Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-02-02
Senators Act
To0btaiin Oil
ForPetroIFirm
Co-ordinoting Group
Will Meet Today
TO Study Shortage


Washington's oil shortage contin-
ued to plague dealers today and
there we're no prospects for imme-
date renewal of supplies despite the
opening up of February allotments
The only weekend arrival by
river barge was said to be the 1856,
900 gallons of No. 2 Diesel oil loaned
by the Navy from its Norfolk fuel
| ing station.
This was divided between L. P
Steuart & Bro, hardest hit Of the
District dealers, and the emergency
pool of the Fuel Oil Co-ordinating
Committee. The pool received -300,-
900 gallons, but this was earmarked
for future use and there was a
steady drain on the stockpile from
householders unable to get soil from
regular sources.
Oil Sought for Petrol Corp.
Arrangements we're being worked
out today to obtain oil for the
Petrol Corp, which appealed to the
Senate Small Business Committee
last week for help. The corpora
ton, which claims to supply 20 per
cent of the Washington area homes,
told Chairman Wherry that its
stocks would be entirely exhausted
until oil arrives from the Gulf
Coast after February 27.
A committee staff member said
negotiations are under way to sup
ply Petrol Corp. with at least part
of the 100000 gallons said to be
necessary to see the concern through
the first half of the month.
Fuel Oil Co-ordinator j. Thomas
Kennedy said his committee had on
hand 1852 gallons of quickly avail
able No. 2 fuel oil, the equivalent of
about half a days supply at the
present rate of emergency calls.
Navy Oil More Expensive.
This does not include the 100000
gallons of Navy oil, about 10000
other gallons which have strings
attached" and 49,500 furnished by
Merchants and Manufacturers
dealers, for which distribution plans
have not been worked out. The
Navy oil is more expensive and may
have to be sold at higher price
than regular fuel oil, Mr.. Kennedy
said.
Since the emergency period. start
ing with the January "a snowstorm,
the fuel committee has issued
227,66S gallons of oil.
Committee Meets Today.
Mr.. Kennedy scheduled meet
ing of the Co-ordinating Com
mittee this afternoon. One of the
topics was a projected investigation
of dealers to learn whether any are
holding back oil and referring con-
sumers to the committees emer-
gency pool
To avert similar crises in the flu
ture. Mr. Kennedy also expected to
start work on plan to enlarge
Washington's capacity for storing
fuel oil.
b Since the District has depended
largely on Baltimore sources for its
fuel supply storage facilities here
are entirely inadequate to meet an
emergency, Mr.. Kennedy said.
He believes dealers should enlarge
storage plants and put away enough
oil to take care of unusual periods
such as would be induced by a
lengthy freezing of the river, main
avenue of supply.
Mr.. Kennedy also was expected to
discuss price-gouging with his COM
nhttee. He said he had heard of no
cases where dealers have taken adj
vantage of the oil shortage, but that
the committee would act to cut of
the supplies of any dealer found
unduly raising prices.
Coast Guard, Navy Help.
The Coast Guard and Navy con-
tinued to cooperate with Eastern
areas feeling the oil pinch. On the
ice filled Potomac between Wash
ington and the rivers mouth, three
Coast Guard cutters and Navy
tug have devised shuttle system OF
keeping barges moving.
The cutters Confer and Mohican
are working as a team, as are the
cutter Madrona and a Navy Tug
They are breaking the ice for any
barges moving up or down the river
Mr.. Kennedy said he would tighten
up today on emergency oil requests
by rescreening all applicants moi
yet served. This will be done to de-
termine whether the applicants have
been served by regular dealers since
applying to the committee for aid
How much oil on hand is prob
lematical, but Mr.. Kennedy said he
hoped early February allotments
together with continued conserva-
ton measures, would assure con-
tinuous flow for the next seven OF
10 days.
Congregations in many District
churches yesterday heard their pas
tors read an appeal from the CO.
ordinating committee to cooperate
in the request to use Is per cent
less fuel oil during the emergency
,,oriod