Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-08-30
Benter Granted Delay
To Prepare Case in
Auto Sale Charge

United States Commissioner
Needham c. Turnage today granted
a continuance until September II
in the case of Charles Benter, direc-
tor of the Metropolitan Police De-
partment Band, charged with SELL
ing 1946 Pontiac to a merchant
seaman here Wednesday for $l,120
more than the ceiling price.
The continuance followed pres
entation of petition by Robert E.
Lynch, attorney for the band leader,
who said he had been out of town
yesterday and required additional
time to prepare the case.
The maximum penalty for Ben
ter's alleged violation of Once of
Price Administration ceilings would
be a years imprisonment and $500
fine, according to OPA enforcement
attorney Grahame Walker.
In addition, the seaman who pur-
chased the car, Second Steward
Joseph e. Sissler, %, Of 1912 Fortieth
place, Colmar Manor, Md, may sue
for treble damages on the amount
of overcharge, it was revealed.
Mr.. Sissler told OPA officials he
had paid $4,000 for the car, instead
of the $1,179 ceiling price.
Arrested yesterday by OPA Agents
Dan Jones and Marshall Miller,
Benter was arraigned before Conf
missioner Turnage and pleaded not
guilty. Bond was set at $500 and
the case was continued until this
morning to permit the band leader
to confer with counsel.
Met at Traffic Light.
Mr.. Sissler told a reporter he met
Benter Tuesday, when his car drew
alongside the band leaders Pontiac
to await the changing of a trafdc
light at Sixth and N streets NV.
Mr.. Sissler asserted he leaned out
the window of his car and shouted
to Benter, do you want to sell your
carr"
According to Mr.. Sissler, the
driver Of the other vehicle replied,
"yes, pull over to the curb" and
after some discussion they agreed
on a price of $4,000.
Wednesday, Mr.. Sissler continued,
Benter called and told him to come
to a music shop in the 1900 block
of L street NV, where, he asserted,
he gave the band leader a $500
check and $500 in cash.
Then, he declared, he went to
the OPA to notify authorities of
the terms Of the sale.
Mr.. Sissler said he did not know
the identity of the owner of the
car when he approached Benter to
make the purchase.
Sells Old Car Under Ceiling.
His own car, a 1896 Cadillac tour
ing model which he said was used
by President Roosevelt for his 1887
inaugural parade, was then sold to
an unidentified person for 1910,
which, the OPA said, is below CELL
ing price for that model.
Mr.. Sissler, who said he had never
bought car in this manner before,
reported he had not obtained any
refund of money so far.
Il understand I can keep the car
now" he declared, because have
the title"
The seaman seaid he intended to
return to New York to get back on
a ship as soon as the car purchase
is Strengthened out.
Grand Jury to Get Cases.
Assistant United States Attorney
Charles B. Murray said today he
expects to present information to
the District grand jury after Sep
TENDER IS against a firm and one
or more individuals for alleged CELL
ing violations in the sale of used
automobiles.
Mr.. Murray said he is going on
q vacation and expects to present
the information on his return. He
added, however, it was possible that
some other member of the United
States attorneys staff may take
over the cases before then.
The alleged offenses are similar,
1t was indicated, to those on which
nine individuals were indicted July
!. Alleged ceiling violations in the
July indictments ranged from $50
IN more than S9n0 in one instance