Evening star., 1952-08-24

Every one who ever got stung on
major purchase warmed up in
sympathy last week for a 23-year-
old Marine who painted lemons on
his automobile, received a threaten
ing telephone call and got arrested.
The public started a "lemon fund"
for the Marine. Defense attorneys
talked Of going to the Supreme
Court, if necessary. to kill the local
regulation that makes it illegal to
drive a 1emon-decorated automobile.
The defense also demanded to
know how the law ever got passed in
the first place. On this point, every
one suddenly became extremely SEN
sitive, although Commissioner F.
Joseph Donohue- had nothing
to do with passing the regulation
limited that he was ready to repeal it.
Astonished but Pleased
All Of this left Marine Corpl. Frank
Farkas astoniShed but nightly
pleased. He felt he had been pushed
around long enough.
He told Of his troubles as he
awaited an appearance in Municipal
Court. He's a lean, good-looking
New Yorker with an air Of quiet con-
fidence. He spent II months with
the 1St Marine Division In Korea.
He got q bullet through his shoulder
and shrapnel in his leg before he was
sent home.
About three months ago he went to
Q Flushing IN. " auto dealer and
traded in his 1948 Ford sedan on a
secondhand 1949 Ford sedan.
1--WE had eight or nine Fords," he
said, "and I liked them all-until !
got this one"
He said he agreed to pay 81 100 for
the 1949 car, including the trade-in
allowance. but when he got the bill
it was $1,495. Then the dealer, he
says, promised to put the Car in first
class shape. The dealer duly an
nounced that he had fixed the fuel
pump, the carburetor, the doors, the
windows and the rear seat, which
somehow kept slipping forward. Ac-
cording to Corpl. Farkas, the dealer
then said that since so much work
had to be done, it was only fair that
the Marine pay half the labor costs.
which he did-about 5000.
Generator Next
More was to come. Corpl. Farkas
says he drove his Ford somewhat
proudly to Quantico, Va, where he
is stationed. Suddenly, the generator
quit. Cost: $40. Then the carburetor
conked out. Cost: IS. The car over
heated. A dealer near Quantico, he
says, put in new fan belt and hoses.
and reconditioned the radiator. Cost:
$40. He got the rear seat repaired
again. Cost: SIS.
But the car continued to overhead
and the front tires began to 60 to
pieces because the wheels were out Of
alignment. Three times. Corpl. Far
kas said, he got the wheels adjusted.
Then the repairman said he needed
to put in new bearings, bushings and
a king pin at a cost Of 500.
81 don't have it," the corporal said.
$50 I'm rotating the tires to keep
the car going as long as possible. But
you know, Of course, it might explode
at any time.
zone day I opened the back trunk
and found gasoline SloShing around
on the floor. discovered leak in
the top Of the gasoline tank. II 60
around q corner real fast, gasoline
splaShes out into the trunk. This
vets the wires leading to the tall
light.
when I discovered this, ] painted
the lemons on the car
Corpl. Farkas painted lemon on
each side Of the car and the big word
lemon" on the rear. just above the
leaking gasoline tank.
Il drove around about three weeks
and nothing happened. except my
buddies began to call me the lemon
drop kid" Corpl. Farlas said. Then
/ got telephone call.
A mans voice-it was threaten
ing voice-said: 7 don't want to see
you get hurt. In fact, il you don't
want any trouble. you'd better get
that lemon on your automobile
2 The caller then hung up." Y.
A few days later. Corpl. Farkas