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Show Congress Sets The Amount Retailers May Be Sued By Congressional action OPA has been granted authority to sue retailers for three times the amount of an overcharge or $50, whichever is the highest, in cases of wilful violation, or for treble damages or $25 for unwilful violations. Two months ago, when Congress Con-gress renewed the Stabilization Act of 1944, it modified the a-mount a-mount for which retailers could be sued, and gave OPA the authority to take action if buyers at retail failed to sue within 30 days. This authority is called the Administrator's Claim. The power was given OPA for two reasons: First, there was a growing grow-ing recognition of the need for better understanding of ceiling prices, and second, Congress felt that buyers could be protected from overcharget; and merchants from being outbid for supplies by unpatriotic competitors who were charging and paying illegal prices. All persons dealing in commodities com-modities or services and landlords land-lords in rent control areas are subject to the new provisions. Further information may be ob-taine ob-taine from local war price and rationing boards. i i |