Evening star., 1942-12-20
Gas Sale Ban to End at Midnight;
B and c Books Cut to ; Gallons;
Transportation Shuttle Dropped
All Transit Lines
Proposed Changes
Are Called Off

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the city on an emergency trans
portation basis because of the
OPA restrictions on gas sales
were thrown into the discard last
night with the exception of the
changed hours for public schools
The Capital Transit Co., which
earlier in the day had been given
permission by the Public Utilities
Commission to make wholesale
changes in bus routes to meet in
creased demands on main lines any
time the company felt the changes
were necessary, said last night that
in view of the fact that the crisis
would end at midnight tonight with
gasoline ration books again made
usable, no changes in bus routes
were contemplated.
1t was not Immediately decided
whether or not an emergency meet
ing of superintendents and super
visors of the company called for
this morning would be held although
company spokesman said he
thought the meeting would go off on
schedule.
School Hours Changed.
Although the gas ban has been
lifted, school officials said that the
altered hours for schools to open
and close until the holidays would
remain in effect tomorrow and pro-
badly Tuesday and Wednesday since
the later opening and closing had
been ordered by the Board of Edu-
cation. Officials planned to discuss
the changed picture with Capital
transit Co., President E. D. Merrill
over the weekend and will make an
announcement tomorrow concerning
the Tuesday and Wednesday school
hours.
The school board, as a means OF
allevlating the rush hour traffic
load, had voted to open the schools
at 10 am. and close them at
$50 pm.
All planning was geared to the
expected strain on public transpor-
tatlon facilities Monday, when Gov
ernment and transit officials agreed
the peak burden would come. Mr.
Merrill had made plea earlier in
the day that those who could walk
to work, even if they lived mile
away.
Gas Stocks Fairly High"
Motorists will find fairly high
gasoline stocks in service stations
Monday, according to reports last
night. 1t was learned that i'm
mediately before and even after the
ban was put on sales, deliveries were
being made to gasoline dealers here
Othclals agreed that yesterday did
not present a complete picture of
how the city could adjust itself to
a permanent ban on gas sales.
A number of Government en-
ployeS had taken annual leave
Many motorists in a do or die
spirit drove to work anyhow. Some
had made car pool arrangements
which they planned to abandon
after yesterday. Also on Saturday
afternoons, home-going in spread
over longer period.
The indications that the restric-
tions were to be only temporary
also kept the picture from being a
complete one. Department stores
declined to change their hours until
they knew how temporary the re-
strictions would be- Plans for fur
ther staggering of Government
hours also were held in abeyance
pending further word on the dura-
ton of the restrictions.
Motorists Cautious,
Hours after the lifting of the re-
strictions was made public, how
ever, motorists were inclined to be
cautious. Some downtown parking
lots reported the worst Saturday
night business they had ever had
One pessimistic holder of an A
card paid SO to store his car for a
month before he learned his a
coupons were good again.
Throughout the II Eastern States
affected by the gas edict, gas dealers
mixed tact and toughness in deal
ing out emergency rations under
the single coupon permitted while
the restrictions we're in effect.
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