Evening star., 1946-01-06
Marine Corps Admits
Ny|on Sales Over 0PA
Ceiling in Arlington

The Marine Corps admitted yes
terday that it had sold nylon hose
at three pairs for $40, in one of the
post exchanges in Arlington County,
which is approximately twice the
OPA ceiling prices. The admission
followed a complaint made in tele-
phone call to The Star that the
transactions had been made to Off
GERS and enlisted men.
Confirmation of the sales was
made by Col. Edward r. Hagenah,
Marine public relations officer, after
complaints had been caused by the
sales. The Arlington Ration Board
revealed that complaints had been
coming in for several days over the
prices charged when the ceiling price
is s165 pair.
The officer of the Marine Quarter
master Division who purchased the
hosiery is legally clear of OPA price
violations but the civilian dealer
who sold the nylons to the Marines
is really in hot water" according
to Henry Stein, chief counsel, War
Goods Division, OPA.
Meantime, the Navy disclosed yes
te-aav it will acquire 10000 pair of
Lnylons during January and Febru-
ary for distribution to ships stores
throughout the United States for
sale at $40. q pair. Specific direc-
tives have been issued prohibiting
sales to any but WAVES, nurses and
SPARS, with limit of one pair
each.
Faces every Red"
In regard to the sales at the
Marine post exchange. Col. Hagenah
conceded that "our faces are very
red" over the incident and said that
while the post exchanges are not
legally bound by price ceilings, he
felt they are morally bound to OBJ
serve limits.
Later, the Marine Corps issued
this statement:
:" - The hosiery was obtained by
the post exchange at the express
request of Marine Corps officers re-
turning from overseas and wishing
to give nylon hosiery as Christmas
gifts. Three hundred pairs were pur-
chased from an individual in New
York. The transaction was for cash
the stockings being shipped prepaid
via commercial truck to headquar-
ters, post exchange.
The purchase price was $40 for
three pairs.
Sold at Cost Price.
"The hosiery was sold to officers
and men who ordered it for the
exact price paid by the post ex-
change. Following the holidays when
all original orders were filled, IA
pairs of nylons were left over These
were placed on sale to military per-
sonnel at $50 am. Friday for the
cost price.
Purchasers questioning the price
were advised that it was in excess OF
OPA ceilings. Under OPA regula-
tions sales in Marine post exchanges
are not subject to price control"
Mr.. Stein admitted there is moth
ing his agency could do about the
sales. He cited OPA supplementary
order No. ~ of November, 1912. The
order says, in part:
SALES and deliveries Of anV COM
modify by the War Departi TENT OF
the Department of the Navy through
such departments sales stores, in
Guiding commissaries and ships
stores and by stores operated as
Army canteens, post exchanges OF
ships activities, shall not be subject
to any price regulations.
In connection with Navy sales OF
nylons, Comdr. w. G. Bourland, Of
flcer in charge of ships stores divi-
sion, Bureau of Supplies and Ac-
counts of the Navy, disclosed the
Navy has bent over backward to see
that nylons are distributed equitably
Couldn't Get Hose.
Eve had received a lot of COM
plants from WAVES, nurses and
SPARS," he said, that they were
unable to get hose of any kind. In
vestigation showed most all of the
mills have ceased production of
rayon and have or are converting to
nylon production. Most of these
mills were giving priority to their
old established customers and we