Evening star., 1943-01-01
D. {. Officials 10 See
0PA About Gettinq
More Fuel Oil for Cit,
Delivery Problems
Eosed, but Supply
Remains Short

WlI1 Tile 1uel OIL delivery pIOO.
lem easing up, two District officials
planned to confer with Price Ad-
ministrator Leon Henderson today
on the problem Of getting more sup
plies for the city.
Whitney Leary, OPA director, and
Renah F. Camalier, OPA consultant
for the District, had several prob
lens to t@ke up with Mr.. Hender-
son. These were outlined in a sheaf
Of 26 letters from oil distributors
which had been received from Les
ter Scott, director of the oil heating
division Of the Merchants and
Manufacturers Association.
Mr.. Camalier said the delivery
problems had been much improved
by this morning, but the big diff
ficulty now was to get more oil for
homes which are running short of
fuel.
Fewer Persons Out of Oil.
"The number of people who are
completely out of oil this morning
was rather small compared to the
past few days" Mr.. Camalier said.
There. is still some shortage of
drivers and clerical workers, but the
dealers have been cooperating
splendidly in the new program to
iron out local problems Several
trucks which had been out Of repair
were placed back in service, and
several new drivers we're obtained.
But the dealers still are short of
drivers" -.'
Concerning the supply of oil, Mr..
Scott said "the outlook is not so
bright this morning. but we are
very hopeful that some more oil
will come into the Capital to help
ease the situation over the week
end"
Meantime, L. A. Snead, who in
the last war was director of distribu-
ton for the Fuel Administration,
came forward with several sugges-
tions to help solve the heating
problems of Washington house
holders. Among other things, he
suggests the District Commission
ers exercise jurisdiction over the
local fuel situation and appoint a
director or emergency fuel commit
tee. Duties of this new director
would be to see that an equitable
distribution of fuel Oil was made.
later applying the system to coal
If shortage develops.
Mr.. Snead offered his services to
the Commissioners last July, but at
that time they replied they could
not use his services.
Gasoline Shortage Continues.
One development which seemed
to delay future prospects of addi-
tional oil was the announcement
that flood waters have washed out
600 feet of the war emergency pipe
line crossing the Mississippi River.
In announcing this, Petroleum Ad-
ministrator Ickes said it would de-
lay by "at least three weeks" the
date of initial oil shipments through
the Texas-Illinois leg of the pipeline.
The gasoline shortage continued
today, with prospects that there
would be no immediate relief.
Asked about the shortage of both
oil and gas, Mr.. Leary, just before
going to Mr.. Henderson's office. said
most attention had been paid re-
Gently to the oil situation, because
1t was more serious.
We've got to keep them warm"
he declared.
Later Mr.. Scott said a checkup
Indicated some dealers were rum
ming "awfully close" on their sup
plies, and some had run completely
out" But, he added, supplies are
being switched from one dealer to
another.
Big Shipment Expected.
One big shipment was expected to
arrive some time during the day by
barge. This would be about half q
million gallons, he said.
Fuel oil rationing caused compli-
cations for the District Rent Control
Administrator yesterday when repre-
sentatives of tenants living in Brent
wood Village, at Rhode Island ave-
nue. and Thirteenth street NE, COM
planned they were not getting enough
heat and hot water. The difficulties
were discussed at an informal hear
ing with Robert T. Smith, legal as
sistant to the administrator.
According to an official of the
rent control ofice, the landlord
agreed to make certain adjustments
IN the times during which heat and
hot water are provided in the units.
Representatives of the administrator.
1t was said, have explored the pos
sibilities Of converting the heating
plant from fuel oil to coal and they
have found 1t unfeasible.
Increased fuel oil allotments are
being sought by many of the Dis
trict's public schools, 1t was learned
today, following the sending OF a
letter yesterday by ]. j. Crane, as
sistant superintendent Of schools, to
Mr.. Leary. Mr.. Crane called atten.