davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-28
The Fuel Oil Shortage

We have yet to talk to an experienced
oil man who has direct formula for beat
ing the shortage.
Most agree that it will be ended as
rapidly as steel becomes available for
construction of new pipelines, cars and re-
filming plants. The industry mas laid out
FOUR billion dollar construction program
and hopes to complete it by 1850. Then
and only then will it be in position to
deliver all the oil anyone may want.
Meanwhile, what solution that may be
effected now is up to the consumer, ac-
tually the cause of the shortage.
First, there must be true appreciation
of the situation. No Individual or group
is at fault. There have been minor blum
ders such as too early retirement OF some
war tankers, but they have been corrected.
The fact that pierces any argument IS that
the nation is simply using more oil than
it can refine or haul. Some selfish indi-
viduals are complaining over ALLEGATION
but it is the only means OF assuring re-
duced but equitable supply.
| Second. there must be individual conser-
vation Many can practice it best by re-
S>>'
And those now using the latter should re-
turn to heating economies effected during
the war; They are familiar with most OF
them, ranging from reduction of waste in
the heating plant to lower room tempera-
lures, especially during the evening. AS
an example of available savings, cut OF
the thermostat from 70 to 68 degrees
during the day and to go degrees at night
will save Is per cent in fuel oil.
Some have advocated rationing. But that
is, in effect, what the distributors are do
ing today And tighter, more formal ar
rangement would not be available in North
Carolina except through action by the leg
|islature on Presidential order.
Therefore, conservation is the only par
tial answer to the problem.
The extent of its adoption will decide
whether many will actually suffer during
the remainder of the winter. And remem-
ber, warm weather will not bring a per-
manent end to the shortage. All informed
with the national, long-range situation pre-
dict that 1948 and 1949 may have shortages
as serious as the present one. Therefore,
those contemplating conversion may find
be best to delay and, second, the warm
months afford an excellent time to pre-
pare, through residential or commercial
improvements, for scarce supplies until the
industry solves the problem as 1t hopes
to by 1880
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-28

them greater patronage than 48 and 49,
which each make more than a score
of stops compared with three each COR As
and 46. From every standpoint, the trains
being discontinued on Jan. better suit
the needs of Wilmington and numerous
other Eastern North Carolina communities
than those the commission says must be
Icontinued.
The commission has admitted that it is
necessary that one set of trains be sus-
pended. But the wrong pair was selected.
Since it appears possible to permit Nos
As and 46 to remain in operation and per-
form local stops between Wilmington and
Rocky Mount by advancing the schedules
the commission should issue the supple
mentary order.
In doing so, it will help solve the prob
lem of revenue for the Atlantic Coast Line
in this instance and WILL at the same time,
give service not now available through Nos.
48 and 40. The interests of all will be serv-
led much better than if the commission con-
tinues its original authorization.
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-28

When the war is over, everyone told him.
self few years ago, we will be tnrough
with these troublesome shortages.
Practically all realized it was requiring
hi11ons and billions of tons OF all KINDS
of goods to fight battles extending 1neo
practically every place on earth as well
as to support our weaker allies.
When this great emergency IS over' we
thought then, America will again become
land of unlimited material resources.
Vet Wilmington and practically every
other city in the United States are To-Day
harassed by an acute fuel OIL shortage.
Some cities have little, if any, while others
are pulling through because their d1strlbu-
tors are practicing rigid ALLEGATION sys-
tenn with their limited supplies. Yet, this
aggravating situation is no SURPRISE In
fact, it was predicted months ago.
| Why, then, does it exist?
| The answer is comparatively simple
While production of crude oil is in balance
with record consumption, the industry does
not have the transportation to carry 1t tc
the refineries and, secondary, there IS
lack of refinery facilities. 1t simply comes
ITO the ldCI tlldt t1lC SoeiA'Ay ~ S'SN1A7 -
Dil than it can refine and haul to the ultl-
mate consumer.
The United States is now using oil at
rate that wasn't supposed to be reached
for another 10 years. Consumption in l947
Twill be 81 per cent higher than in the pre-
war period and seven per cent higher than
at the war peak.
Why the great increase in use of this
type fuel?
That is explainable in such factors as
Increased industrial activity swing to
diesel locomotives, more farm tractors,
more oil heaters mounting fuel use by au-
tomobiles and more trucks. From the
standpoint of heating, by the end of 1947,
I5O per cent more oil burners will be in
use in homes, stores and factories than
there were at the end Of the war. Despite
efforts in some quarters to discourage
their installation, new burners are going
in at the rate of $4,000 month and aver
age oil consumption per burner is 40 bar
rels monthly.
AS further example of the part of in
creased popularity of oil in effecting the
current shortage, during the Is year period
ending in 1896 two and one-haf million
oil burners were installed throughout the
country. Yet during the first nine months
of 1877, total of 913,975 residential, COM
fnercial and industrial burners were
placed into USE
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-28
Why Speculation Hurts

