Evening star., 1934-06-30
ARMY BUYS CARS
BY M M'CARL RULING
Chevrolet Gets Big Con-
tracts-Lobby Ban
Is Lifted.

The log-jam of Army automobile
and airplane contracts having been
dislodged by rulings of Controller Gen
eral McCarl. the War Department
today was completing awards totaling
millions of dollars, while House in
vestigatorS continued their study OF
alleged irregularities in bidding.
More than $4,000 900 worth of planes
and automobiles involved in the
Army's modernization program were
ordered yesterday, with approval of
McCarl and the House Military Al
fairs Committee, and today 1t was
expected additional awards would be
made to the Chevrolet Motor Co. for
1881 light trucks and 68 ambulances.
The awards to the Chevrolet firm
had been tied up since the grand jury
investigation OF War Department con-
tracts and had been the subject of
protests to the controller general by
the Trew Motor Co, local Chrysler
representative, which had been ex-
cluded from awards by an anti
lobbying" restriction.
Other Changes Loom.
The restriction requiring bidders to
certify under oath they had employed
no lobbyist or other person TO solicit
awards was lifted for the time being,
at least. by Assistant Secretary Of
War Woodring after receipt yesterday
of a ruling by McCarl conceding en-
forcement Of the requirement as OPP
tional with Woodring
AS a result OF blast by McCarl
against equally. If not more danger
GUS practiceS"-Such as exchange OF
favors between bidders and persons
in a position to influence" changes
in specifications and maintenance OF
"high-preSsure" sales organiza tons in
Westinghouse was expected the War
Department might adopt new and
more rigid requirements for bidders.
The effect of the lifting OF the
lobbying" certificate requirement
was to admit ChrySler 10 the approved
circle of bidders. Chrysler agents had
been unable to submit the certificate
because the Fargo Corporation, Chrys-
Ter subsidiary, is said to have con-
tact with lawyer whose fee is
contingent upon securing Army con-
tracts.
Ford Still Banned.
Ford remains under official ban,
however. due to failure TO sign up
under the N. r. A.
With the sanction of McCarl and
the House committee, Woodrlng yes
terday awarded contracts TO Chevrolet
for 1868 ton trucks for the Ma
tional Guard at an average cost Of
$3.50. l02 light dump trucks for the
Regular Army at s762 per truck and
10 field ambulances for the Regular
Army at Sl0l5 each.
For the Air Corps, the department
awarded contracts for 81 bombers and
engines, totaling about $5,000000
Woodring said the anti-lobbHIng
certificate was Withdrawn. at least
temporarily. in the interest Of p;o-
noting wide competition.
McCarl assailed the War Depart
meticulous as to details included IN
Specifications--a practice which he
asserted encouraged high pressure
salesmanship' on the part Of manu-
facturers
Until this practice is Discontinued,
he said. "the public viii have basis
for crediting accusations that i'm
proper influences are successfully eX-
erted
Limits Field.
In his reiterated criticism Of the
department detailed specifications,
McCarl said:
Where the Government need fer
the job to be done. or the work to
be performed is faithfully and fully
disclosed and bidding is permitted
thereon. there will be afforded no field
for high pressure saleSmanship.
1t is in instances where the intent
of the law is avoided and instead Of
disclosing the Government need-the
particular type OF work TO be done
there is attempt to stipulate in detail
high pressure salesmanship finds d
fertile field influence that will secul t
inclusion or expulsion Of a particular
dimension. device. plan OF lubric
and SO forth. may frequently deter
mine the successful bidder"
The controller general said the
War Departments difficulty in such
matters as the present arises large
ly flom its failure to faithfully give
- L. iva
purchases. which requires that they be