Evening star., 1943-08-06
Officials Ease
Enforcement Of
Driving Curb
No Cases Filed in
Days; Panel Takes
Indefinite Recess


Enforcement of the pleasure
driving ban is being eased in the
District, announcements from
the local Office of Price Admin
istration and study of enforce
ment records indicated today.
No suspected violators of the ban
have been reported by District OPA
inspectors for nearly week. The
special trial panel of three attor-
neys, set up on June "a to help local
ration boards whittle down heavy
backlog of pleasure driving cases,
was recessed today for an indefinite
period after hearing only nine cases
at it's session last night.
May Be Discontinued.
John L. Laskey, chief attorney
for the District OPA, estimated that
not more than $50 hearings still are
docketed for hearings by the local
ration boards. The special trial
panel, which in IA bi-weekly ses-
sions has disposed of 357 cases, will
remain recessed at least for two
weeks and may be discontinued per-
manently, he indicated.
Mr.. Laskey said motorists still are
being cited for pleasure driving
here, but admitted that enforce
ment has "lightened up a bit" in
the last week or so. The District
OPA's small staff of investigators
has been occupied much of the time
with enforcement of the new res
taurant price rollback order and
retail price ceilings on food, he
added.
Five persons were declared guilty
OF gasoline rationing violations by
the panel last night at the Force
School, and four of these lost one
or more ration coupons.
.Admirals Daughter Loses Coupon.
Miss Florence King, daughter of
Admiral Ernest j. King, chief of
naval operations, was penalized one
A coupon after testimony showed an
automobile listeS in the name of her
father had been seen parked at the
Army and Navy Country Club on
July 10.
She told the three-man panel and
Mr.. Laskey that she had driven to
the club for dinner. Mr.. Laskey
recommended the fine after pointing
out that bulletin issued by the club
explaining driving regulations was
somewhat misleading
The same question arose in the
case of Capt. David M. Cooper of
Tllden Gardens, whose car was
checked by an OPA inspector at the
club. He testified he had gone to the
club for the day, remaining there
for all meals and a swim.
No Penalty Assessed.
On inspecting Capt. Cooper's ra-
tion book, members of the panel
found a loose c coupon, which the
Army officer said came with the
book. Inspection showed the coupon
was of an earlier printing than the
ones in his C book. The panel de-
clared a violation. but assessed no
penalty.
Talmadge Fridie, colored, 943 z
street S.W., charged with non-es-
sential driving and possession of
three loose B coupons, was found
guilty of the second charge and
fined six weeks of A coupons when
the new books are issued in Novem-
Der.
Testimony showed Mr.. Fridie had
received extra gasoline for a vaca-
ton trip to New York. and the B
coupons were found in his book by
an inspector who stopped the car
in New York City.
1t. w. E. Powell of 1909 Twentieth
street NV, who has been ordered
to duty out of the city. was fined
one B coupon. His car had been
checked on the country club
grounds.
Harry B. Byrd, ir., 1913 Fifteenth
street NV, was fined two A cou-
pons after he had declined to re-
veal the name of soldier friend to
whom he had loaned his car. The
machine was checked at the
Charles Town (W. Va race track.
Sudi seS against aaron Charles,
19 M street NV, who also had
loaned his car to friend in the
service, were dismissed. The car
was checked at the jefferson Memo
rial.
Enforcement of Ban.
The panel dropped charges against
Harry Cayton, 2948 Macomb street
NV, who had announced he would
challenge coupon fines in court if
convicted.
Testimony showed Mr.. Cayton let
three persons out of his car near
Ullne Arena May 81. He told the
panel he had been near the Arena
on business and had dropped the
men off on his way home after din
ner. His lawyer, Robert Lynch, ac-
companied him to the hearing