Curfew at the Filling Station

Motorists in the twelve Atlantic Seaboard States this week found the petroleum shortage overtaking them on the left. Filling-station pumps were locked up at 7 p.m., kept locked for twelve hours. This system, similar to that inaugurated in Canada a few weeks earlier (see p. 27), gave no promise of saving any more gas south of the border than to the north. But it effectively shut most gas stations at night.

No special law had been passed; the whole thing was a voluntary restriction, recommended by Petroleum Coordinator "Horrible Harold" Ickes. Unable to frighten motorists into more economical habits, he decided to try forcing them into it by inconvenience. The oil companies suggested the shutdown, and when Ickes accepted it. at once closed their own stations, asked their dealers to do likewise. In cities, most stations complied, figured it would solve labor shortage, cut expenses. Rural dealers, weary of 18-hour days at the pumps, were glad to hear of the edict, for the most part obeyed it. On New York's crowded parkways, State police gave emergency aid to stalled motorists: a gallon to light cars, two to heavier ones. Trucks and taxicabs were supplied, as provided in the plan.

But curfew at the filling station is not curfew at the carburetor. Before 7 p.m. most drivers now said: "Fill her up," instead of the more usual: "Five gallons." When the petroleum shortage really overtakes the public, the name for it will be rationing.

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