Evening star., 1943-07-12
Vacation Travel
Permits Sent 10
Ration Boards
Ruling on Alternate
Transportation and
Eligibility Awaited

Vacation automobile travel per-
mits today were in the hands of 16
District ration boards as they
awaited an Interpretation from
ONCE of Price Administration off,
cials as to what drivers are eligible
and what constitutes alternative
transportation"
Relaxation of the pleasure driv-
Ing ban to permit one vacation trip
on A-card rations is scheduled to go
into effect Thursday when permit
applications will be received by
ration boards.
To prevent board members from
being swamped in handling the ap-
plications, a District OPA official
said today, authority to issue the
permits probably would be dele
gated to the clerks of boards, who
are on fulltime duty.
Handling Termed Routine"
"It is a routine matter, after all,
If the applicant meets the condi-
tions laid down." it was stated by
Charles Davies, rationing attorney.
I'VE hope to complete today a
statement for guidance of local
boards in administering the regu-
lation, and our interpretations will
be in the hands of local ration
boards within two days at the
latest"
Chief clerks of local ration
H. at
1740 Massachusetts avenue NV. to
hear an explanation of the travel
authorization and to acquaint them
selves with their duties in carrying
out the vacation driving plan.
Mr.. Davies pointed out that
ration boards would have to ex-
ercise judgment in deciding the
ticklish question of adequate al
tentative transportation"
Stay-at-Homes a Problem.
Motorists who decide to take
their vacations at home" he added,
also present a problem which will
have to be solved through the rule
of reason"
Factors to be considered, relative
to alternative transportation, include
the availability of accommodations
on train or bus to within reasonable
distance of the destination, the age
and physical condition of the vaca-
tionists, and the amount and nature
Of baggage.
The vacation travel authorization
must bear a valuation stamp affixed
by ration boards. The application
sets forth that the applicant IS
authorized to drive motor vehicle
for one round trip only, by the
shortest and most direct route be-
tween two designated points, with
the dates of departure and return
listed. The speedometer reading
also is recorded. The applicant will
be required to say:
II hereby certify that I have suf-
ficient coupons in my basic ration or
gasoline acquired by such coupons to
enable me to make the above trip
The applicant then signs the state
ment.
No. 5 Coupons Good.
The application further states:
"This is not a gasoline ration. 1t is
only an authorization for travel. is
sued on the basis of representations
that such travel is in accordance
with regulations issued by the Of1ice
of Price Administration"
1t was pointed out that No. 5
coupons, expiring July 81, are good
for use on a vacation if started on
or before that date. Those who have
saved up for trip can use No.
coupons, as we'll as No. 6 coupons,
which become valid July % for a
period of four months.
AS methods of procedure were
being determined, observers pointed
out some confusion was inevitable,
in view of OPA's decision to leave
permit authorizations up to local
boards. The motorist who prefers
spending his vacation at home
would resent any discrimination
against his use of accumulated basic
rations at home, while neighbors
drive off to beaches and the noun
tains on vacations, it was pointed
out.
How much, if any, the current
drive against pleasure driving would
be relaxed to permit a "stay-at-
homer" to indulge in a limited
amount of non-essential travelling
was another perplexing question
r,orr,,;,oo npA off3cia1S
Pleasure Ban Statement Due.
Nor was all sweetness and light
between Representative Hartley, Re
publican, of New Jersey, who
sponsored the one-vacation- -trip-a-
year plan, and Prentiss M. Browns
OPA office. Representative Hartley
was granted the privilege OF an
nouncing the vacation plan last
Tuesday, but on Thursday he broad
cast a speech entitled Lets LID
uidate OPA."
OPAs subsequent ruling that vaca-
ton trips were allowable only II
adequate alternative transporta-
ton" were not available, brought
from Mr.. Hartley a statement that
"all hell is going to break loose" If
the original assurances given him
proved wrong.
AS July IS nears, statement was
expected from District OPA officials
as to the pleasure ban enforcement.
The possibility that holders of vaca-
ton travel permits would be stopped
at key highways leading out of this
city, and required to show their
permit, was being interpreted as
move to discourage non-essential
driving incident to Inauguration of
fhe vacation travel plan.