Speculation is a topic of wide discussion
in Congress these days, and it has spilled
over into the news and editorial columns
of the newspapers. 1t is easy to forget, at
time when the subject is so universally
in dispute exactly what it is about gram
speculation that is harmful to our econom-
ic system
Technically, spectators in commodities
simply buy now and deliver later. This
type of transaction is called buying "fu-
tures.'' The speculator buys with the hope
that, by the time the commodity IS ready
for delivery, the price will have risen. He
thereby realizes neat profit.
It is the same type of operation as on
the stock market, except there is definite
time limit - when the commodity is har-
vested.
This has been an accepted practice for
many years. Many people use the COM
modify markets as an investment, feeling
that grain or cotton Or other commodities
are safe, since they will always be needed
The only thing disreputable about it is
when the buyer is an out-and-out gambler.
Today, there are many out-and-ou
gamblers, for an excellent reason. Com
modify prices have been rising steadily,
and buying futures is, these days, practi-
cally guarantee of turning a profit. This
factor is where the trouble comes in and
what makes grain speculation such an in
flationary practice.
The more buyers, the greater the de-
mand. The greater the demand, the higher
the price. There you have created "false
demand" but, no matter how false it is,
it is still demand, and contributes great
ly to the rising commodity prices.
Farmers noting the continual upward
spiral of their products, are sorely tempted
to hold off until prices go a bit higher
The fewer sellers, the less the supply The
less the supply, the higher the price. There
you have created a false low supply, >
but, again, no matter how false it is il
still is low supply.
So the chain of troubles. caused by the
gambling speculator, reaches all the way
around. His buying creates high price
ana causes farmers to wait for higher
prices. The farmers action creates an ever
hlgner price, and brings more speculator.
into the operation. So the proposition i:
endless.
And who suffers?
The starving Europeans. of course an,
the initiation battling Americans. too U,
go prices, down go supplies and the gamer
are the spectators and the farmer. Th
losers are the ultimate consumers. That
why Harold Stassen aroused such furo
when ne limited that government insider
are speculat- ng in grain. And that's VIII
PRESIDENT Truman and Secretary of Agri
culture Anderson have stated so often thu
speeuiators were doing a great disservic
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-28
Behind The News
Bv DEWITT MACKENZIE
AP Foreign Affairs Analyst

The significance Of the procla-
nation of a rebel Communist
state in Northern Greece is that
it represents another important
tactical move in Russia's deter
mined drive to gain control OF
the Dardanelles straight and so
slet herself up as a Medl-
terranean power - an ambl-
ton which also plagued the
Cars of generations past.
To understand developments
we must recall that the Dardan-
nelles now is under control OF
Turkey, who, bolstered by
America and Britain. has sturdi-
|lv rejected Moscow's demands
for Joint administration of this
strategic waterway. The Turks
figure that "joint'' administra-
ton shortly would lead to Red
domination.
A glance at your maps will
show that Greece thrusts down
from the Balkan peninsula into
the Mediterranean to the west OF
the Dardanelles, thereby lprovid-
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-28
Forest Primeval

