Evening star., 1943-06-12
State 0PA ATTORNEY
Asks Suspension Of
Tawes' Gas Ration
Reduction of Controllers
Official Allowance Also
Proposed to Panel
By the Associated Pres.

6S the Associated PIeSS.
BALTIMORE, June 12.-State
Office of Price Administration
Enforcement Attorney Cornelius
P. Mundy recommended to a
three-man panel today that the
personal gasoline ration of State
Controller ]. Millard Tawes be
suspended for "a considerable
period" and that his official ra
ton be partially suspended for
the wars duration.
The OPA panel met in closed ses.
sion in Baltimore to fix a penalty
for Mr.. Tawes admitted violation o1
the rules governing use of gasoline
during trip he made to his sons
wedding in Georgia in State -ownec
automobile. Mr.. Mundy said the
panel probably would hand down &
decision today.
Mr.. Mundy's written recommenda
tion to the board was:
The enforcement division recon.
mends that the personal gasoline
ration of j. Millard Tawes be sus.
pended for substantial period, anc
that such part of his official ratior
be suspended for the duration a!
will not constitute an impeachment
to the sovereign State of Maryland
and yet will hold Mr.. Tawes to al
irreducible minimum which mini.
mum should be based upon accurate
and documented information as te
his need for official driving"
In making his recommendations
Mr.. Mundy asserted:
The enforcement division has
considered the letters of Mr.. Tawes
and his counsel and. while it does
not dogmatically recommend the
penalty, being conscious that it is
difficult, if not impossible, to prose-
cute vigorously and judge fairly. it
does desire to make a brief COM
ment upon the case.
The only Justification for asking
the American public to accept ano
comply with the rationing program
is the acute scarcity of the articles
rationed. Rationing is, of course
designed to effect a democratic ano
equitable distribution of scarce ar.
ticles to all persons, regardless OF
rank or wealth. The possessor of a
rationed article should consider
himself trustee charged with the
duty of not using the article incon-
sistently with the needs of the Ma
ton"
Acting just two days before he was
scheduled to appear at an oper
hearing to answer charges that he
misused c ration gasoline to make
the trip, Mr.. Tawes last nigh,
asked the OPA ito dispose of the
case on the record without a public
hearing"
Procedure Called Normal.
Mr.. Mundy explained that where
full confession was made in writ.
ing to OPA enforcement officials
there was no necessity for forma,
hearing.
Mr.. Tawes has admitted violation
of gasoline ration regulations" Mr.
Mundy said, land has requested that
the OPA dispose of the case without
hearing. 1t is quite normal OPA
procedure to dispose of cases Of this
nature without public hearing
Earlier, an order halting all per-
sonal use of State-owned automo-
biles, was issued by State Treasurer
Hooper S. Miles, who was appointed
by Gov. OConor as supreme author
ity over assignment and use of such
vehicles.
This authorization will apply te
every State-owned vehicle, without
exception, from our own executive
department down." Gov. O'Conol
said
Mr.. Tawes' statement was sub
mitted to Mr.. Mundy by Attorne,
! Charles C. G. Evans, and Mr.. Tawe
said it was on his counsel's advice
(See TAWES. Page A-3.)