Evening star., 1946-08-25
Baltimore Sale
To Test Revised
Surplus Rules
High WAA Officials
To Watch Offering
For Veterans
By Robert K. WoIsh

Inc war Assets Administration
stepped-up plans for easier and
bigger sales of surplus war materials
to veterans will have a major work
out beginning tomorrow at Balti-
more.
Millions of dollars worth of such
goods are stacked at the Army's
Holabird Signal Depot in that city
During the next two weeks they will
be on sale to veterans certified in
the District and adjoining States as
well as elsewhere to exercise pur-
chase priorities.
The event, though similar te
scores previously held in many parts
Of the country, is regarded by WAA
as so important test of improved
methods that Administrator Robert
M. Littlejohn, Maj. Gen. c. F. Rob-
inson, WAA director of field services
and other WAA officials from Wash
ington, as well as Brig. Gen. Calvert
H. Arnold, chief of the Signal Corps
will witness the opening tomorrow
morning.
Photographic Equipment Listed.
More than 100000 worth OF
Photographic equipment has beer
set aside exclusively for sale to vet
Grams. Other items such as hard
ware, electrical supplies and tools
also will be available.
This surplus property sale began
at the Baltimore depot last Mon
day, with first weeks sales restricted
to Federal agencies. Under the law
they hold first priority except fol
special set-asides allotted to vet
Grams by Administrator Littlejohn
WAA officials reported last night
that Federal agencies, particularly
the Veterans Administration, pur-
chased large lots of various items
The Veterans Administration bought
substantial quantities of hand tools
for training and rehabilitation OF
veterans.
Though these Federal purchases
have cut into some of the Original
stocks, there will still be much ma
terial available for veterans prior
ity holders. WAA declared.
Other priority holders will have
an opportunity to buy whatever
items are left before the sale closes
October 4. From September 9
through Sept. IL the Reconstruc-
ton Finance Commission can pur-
chase surplus goods for small busi-
nesses which apply to RFC for that
purpose. State. county and local
governments can use their priority
from September IL through Sep
tember l3.
Tax-exempt and non-profit insti-
tutions will have their turn Sep
tember 19 and 20. Thereafter, ap-
proved dealers, commercial users
and all priority groups will be al
lowed to buy until the October 1
close.
Veterans Claim Attention.
Officlal interest is frankly TO-
cused on operation of the sale dur
ing the coming two weeks for
veterans. Since he took Office
Administrator Littlejohn has fire.
quently declared that WAA has
Jagged In distribution as we'll as
disposal of surplus property to vet
erans. Some of the early spot OF
site sales caused considerable re-
sentiment among veterans.
To make things more convenient
for veterans at the huge sale start
Ing tomorrow, Administrator Little
)ohn and officials of the Richmond
WAA regional office which includes
the District, Maryland, Virginia
and West Virginia have set ur
special facilities including certi-
lying Office at which applicants car
obtain certificates for desired items
or change earlier certificates.
WAA and Army authorities al
the depot announce also that they
are providing a cafeteria, telephone
and telegraph service, large parking
lots, a medical aid station, and q
special gate so that military passes
need not be obtained to the de.
pot. Veterans who buy in large
quantities also will be able to dea
directly for the first time with ar
on-the-spot unit to arrange for i'm
mediate shipping.
Although most of the veterans
expected at this sale are believed
likely to come from nearby states
ex-servicemen and women certified
from any part of the country are
eligible. VIVA officials said re.
ports from other regional office.
indicate this model sale" has at.
tracted unusual attention through.
out the entire East.