Evening star., 1943-09-19
Witnesses Claim Oil
Provided by Steuart
Is Needed in District

Is Needed in District
Over the objections of Carl w.
Bereuffy. District OPA enforce
ment attorney, series of witnesses
yesterday testified that L. P. steuart
d Bros. Inc. fuel oil dealers charged
with 227 rationing irregularities,
played not easily replaceable role
in supplying fuel oil to District con-
sumers.
After their testimony, the hearing,
which began early this month, was
adjourned until $50 am. tomorrow
and the case, which is being heard
by OPA Hearing Commissioner Cliff
ford Snyder Of New York is expected
to be concluded with a night session
tomorrow night.
The witnesses were presented by
the oil firms attorney, Renah r.
Camalier, to rebut the Government
allegation that possible suspen-
sion Of the company's license would
not put an undue strain on other oil
Arms this season. They included
executives Of other District Oil firms
and householders
Stewart Counsel Rebuked.
Examination of Mrs. Pauline
Drake, 52l5 Cloud place, NE, to
whom the oil firm is alleged to have
made two emergency deliveries
only one Is permitted by the regula-
tions-provoked spirited exchange
between the attorneys, during
which Mr.. Camelier drew the re-
proof Of the presiding commissioner
for his charge that the proceedings
were beginning to appear more like
q persecution than a prosecution"
Il don't think you have any right
to make such remark and resent
It," Commissioner Snyder said as
the attorney attempted to apologize.
The outburst was occasioned by
Commissioner Snyder's admission,
as a Government exhibit, of the oil
delivery slips which Mrs. Drake, the
oompany's witness, had brought into
court.
Since the charge concerning Mrs.
Drake ran only as to violation of
the limitation on emergency deliver
les, Mr.. Camalier objected to the
introduction of the slips as a Gov
ernment exhibit on the grounds of
surprise. He argued that they were
not evidence as to the emergency
deliveries but constituted a new
charge, inasmuch as the deliveries,
when totaled, far exceeded Mrs,
Drake's total rations, including the
emergency deliveries.
Standard Oil Man Testifies.
An examination OF the slips by
Curtis P. Steuart, secretary and
general manager of the accused
frm, revealed that they included
one delivery of 189 gallons made in
anticipation of the Forthcoming
heating season in July of this year
and subsequent to the date of the
audit on which the Governments
charges are based.
On discovery of the inclusion of
this slip, Commissioner Snyder
ruled it out of evidence, but the re-
manning slips still indicated an over
delivery.
John G. Chappell, manager of the
fuel oil department of the Standard
Oh Co. of New Jersey in this area,
called as. a witness by. Mr.. Camalier.
admitted that his company had run
out OF oil last winter and had been
Obliged to secure it.elsewhere. Under
questioning by Mr.. Camalier, he
testified that his company had sec
ured oil from the facilities at Thir-
teenth and L streets, but observed
That these were the property of the
Petrol Corp, l.. P. Steuart g. Bros.
ines. supplier, and not OF the L. P.
6teuart Co.
Sold Unsatisfactory" Oil.
I'VE were given an ALLEGATION from
the Petrol Co. of a grade of oil
which was very Unsatisfactory" Mr.
CnappeH testified. Questioned by
Mr.. Cama1ier. he admitted that his
company had sold the "unsatisfac-
tory" oil In turn to its dealers and
retail customers.
L. G. Kuhn, 7704 Alaska avenue.
VINO identified himself as having
been Washington branch manager Of
the Petroleum Heat and Power Go.
last winter, testified that his COM
pany had secured an uninterrupted
supply Of oil through the facilities of
the Sfeuart 90. and that among his
customers who were thus dependent
on the Steuart's facilities last wear
was L. lie Roy Gritzon of silver
Spring, business specialist in the
OPAs fuel oil division.
Mr.. Gritzon was one of the Gov
eminent witnesses who testified sew
eral weeks ago that no undue strain
would be placed on other District
dealers by q suspension of the
Steuart license. Mr.. Kuhn said that
In his opinion 1t would be impossible
70 take care Of the fuel oil demand
IN Washington without the facilities
Of the Steuart Co.
Supplied Standard Firm.
He said that the Steuart Arm
never IdAco 10 supply MS former
company with oil last winter, al
though there were times when other
dealers had no product to sell.
Another witness, Mrs. Mildred s.
Greer. 821 Maryland avenue NE,
said the Steuart firm had supplied
oil within an hour during a cold
snap last December to 70-year-old
-
oil from other companies for her
house. She said that despite the
Steuart company's promptness, her
friend became i'll from the exposure
and died 10 days later.
Mr.. steuart, principle witness at
the morning session, testified that
many Of the irregularities COM
planned of by the OPA were due to
the fact that his company could not
abide by OPA regulations without