Transportation situation is better, although still acute. The Motor Transport Officer is getting things under better control and starting a new organization to handle the increased load. The City of Manila has almost been denuded of transportation, and very few private cars are now operating. A great many of the big taxi companies have been taken over by the army, or have been frozen for army use. Although sale of gasoline has not been restricted, most civilians believe it has been, and some of the gas stations refuse to sell to them. We have taken over the distribution of gas through the commercial agencies, and are dispensing at commercial stations to our motors, as we lack the facilities to handle it otherwise. We acquired at Hq. 19 new cars today, taken over from civilian agencies. Most of them are Buicks and Hudsons. Few smaller cars are available. Transportation still very scarce.
Lewis C. Beebe
(December 12, 1891 – February 2, 1951), Brigadier General; Assistant Chief of Staff, USAFFE (later, USFIP).
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