Evening star., 1943-03-03
Pleasure Driving Ban
Expected 10 Be Lifted
By 0PA March u
Value of a Cos Books
May Also Be Reduced
To 1wo-GulIon Limit
The ONCE of Price Administration

The ONCE of Price Administrator
is considering plan to lift the
East's pleasure driving ban some
time this month, probably on March
~, it was learned today.
Should the ban be lifted, however,
there will be small relief for the
average motorist, as an OPA spokes-
man said the move probably would
be accompanied by reduction in
value of the A book coupon from
3 to gallons.
It was emphasized that no de-
cision on pleasure driving has been
reached In OPA. If the A coupon is
reduced in easing restrictions, es-
sential workers who now use only
A books for transportation to their
jobs will be allowed to apply for
supplemental rations. This upgrad-
ing of rations would present a tre-
mendous task for local rationing
boards, which already are heavily
loaded with other work.
Ban Was Emergency Step.
"At the time the ban on pleasure
driving was placed early this year."
q spokesman for OPA said, we an
nounced that it was 4 temporary,
emergency step. Frankly, we do
not know when the ban will be lift
ed, although some action will be
taken soon. There are still q num-
ber Of problems In connection with
petroleum supply to be worked out.
The supply Is not large enough to
permit = lifting Of the ban without
introduction of new conservation
measures at the same time"
The Petroleum Industry War
Council, meeting here yesterday, re-
ported that "the East coast situa-
ton Is slightly easier than pre-
viously forecast" The council,
which acts in an advisory capacity
to Petroleum Administrator Ickes,
suggested relaxation of the pleasure
driving ban as soon as adequate
stocks of heating oils are assured.
Relaxation, it was said, will relieve
the load on the East's crowded
transportation systems.
It was disclosed that DR.. Robert
E. Wilson, chairman Of the councils
Economics Committee, told the
meeting that public corporation in
the quasi-voluntary ban had been
Surprisingly good" according to a
Government Official who attended
the session, but went on to say that
the Government, II it wished to get
similar cooperation in future emer-
gencies, should lift the prohibition
rs soon as the lessened urgency of
the situation warrants.
To keep consumption within
bounds of supply when the ban is
abolished, he was quoted as suggest
ing, the OPA should regulate the
value Of the A coupons, trimming
them as war as necessary.
The council also recommended
early construction of a 20-inch pc
troleum products pipeline from the
Gulf Coast to the Atlantic sea-
board.
1t adopted a resolution recon-
mending to Mr.. 1ckes that he petit
ton Immediately for ALLEGATION OF
! necessary materials and take what
ever other action is necessary and
appropriate to prosecute the under
taking to an early completion.
Must Build Up Stocks.
The council warned that failure to
build up oil stocks will invite q
recurrence of serious shortages OF
petroleum products for civilian
needs, and may interfere with reg
ular and orderly supply of petroleum
products to the military"
The resolution by the council gave
Its support to proposal under dis
cussion for some time in petroleum
groups - construction OF another
/ large pipeline to the East.
A 24-inch line-"the Big Inch
to carry crude and heating oil from
East Texas to Philadelphia and New
York has been completed to Norris
City. Ill. The eastern half is to be
| finished this summer.
First steps toward the 2O-inch line
to carry products from ref1neries
have been taken, though construc-
tion has not started.
War Production Board sanction
for half the proposed line has beer
obtained by the Petroleum Admins.
tration, which has been working or
routing problems
The council resolution stated thai
estimates of East Coast domestic
and offshore military demand fol
petroleum products had increased
and next winter will in large meas.