Evening star., 1944-01-26
Grave Shortage Of Oil
In East Intensified by
leakages in Pipeline

A new delay OF five weeks in com.
pletion of the Little Inch" pipeline
and increasing military requirements
have intensified greatly the Eastern
oil. shortage. but officials decided
|against any immediate reduction in
gasoline and heating oil rations.
Several new breaks developed In
the 20-inch pipeline from Texassto
the Atlantic seaboard, completion OF
which already was delayed two
months by more than 60 leaks. This
further trouble will make necessary
replacement Of a section of pipe
over the Alleghenies in Pennsyl-
vania. Deputy Petroleum Admins
traitor Ralph K. Davies said.
Meanwhile, Price Administrator
Bowles warned, in a radio address,
of rapidly dwindling supply Of fuel
oil for the home He forecast there
"just won't be enough oil for civi-
lians unless consumption is cut
down"
Delayed Until March l.
Mr.. Davies said the Eastern half
of the Little Inch" from Norris
City, Ind, to the Philadelphia and
New York areas could hardly begin
pumping oil before March / because
OF the new breaks. officials had
hoped the flow of oil through the
line could be started last week. The
Texas-to-N Norris City portion is ex-
pected to begin operation mo-
mentarily.
Government petroleum oflcials
met yesterday to consider the posi-
bility Of further reduction in gaso-
line and heating oil rations, but de-
cided to try to maintain allocations
at present levels. Later Mr.. Davies
said he believed there would be no
change in rations through this
quarter which ends March 81.
Mr.. Davies expressed hope the
current Eastern petroleum allot-
ment could be maintained into the
second quarter of the year, al
though he said it would be touch
and 60" The oil supply prospect, he
added, "is much tighter than we
anticipated" He said I'VE must in
sist that the public live within the
ALLEGATIONS. This, it was pointed
out will mean frightened ration con-
troll.
West Coast Cut Predicted.
Officials apparently are about
ready to cut gasoline rations on the
Pacific Coast where consumption
was described as "out of hand" Col
Bryan Houston, the OPA rationine
chief. has spent the last two weeks
in the West. studying the problem
In addition to pipeline trouble and
increased war requirements, the
East's supply problem, Mr.. Davies
said, has been intensified by the
wearing out of tank trucks which
has necessitated diversion of rail-
road tank cars to short-haul supply
Defense Transportation Director
Eastman took cognizance of the
newly developing oil crisis and called
on railways, truck companies and oil
company officials to increase the
overland movement of petroleum
products.
"A critical situation exists in pc
troleum transportation which re-
quires action on the part OF all
those confronted with it," Mr.. East
man wrote the company officials
There has been a showdown in the
movement and handling of tank
cars and tank trucks which has re-
suited In deliveries substantially be-
low those of few months ago In
the face of increasing demand to
meet direct and indirect require
ments of the war"
Mr.. Eastman called for reissu-
ance by the Association of American
Railroads OF its order of last year
requiring that oil trafic be given
priority handling next to troop
movements and other special war
traffic.