The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-06-26
MITCHELL PALMER
ANSWERS CRITICS
Tells Senate Committee Sale OF
Alien Property Was
Square.
TURNS ON HIS ACCUSERS
Declares He Is Glad II Yankees Made
Money at Foes Expense-saYs
the Law Was Strictly
Observed.

Washington. June 23.-A. Mitchell
Palmer, attorney general Of the United
States, appeared before the senate Ju-
dietary subcommittee. He vigorously
defended himself against the aecusa-
ton that While he was alien properly
custodian he sold the Bosch Magnetic
comprny SAID to be worth SlOOOO'OOO'
for 81. 10000.
The allegations against Mr.. Palmer
were made by Morton +. Lewis former
attorney general Of New York state,
on behalf of Harvey T. Andrews,
large stakeholder in the Bosch Mag
ncto company, when it was seized by
the alien property custodian as Ger
man concern.
Confirmation Of Mr. Palmer's nomi-
nation as attorney general Is being
held up 10y the senate pending the out
come of the investigation. but he Will
continue to act under a recess appoint
ment until the senate confirms or re-
jects his nomination.
Mr.. Palmer declared he followed the
law I'm the sale OF the Bosch Magnetic
company and he did not approve the
sale until it was passed on by his adj
visory board consisting of Cleveland
II. Dodge, Otto T. Barnard, Ralph
Stone. George l.. Ingraham and Alex
Griswold. Jr. The attorney general
contended S4,150,0OO was reasonable
price at the time the plant was sold
and expressed his qualification, If
some American buyers made money
AT the expense of the German owners.
The hearing was punctuated by sey-
eral sharp Tits between Mr.. Palmer
and Senator Freinhuysen of New
Jersey at whose suggestion Mr.. Pal
mer's nomination was held up.
Senator Frelinghuysen explained To
the committee that he had not brought
formal charges against Mr. Palmer,
but that he only transmitted Informal
ton furnished to him by others.
Eyes" snapped Mr.. Palmer. you
make no charges, but you have gon"
to New York and you have gone to see
detectives and you have had them 20
to people in the financial district and
ask them If they did not have some
thing on Mitchell Palmer. Your de-
tectiyes called on unsuccessful bidders.
ITS true. you make no charges, but
YOU have banded these charges in til"
newspapers. II is difficult for me TO
see the difference between that and
actually preferring charges"
Mr. Palmcr's statement was deliv-
cred with considerable heat and Great
ed excitement IN The hearing room.
Mr. Palmer said the sale had the
unanimous approval Of his advisory
committee, without which he never mp
proved a sale, adding TO Mr.. Lewis:
"When you accuse me Of selling
out my government YOU accuse otto
Barnard. Cleveland II, Dodge, Ralph
stone and the other members Of my
advisory committee all experts ana
outstanding American citizens, Of sell
ing out their government. That's
what You do
"In selling the Bosch plant" said
Mr.. Palmer 81 sold 1t so ms 10 use
my power to strike a blow nj the Ger
mans Mr. Lewis says We ought to
have delayed the sale for better mar
Ect-for time when Industrial con
ditions would be more settled. ! was
not going 10 hunt the hest market 10
put millions In the treasury for a lot
81 Germans 10 hire lawyers and come
ana fight for after the war. We did
not na,np the date when they declnrad
war ON MS. Why should ! wait for the
best morket2 They started the war.
And ! advertised this property for she
while The war was sim ON. Mr. Lewis
charges some one made money ont az
this sue. / am glad some Americans
lan1c money out Of this property
Mr. Palmer strongly resented The
charge thar he favored his friends