Evening star., 1943-01-13
Rutioning
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Rotioning
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locked in room for "a or 48 hours
he felt sure they could work out
changes in the rationing system
that would improve oil deliveries.
Senator Barbour requested Mr..
Scott to submit to the committee
later detailed plan of changes he
believes would improve the situa-
ton.
Mr.. Scott advocated centralized
control over the three phases of
the oil problem now touched on by
different Government agencies,
namely, supply. transportation and
ration distribution.
Senator Burton, Republican, of
Ohio, asked Mr.. Scott if the local
distribution problem would be about
the same in other Eastern cities as
in Washington. The witness said
he thought it would, subject to GER
tain variations, such as the greater
use of oil for cooking in New Eng
land.
This prompted Senator Burton to
suggest that if representatives of
the Atlantic Coast as whole were
added to the committee suggested
by Mr.. Scott, greater force could be
given to an effort to work out better
rationing regulations.
Earlier Chairman Maloney of the
committee urged that one Govern
ment agency be given unified con-
troll over gasoline and fuel oil, parts
of which programs are now han
died by the Office of Price Admin
istration. the Office of Defense
Transportation and Petroleum Ad-
ministrator for War Ickes.
He made the recommendation to
a delegation of New England leg
islators before resuming hearings
of his committee.
Hard to Place Responsibility.
I have come to the conclusion
there should be one overall head
for this entire program Senator
Maloney said, because it is pretty
hard to place responsibility other
wise tfte = ..s-
Minority Leader Martin sug-
gested that Chairman Donald Nell
son Of the War Production Board
is over all of them, but Senator
Mahoney replied there still is some
doubt about how much power each
agency has.
isn't it about time Nelson, Ickes
and Eastman (ODT directory got
together and found out how much
power they have?" asked Mr.. Mar
tin. When he said responsibility for
getting more oil to the East could be
narrowed down to these three off,
cials, Senator Maloney observed that
Hitler also is to blame for the pres
ent oil situation
Senator Maloney reviewed the ef-
/ forts that have been made to in
crease oil shipments, but held out
little hope for any great improve
ment in the supply, beyond simpli-
fication of rationing and distribu-
ton. He said some observers even
believe next winter will be worse
than this one.
Mccormack Assails Strikers.
Majority Leader Mccormack said
those responsible for the Pennsyl-
vania anthracite strike are guilty
of what well might be termed close
to treason"
Mr.. Mccormack remark was sec
onded by Senator Brewster. Repub-
lican, of Maine, who said repre-
sentatlves of the striking miners
should be summoned to Washing
ton to explain to the Truman
Committee. or some other group.
the difference in their action and
sabotage, if not treason, in block
ing the production Of a vital COM
modify in this crisis
Representative Curley, Democrat,
! of Massachusetts argued for con-
struction of concrete pipeline from
Chicago to New York, paralleling
the New York Central Railroad
tracks, to speed the Transportation
of oil to the hard-pressed Eastern
Seaboard
Mr.. Curley argued that 100000 to
100000 men should be put to work
at once building the concrete line,
five feet in diameter. He estimated
1t could be completed in As to so
DAYS
Charles F. Phillips. head of the
Automotive Supplies Division of
OPA, later told the committee he
believes the black market in gaso-
line is relatively small. He said the
East Coast gas quota for all types
of cars is $4,000 barrels a day. On
that figure, he said, the black mar
ket cannot be great.
On the East Coast. rationing has
reduced driving below the yearly
average of 5000 miles car, recon-
mended by the Baruch report.
Mr.. Phillips called the pleasure
driving ban "a very successful en-
deavor," told the committee there
is a high percentage of compliance.
He told Senator Burton, Repub-
lican, Of Ohio he could not predict
the saving in gas, but said gas sta
ton sales indicate it may exceed the
10000 barrels day saved when "A"
coupons were cut in value from four
to three gallons.
Senator Burton asked if he under
stood the witness to say the ban
would last only so or IS days.
Mr.. Phillips said that would be the
crucial period of fuel oil shipments,
but indicated nothing definite has
been decided regarding gasoline re-
strictions after that time. When
it was found necessary to cut down
further on gasoline, he said, the ban
on pleasure driving appeared to be
an easier. quicker way than at