Evening star., 1943-07-02
|0PARefusedAid
|0fD.C Police in
Driving Checkup
Campaign to Enforce
Bon Over Holiday
Is Scheduled


Bon Over Holiday
Is Scheduled
The Commissioners have turned
down a request from District OPA
authorities that Washington police
guard all arterial highways leading
out of the city over the holiday week
end in a special drive to enforce the
pleasure driving ban.
While admitting they are anxious
to assist in the conservation Of gaso-
line, the Commissioners yesterday
wrote John L. Laskey, chief attorney
of the District OPA. that "at the
present time they do not feel war
ranted in directing members Of the
police force to stop motorists merely
for the purpose Of ascertaining
whether or not they are engaging in
driving for pleasure purposes"
At the same time the Commis-
sioners said District police would
continue to report the license num-
Der of any automobile observed
under circumstances indicating
pleasure driving. and that officers
who stop motorists in the discharge
of normal traffic duties will ask the
purpose for which a car Is being
used.
Board Studied Request.
Mr.. Laskey's request was made to
Inspector Harvey G. Callahan, as
sistant superintendent OF Metropoli-
tan Police. Since a matter of policy
was involved, Inspector Callahan re-
ferred the request for special holi-
day enforcement drive to the Com
missioners.
Meanwhile. the special panel con-
sisting of Fred Stohlman. chairman:
Peter Connolly and John w. jack
son. imposed penalties in 10 cases
involving loss of 80 gallons OF gaso-
line, at public hearings last night at
the Force School Building. Nine
cases were dismissed and SIX persons
failed to make an appearance.
Those penallzed were:
Lexington E. Smith, 29OO Park
place NV, teacher in Randall High
School SW. loss of one A coupon
Dorothy Ballard, also Randall in
structor, loss OF one A and one d
coupon. They had driven school
children to picnic ground on June
10. The panel chairman said 1t was
a worthy purpose, but violation OF
the law" adding that OPA had de-
MED extra gas rations to persons
desiring to place flowers on graves.
e Book Suspended.
Millard Buck, l4l8 Eleventh street
NV, use Of next c book suspended
for two weeks. His car was parked
near Hains Point at l1:40 pm. He
said he had taken hi sick wife
there at her request.
Samuel Addison, 1924 Tenth street
NV, use of B card suspended for
two weeks from August 6. Addison
student at the University of Mary
land, admitted his car was parked
on bride path near a picnic
ground on June "a. He said his
ration book was exhausted last week
Fred B. Smith, 1909 F street NE.
suspension of A book for 80 days
the panel terming it fragrant vio-
lation" He said he drove on a va
cation to Chesapeake Beach for a
fishing trip. He had only three
coupons in his book and decided to
spend them while on single trip
he told the board.
John J. Range. Cairo Hotel, loss oi
two B coupons. A salesman, he told
the panel he had driven from Ar
lington, Va. to tavern on Bladens-
burg road seeking the aid of friend
who was to supply names of busi-
ness prospects.
Ensign Joe Swavely, u. S. NJ. oi
1886 Allendale place NV, loss OF
one A coupon. He said he took
picnic supplies and blanket for a
sunbath to Rock Creek bath at 6:1(
pm. on June 20. but emphasized 81
don't consider that pleasure driv.
ing"
Woman Found Asleep in Car.
Myrtle E. McNey, 1874 T stree
Sc. loss of one A and one B coupon
She was found asleep in her car late
at night on Leadbetter street. Alex.
andria, Va. She said she had taker
the car there to have it repaired
over the week end
Phillip Richardson. 1883 Four
teenth street NV, loss of one
coupon. He testified he stopped il
Potomac Park to take his wife tt
a restroom.
Anthony P. Zifcak. 45l5 Burling,
ton place NV, loss of one A coupon
He had gone to Potomac Park the
! night of June % to cool off, he ad-
mitted
On recommendation of John L
Laskey, chief OPA attorney for the
District OF Columbia, the panel dis
missed with warnings two alleged
violators of the pleasure driving ban
Frank F. George. jr.. 1926 Thirteenth
street NV, and Joseph E. Bunch
3506 Nichols avenue Sc, parked
their cars near the circus grounds
Each had bought three war bond.
for the special circus, admission te
which was limited to purchasers o.
war bonds.
Explanations accepted by the
panel, in cases dismissed ranged
from visiting a sick grandmother
regularly. going to beach home tt
repair plumbing damage and con.
suming the last coupon of a brother
summoned to Army service.
This panel will meet again to-
night at Of clock in the Force Schoo
to hear Is additional complaints.