Cuts for a Crisis

The East’s oil shortage suddenly grew desperate. Weather and war were the prime causes. Midwestern floods (see p. 20) washed out rails, covered highways, broke the Big Inch pipeline near Little Rock, Ark., cutting off a flow of some 200,000 bbl. per day. Meantime black-market sales were draining away thousands of barrels a day for illegal use. Passenger motoring was on the rise. Farmers were rushing to finish weather-delayed spring planting; tractors began to run dry from Maine to Virginia.

But civilian consumption, sharply reduced by the end of the heating season, could not account for the sudden demand. It was officially announced that enormous quantities, “oceans of oil,” were flowing out for the next military round.

The pleasure-driving ban, which had been lifted March 22, went back in twelve East Coast states. The New York District OPA ordered public transportation to be used, “even though it may be uncomfortable, timeconsuming, or more costly.”

Holders of T (commercial) rations were ordered to make their current allowance last until July 26, instead of July 1. In effect, this meant an overall 40% mileage cut for trucks, buses and taxis. Prime purpose was to choke off the black-market supply, much of which comes through sales of T coupons by operators who have wangled more than they need.