Evening star., 1944-12-18
|0PAtoAsk PAW
For More Gas
To End Famine
Agency May Designate
Emergency Stations
For Essential Users

The District Office of Price Ad-
ministration planned today tc
confer with Petroleum Admins
tration for War officials to work
out an emergency program to try
to get gasoline for Washington
before Wednesday as the years
worst gasoline famine spread
through the Metropolitan Area
PAW sources insisted, meanwhile
that suppliers were receiving the
amount they estimated was needed
for the month and denied reports
circulated Saturday by two industry
sources that Washington alloca-
tions had been cut % per cent.
PAW and national OPA spokes-
men attributed the shortage to panic
buying. They pointed out that the
famine was limited to the WASH
ington area, lending weight to the
belief that supply and demand had
been thrown out of balance by over
buying. The OPA source claimed
NAL purchasing under rationing."
The District Medical Society ap-
pealed to the OPA for relief and
District Health Officer George C.
Rutland announced he would ask
the Commissioners to share munich
pal supplies with private physicians
provided survey now under way
shows the situation warrants it.
An OPA spokesman, meanwhile
said the agency may designate some
stations still with gasoline as emer-
gency oepots so that doctors and
other persons in essential industries
may Keep their cars moving. -..-
Charles K. Davies, OPA rationing
executive for the District. withheld
this action, however, until he had
made a thorough check into the
supply situation.
Public Services Unaffected.
With the majority of stations here
and In nearby Maryland and Vir-
ginia out Of gasoline, the industry
held little hope of relief before
Wednesday, when a new ALLEGATION
period will begin Any relief before
that time would have to come from
the PAWS Regional Supply and
Distribution Committee in Bati-
more.
John Blakley, chairman of the
committee, was in New York City
today at a regional PAW meeting
and his office in Baltimore said he
would not be back until tomorrow.
The shortage was not affecting
police and fire department vehicles,
and the Capital Transit Co. said it
was getting its regular quota. Cab
companies reported adequate sup
plies.
The Keystone Automobile Club
estimated it had towed in between
80 and so automobiles that had run
out of gasoline over the week end,
while the American Automobile
Club reported about 20 motorists ran
out OF gasoline and required towing
An AAA official said it's switchboard
was busy with inquiries from men,
bers asking where gasoline may be
bought. He estimated that 1000
calls had been received up to 10 am.
today.
Hoarding Blamed.
George E. Keneipp, Keystone
manager, said only two of 40 service
stations under contract by the club
to render emergency road service
still had gasoline this morning.
I'VE have been flooded with calls
hundreds of them-from all sorts
of people" Mr.. Keneipp SAID "A
great many of them are practicing
physicians who are our members
and look to us to get gasoline for
them. We have been trying to ap-
peal to the stations that nave gas
to conserve it for doctors"
The official blamed boarding by
some A-book holders, who already
have three-quarters of a tank and
(Goe rAC0T TNTU - -