Members of the United Nations secretariat
were confronted the other day with this
question: posted on a bulletin board at Lake
Success: "How long since you were last ir
a forest?" The question was put by the
American Youth Hostels, as an invitation to
hikes and travels.
In view of the vetoes, boycotts and other
troubles that these UN workers must con-
tend with, in addition to mountains of just
plain ordinary work, it might have been
more appropriate to ask them: "How long
before you are going to get out of the
woods?'
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-28
Behind Ihe News
Reds Making Another Tactic a | Move In Greece

ably seat of government
a dark secret. H.. If his
Vifiades' proclamaron Uener. VI
new state brought quick s5,1 .dv.rr. [sysl
cussions in Athens Ihe soo .s 10
ment announced the rounding n5saiioa 5s
of some 500 people in eonoS'lot lnd Mot
with a Communist-insplrsGc Geek
te, assassinate prominent tro+r,sr LINER
politicians. including fol'"
Premier Gonatas' reyolt
ir Greece meet with succsssi' .5tastion,
would create a grave 81. si,Ooi arises
and the question naturally nature. II y Rus
as to what the attltnoT7;s .17;.s ~ would
sia and the Western Allles essortsble @
be. That's an uncoIln,' neon, # the
query, especially in view " h being
name the Balkans have " y great
the whelping ground u
wars. have a
right to assume t1aI tlt the con-
powers of both sides OF ,.tnst sns cir
troversy would tread d,,1'.ei. n,ei, not
cumspectly. Neither aot husS .noth.
the western Allies WanI Nv ali
er world war, and cer.atild' caid o1s
hands will 60 far to aV0i'
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-28
Should Issue Order

A community is quite like an individual
in preferring the train service best suited
to its needs.
For that reason it is easy to understand
the interest and efforts of the Chamber
of Commerce, working in cooperation with
the Atlantic Coast Line railroad, the City
of Wilmington, Merchants association and
others, to have the Utilities commission
issue a supplementary order regarding
passenger service between Wilmington and
Rocky Mount.
Sometime ago. the Atlantic Coast Line
|called on the commission Tor permission
to suspend trains 48 and 40. It's plea was
based on the contention that they were
oelng operated at loss. The commission
refused but authorized the discrimination
OF trains As and 46, which came into being
during the war and have since become
the most important operating between Will
mlngton and Rocky Mount. Faster and with
better arranged schedules for connections
to New York and other northern points
1.-THE general travelling public has given
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-28

effort to overthrow the Athens
government.
It's a grapevine operation
which the Reds project. If the
government can hang in, we
may expect to see a great in.
tensification in the assault
against the monarchy. Should
that be overthrown, it would i'm
mediately be replaced by a
Communist government affilat-
ed with Moscow. Like all the
other Balkan states excepting
Turkey. Then would come fresh
pressure to force Turkey to con-
cede 'Russia's demands in the
Dardanelles.
The leader of the Red rebel
lion is one "General" Markos
Vifiades, who is said to be a
capable leader and a good or
ganizer. Thus far he seems to
be carrying the site of his CAPT.
tai about in his hip pocket.
Fierce fighting is proceeding in
Northern Greece near the AL
banian and Yugoslavia frontiers
and the General has succeed
ed in keeping the whereabouts
OF his headquarters - presum-
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-28
Sfar-News Program

