Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-04-25

nor Roosevelt had been given al
extraordinary allowance OF gas
oline for use in her own auto
mobile.
He was promptly rebuked, for
il appears that Mrs. Roosevelt
has used her car sparingly.
Moreover. public opinion does
not Sympathlze with the implied
contention that one in Mrs.
RooSevelt's position should be
required TO use street cars.
II she uses the official White
House cars for her travels
within the city that would be
all right, too.
HowevefDthose who submit To
the gasoline ration do have a
legitimate objection 20 the great
incidental waste of motor fuel
which follows Mrs. Roosevelt on
her many Journeys here and
abroad.
/ am not referring 10 her lat
est air cruise TO the Caribbean,
for IN this case the lady seems
10 have occupied only one place
in ships which would have been
flying on routine business any
way.
Nor do ] refer 10 her South
Pacific flight in the guise of a
Red Cross field worker
The details have never been
volunteered by the army as 10
whether the de luxe transport
was placed solely AZ her service.
II so, an enormous quantity OF
high test gasoline ueaid- have
been consumed for no legitimate
purpose
I have in mind the trains of
accompanying cars carrying To-
cal officials and civilian agents
of the federal government. Of
flcers or the army and navy
and neighborhood sightseeFs.
When Mrs. Roosevelt went
Maine 10 christen a barge, per-
sons who were feeling the gaso-
line shortage complained that
the trip was a disservice mas
much as the barge could have
been launched without ceremo-
MICS or With the blessings Of a
humber figure.
There were a great many cars
in the procession as there haze
been AT ether such events, spe-
officially in New Jersey and
Oregon
II does not dispose Of the
issue 10 say that Mrs Roose-
Welt does not encourage such
attendance.
In the first place. Mrs Rooye-
welt plainly delights in popular
attention and once explained
that she travelled because the
people want her 10.
In the second place she codii
prevent this unnecessary use ot
a necessary article by withdraw
inG from such ceremonies,
knowing that her very presence
brings out crowds.
II is not merely that Mrs.
Roosevelt has travelled more
miles h. car outside Washington
than any other persons engaged
IN non-eSSentlal work or any
Beard citizen
II is that fuel consumption
has heen multiplied many times
by her following
ON her Caribbean trip. Mrs.
Roosevelt stopped AZ Miami and
the Miami Herald reported,
without comment or editorial
flavor that a l2-car cavalcade,
thanked by half dozen motor
cycle officers escorted the first
lady on her inspection trip.
n dreds OF psssersby
stopped and stared as they
caught a glimpse Of the unm
taxable figure Of Mrs. RooJ
welt in the lead car" the Herald
said
Their feelings may have been
tolerant IN view Of the fact that
the horses ran in the far OUT
skirts Of Miami this year Thou
sands certainly didn't get there
on blcyClessor afoot. but never
theleSS there is evidence Of Spe-
cial privilege IN the spectacle Of
II cars and half a dozen motor.
cycle outriderS attending one
person who sometimes tartly
diSclalmS privileges and re-
Dukes pretenSions.
Nor, II these we're government
cars, would II be fair 10 re-
proach the officers who pro-
vided them ANY officer who
took the responsibility for refus-
Ing transportation for an escort
would be assuming 4 risk.
The decision in all cases il
made by Mrs. Roosevelt. know
ing that quantities Of fuel will
he used unnecessarily. Thus far
she has approved.