July 31, 1943

BLACK GAS HARMS WAR EFFORT

Chiseling and Coupon Abuse Are Problems

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In February of last year, the Petroleum Administration for War (PAW) issued recommendations that  service stations remain open no more than 12 hours a day and 72 hours per week. The Office of Price Administration (OPA) warns that use of black market gasoline, so-called black gas, harms the war effort. Chiseling—the practice of dealers selling gas to those without appropriate ration coupons—and selling of coupons are not only illegal, but also undermine the war effort. The PAW states that black markets “…drain millions of gallons of sorely needed gasoline from legitimate users.”