In 1943, Senate bill S. 1243 was introduced during the first session of the 78th Congress by Senator O'Mahoney of Wyoming"authorizing the construction and operation of demonstration plants to producce synthetic liquid fuels from coal and other substances, in order to aid the prosecution of the war, to conserve and increase the oil resources of the nation and for other purposes". Hearings before a special subcommittee were held in Washington, D. C., Pittsbugh, Pa., Salt Lake City, Utah, and Sheridan, Wyo. Testimony was given by 77 witnesses on the extent of national fuel reserves and methods of processing, and opinions were offered as to the need for augmenting natural liquid fuels with synthetic liquid fuels.