El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-09-16
Relatives Of
Dead Fight To
Get Property
Lost Effects Bureau of the
War Department Has
a Big Task.
By FREDERICK J. HAsKIN.

New York. Sept. 16.-The Lost
Effects bureau Of the quarter
masters corps OF the army here
wishes that all relatives would be
vigilant in following up the effects OF
their dead.
we are shipping from 800 to 500
effects a day" said Maj. Boot, in
charge Of the bureaus warehouse,
but we could dispose OF that many
thousand # we could only get into
communication with the rightful
heirs"
He led the way through vast store
rooms lined with rows Of rough pine
shelves containing everything from
trunks and suitcases 10 small square
sealed boxes. Some Of the trunks
were picturesquely camouflaged;
some were stained with blood-the
unclaimed property Of dead Officers
Since the amoUnt OF personal prop
erty a private is permitted to carry
is extremely limited. most Of the en-
listed mems effects consist chiefly Of
toilet articles signet rings, watches.
an occasional diary and charms
many charms-an Of which arrive in
bundles and are Immediately packed
and sealed in neat sixinch square
pasteboard boxes.
NV son possessed no 5eweIfy or
valua hles." one mother wrote TO the
bure44 His few belongings con-
sisted Of three or four towels. some
handkerchiefs. letters. toilet articles
and a pillow, all Of which are abso-
lutely worthless 10 anyone else except
myself To me they are more precious
than gold" They were on hand and
were forwarded TO her.
The majority Of the goods arrive
from France with all the proper iden-
tification marks. but there is a vault
in the warehouse containing valuable
effects belonging to the bureau knows
not whom. One box. for instance. is
filled with watches and rings Of every
possible description, pins. cuff links
and fObs which we're salvaged from
the sunken Tuscania- Anyone who
lost a boy on this transport should
write to the lost effects bureau, 543
Greenwich street, and describe the
iewelry he wore. since there is very
good chance that at least part Of II
is now deposited in this box
Find Own Effects
The recovery and safeguarding OF
The dead soldiers effects is carried
0n so efficiently that several privates.
reported dead or missing, have re-
turned to this country and found all
their belongings reposinE on a shelf
n this huge government warehouse:
and sums as large as $500 in bills and
go IN francs have come safely
IN the inner pockets OF cloth
ng. A certain percentage Of loss
,annot be helped. because the effects
ire handled by many persons before
hey reach this country. and human
lature is weak.
A recent correspondent Of the hu-
eau noted this fact with some empha- I
is. I insert the letter with the per-
mission OF the bureau. which, while Z
can appreciate a joke /
wen on itself
About the effects Of my son those I
hings I know that he have. That 4
hey would Of bin brought home by .
he man who enlisted with him. but no 4
hey must come through certin channels
10 that the dirty thieves in your de-
could take what they wanted I
o, and what they hsdentraney use for /
hey would send. Articols that were =
lot sent gold fountain pen. rarzor, \
ierman spike helmet and some fowren 4
oins- Put yourself in my place. How
you'd you feel about it2'
Not until the armistice was signed [!
ould the government spare the space
n ships for the socalled lost effects.
ut since them they have been COM 4
ng forward at regular intervals.
Among a dead soldiers effects-his
atters, diary OF papers-is usually
ound what the bureau calls AN
mergency address" meaning the ad-
ress Of his nearest relatives 10 whom
printed inquiry Is forwarded IN
he absence of this. the necessary in
ormation can usually be obtained
rom the office OF the adjutant gen
raj
Those Who Get Them.
The order Of succession of the heirs
, soldiers belongings. as provided
L.
lird. mother: and then brothers and
sters- And this, as Col Danforth.
aief OF the bureau. says. lis where :
he trouble comes in" for the rela-
YES are prone TO have a certain con-
smpt for the law. and often il does
npose cruel injustices.
For example. a case occurred not
ING ago where a boys effects were
aimed by three different persons
y his father, who deserted his fam
Y when the boy was a baby; by his
other, who did not get along with
ar own mother; and by his grant
other. who had brought him up The
w compelled the shipment Of the
fleets TO the father.
So many cases are held Up while
.parated and divorced couples fight
" the effects OF their boys, that Col
anforth has sometimes labored IN
II the temporary delusion that ne
as running a bureau Of matrimonial
fficulties.
One Of the most interesting Of these
.ses was that of an army captain /
He'd in action. who left two trunk .
ckers. a bedding roll and A suit
sc. The law provided that these
ings should go to his wife. but the
ly's parents opposed this with good
.ason. They explained that shortly
fore he went across. their son had
arried a girl very much beneath him
social position. The girl soon found 4
young lieutenant more aliuring. The
.ptain instituted divorce proceedings.
II was killed before the case vas
mpleted. AS he left considerable
operty, the family was naturally de-
rous that the Maynard war bride
ould not get It But the bureau Of
fects could do nothing to stop II in
Is instance. so they turned the case
Ter 10 the courts