Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-05-09
9TH ARMY SEXES GOER|NG AND KESSELR|NG
Racing Ban, Curfew
Lifted by Vinson;
More Gas Promised
Rutioning, Price
And Wage Control
Will Continue
BY ]. A. FOX.

VIII continue
By ]. A. FOX.
The ban on horse racing and
the midnight entertainment cur
few were wiped out today by War
Mobilization Director Fred M.
Vinson.
Telling crowded press conference
these restrictions had been imposed
by former War Mobilization Director
James F. Byrnes lin the interest of
the war" Mr.. Vinson said: I'm re
re racing-those meas
ures have been rescinded as Of to-
day."
Concurrently with this announce
ment, the War Mobilization director
released an 8,000-word pamphlet in
question and answer form outlining
the Government policies for the new
phase of the war that has developed
following the defeat of Germany.
More Gasoline.
This brochure said that there will
be an 8 to 16 per cent increase in
the gasoline available for civilian
use and that these new supplies will
be divided among A and commercial
card holders and that some B card
holders who can show need may get
an increased allowance.
ANY such increase, however,
may be temporary" it was stated,
with the explanation that lin view
of the military demand in the Pa
ciflc, the best estimate is that gaso-
line rationing must be continued
for some time"
The statement added that other
wartime restrictions on civilians,
such as rationing, price control,
wage control and reduction in the
amount of household appliances
available will be continued "as long
as the war-created needs exist"
1t was added, however, that the
restrictions will be relaxed just as
soon as materials, facilities and
manpower can be released from war
production"
IrdVet ban 10 stay.
Mr.. Vinson also told his press
conference he saw no hope of elimi-
mating the ODT ban on conventions
because of the tight transportation
situation.
Removal of the racing and enter
tainment restrictions as well as the
promise Of more gasoline for civilian
use conformed to Mr.. Byrnes previ-
Gus recommendation after We day.
Mr.. Bynres also had proposed the
elimination of the brownout and
this restriction was lifted yester-
day.
The racing ban went into effect
last January and Immediately
closed down every track in the
country, although it was framed
only in the form of a request" by
Mr.. Byrnes. The entertainment
curfew went into effect February 26
as the result of a second request"
by the former war mobilizer.
Mr.. Vinson prefaced announce
ment OF their elimination by telling
his news conference he had two very
important announcements and add
ing:
"Curfew will not ring tonight"
Judge Byrnes made certain re-
quests in the interest of the war"
he said. 1.-THE Americans are a free
people even in time of war and they
will be free after the war"
Explains Factors in Bans.
He explained-as had Mr.. Byrnes
at the time-that the decision to
restrict these two activities had been
reached in consideration of several
factors. There was the fuel short
age, the manpower shortage, absen-
teeism and reduction in war effort,
Mr.. VinSon said. He added that Mr..
Byrnes, who at that time had Just
returned from the European fighting
front, looked on these things and
decided on the bans.
Later, Mr.. Vinson recalled, Mr..
Byrnes told Congress in a report
that the restrictions should be re-
moved on We day.
1t Immediately was called to Mr..
Wilson's attention that the ODT
has banned the movement of horses
by rail or truck and in the light of
that fact, he was asked what effect
this would have on the transporta-
ton of horses from track to track.
The director responded that the
restrictions in effect at the time
the ban on horse racing was
imposed are not affected by his
action today. But he said that he
did not want to go into too much
detail and that questions of that
sort should be put up to the ODT.
ODT Director j. Monroe johnson
is headquarters for particular in
formation" Mr. Vinson added.
ODT May Lift Race Curbs.
At ODT, it was stated that the
lifting of the racing ban will be fol-
lowed by an order from ODT per-
hitting the shipment of horses, but
1t was emphasized that travel re-
strictions in effect prior to the ban
will continue.
"The set-up will be just the same
as before the ban," an ODT official
said.
This means that race tracks will
be expected to cooperate in keeping
such major events as the Kentucky
Derby on "trolley-car" basis, with
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