Evening star., 1943-01-07
District Suspect Held
As Figure in Huge
Gas Black Market
Second FIees as Miumi
Police Make Early
Announcement of Drive

Investigators for the United
States attorneys Office here ar
rested one man late last night,
but another suspect was believed
to have made a hurried getaway
following premature release of
information by Miami officials
regarding a widespread "black
market" involving an estimated
100000 gallons worth of gaso-
line ration coupon books.
Detained at sixth precinct, but
not charged, is a 29-year-old ration
board clerk. He was taken into
custody following information that
an envelope containing loose cou-
pons had disappeared from a safe
to which he had sole access, police
said.
Police also admitted restaurant
owner" here had been questioned
but is temporarily at liberty in the
custody of his attorney.
Led by 1t. Joseph w. Shimon, a
special squad made a hurried search
for the two Washington suspects
arresting one after learning that
the story had leaked out.
Youth Arrested in Miami.
Federal and police officials in
Miami yesterday arrested 27-year-
old Eugene Hale Brading and seized
coupons good for more than 1,000,-
600 gallons of gasoline, according to
Associated Press dispatches, which
quoted authorities in the Florida
city as saying the arrest would
smash" national "black market" 4"
Melbourne L. Martin, assistant
enforcement attorney of the Miami
OPA office, was quoted as saying "a
former employe of a Washington
rationing board is suspected of being
involved in this leakage"
District Attorney Edward M. Cur
ran also said the release of informa-
ton was unfortunate at this time" +"
adding that his Office had the case
under investigation since before
Christmas.
Sent From Washington.
Arrested in Miami on a Federal
warrant, Brading was said to have
been charged with illegal possession
of ration books, maximum penalty
for which is one years imprison-
ment and a fine of $4,000.
Dispatches said that coupons good
for from $500 to 5000 gallons of
gasoline were found in Bradings
apartment and package allegedly
addressed to Brading containing
coupons good for more than 1,000,-
900 gallons was found at a Miami
post Office.
The Associated Press quoted 1t.
c. o. Huttoe, head of the Miami
Police Defense Squad, as saying the
coupons were sent to Brading from
Washington.
Brading was said to have told 1t.
Huttoe that the gasoline books had
been selling in Washington at 81
a sheet or cents a gallon.
Although Miami authorities were
quoted as saying the ring was Ma
tion-wide, Mr.. Leary and District
Attorney Curran said they belleVed
it would cover the Eastern Seaboard.
Mr.. Martin in Miami was quoted
as saying, I'VE know and have evil
dence that gasoline books are being
sold throughout the United States
through black markets"
Investigation was begun here by
the District attorneys Office and
District OPA investigators after it
was found that only about 1880
books out of 6,229 recently stolen
from local boards have been re-
covered.
Only yesterday, Investigators here
telephoned Miami authorities giving
them information regarding Brad
ing.
The Associated Press quoted 1t.
Huttoe as saying We're on the trail
of another package containing cou-
pons good for 100000 gallons