Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-01-02
Steuurt
Continued From First Page.)

to the welfare of the community or
the war effort"
The case was taken before the
hearing administrator on appeal by
both the firm and the District OPA
from an order issued by a hearing
commissioner on November 8.
Three Types of Violations.
Three types of violations of OPA
fuel rationing regulations were
charged against the company by
the hearing administrator. AS set
forth in 227 specific charges, these
included alleged failure to surren-
der coupons for 5,548,972 gallons of
fuel Oil it purchased, q charge of
failure to receive coupons for $685.
972 gallons it sold and non-com-
pliance with record-keeping require
mentS.
Mr.. Smith asserted that during
last winters fuel oil shortage here
While the delivery equipment of
other dealers was idle for lack of
fuel oil supplies" the Steuart firm
olo SO much business that it was
III days behind in deliveries. He
held that the company's advantage
came from its obtaining fuel oil
from its supplier, the Petrol Corn
OF Philadelphia, the only primary
supplier with oil on hand in Wash
lngton during that period. without
giving up rationing certificates
Inc hearing administrator as
serted that by virtue of a contract
with the Petrol Corp, the Steuart
nrm had exclusive access to the
latters available fuel oil in WASH
ington, which amounted to more
than 100000 gallons.
Petrol Corp. Suspended.
The OPA already has imposed a
suspension order upon the Petrol
Corp. for alleged failure to obtain
rationing certificates from the Sceu-
art firm. it was pointed out.
Challenging the Steuart firms
singular position that it conceived
It's f1rst duty to be the supplying
OF Its customers with oil and that
conformity with the requirements
OF the rationing system was sub
ordinate thereto" the hearing adj
said:
Such a position merits careful
examination. The philosophy ex-
pressed, if sound, is equally an
plicable to other persons and to
other enterprises. In fact, the young
business man with his induction
notice could, with equal logic, reply
that his duty to his customers came
first and conformity with the re-
qulrements of the Selective Service
Act second. We need not elaborate
upon the effect of such courses of
conduct upon the prosecution of the
war.
Practice Can't Be CondOned.
THE respondents practice of put
ting its customers first and its war
time obligations later can neither
be condoned or excused. Upon a
reading of the whole record in this
case, the conclusion is inescapable
that the respondent was seriously
deficient in that standard of war
time conduct imposed upon all who
deal in commodities so vital and so
scarce as to require rationing," Mr..
Smith added.
The statement by Mr.. Camalier
follows:
THE so-called opinion shows on
the part of the hearing administra-
tor of a complete lack of understand
ing and comprehension of the facts
in the case and of the situation
locally. 1t is presumed that he has
read the record. If so, however, he
apparently was unable to grasp the
thereof or understand the
basis for the conclusions reached by
the hearing commissioner who rem
dered the initial decision.
This last decision by the admin
istrator does not rest on proved facts
and the reasoning is clearly re-
f1ected by the comments and ex-
pressions regarding the company
and its officials with which the So
called opinion abounds. 1t is more
a personal attack than it is legal
document.
1.-THE decision is no surprise, nor is
the fact that the purported resigna-
ton of the hearing administrator is
coupled with its rendering. The
Steuart Corp. will appeal this deci-
sion Immediately to the District
Court OF the United States"