Marketplace

MARKETPLACE
NEWSLETTER
PAGE 13, DECEMBER 30, 1973
WHAT ABOUT
"
GASOLINE SHORTAGE!
Rationing of gasoline via coupons and/or stamps did not come into effect. This would
have brought about, many predicted, black markets, bootlegging, hijacking and a return
to acts comparable to former prohibition days. The horrible tax of 30¢ and more per
~allon of gas as proposed by some politicos also failed of acceptance. President Nixon
(Sunday, Nov.25,'73) announced a much milder form of rationing than many had expected.
So mild, some oil leaders claim, it's no different than using a perfume atomizer to put
out an oil fire.
Beginning as of Dec. 1, service stations will stop selling gasoline on weekends, be-
tween 9 P.M. Saturday until 12:01 A.M. on Monday. Many service stations have already
been so doing. Gasoline deliveries will be cut 15% to retailers and wholesalers. Many
independent retailers and wholesalers claim they are already enduring deeper cuts than
this. Heating oil, beginning Jan.1,'74, will be cut 15% to home, 25% to commercial es-
tablishments and 1o% to industry. This is, definitely, not harsh or hurtful rationing.
As predicted in our "What's News?", page 31, Nov.30,'73 issue of "Marketplace", re-
garding the energy shortage, " • . • can estimate possible over-all 1o% business loss
for some areas." We definitely believe this can be repeated here because the kind of
rationing which has just come into being by Presidential decree to be backed up by
Congress should not affect this industry's business by more than a 1o% over-all loss,
This industry can be very thankful for the gasoline rationing system announced by
the President. It means business can continue ahead even tho at a slower and more cau-
tious pace. Certainly no one driving a coin machine car or pickup wants to be charged
with speeding. What's more, the fuel and gas shortage being what it is and because it
may effect some people to yell like bluenose fanatics, it may pay to canvas cover coin
machines being transported in cars, pickups or trucks.
Brownouts and blackouts expected in some areas about the nation as well as fuel
rationing will effect nighttime play to some extent. That is, where there is nighttime
play which has, as all know, almost disappeared. Tho this may hurt income to some de-
gree, operators can cover any such loss of income with a "service charge". A $10 "ser-
vice charge" can, most definitely, .be arranged for at this time to cover the extra cost
of gasoline as well as the extra use of gasoline involved in servicing.
Some may be forced to give up marginal locations, especially those many miles from
their headquarters. These may have to be serviced but once every other week. That being
the case it may pay to make a leasing arrangement with such locations. Thia could prove
satisfactory and more profitable to both the operator and the location.
Most important and also in view of the fact rationing is bound to become harsher in
forthcoming months, this is the time for all in the industry to proceed quietly, care-
fully, cautiously, without blowing of horns or displays of affluence. Thia is, instead,
the time for all to practise the full and complete use of just plain common sense. The
present rationing is no different than political spoonfeeding of the public in prepar-
ation for what really lies ahead until the nation's oil shortage is completely resolved.