The counties exempted, however,
were warned that such an arrange
mcnt probably would not be perma-
ncnt and that the rationing might be
extended to include them when the
present supplies declined and trans
portation facilities are shifted to the
sections of critical shortages.
With the exception of the ninety
three counties listed, gasoline ration
ing is to go into effect in seventeen
eastern states on Friday, May Is.
Counties in West Virginia that are
not exempt arc Mineral, Grant,
Pcndleton, Hampshire, Hardy, Nor
gan, Berkeley and jefferson.
Judgment Needed
Filling station proprietors along the
borderline are urged by the rationing
board to use their best judgment
when presented with problems which
are sure to arise.
For instance the Board says that
filling stations in Kitzmller are not
supposed to sell gas to people in
Blaine, w, Va, Just across the Po-
tomac or to anyone in the rationing
area, in ordinary business.
People in the unrationed area will
not have cards, therefore they will
not be able to get gasoline in a ra-
toned area, except in case Of neces-
sity when needing to return to their
homes. For instance a Garrett coun-
tan might go to Baltimore and be
able to get enough gas there to re-
turn home, but he couldn't get gas
there to continue a journey, deeper
into the rationed area.
AlIegany county people will be able
to come to Garrett county and get
enough gasoline to return home, but
will not be able to cross the line just
for purposes of filling up their tanks
or some reserve barrels, etc.
Tourists, students and teachers
away from home on Friday, when
rationing goes into effect, will be as
smcd enough supply to get home.
In case of sickness or travelling to
the bedside of person in the family
who is i'll, gasoline will be available.
People coming to Garrett county to
spend the summer here or who have
property along Deep Creek Lake, will
he able to obtain gas.