Evening star., 1942-01-16
Free Use Of Tires
By D. {. Cabs Fought
By Henderson
Price Administrator
Opposes Exemption
To Rotionine Rule
Continued From First Page)

the hands of dealers and manufac-
turers Is now being undertaken and
until 1t Is completed 1T is not safe
to estimate the present situation"
The price administrator said that
II the normal rate OF consumption
had been permitted to continue, the
stock pile of tires and tubes would
have lasted q bare three months.
Not Important Enough.
Mr.. Henderson declared taxicabs
were not included in the group of
vehicles eligible to receive tires un-
der the rationing program. Even
though they are important. they
are not important enough to be put
on a list of most essential tndis-
pensable uses, he said.
although taxicabs are important
users of rubber, they also represent
q wasteful use Of rubber" he de-
clared. "Taxis often transport only
one or two passengers at a time.
trips, and worst OF all on cruising
Taxis. and especially in the City Of
Washington, are used for sightseeing
and pleasure trips. Moreover, taxis
are used for luxury riding and they
are indeed, a symbol of luxury trans
portation. They are beyond the
reach of the ordinary worker.
I'VE must not forget that this is
necessarily one of the most stringent
regulations ever imposed upon this
Nation. Can we expect widespread
public support for a program which
denies tires to various needy persons,
for basic uses, at the same time that
We allow tires for luxury and waste
full uses?"
Users Besiege O. p. M.
Mr.. Henderson said o. p. NJ Is
now being "besieged" by persons
arguing their claims to be placed on
the eligible list for tires.
Mail bags full Of letters and briefs
have poured in," he said. Congress
men have called and reported flood
of letters which have come to them
from constituents. Businessmen,
workers and representatives of ma
tional and local trade associations
have appeared in person to present
their arguments. The material re-
ceived from all these sources is being
given careful and expert considera-
ton. Many of the arguments and
briefs have been helpful All have
emphasized the seriousness and the
complexity OF the problem
Among those asking for the priv
ilege Of buying tires Mr.. Henderson
listed defense workers, farmers. milk
delivery companies. retail grocers,
social workers, insurance agents,
travelling salesmen. military ofYicers
residing of military posts and
countless others"
If Congress attempted to treat
the problem by examining the merits
Of the claims of taxicabs in the Dis
trict Of Columbia" he declared.
then there will appear thousands
Of others whose claims are likewise
clamoring for . hearing. They
would be entitled to q hearing. They
would have . grievance If taxicabs
were given . hearing and allowed
tires and they were not"
Won't Stap Soon.
The Price Administrator said the
reasonableness" Of excluding from
the list Of vehicles Immediately
eligible to receive tires Is empha-
sized by the fact that taxicabs
have not stopped running and will
not stop running In the near
future"
The average taxicab." he de-
clared, has enough rubber to last
1t for a few months If it is not used
wastefully. Taxicabs are able to
operate on recapped tires. More