s+ate norts with Wilmington favored
~ nronortion with its resources, to III
clude public terminals, tobacco stor'
aae warehouses, ship repair tacllltles,
nearbv sites for heavy industry anu
35-foot Cape Fear river channel.
Citv auditorium large enough "
meet needs for years tc come.
DEVELOPMENT of Southeastern -North
Carolina agricultural and industrial
resources through better markets anu
food processing, pulp wood proouc''oi'
and factories. .
Enophasis on the regions recrea.
tion advantages and Improvement Oh
resort accommodations.
Improvement of Southeastern North
Carolina's farm-to-market ana pfl-
mary roads, with paved hign"ay
from Topsail inlet to Bald Head Is
land.
Continued effort to attract more IN
dustries.
Proper utilization of Bluethentnai
airport for expanding air service.
Development of Southeastern North
Carolina's health facilities, especially
in counties lacking hospitals, and in
cluding a Negro Health center.
Encouragement of the growth OF
commercial fishing.
Consolidation of City and County
governments.
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-28
The Gallup Poll
The Gallup Poll
Public Selects High Prices, Gold
War AS Major News Events Of 1947
Marshall Plan And Taft
Hartley Labor Action
Are Next On List
BY GEORGE GALLUP
Director, American Institute OF
Public Opinion

PRINCETON, N. j., Dec. II.
The high-cost-of-living Ameri-
can relations with Russia, and
the Taft-Hartley labor relations
law were the three most inter
esing news stories of 1947 in the
opinion of American voters. The
cost of living led the voting by
big margin.
After the top three come the
Marshall Plan for aid to Europe,
Palestine partition, and the in
vesitgation of communism in
Hollywood by the House Com
mittee on Un-Americanism
A noticeable feature of the list
is the prominence given to icon
tinuing' stories, rather than spot
news events. Admittedly, we
have not heard the last of either
of the first five
A nation wide survey was
made by the Institute of repre-
sentative voters who were hand
ed list of "a important news
stories of the year and asked:
(Which of the following news
events inter sted you the
most?"
Following are the fifteen most
frequently mentioned in order of
votes received:
High Cost of Living
Russian-American conflict
Marshall Plan.
Taft Hartley Labor Law pas
sage and litigation
Palestine Partition Plan
Investigation of Hollywood
communism
John L. Lewis difficulties with
Government
Princess Elizabeth's wedding
School teachers strikes
Texas City, Texas, disaster
Hughes Meyers investigation
Truman food saving program
Telephone strike
Long skirts
Battle of Georgia governors
The leading events selected by
the public closely parallels those
chosen by the nations newspa-
per editors polled by both the
Associated Press and the Unit
ed Press. In all three lists the
first three are the same.
Of the ten events named by
AP editors two do not appear
on the Institute list: India's gree
dom and the Florida hurricane
UP editors in their list of ten
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-28

mentioned the series of airplane
disasters, India's freedom and
the world series, none Of which
made the grade with the public
In polling tn e public on the
most interesting sport event Of
the year the Institute discovered
that approxim ately six out of
ten A me ri C ans follow sports
news These respondents were
handed another list, win 20
headline athletic events of the
past year, and asked to name
the one which most interested
them.
In order Of voter preference,
here are the first ten:
"Jersey Joe" Walcott's stand
against Joe Louis.
World Series.
Illinois one-sided victory over
U.C.L.A. in Rose Bowl.
Jackie Robinson, first major
league Negro baseball player.
New York Giants new home
run record for a season.
Leo Durocher's suspension
from baseball.
The Rocky Graziano scandal
and his championship victory.
Columbia's defeat Of Army
eleven.
Babe Didrikson (Mrs. Zahari-
as) becomes first American to
win British women's golf title.
Jet Pilot wins Kentucky Derby
in unset.
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-28

ing a powerful base either for
defense of the strait or for op-
erations against it. At this writ
ing Greece, like Turkey, is in
the camp of the Western Demo-
cracies and so is a bulwark safe
guarding the status quo of the
Dardannelles. Russia, for very
obvious reasons wants to gain
domination of Greece as a STEP
ping stone to control if the
straight.
That brings us up to current
developments. The Greek mon
archy has been fighting for it's
life against Communist rebellion
whidh United Nations commits
sion of investigation found was
being fostered by Russia's satel-
lite nations bordering Greece -
Albania, Yugoslavia and Bull
garia. 1t long has been fore
gone conclusion that the rebels
would establish Communist
"state" at earliest possible date.
This, when recognized by the
Communists countries to the
north, would permit them to rem
der more aid to the rebels in the
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-28
Top News And Top Issues

