Evening star., 1943-01-05
Distress Feared in Hundreds
Of Homes If Cold Persists
Weather Threatens New Difficulties
In Oil and Cos Distribution Here

The return Of subfreezing
weather in this area was viewed
today as new threat to the dis
tribution of fuel oil and at the
same time to the supply Of gaso-
line.
Although most fuel oil dealers be-
lieved they could hold out for few
days on the strength of stocks on
hand and those said to be on the
way, it was generally agreed severe
cold spell of any duration might
cause distress in hundreds of homes
in the Washington area.
Although the supplies of gasoline
being shipped into the District are
about the same as they have been
during the past few weeks, concen-
trated efforts to bring fuel Oil into
the area might seriously interfere
with shipments of gasoline, using the
same transportation facilities
Meanwhile, the special Senate
committee investigating the problem
of gasoline and fuel oil, adjourned
late yesterday to consider the unani-
nous opinion of Federal officials that
additional Oil supplies for civilian
purposes is completely out of the
question.
Chairman Maloney said the COM
mittee would reconvene next Mon
day to take further testimony or
all phases of the oil problem-ra-
tionlng, transportation, militar,
needs and the extent of the avail.
able supply.
Although the committee arrived
at no conclusions following yester.
days session, Senator Burton, Re.
publican, of Ohio said he though
the testimony indicated a more
unified control over all matters re.
lating to oil was needed. He said he
thought some progress had beer
made toward modifying the regu-
lationS of the agencies involved.
AS it now stands the head mar
with regard to oil supplies is Pc.
troleum Administrator Ickes. Mos
of the civilian rationing is under
the Office of Price Administration
Motor fuel for farm trucks anc
commercial vehicles. however, is al.
lotted by the Office of Defense
Transportation.
Then there are the lease lend re.
uuirements of the other United Ma.
| tions, which Price Administrator
Henderson indicated we're negotiat.
ed by the State Department..
The Army and Navy determine
their own requirements.
MaIoney Questions Ickes.
Under questioning by Senate
Maloney, Mr.. Ickes expressed neet
for more power, but said he wa
reluctant to discuss it until he hat
consulted associates.
Asked who was umpire between
the military and civilian allotments
Mr.. Ickes said there was none, bu
the Army and Navy had been yer,
helpful in the past critical days.
The Army had supplied 100000 stee
drums for moving kerosene from
the Southwest to the Boston area
he explained. while the Navy hat
loaned" some of its fuel oil for dis
tribution among civilians.
Toward the avoidance of anothe
emergency suspension of gasolin,
rations like that OF December l8, MI
Henderson said his Office hat
stepped up considerably the day b,
day knowledge OF the supply situa
ton"
Rear Admiral Emory S. Land
chairman of the Maritime Commits
sion, listed the order in which tank
ers were used for the delivery of OF
as follows:
l. The armed services.
q Great Britain.
3. South American republics.
A. Central American republics.
S. Canada.
g. Essential domestic needs.
Mr.. Henderson. speaking "as al
outbound price administrator" toll
| The committee that gasoline bootleg
ging and widespread failure to con