Evening star., 1943-08-01
Gasoline
)ntinued From First Page


The effect of the ban has worr
somewhat thin in recent weeks, ant
he estimated the average as some
what above that figure.
just how much it will be possibl,
to increase rations of motorists de-
pends entirely on how much of thu
additional supply is allocated b,
ODT for essential commercial trans.
portation. 1t is the function ot
ODT to receive the allotment from
PAW and to divide 1t between COM
mercial vehicles and motor cars
Supplies for motorists are turned
over to OPA, which handles the
rationing.
The current allotment of 1923, ,00C
barrels of gasoline to the East is
being exceeded, an official said
though he did not know by how
much. This circumstance, he said
undoubtedly will prevent as large
an increase in rations as would be
possible if rationing were living
within its budget.
Price Administrator Brown said
last March that driving throughout
the country had been reduced to
an average of 5,400 miles a year
This figure is held to be in line
with current estimates. 1t means
that driving in the republication
area as a whole will be reduced
somewhat below the current ma
tional average.
Officials said the new ALLEGATIONS
will reduce driving in the Midwest
and Southwest to about the point
of last November, when rationing
was first started in the areas. Since
that time frequent relaxations have
been allowed outside of the East
and the miles of operation Of the
average car has scared.
In the East the amount of driv-
ing that increased supplies will per-
NIT will be comparable to opera
tions last December, after A cou-
pons had been reduced to three gal
Ions and before institution of the
first pleasure ban.
Illinois Oil Output Drops.
Officials declared that shortages
of crude oil in the Midwest prob
ably would have brought frightened
restriction to that section even ii
it were unnecessary to use trans
portation to haul more petroleum
East. Production of oil in the Illi-
nois fields particularly has dropped
off markedly. That has caused re-
fineries in the section to operate
considerably below capacity.
AS soon as the equalization plan
is firmly established in the area
east of the Rockies it probably will
be extended to the rest of the coun-
try. Officials envision uniform ma
tional rationing with one set oil
rules.
They said that under the plan al
lowances will be made for the in
adequacy of transportation in many
sections of the West as compared
with the East. This problem will be
handled through instructions te
local ration boards as to issuance
OF supplementary rations.
1t will be stressed in official in
structions and pronouncements that
car mileage is being rationed not
entirely because of the shortage OF
gasoline, but because of the com
bined shortage of gasoline, rubber
and repair parts. A rapidly di-
mlnishing supply of repair parts, il
was said, has officials worried in
view Of the difficulty in stretching
scarce steel and copper to meet the
needs Of the armed services.
Delay Held Impractical.
Petroleum Administrator Ickes
Yesterday wired Representative
Brown, Republican, of Ohio, chair
man of the Informal Committee OF
Midwestern members of Congress
who have been investigating oil and
gasoline problems in the area, ask
ing if he could arrange for the
meeting with his group in Chicago
Wednesday or Thursday.
Mr.. Ickes recalled a promise tc
discuss the subject further with
you before introducing new poll
cies involving restrictions on con-
sumption" He said action coulG
not be postponeE until Congress re-
| convenes because I could not, as
a practical matter, so operate in
time of war"
Mr.. Brown disclosed at his home
in Blanchester,7 Ohio, that he had
summoned one member on his com
mittee from each of the 80 States
outside the Eastern area to meet
Mr.. Ickes in Chicago Thursday.
I'VE want to find out what the
facts are" Mr.. Brown said, "al-
though don't know what can be
accomplished If Ickes already has
made up his mind.
I'VE want to present information
on conditions in each of the 81
States, such as gathered by the CON-
mittee appointed by Gov. John W.
Bricker of Ohio. And we want tc
know why, when the East is getting
more gasoline now than ever before
in this year, we have to be restricted
in the Midwest"
(The Ohio committee reported nc
need for gasoline rationing in its
State.)
La Toilette TO Be Present.
Mr.. Brown said he had received
Mr.. Ickes' telegram and made meet
ing arrangements with Deputy Pc
troleum Administrator Ralph K
Davies Friday night.
He said Senator La Toilette, Pro-
gressive, OF Wisconsin. member OF q
Senate committee similar to thu