The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-09-02
Attorney General Says Freling-
huysen Worked for Ger
mans During War.
HE VOTED AGAINST BILL
Only Vote Cast in Congress OPP
posed to Custodian Law Was
Cast BY Senator Freling-
huysen.

Washington, Sept. IA. Mitchell
Palmer, whose nomination as attor-
ney general was confirmed yesterday
by the senate, come back vigorously
today at Senator Frelinghuysen. Re-
publican, New Jersey, leader of the
forces in the senate which had for
number of weeks held up confirma-
tion of the nomination.
Charging that Mr.. Frelinghuysen
was constantly active in behalf Of
German property owners in the Unit
ed States during the war and ATTEMPT
ed to influence legislation which
affect adversely companies in which
he was personally interested ffnanci-
ally, the attorney general gave "A de-
tailed account OF alleged activities
of the New Jersey senator while this
country was at war with Germany.
Senator Calder. Republican, of New
York, also was referred to in Mr..
Palmer's statement.
mo American inter ist has asked
for an investigation of the alien pro-
perty custodian" Mr.. Palmer declar-
ed. mo American interest is COM
planning. The Germans are complain
ing very severely. Senators Freling-
huysen and Calder are pleasing Ger
man business interests. They have
received specialsmention by the Ger
man foreign Office for their activi-
ties, which Germany hopes may re
suit ir the Germans getting all their
alien property report printed in Ber-
lin in Germany with an Introduction
signed foreign office. l quote from
an extract translation of this docu-
ment: THAT the administration OF
alien property is considered not with
out suspicion in the United States
herself is evident in the action taken
! by the senate because of the resolu-
tion presented last February by Sena-
tors Frelinghuysen and Calder, de
maDding an investigation Of the alien
property custodian because OF misap-
preparation and favoritism. So far as
is here known the senate has also
refused to appoint Mr.. Palmer attor-
! ney general II is hoped that this
| investigation would lead to a Just
| inquiry into the management OF the
alien property and to a fairer judg-
ment Of German interests.
Mr. Palmer declared that Senator
Frelinghuysen was not really antago-
nistic 10 him. but to the trading with
the enemy act which he had admins
tered, and 'he has been especially
against the AmericaniZation of the in
dustrial concerns in America owned
! by our enemies and heretofore used
In hostile way against this country s
interests" While the act was under
| consideration, Mr.. Palmer. said. quot
: ing the official record Of the hearing,
Mr.. Frelinghuysen introduced TO The
senate committee on commerce. Neal
Basset, who strongly urged that enc
my owned insurance companies in
this country should not be disturbed
M. Bassct was followed by Sena-
tor Frelinghuysen with a statement
designed to support his argument .'
Mr.. Palmer said, but Senator Ere
linghuysen did not tell the commit
tee ne was at that time financially
interested in four insurance com
I panies whose relations with German
companies would be adversely affect
ed by the legislation then proposed "
Mr.. Palmer said the senator pro
tested to him against interference
with and sale OF the big German own
ed woolen mills in Passaic. y. ].
He was the only member of Con-
gress," the statement continued,
who ever sought 20 stay the hand
of the alien property custodian in
taking over or disposing OF enemy
owned properties in the United
States"
In liquidating the business Of Ger
man owned insurance companies, Mr.
Palmer said he received patriotic co.
operation from all except one Ameri.
can company which had reinsurance