Evening star., 1943-05-14
2Fairfax Countians
Aided in Obtaining
|ckes Gas PLEDGE
Peed and Green Cited
Plight Of Farmers
In Northern Virginia

Farmers in nearby Virginia, many
of whom have been without more
than a 48-hour supply OF gasoline
at any one time during the last 81
days, have been promised prefer.
ence in the distribution Of gaso.
line by Petroleum Coordinate,
Ickes largely as the result of the
efforts of two Fairfax County men
it was learned today.
c. E. Peed manager of the South
ern States Fairfax Petroleum Co.
operative, which supplies gasoline
to approximately 725 farmers in
Fairfax, Prince william. Loudor
and Fauquier Counties, said action
was taken to get additional allot-
ments of gasoline released for farms
by Lawrence S. Green, Fairfax
County agent. after the co-opera-
tive head had appealed for assist
ance in getting relief for the hard
pressed farmers.
Mr.. Peed said his delivery routes
planned to conserve rubber ano
gasoline. had been disrupted by lack
OF supplies, and added that at nc
time during the past 80 days could
he guarantee to meet the farmers
demands
Shortages Reported.
He said constant appeals to his
Baltimore distribution center were
met with the response that there
was no gasoline available" and that
when he took the matter up with
Mr.. Green crops in the four North.
ern Virginia counties were beins
retarded because planters could moi
count on supplies of fuel for trac.
tors and other farm machinery.
He said farmers constantly were
demanding gasoline for farm ma.
chlnery which had become more
necessary since the shortage ir
farm labor He added that many
farmers had planned as much as a
80 per cent increase in production
despite the shortage of farm help
Farmers demanded that gasoline
be supplied them at this period
even If it meant removing from
the highways all but essential auto.
mobile traffic, Mr.. Peed said,
Through Mr.. Green, it was said
the plight of the Northern Virginia
farmers was brought to the atten-
ton of Porter Hardy, Virginia War
Board chairman. who requested the
Agriculture Department to make ef-
forts to obtain additional allot-
ments for the farmer.
Farmers Come First.
In his promise yesterday. Mr.,
1ckes told the farmers that when
we have it (gasoline). the farmers
are going to get 1t first" He added
however, that we can't make gaso-
line"
The petroleum administrator
warned that supplies we're extremely
low, but that the man who needs
gasoline to plant his crops will
certainly be given preference over
somebody who wants to play golf
on Sunday"
Meanwhile Representative Sasscer.
Democrat, Of Maryland, joined Vir-
GINA and Maryland leaders in an
appeal to the once of the Petroleum
Administrator for an increase in the
gasoline allotment for farmers.
Conditions Called Critical.
Terming the conditions as "criti-
CAL Representative Sasscer said
immediate relief to the area is i'm
perative," as industrial and agricul-
tural production is "imperiled."
The Maryland Representative said
that distribution in the area appar-
emily is maladjusted, and asked for
an investigation of reported inequal-
tiles among distributors, as some
are unable to meet Government con-
tracts.
Many stations are completely out
Of gasoline and most Of the distribu-
tors are unable to supply them," he
said In telegram TO II. W. Dodge,
director In charge Of District ] In
New York City.