The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1946-09-20

of running a $3,OO0,OOO used-cal
racket.
Vets Take Rap
The veterans have been the chic
victims of the auto black market
Many veterans sold their cars for 6
nest egg for the wife and family wher
they were inducted; when they are
discharged, they look around for re
placement. They put their names on
the dealers lists. But many veterans
have complained to the OPA that
they have seen war profiteers" rid
ing around in that shiny new car
while their names have been passed
over on the lists. The OPA has en-
couraged veterans to sue, and ask for
an injunction against the offending
dealers.
Other veterans, desperately in need
savings and their terminal-leave pay
to buy one. In at least one community,
Houston, Texas, veterans have or
ganized to help the OPA break the
racket. In many other isolated areas,
veterans have walked into the local
OPA offices and led agents to the
dealers.
Law On Consumers Side
The consumer, if he only knew it,
has the law on his side and can trim
the racketeer. The first step is to
report to the local Price Control
Board The buyer who has been
charged over the ceiling not only can
collect the amount charged over the
damages and get three times the
amount of the overcharge plus attor-
ney fees and court costs. Scores of
these suits, encouraged by the OPA,
are being filed every week. A good
many shamefaced dealers have settled
on tn spot rather than be dragged
into court.
There is no danger of the buyer
losing that precious new car. The OPA
emphasizes that.
The OPA needs the help of the
consumers to smash the racket. The
automobile assembly lines which pro-
duced three million cars year were
shut down or converted to war for
four years. The current rate of produc-
ton is two million cars year. 1t will
be a year, maybe longer, before sup
ply meets the demand. Then will come
that wonderful day of justice when
the buyer can walk coldly by the deal
er who was selling cars at double the
price.
There are a few simple facts the
fore he goes car shopping. All cars
both new and second-hand-have OPA
price ceilings on them. The local Price
Control Board has these figures, as
well as legitimate costs for extra
1t is against the law for
is illegal for a dealer to require any
kind of "side payment" The buyer |
cannot be required to make extra
cash payments that are not shown on |
the sales record. 1t is illegal for a |
dealer to require the buyer to pur-
cHdSe any tuluS he uOeSHC WdHI III
order to get car. No law requires |
iim to trade in one car to get another.
If you do trade in car, you are en-
titled to a reasonable value. The OPA |
has ruled what reasonable value"
s The customer cannot be required
10 buy the car ION time" He can
choose any finance company he wants.
With the sale of every new car, the
lealer must prepare and give the buy
sr certificate of transfer showing all
charges.
One weapon which would go long
way toward smashing the black
market would be for the manufactur-
RS to take away the franchise of any
lealer convicted of over-ceiling sales.
Fhe franchises are worth thousands
If dollars, and dealers would think
vice about making an easy profit
low if they knew they might lose
heir franchise.
Thus far, the OPA has heard only a
grapevine rumor that one manufac-
urer Ford, is considering using this
to clear an ugly stain from
he reputation of the automobile in
Iustry.-In NATION