Evening star., 1943-06-29
Byrd BacksBi||
To Curb Misuse
Of j. ). Autos
Charges Generals
And AdmiruIs Ride
To Work in Cars
BY JOE RICHMAN.

Pointing out that Federal cars
All too frequently are seen at ho-
hels. Senator Byrd, Democrat, of
virginia, chairman of the Joint
Economy Committee, today urged
passage of a bill which would re-
strict use OF these cars for other
than Official business" at a hearing
before subcommittee of the Sem
ate Judiciary Committee.
The bill would provide that per-
sons who misuse Federal cars would
be "summarily removed from Office
and shall. on conviction thereof
be fined not more than 81 900 or i'm
prisoned for not more than one
year, or both"
At present, Senator Byrd asserted
there Is no clear-cut definition ct
"offcial business He added there
Is considerable use of Federal cars
for home to-off1ce purposes. and
that his bill is designed to stop such
practices.
Should Set Example.
Government officials ought to set
an example for the public and make
the same sacrifices we are asking
of every individual" he said. I'VE
ought not to permit admirals and
generals to go to work in off1cia!
automobiles.
rs that common practice?" ne
was asked bv Senator Murdock.
Democrat, of Utah, who presided.
Yes, I think So Senator Byrd
replied. 1T is not so much the ad-
mirals and generals, it is also COM
mon among other agencies"
Senator Byrd pointed out that the
Treasury appropriations bill pro-
vides that Government cars not
be used for home -to-offlce trans
portation. but, he added this provi-
sion is being violated right and
left He said the law he is intro
ducing is the result of statements
by the General Accounting Office
that the present law is vague and
has no teeth
OPA Held Sympat thetic.
Introducing a letter from Director
PrentiSs Brown of OPA. Senator
Byrd said the OPA head is sympa
thetic with the proposed bill, but
would offer certain changes.
Among changes suggested by Mr.
Brown is that the Budget Bureau
Issue rules and regulations govern
ing use of Federal cars, that pro-
posed pooling arrangements for
Federal cars be made permanent
and that the title of all cars be
transferred to the Budget Bureau.
Mr.. Brown also proposed that the
penalty for misuse of Federal cars
should only take away the violators
salary.
Clair RoddeWig. attorney for the
ONCE of Defense Transportation,
told the committee the bill, designed
primarily to control passenger type
cars, has no restriction as to the size
Of vehicles. Unless the language of
the bill is changed, he said. it would
jeopardize transportation to Govern
ment installations war plants or
factories where transportation is
Government-proviG
Mr.. Roddewig said private carriers
are hesitant about taking over war
plant routes because of doubt on the
period of their operation. He de-
clared that the Government must
assure home-to-work movement and
in such situations where 40 other
transportation is available.
Judge N. A. Townsend, special as
sistant to the Attorney General.
pointed out that the bill AS now
written would interfere with en-
forcement work of the Justice De-
partment. He said he believes it is
more theoretical than practical to
pool all Federal cars and transfer
the title to the Budget Bureau, add
ing the pooling arrangement would
prove a waste of time and gas.
Senator Revercomb. Republican,
of West Virginia and Senator Mac
Farland. Democrat. of Arizona were
present for today's hearing.