Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-08-29
|Amputees Warned
On Slow Delivery
OF Second Auto
By GEORGE Beveridoe

BY George Beveridge
More than 100 Washington am
putee veterans with. new automo-
biles who are eligible for another
new one at Government expense,
were warned today by Waldron E.
Leonard, director. of the Veterans
information center, that if they
sell their cars in the open market
they might not be able to obtain
another promptly through local
dealers.
The "two-car" question arose after
the $30,000,0O0 law made all ampu-
tees, including those with cars,
eligible for free vehicle UP to a
value of $1,000, but at the same
time barred those with cars from
collecting cash in lieu of the We
hicles.
In face of the provision. however
"a Veterans Administration spokes-
man said there could be no objection
to an amputee selling the car he
owns and applying for a new one, or
applying for new car and, imme-
diately selling that if he desires.
Set Some Aside.
Washington dealers were consult
ed in May, before the cars for am
putees" bill became law, Mr.. Leon
ard said, about working out a quick
delivery purchase plan for an1putee
veterans here. 1.-THE dealers agreed
to set aside certain number of
new cars from each shipment they
received, and local amputees have
already purchased more than 100
thus far" he declared.
But dealers now have expressed
a definite refusal to deliver two new
cars to the same veteran" he said.
"On the other hand, just because
veteran has car, he isn't going
to want to lose that 81 .6O0," the d.
rector pointed out. But if he sells
the car he recently purchased he
certainly is going to run into trou-
BILE getting another one from the
dealers"
When veterans purchased the
cars on the unofficial priority plan
they signed statements they would
not sell them for personal gain, he
said, but every one knows they
aren't going to .pass up all that
money"
Confers With Dealers.
Mr.. Leonard said he has conferred
with dealers here about the posi-
bility of their either buying back
cars recently sold cor some other
method to insure a steady flow OF
new cars to all the amputees."
Although no arrangement has
been reached yet, he urged all
Washington amputees who already
have cars to confer with the CEN
ter, Fourteenth street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue NV, before negotiat-
ing any sale.
At a press conference recently,
Veterans Administrator Bradley
who strenuously opposed the origi-
nal bill-told reporters his staff was
searching for "loophole" that
might make cash payments possible
but spokesman said apparently
none has been found.
Another ruling prohibits amputees
from applying for vehicles costing
more than the 81 600 limit and add
ing the difference from their own
| pockets.
| While this limitation will restrict
veterans from more expensive cars
a Veterans Administration spokes-
man pointed out that cars in the
lowest price bracket need not be
excluded because the ST 900 figure
includes the cost of such items as
tradlos, heaters, special driving aid
attachments for amputees land just
about anything else the veteran
wants on the car"
OPA Prices Listed.
| According to available OPA price
listings for new cars, the amputees
are faced with this picture (figures
cite low and high priced models
when listed:
Ford. sl.o6s, s1,134; Chevrolet
1,005; Plymouth, $l,142, $1.174:
Dodge, 81 ,261, $l,325; De Soto, 81 ,343
lap; Pontiac, 1923, 1892; Olds-
mobile, s1,251, $1,565; Chrysler
81 ,452, sl,84l; Lincoln, $2,059, $2,191;
Mercury, 1888; Buick, $l.346
1924; Hudson, 1860, 81 ,563; Nash
$1.206, $l.366; Studebaker, sl,238
1881; Packard, s1,624, $2,863, and
Cadillac, $1,935, 1896.
Inc flgures, not representing al
cars, do not include Federal excise
taxes, retail handling and deliver,
or transportation charges, it wa.
emphasized. According to locai
dealers, these charges generally rur
between SIPS and $3.50, which would
make any car listed in the $145(
price bracket 3borderline" vehicle
Under the program. amputees vii
negotiate directly with dealers fol-
the new cars and dealers will bill
the Veterans Administration fol
the costs after the deal is closed
/ Application forms for the vehicles
are expected to be available here
4 within two weeks at the agency.
regional office. 800 Indiana ave-
lnue NV.