/ This is the time of year when editors
and others compile the lists of what they
lIconsider the most important events of the
llpast II months.
/ Already several of these lists have ap-
peared and the most impressive is the one
presented through the Gallup poll Based
on an opinion survey among American
voters, it shows that the high cost of living
led all other news developments during
1947. Next came the United States re-
lations, now usually termed the ''cold
war;" with Russia.
These stories, as practically all others
in the Gallup collection, were continuing
ones. None was confined to a single day
but, rather extended over weeks or
months. They illustrate quite well the sus-
tanned interest OF the reader in national
and international events In addition, there
is comparatively little interest, on nation
al scale, in news stories whose principal
appeal is violence.
If the Gallup listing is accepted as a
good example, it shows the public is be-
coming more objective in its news.
"How will this affect me?" appears to
be the question most ask when they read
this or that story or listen about it over
the radio. And this ranges from the top
news of prices down to the issue Of long
skirts.
Aside from indicating the public's taste
in its news, the Gallup survey is additional
proof that the session of Congress begin
ming next month will merit all the head
line space it is destined to receive. Topping
its problems will be domestic initiation, the
basis of the high cost of living, and the
Marshall plan, our principal weapon in the
'cold war" against Communism. Most OF
the lawmakers have been sufficiently as
sured that their constituents interest in
these two great matters was greater thar
anything else happening in 1947. The pub
lie, because of it's intense concern, will not
be satisfied with anything less than intelli-
gent, remedial treatment of both.
The special session of Congress failed to
do anything material about the high cost
of living. 1t did approve stop-gap aid for
Europe. But both issues still remain and
their handling will, much more than per-
sonalities or other factors. determine the
outcome of next years presidential elec-
ton. In selecting prices and relations with
Russia as the two big events of 1947. the
voters left no doubt about where their in.
|terests are centered. They will continue
that attitude and their ultimate judgment
on disposal of these problems will be ex-
pressed best at the polls next November
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-12-28
Around Capitol Square
NC. Farm Co-Ops Grow
In Membership, Volume

were 10,150 units, with 4,505, 900
members and gross business of
$5,645, 600. (These totals are for
farmer co-operatives n ly, and
do not include non agricultural
consumer organizations
STATE - Norh Carolina is
credited in the report with nine
less organization, but 300 more
members and a million and a
half dollars more business.
Membership was listed at 72,710
and 76,300, respectively, while
business volume increased from
$32, 1900 to $34, 100000. This
was a gain of five percent in
membership, ag gai nst national
average of eleven percent, and
a business increase of eight per-
cent, which was the same as the
national figure These figures
are somewhat at variance, gen.
orally lower, than those quoted
before the legislative committee
last spring when the co op tax
issue was being considered.
ANOMALY - Figures for the
District of Columbia are intrigu-
ing. Since the list includes only
farmer co-ops, one might Won
der about the one organization
listed for the District of Colum-
bia, which dropped in member
ship from 1400 to 1860, but in
creased it's business from S15,-
100000 to $23, 1000, 900 during the
year. On percentage basis that
business increase was exceeded
only by Nevada, which gained
one unit and 20 members and
boosted business 62 percent -
from $40. 900 to 100000.
SPOTTED - The cooperative
picture is geogra phically
spotted. Ten states lost in mem
bership and nine in business
volume, but there is little geo.
graphic significance. Massachu-
sets h a d heaviest membership
loss, while Illinois suffered most
in business done by co-ops. Min
nesota led in membership and
California in dollar volume On
regional basis only the south
central states lost in total busi-
ness done. In this group gains
made by Alabama, Arkansas
and Oklahoma were offset by
larger losses in Kentucky, Ten
nessee, Mississippi, Louisiana
and Texas.