Evening star., 1945-10-04
Capital Affected
Only Slightly
By Oil Strike
Amoco Plant Staff
Quits; Cos Supply
Ample for 3 Weeks

The Washington area was but
little affected by the petroleum in
dustry strike today, although CIO
workers at one plant walked out this
morning. tying up deliveries.
The one strike was at the Rosslyn
storage and distributing plant of the
American Oil Co., where approxi-
mately 10 members of the CIO Oil
Workers, Local 403, quit work to
back up their demands for a con-
tinuance of wartime pay scales
base pay plus eight hours overtime
for 40-hour week. Their request
was the same as that made by CIO
members in the Nationwide re-
flnery tie-up.
Most of Local 403's members were
meeting at the Offices of the WASH
1ngton Industrial Union Council,
1912 Eighteenth street NV. T. ].
Mccarthy, local president, said he
would have no announcement on the
strikers plans before afternoon.
Seventy-five Stations Affected.
The walkout halted deliveries to
approximately rs company-owned
stations, two major dairies, several
taxicab fleets and the company's
fuel oil customers. There was no in
dlcation, however, that the situation
would become serious, since Gus
toners could purchase gasoline else
where.
None of the other Washington
area distributors reported any diff
Guilty in meeting deliveries. One said
this section had supply in storage
adequate for three weeks normal
requirements.
Another said he anticipated that
If the Amoco stations sold out with
IN few days and customers shift to
other stations, an additional supply
OF gas will be available for the other
stations.
This would be possible, he said,
provided the Petroleum Administra-
ton for War Supply and Distribu-
tion Committee in Baltimore allo-
Gated Amoco's supply proportion
ately to other distributors.
Public Demand Is Big Factor.
Distributors pointed out that al
big factor in the supply pictureI
will be the conduct of the public
itself.
IF people use their heads and
buy only the gas they need, in the
same way as they would do under
normal conditions, the available
supply should last, with enough for
ALL" one said. !
The real key" to an uninter-
rupted supply, one spokesman point
ed out, will be how successful the
Government is in reopening plants.
The Amoco strike was called last
night by union officials who had
been voted authorization Sunday.
officials were at the plant at 5 am.
to turn back the workers.
Unionists remained outside the
plant gates this morning. In the
parking lots were 20 delivery trucks.
Barge Unloads Here.
Only one delivery function ap-
parently was continuing. A barge
arrived from Baltimore this morn
ing, carrying nearly 100000 gallons
OF gasoline, and tied up at the
company pier below Key Bridge. /
E. L. Peer, plant manager, said it
was pumping its cargo into storage
tanks. Crewmen, who said they
were members of a CIO maritime
union, said they expected a visit
soon from officials of their union |
to inform them what action to take.
Two dairies which rely on the
plant indicated the walkout would
have no immediate effect on their
service. Chestnut Farms officials
said that firm has about two-day
supply in storage tanks in addition
to gasoline now in the approx |
mately 300 trucks. Embassy Dairy |
garage officials estimate they had
about three-day supply on hand |
for their go trucks.
If the walkout continues, both
firms said. arrangements would have
to be made to purchase from other |
fuel companies.
Several cab companies which buy
In bulk from An1oco had not de-
cided on any definite action. Her
bert Bobb, president of the Harlem
Cab Association, said it had felt no
pinch as yet. A delivery had been
set for tomorrow, he said.
Arrow Cab officials said its fleet
still was unaffected. 1t takes de-
livery on about 900 gallons daily, |
they said, but the supply on hand
will meet immediate needs.