The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-19

Beers of New Haven, and the ses-
sion, which ended in the granting
of continuance, was held in the
presence of only the hearing officer
two other OPA officials, the an
nouncer's mother, and the solitary
representative of the press.
No explanation was given for the
secrecy which shrouded the appear
ance of the well-knoWn announcer
or the calling of the noted South
bury case, one of several which re-
suited when movement of New York
cars in Southbury aroused the
wrath of town ration officials.
Comparing the Utall case to that
of Carolyn Haight of Southbury
and New York City, who was heard
in New Haven recently, Commits
sioner Beers said he would continue
it until the appeal in the other is
disposed of, and that the decision
will be the same Mrs. Haight also
was apprehended using her car in
Southbury and her gasoline ration
privileges were suspended when she
was found guilty of violating the
pleasure driving ban.
Despite obvious efforts of the
OPA Commissioner to maintain an
informal atmosphere, the New York
announcer, who next week starts a
new series of broadcasts and shows
appeared disturbed throughout the
lengthy detailed cross-examination
At one point Mr.. Beers INTERRUPTED
to state the case is only one of a
number like it called to test New
Workers ration privileges in this
state.
THE town officials in Southbury
had the idea New York people are
running wild while residents there
have to conserve gasoline the COM
missioner explained apparently try
ing to put the motorist at ease, add
ing that the special investigation
conducted the weekend of June q
was for the purpose of determining
teh administrative policy to be fol-
lowed in dealing with out of-state
cars.
1t was not until the motorists
mother asked to be heard that the
desired informally resulted, how
ever Dressed in Stacks and wearing
dark net hood over her gray hair,
Mrs. Utall asked from across the
courtroom if she might speak. When
the commissioner enthusiastically
invited her to join the conference
table, young Utel piped up unex-
pectedly, That's right, Nom, you
might as well join the fight"
Mrs. Utell explained she has a
garden in Southbury and has done
extensive canning there and that
her son drove down so she Wouldn t
be alone. Mr.. Utel said he had to
travel to Southbury to protect his
investment. He stated he used his
car only to travel between New
Haven to Southbury and that the
remainder of the trip was made by
train. Detailed questioning was con-
Quoted on other possible means OF
transportation and the driver eX-
planned that Seymour was the near
est point from which he could OBJ
| WAL PAcAAN " etAAoPOl V4OAl.
A description of the spacious New
York apartment of Mrs. Utall was
sought, and her son pointed out he
had room at a hotel as well. The
commissioner said the case was
similar to that of Mrs. Haight, eX-
cept that the New York woman had
more justification in coming to
Connecticut because she lived in a
one-room apartment in the city
with her husband and small
child.
Two other OPA charges brought
against the New Yorker were drop
ped, one that he used more gaso-
line than his coupons allowed and
the other that he neglected to glue
his ration Stickers on the car wind
shield.
Examination of his "A" and 'B'
ration books disclosed that several
"B" stamps were loose and the mo-
torist Immediately explained a gar
age man had inadvertently torn
them out when he should have
taken the "a" stamps. When asked
why he had so many "B' stamps
although he has done extensive
travelling and asked what his "other
source" of obtaining gasoline sup
plies was, the announcer objected
saying the question was not fair as
the OPA did not have a record OF
his mileage. Lack of further evil
dence resulted in dropping of the
charge.
Mr.. Utall told the commissioner
he voted in the last city election in
New York but not since then, when
efforts were made to establish whe-
Their New York or Southbury might
be considered the legal residence
Mr., Beers pointed out a resident Of
New York can not commute to this
state even if he takes up a tempo
rary residence here. A Connecticut
resident who works in New York
however, may drive back and forth
according to OPA regulations.
In continuing the case the COM
missioner advised Mr.. Utall to joir
with Mrs. Haight or other persons
involved In the Southbury investi-
cation In obtaining legal counsel.
One other Southbury case, that oil
Fay and Raymond Smith Of Mount
Vernon, N. Y, was called but the
parties did not appear and records
revealed further investigation is still
being conducted, Mrs. Smith was
heard here by Commissioner Walter
w. Smyth several weeks and and q
continuance was granted at thai
time to check claims that her local
ration board has issued her special
permission to travel to Southbury.
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