Arizona republican., 1918-04-20
ASKED
 TO HELP LOCATE ENEMY PROPERTY

 assist in locating and reporting enemy owned property, A. Mitchell Palmer. alien property custodian, is urging every lawyer in the country not in active service, to do his bit in this way
 With the idea Of converting into Liberty bonds where possible all en- emy-owned property, the bureau of investigation is in need of all informa- ton it can secure on the subject.
 Judge Lyman and Judge Stanford yesterday received the following letter with the request from the department for cooperation:
 Thousands of the junior members of the bar, true to its best traditions. are today preparing in camp and ship to fight for our country on the battle line. You at home, of whom this supreme sacrifice is not asked, are doubtless no less eager to serve, and I am address ing you to give you the opportunity.
 In October last when congress passed the Trading with the Enemy act, it placed in our hands an economic weapon scarcely less powerful than the gun and bayonet that our soldiers wield. By virtue of that act, enemy owned property found within the ter ritory of the United States is seoues- tered and administered by this office and where possible converted into Lib erty bonds. Thus the enemy's dollars and his property are made to work in defense of our country instead of against her.
 Today property aggregating in value many millions of dollars has been re- ported and taken over, but it is con- fidently believed that at least as much more is still unreported. The duty of locating and reporting such property is placed by law not upon this office but upon the individual citizen. It is here that I need your help
 The great need of this office is in formation as to enemy owned property and securing the filing of proper and adequate reports of the same.
 There are many ways in which you can help us. In the daily practice of his profession, the lawyer comes in contact with every phase of business and financial activity The chief chan nels through which enemy property flows and can be traced are real estate transactions, mortgage loans, banking and trust company business, sales of corporate stocks and bonds, patents. estates of deceased persons, partner ship affairs insurance, and foreign commerce. In every business transac- l VI ''AS AAiet ilALtiuC tiiC ldWARr IS an essential factor. Even if not di rectly connected with the transaction 1 through brother attorneys, or business connections, news of such matters comes to hs ears. With this in view make the following specific requests: CD There may be some matters in- VolVlnS an enemy interest or property as to which you should have made re- port as attorney, agent, legal repre- sentative, officer of a corporation. ol otherwise, but which you have unin- tentlonally overlooked. If so. facilitate our work by reporting such cases al once. For this purpose, proper forms VIII be sent you on request.
 t2) Talk to your clients about the Trading with the Enemy act. Remind them all. banks, trust companies. cor poratlons, executors, administrators trustees, and commercial houses n thelr duty to report, of the patriotic service which they perform in so doina and, II necessary, of the severeIpenal tles that attend delinquency in fhis re spect. Follow up any case where you clients are required by law to repor and see that they do it.
 t3) Bear the importance of this WorI in mind in your daily contact wifi other lawyers, friends, and busines associates. If new, even an unyerifiet fumor, reaches you a s to any case wher It IS supposed that enemy propert, exists, make note of 1t and bring th, matter to the attention of this office We will check it up and, if unreported adopt suitable measures to procure re ports.
 (D Talk about the act to vou friends, fellow lawyers, judges. an, court officials, and thus help us f, bring home to them the importance o reporting and of sending us informa. ton as to the existence of enemy prop erty. P-
 For convenient reference to so mucl or the Trading with the Enemy ac and proclamations made pursuan there to as applies to this letter, I an incloslng a Circular of Information also franked envelope Will you no make use of the latter by writing m at once to say that your active Der sonal assistance and cooperation wi
 pc gwen unstintingly in this work
 Keep this letter for file and in case Q any future communication, please b careful to see that they are addresse
 the same as the enclosed envelope
 francis P. Garvan, Bureau of Inyes , tigation, Alien Property Custodia, , Sixteenth and P. Streets N. w.. Wash : ington. D. e.
 : In this Americas hour of need. . she can not count on the devoted sery ice of the American lawyer behind tn
 lines, to whom may she turn? I Respectfully and cordially yours,
 A. MITCHELL PALMER,