War Restrictions Cut Student Use of Cars

A survey of garages and car storage lots around the Square yesterday showed that Harvard men have been greatly affected by the new car and tire restrictions. Some student car-owners have even bought bicycles for local transportation.

All garage managers around the Square say that students are using their cars from 25 per cent to 50 per cent less since the government restriction on tires went into effect. Cars are being used much less in the afternoons and fewer weekend skiiers are driving north. One garage owner stated that Harvard men were restricting the mileage of their cars 75 per cent.

Fewer Student Cars

Large and conviently situated garages have their usual quota of Harvard cars, but the smaller garages that are located farther from the Square say they have only half as many cars owned by Harvard men as they had last year. It is difficult to tell whether the decrease in cars owned by students is a result of the tire shortage or a fear of the future scarcity of automobiles because of non-production.

Harvard Car-Owners Cooperate

The general opinion of the garage owners was that students were cooperating with the government to the fullest extent. Not only are they obeying the letter of the law, but also the spirit. When advised to buy just before the restriction went into effect, many students said that they didn't want to hoard. "Give somebody else a break," or "I'll buy a bicycle if my tires give out," were typical answers.

It appears that students cooperated last fall also when the University requested undergraduates not to bring cars if it were not necessary.