Evening star., 1945-01-01
U. 5. Preparing
Banning
Hi Conventions
Federal Crockdown
On Hotels Booking
Meetings Is Seen
By JAMES Y. NEWTON.

In a move to ease the unprece-
dentedly heavy travel on the Ma
tion's transportation system. the
Government is formulating plans
to ban conventions and similar
meetings for the duration of the
war emergency.
The Star learned today that top
war agency officials are planning to
move against conventions through
the country's hotels An order that
would mean virtual prohibition OF
such gatherings until the war in
Europe is won is now being drawn
up and probably will be issued
through War Mobilization Director
Byrnes.
Action to curb convention travel
will be taken along lines similar to
Mr.. Byrnes' recent ban on racing.
Mr.. Byrnes' Office today declined
comment on the new move.
To Ask Aid of Hotels. ..
1t was understood that hotels will
be requested not to book conven-
tions. While the cooperation OF
| the hostelries will be sought it is
understood the Government is pre-
pared to crack down on those hotels
which refuse to go along with the
plan.
The Government would use as a
club over the hotels the threat to
withdraw right to serve rationed
food and possibly would go so far
as to deny repair materials and
manpower.
Cooperating in the nlan with Mr..
Byrnes' Office, 1t was unde tstooo, are
the Office of Defense Trarsporta-
ton, the War Production Board.
War Manpower Commission and
other agencies.
Oficials have been greatly con-
cerned about the recent large in
crease in nonessential travel. The
railroads have been so loaded with
passenger business that it has begun
to interfere with the vital trans
portation of war materials.
Travel Is Per Cent Heavier.
I ODT Director j. Monroe johnson
; said travel over the Christmas and
! New Year holidays was up 5 Der
Icent over last year. Col johnson
said he was even more concerned
with the increase in ordinary daily
travel, which is Is per cent heavier
than year ago.
1 Since the war began. ODT has
attempted to prevent the holding
of conventions through voluntary
means. While some organizations
have co-operated and Cancelled their
meetings, this voluntary plan has
, not been successful. officials said
An official said the time is passed
for fooling around" with voluntary
) plans of curbing unessential travel
: and the time has arrived when the
Government must crack down
quickly if further interference with
, the war effort is to be avoided.
/ Besides the move against conven-
! tions, other plans are being drawn
, for reducing travel.
t Travel Rationing Studied.
5 Col. johnson said ODT was giving
, continuing study" to what might
be done to help relieve the situation.
Will tiic ,eSiilpo Va ootlic seCPpNo
up in Europe and "a full-fedged war
going on in the Pacific" now, Col.
Johnson said we've got the most
trying test for transportation we've
> ever had"
1t may be necessary. he added, to
, divert more railway passenger
equipment to military use. He
pointed out that such action would
i mean drastic reduction in facilities
available for civilians.
ODT is seeking some way to "iso-
! late the useless traveller, vaca-
6 toner and the like from civilians
travelling on business affecting the
war effort, he said. No practical
method for rationing travel has yet
been worked out. but I'VE have never
: entirely given up" he added.