Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-08
Scott Disc|oses
Plan for Special.
Fuel Committee
Trade Body Director
Says He Urged Naming
Group a Week Ago

Group a Week Ago
The proposal submitted more thar
week ago to Renah F.. Camalier
fuel Oil consultant to the District
OPA director, calling for creation OF
a special committee to work for an
immediate solution of local oil prob
lens, was disclosed today by Lester
Scott, director of the officiating
division of the Merchants and Man.
ufacturers' Association.
Mr.. Scott said he sent his recon-
mendation to Mr.. Camalier on De-
cember 81 with the suggestion that it
be forwarded to OPA Director Leon
Henderson. He said he has not vet
learned what action was taken on it
Meanwhile, representatives OF
downtown department stores were
to meet at 2 pm. today with officials
OF the Merchants and Manufac-
turers' Association in an effort to
determine what steps can be taken
to meet the OPA's latest cut in fuel
Oil for non-residential users. The
use OF oil for such consumers has
been cut to half of last years use.
In his letter to Mr.. Camalier. Mr.,
Scott suggested that the committee
be locked in cold room for "a
or 48 hours, with a view toward de-
veloping a set of sound and prac-
tical recommendation to overcome
the local difficulties as far as pos
sible."
One of the most pressing prob
lens that could be handled by such
a committee, according to Mr.. Scott.
would be the many emergency cases
that are developing among con-
sumers who are running out of oil.
Mr.. Scott believes some sort of clear
Ing house might be set up by the
local rationing board and repre-
sentatives of the fuel oil industry
to assure instant action for persons
who have run out of oil and are
unable to obtain supplies from their
usual sources.
1t also is proposed that rationing
boards assign two or three staff
members exclusively to fuel oil
problems. Persons going to ration
boards to obtain adjustments in
their allotments or to find some way
OF obtaining more oil, Mr.. Scott
pointed out, usually do so because
they are faced with the prospect of
cold homes. Such matters, he said,
should be given priority over prob
lens relating to sugar, coffee, gaso-
line and tires.
Suggestions for Committee.
The Merchants and Manufac-
turers' Association official suggested
that the special committee be COM
posed of the following members:
Mr.. Camalier.
A representative of the Fuel Oil
Rationing Division of OPA to be
designated by Mr.. Henderson.
A representative of the Petroleum
Transport Division of the Office of
Defense Transportation to be desie-
mated by Joseph B. Eastman.
A representative Of the petroleum
administrator for war, to be desig-
mated by Mr.. 1ckes.
A representative of the local Ra-
tloning Administration. to be desig-
mated by District OPA Director
Whitney Leary.
A representative of the oil heating
division of the Merchants and
Manufacturers Association.
A fuel oil consumer distribution
expert.
Such a group, Mr.. Scott empha-
sized. would comprise all the ele-
ments interested in the local fuel
oil problem and would be more likely
to arrive at a satisfactory solution
than has hitherto been possible be-
cause of "buck-passing' among the
various Federal agencies.
Problems Undiminished.
Distribution problems in the met
ropolitan area have not diminished
IN recent days. Mr.. Scott said. His
own Office has been handling scores
of telephone calls from persons who
are out of oil and are unable to
obtain it from their regular dealers
because these dealers have none on
hand. In most instances, Mr.. Scott
said, he has been able to obtain
emergency deliveries of oil from
other dealers. 1t is such a clear
ing house service, developed between
the rationing board and representa-
tives of the industry, which Mr.
Scott would like to see set up.
Some relief for oil transportation
Into the District was seen for later
in the season in the announcement
of the War Production Board today
that the manufacture of 500 ad-
ditional semi trailer petroleum tanks
had been authorized. These tanks,
it was said, would be ready for serv-
ice by February Is. This order sup
plements a recent one permitting
the manufacture of 300 semi trailer
tanks which should be ready by the
end of this month
How much help this will bring to
the District was problematical since
the trucks were authorized for use
in solving oil problems generally
throughout the Nation.
The latest cut in fuel oil for non
residential users especially affect:
retail stores throughout the Dis
trict. All department stores anc
about half of the smaller business
establishments. it has been esti.
mated, depend on oil. Conversion
has been difficult, it was said, be-
cause of the scarcity of parts ano
manpower and because there is nc
assurance that coal supplies will be
available as they are needed.
One of the suggestions to be made
at today's meeting of merchants, ii
is understood, is that department
stores be closed one full day during
the week and that their hours bt
curtailed on other days. The pos
sibility of shutting off parts of the
stores and concentrating the dis.
play of merchandise in smaller
space also will be explored.
- Nj