The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-01-06

Pointing out the seriousness of the fuel situation in Connecticut and urging whole-hearted coopera- tion in the conservation program, Chester Bowles, state OPA director, has formally announced the reduc- ton in value of period rationing coupons.
 In a special radio broadcast Mon- day evening from Station WTIC Director Bowles reviewed various phases of the situation. The address, which cretaed much favorable con1- ment for its comprehensive summa- ton of facts and its spirited appeal, was as follows:
 There is only one subject to talk about tonight and that is the fuel oil shortage, and the problems which have grown out of 1t. This fuel oil situation has never been more serious than it Is right now. Since December first, there has never been more than three full days supply of oil in Connecticut at any one time. Today, there is only one days supply on hand. Of course, some dealers may have sup plies sufficient for two weeks or even month. But I am talking about averages. The official govern rnent figures today show only one days supply of fuel oil on an aver age throughout the state.
 As a result of this situation. Leon Henderson announced yesterday from Washington that the value of the third period coupons for home use would have to be cut from ten gallons to nine gallons.
 Yes, the fuel oil situation is ex- tremely ticklish. It was ticklish when I first urged you to convert to coal last July. It became vastly more SO in November when the Navy began to borrow from our civ- ilian supplies on the Eastern Sea board for the campaign opened in North Africa. It has remained des- perately serious ever since and 1t will certainly remain so until spring. I'm not trying to fr!ghten you but I feel that you should have the facts
 even though they may be ur- pleasant facts.
 Attention Focused
 The announcement by Governor Hurley of a fuel emergency through out the state has hcen most help full in fur her focusing public att tention on the seriousness of this situation. The two excellent state ments by Governor Hurley and Governor Elect Baldwin over the radio last Wednesday evening were also of great assistance in empha- sizing the problem that we face.
 Now I am sure many of you folks are saying, All right, we'll agree that the situation is serious. But what are we going to do about 1t? What has been done? How can we keep our industrial plants working at top speed and our families safe from i'll health?"
 Let's figure this out together. Actually, there are only two things that we can do. First, we must get as much oil into the state as wS possibly can and as quickly as we can. And, second, we must make cer- tain that our precious supply of fuel oil goes just as far as possible.
 I think l can assure you that no people On earth could do more to get fuel oil into Connecticut and i1l- to all New England than Harold Ickes and the men who are work ing with him in the Office of the Petroleum Administrator for War. Together with the railroads, this group is making each tank car do the work of two truly amaz- ing job of organizing, scheduling, planning and driving that will soon- CT or later be recognia,d as one of the great achievements on the home front during this difficult period.
 Governor Hurley has kept in close touch with this situation for the past several months. I am sure that we can depend on Governor Elect Baldwin to do everything within his power to protect our in- terests in the future.
 Three Factors
 But the amount of oil that can be sent to Us is limited by three fac- tors. First, the number of tank cars available and I can tell you there are not nearly enough. Sec ond. the speed at which those tank cars can be driven. And, third, the needs of our Navy, Army and Air Force for this campaign in North Africa.
 So think we will agree that there is a definite limitation a stringent limitation on the amount of oil which can be brought into this state from day to day and from week to week during the com Ing mouths. I think we can further agree that this meager flow of oil must always be ct the mercy of he