The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-06-16
WAR ON GASOLINE BLACK
MARKET

WAR ON GASOAANh DAhAOh
MARKET
Grimly warning that unless gaso-
line black markets were wiped out,
holders of ga" cards may continue
to be the main sufferers of further
gasoline cuts, A. Clarke Bedford,
chairman of the petroleum industry's
committee on rationing, told more
than $50 petroleum executives from
II Atlantic Seaboard States, represen
tatives of state committees of Dis
trict l of the Petroleum Industry
War Council, and newsmen, full de-
tails of the industry's comprehensive
plan of education of the public and
members of the industry designed to
aid in wiping out the black market.
Mr.. Berford revealed that the in
dustry had opened vigorous quarter
of a million dollar campaign of adu-
cation through advertising of the
vital role of petroleum in this war,
and the extent of black market oper-
atoms ON the home front, interim
dustry meetings, promotion, lunch
con meetings with civic groups and
direct service station display mater
ial.
Emphasizing that every drop of
gasoline that leaves every refinery
in the country for consumer use is
accounted for, Mr.. Bedford said:
1.-THE gasoline black market is the
result of ignorance or misunder-
standing on the part of the consum-
ers and some unpatriotic Americans
as to what the black market is. There
is no mysterious extra supply of gas
oline. Every drop of gasoline on the
black market is stolen from IA
card holders and from essential war
drivers, such as doctors, war work
ers, etc."
He explained that first share of
the nations supply of gasoline goes
to the armed forces. Next cut goes
to essential drivers; third and last
portion to "a" card holders. Black
market gasoline is taken from the
card holders, legitimate war workers,
doctors, others on war business, and
it is covered from public view be-
cause it is purchased with stolen or
counterfeit coupons. AT the same
time, Mr.. Bedford complimented the
OPA for an increasingly effective
enforcement drive against the black
market, pointing out that an increas-
ing number of convictions are being
secured.
r. M. Gray, chairman of the adj
vertising committee of the special
subcommittee of the Petroleum In
dustry War Council created to attack
the gasoline black market, revealed
that the New York meeting is coun-
terpart of another being held stimuli
taneously in Atlanta, Georgia, for the
Southern oil men.
He revealed as well that the entire
resources of the oil industry were be-
ing placed behind the drive to show
the gasoline black market for what
it is: a vicious form of thievery
which is hampering the war effort.
Four simple devices to beat the
black market will be urged on the
consumer by the oil industry.
/. Write license numbers and state
on all their coupons Immediately,
This helps trace illegitimate cou-
pons.
2. Avoid buying gasoline without
coupons.
8. Refuse to buy gasoline coupons
or accept them as gifts. SO cases out
of 100 they are stolen or counterfeit.
4. Never apply for more gasoline
than actually needed for essential
purposes. Allied bombers and fighters
over Europe burn more gasoline than
all "a" book holders. Gasoline is
needed to power the attack.
Shad Polier, chief enforcement
officer, OPA, showed oil men the full
extent of that agency's battle to trap
and smash black marketers, pointed
out that 800 of 1900 convictions by
OPA had already resulted in Jail SEN
fences.