U.S. OIL CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 25, 24 October 1942, Page 7

U.S. OIL CRISIS

Senate Committee’s Warning HUGE CONSUMPTION (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received October 23, 9.20 pan.) WASHINGTON, October 23. A warning that the United States was facing an oil crisis similar to the rubber and steel crises because of the Government’s unco-ordlnated methods of dealing with petroleum problems , was given by the Senate Public Lands Committee. The United States was burning up the oil content of a major oilfield every five days, stated the committee. The Armed Services were using unimaginable supplies and the oil needs next year would be doubled. In addition the United States was becoming the oil source for the United Nations, as the Axis captured foreign supplies. WASHINGTON, October 22. The House of Representatives adopted the conference report on the supplementary navy appropriation of 15,851,000,000 dollars. Senate approval is expected this week The measure includes provision for 14,011 naval planes, 500,000 tons of aircraftcarriers, and 500,000 tons of cruisers. “The time has come to speed the simplification of civilian clothing,” declared the war production chairman, Mr, Donald Nelson. “A new and deeper curtailment of civilian goods production is imminent. In future essential civilian items will be scheduled exactly as military. weapons are scheduled.” Mr. Nelson, however, expressed the opinion that it was necessary to keep civilian economy sound to enable it to carry on a strong war programme. Colonel Hugh Knerr, at present on the retired list, who was recently strongly critical of Admiral F. Hart on the question of a separate air force, has been ordered to return to active duty with the army. > .

FIRST “SEA MOBILE” Construction Ordered (Received October 23, 9.15 p.m.) (’ WASHINGTON, October 22. The lend-lease administrator, Mr. Stettinius, announced that a contract has been let for the construction of the first full-sized “Sea Mobile,” the redesigned petrol-driven ship of the type formerly called the “Sea Otter,” which has been the centre of a storm of controversy for over a year, some contending that it is the answer to the submarine menace and others that it is wholly impracticable. Mr, Stettinius said that when the vessel was completed and thoroughly tested he would know whether more “Sea Mobiles" world be built or not. The aim was to give this novel vessel' every fair chance to prove its worth. The “.Sea Mobile” type is a freighter designed for relatively brief use, powered by a series of ordinary petrol engines driving propellers on short shafts. The specially shallow draught of the ship would make a torpedo hit difficult.

RUBBER RESOURCES Britain Drawing On Stocks (British Official Wireless.) (Receive ! October 23, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, October 22. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Production stated in the House of Commons that, many normal sources of natural rubber being now closed, no efforts were being spared to exploit to the full all accessible sources of plantations and wild rubber, but to balance the minimum requirements there must be a drawing upon stocks till synthetic rubber became available in quantity from America. The utmost economy in use was therefore necessary. ____________