Evening star., 1944-04-11
z Restdurateurs Admit
Improper Meat Deals;
Hearing Is Delayed
Fan and Bills Officials
Say They Could Not
Locote Beef Shipper

With two officials of one restau-
rant admitting purchase of meat
shipments totaling some 10000
pounds without ration points, hear
ings in cases against three estab-
lishments charged by the Office of
Price Administration with black
market purchases will be resumed
April 20.
Herman Dermer, manager, and
Samuel Forst, secretary-treasurer of
Fan and Bills Restaurant at 1882
Connecticut avenue NV, told OPA
Hearing Commissioner Joseph Har-
rison of receiving by express some
thing over 10000 pounds of choice
beef cuts from man they knew as
Ira We'll, who had meat business
in New York. The packages came
cod. and were paid for in cash,
they said.
Mr.. Dermer insisted he intended
to pay We'll the necessary ration
points and said he tried in vain to
get him to send bill for points, but
lost touch with him after the third
shipment arrived. The restaurant,
Mr.. Dermer explained, had been
purchased last August and, un-
known to the new owners, the old
management owed OPA 100000 ra-
ton points, which the present man
agement was required to pay back
at the rate of 10000 for each ra-
tioning period This left Fan and
Bills in bad situation, he pointed
out, and he had written OPA asking
relief, but received no reply.
Describes Shipments.
Mr.. Dermer said he first met We'll
when the latter dropped in for lunch
and introduced himself. We'll, ac-
cording to the manager, offered to
ship them meat, assuring them they
could pay him the ration points
later. The first shipment was or
dered, Mr.. Dermer said, but the
other two were sent on voluntarily
and accepted, although instructions
were issued to receive no more.
Asked by Commissioner Harrison
II the Government planned to call
Well, John l.. Laskey, attorney for
the District OPA, said the agency
had been unable to locate him.
1--WE have warrant we'd like to
serve on him if we can find him, -
Mr.. Laskey added.
Alvin L. Newmyer, counsel for
Fan and Bills, did not deny the
facts alleged by the Government
but told the commissioner defense
evidence would be in the nature OF
extenuating circumstances. He
brought out that Mr.. Dermer and
Mr.. Forst had not attempted to con-
ceal any of the We'll transactions
but had made voluntary statements
to Mr.. Laskey explaining what had
happened.
Express Agents Testify.
In the second of the restaurant
cases, Mr.. Laskey presented testi-
mony by several railway express
agents that meat delivered to the
Club 400, at 1923 F street NV, was
paid for, but no ration points were
given.
FRANK MlnSKe, steward of the 400,
identified seven books of ration
stubs which, he said, he had used
for meat between November IL and
March 18. The Government de-
ferred further testimony in this case
until the hearings are resumed.
This restaurant is charged with
buying 3,843 pounds of meat with
out ration points.
Evidence involving the third res
taurant, the Del Rio, 727 Fifteenth
street NV, will be given April 20.
At that time, further defense testi-
mony for Fan and Bills also will
be offered.
The District OPA seeks to sus-
pend for the duration the rationing
privileges of the three places.