The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-06-02

all commercial vehicles. With the
help Of our Local Boards, huge
quantities OF gasoline are being
saved by our trucks, BUSES and de-
livery services.
II, over a period of time, we are
able to save a sufficient amount OF
gasoline from our "B", "C'' and "T"
book holders, will be the first to
request the elimination OF the pres
ent ban on unnecessary driving.
Certainly. under ideal conditions,
every citizen should be allowed to
use his small amount Of gasoline as
he sees TT and with no questions
asked, Only under urgent emergen-
cy conditions, such rs the one which
confronts us now, should this policy
be set aside.
Rum0rS Current
Now there have been some rumors
flying around in recent weeks on
which I would like to comment. It
has been said that our present gas
oline emergency Is the result OF de-
liberate discrimination against New
England in distributing our fuel oil
and gasoline supplies.
have no control whatsoever over
the distribution OF either gasoline
or fuel oil, But I think I know the
facts, and In my opinion, these
stories OF discrimination are mlstak-
en-, II not deliberately vicious.
It's our Job to get gasoline 10 ELL
rope by the shortest, safest route
possible.
II our Army and Navy tankers
were sent all the way TO Galveston
and other oil ports on the Gulf Of
Mexico, three thousand miles Of
submarine-infested waters would be
added to the round trip between
Europe and our own country. We
would require fifty per cent more
tankcrs to deliver the same amount
Of oil each month.
No, It's not question OF discrim-
nation against New England IT Is
simple matter OF geography.
Another set OF rumors deals with
alleged mistakes In the entire gas
oline distribution set-up
or course, there have been mis-
takes, Mistakes In any large I'M
dertaking are inevitable, But before
we talk too freely OF mistakes, let's
be sure we know our facts.
Was 1t mistake TO withdraw our
tankers from the East Coast where
so many tankers were sunk and so
many hundreds OF brave sailors
drowned In an effort to carry gaso-
line TO New England last Summer
Was II n mistake TO send hun
dreds OF millions OF gallons OF Diesel
oil and gasoline TO North Africa TO
provide fuel for General Eisenhow-
er's crushing victory over Rommel's
German and italian armies?
Is 1t a mistake TO send unlimited
supplies OF gasoline and Diesel oil
TO Europe today so that the bomb
Ing OF Germany and italy can be
continued tomorrow
Is 1t mistake TO provide huge
stores OF gasoline for the great land
offensives which lie ahead and
through which this war must be
finally won2
Beware Of Critics
Beware OF those who talk too
glibly OF this mistake and that!
Constructive criticism Is not only a
right but a responsibility OF every
citizen. Destructive criticism
political criticism Is another
matter. We cannot afford II during
wartime. II we are TO defeat the
enemy, we must stop fighting each
other.
We are faced with n difficult,
dangerous and unpleasant situation.
Let's face 1t frankly. Let's face 1t
together.
And let's not say that the honor
system failed, with ninety-five per
cent OF our people, the honor sys-
tenn has succeeded. Moreover, TO a
large extent, the honor system Is
still In force. for certainly all the
combined police power In the State
OF Connecticut could not begin 10
cope with the thousands OF boSder-
line cases where the division be-
tween necessary driving and I'M
necessary diving Is so very slight.
TO our "B" and &c" book holders,
IN closing my earnest request
that you will develop sharing
10 the maximum possible extent.
You have been entrusted with nine
ty per cent OF all our gasoline that