Evening star., 1943-01-18
Steuat Is Expected
To Resist Custer as
D. {. Ration Chief
OPA Aide Confirms
Report Henderson
Asked Removal

An OPA spokesman today con-
hrmed report that retiring Price
Administrator Henderson has asked
Whitney Leary, District OPA direc-
tor, to request the resignation of L.
P. Steuart, chief rationing officer for
the District.
Mr.. Leary today refused to say
whether he had received the re-
quest from Mr.. Henderson and, if
so, he had passed it on to Mr..
Steuart. His only comment was
that he had not yet received a resig-
nation from Mr.. Steuart.
Mr.. Steuart was not available for
comment, but it was understood he
would resist efforts to remove him
from his post.
The basis for Mr.. Henderson's ac-
ton was believed to be the con-
troversy which has developed be-
tween the OPA and L. P. Steuart &
Bro, oil dealers, of which Mr.
Steuart is listed as president. This
condition grew out Of an OPA order
Of January which compelled all
dealers and supplier to sell to any
one who presented coupons. Be
cause the Petrol Co., associated with
the Steuart firm, was the only sup
plier in the city with any apprecia-
BILE quantity of oil on hand, several
dealers Immediately asked him for
supplies under the OPA order and
were at first rejected.
Steuart's Nephew Comments.
Later. after the dealers had filed
complaints with the OPA, Petrol an
nounced it would accommodate
dealers and the Steuart company in
turn offered to supply any consumer
who could establish that he was en-
tirely out of oil.
Curtis Steuart, nephew of L. P.
steuart and secretary and treasurer
Of the Steuart company. said today
his uncle has not been active in the
affairs of the firm for 10 years.
Il don't see him more than once
a month" Curtis Steuart said He
Is not active and he is not the con-
trolling stockholder. I make all the
contracts and conduct the business. !
We have kept his name as president
Of the firm because of its advertising
value"
Curtis Steuart said since his uncle |
had become District rationing officer
the firm has deliberately refrained
from going out of its way to attract |
new customers in an effort to avoid |
capitaliZing on L. P. Steuarts asso-
citation with the OPA.
Stocks Here Built Up.
Meanwhile, the warm week end |
helped considerably to ease the fuel |
oil situation here, according to Renah |
Camalier, consultant to Mr.. Leary.
Mr.. Camalier said the last few days |
have permitted suppliers and deal
ers to move oil into the area during |
a period when practically no oil was
consumed. Dealers were thus able
TO build up stocks against the time
when the temperature drops and the
demand increases.
Another pressing oil problem ap-
peared near solution today as
the results of arrangements made |
by Mr.. Camalier to bring one extra
car of kerosene Oil into the Dis
trict daily for an indefinite period. |
If Mr. Candalier obtains consent OF |
the Petroleum Administration for |
War, this step will bring relief to
hundreds of persons using small
quantities of kerosene for space |
heaters.
Five tankers, each containing
5000 gallons of kerosene are now
being shipped in at the rate of one
a day. These cars had been held
up in Pittsburgh for a week while
Mr.. Canalier sought permission
from the PAW to bring them in. |
These shipments exceed the
monthly quota allowed, which made
it necessary to obtain the consent |
Of the PAW to bring them in.