Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-09-05
property custodian" MIR. Palmer

PopSitS SuStouldl, MI. Runner
declared. mo American interest
is complaining. The Germans are
complaining severely. Senators
Frclinghuysen and Calder are pleas
ing Germany in this business. They
have received special mention by
the German foreign office for their
activities, which Germany hopes
may result in the Germans getting
all their property back. have
copy OF my alien property reDor.
printed in Berlin in German with
an introduction signed by the for
eIgn Office. | quote from an cX-
act translation Of this documents:
"1ha! the administration OF alien
property is considered not without
suspicion in The United States her
self is evident in the action taken
by Tic Senate. because OF the reso-
luton presented last February bN
Senators Frclinghuysen and Calder.
demanding an Investigation OF the
alien property custodian, because
OF misrepresentation and favoritism.
SO far as is here known. the SEN
ate also has refused to appoint Mr..
Palmer as attorney general. 1t is
hoped that this investigation would
lead to just inquiry into the man
agemcnt Of the alien property and
to faircr judgment of German
measures"
Mr.. Palmer declared that Scna-
tor Frelinshuyscn Was no. really
antaSonistic TO him, but to the trad
ing with the enemy act, which he
mad administered. and 'hc has
been especially against the Amcri-
caniZatiOn of the industrial con-
Germs in America owned by our
enemies and heretofore used i'm a
hostile way against this country's
interests
While the act was under consid-
Grafton, Mr.. Palmer said. Quoting
the Official record OF the hearings.
Mr.. FrellnghuySen introduced to
me Senate committee on commerce,
Neal Basset. who strongly urged
that enemy owned insurance com
Danies in this country should NOT
be disturbed.
Mr.. Basset was followed by SEN
ator Frclinghuyscn with state
ment designed TO support his argu-
mcnts. Mr.. Palmer said, but Scna-
tor FrelinghuySen did not tell the
committee he was at that time fin
anclally interested in four insur-
ancc, companies. whose relations
with German Companies would be
adrIotly affected by The legislation
then proposed"
Mr.. Palmer said the Senator pro-
tested to him against Interference
with and sale of the big German
owned WOODEN mills in Passaic. \.
HE was the only member of con-
SresS, the statement continued.
VINO ever sought TO STAY the hand
OF the alien property custodian in
taxing over or disposing of enemy
owned properties in the United
States"
In iGuidatinS the business \cf
terman-owncd insurance compan-
les MIR. Palmer said. he received
patriotic cooperation from all OK
cept one American company. which
had reinsurance contracts with ,bo
enemy corporations.
lhe only American insurance
company that stood in the way.
therefore. of the final and complctc
'iquIdatlon of German insurance
companies in the United States"
MI Palmer said, was the Stuyves-
ant Insurance Co, of which the
president is Senator Joseph S. Ere
ilnSuNScn. of New JERSEY"
MIR. Palmer quoted the congress
sIonal record TO show that Senator
FreilnguyScn was the only member
OF the 526 members of The congress
which voted against the passage Of
me amendment to the trading with
me enemy act, which gave the alien
property custodian power "to sell
Herman-owncd properties, which
mad been spy ccntcrs and nests of
sed1tlon, and to permit these great
properties 10 be put in American
hands"