Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-13
PLANT SEIZED HERE
70 Be TURNED BACK
schutte, Koerting Co. Works to
Go to Mrs. Adelbert Fischer
Early in 1921
STOCK DEAL BEFORE WAR

The government seized plant Of the
s,buttc & Koerting Co.. Twelfth and
Tbompson streets, will be turned back
hr the alien property custodian to Mrs.
idolbcrt Fischer early in 1921, or just
., soon as certain details yet remaining
- bo worked out can be completed.
This was stated today by Francis
chunk Brown, attorney, after word was
.oceiyed Of n conference in Washing
ton last week, at which testimony was
nresentcd which showed that Koerting.
pne of the members of the firm, had
os testimony letter indicating trans
Cor Of stock in the plant to Mrs. Fischer
A. date preceding the entrance of this
sountry into the war against Germany.
The plant was seized by the gov
.rnmpnt Immediately upon the entrance
A. this country into the war. and has
Sson opcrated since under management
snpointed by the alien property GUS
,odian. These officials and board of
directors held no stock in the corpora
ton and received no salaries other than
a moderate fee for attendance at the
meetings Of the directors.
Under their management the firm did
a business in excess of 50 900 900 per
year-paid $40O, 900 in taxes in single
year.
Charles II. Calwell, president of ric
Corn Exchange National Bank. was
selected to be president of the operat-
ing company. and among his associates
on the board Of directors were T.. Puscy
Passmorc, president of the Bank of
North America and formerly hend of
the Federal Reserve Bank David Hal.
stead, manufacturer, and Ralph
Baker, the latter an attorney Of Har-
rsburg and a close friend of a. Mitchell
Palmer.
Officials Reticent About Case
Officials of the company and legal
representatives we're reticent in dis
cussing the case. Mr.. Brown when
asked about the matter, said:
ut il hardly in shape yet for q pub
lie announcement There are details re-
naming to be worked out. along legal
lines-reeases, among other things. The
final hearing in the matter has been
held. and there is nothing more to be
presented. Only the final details re-
main.
1.-THE return of this stock is simply
q matter Of justice to Mrs. Fischer.
II is purely n legal proceeding. similar
to other proceedings along similar lines
IN all parts of the country. Mira.
Fischer has established without dispute
her legal claim. There Is absolutely
nothing which can be construed in any
wise as irregular, or sensational. in
connection with the matter; nothing that
can in any way subject any person to
criticism.
"Whh completion of the necessary
papers the formal transfer to Mrs.
Fischer will be made and that will end
the matter.
From another source it was learned
that consummatiOn OF these details can
be made early in 1921, very likely be-
fore March l. and that possession and
control of the plant will then pass from
the government, through its alien prop
Gty custodian.
Plant Established in 1878
The business at Twelfth and Thomp-
son streets was started in 1873 under
the name of Schultz & Goehring, the
partners being J.. Schultz and John G..
GOehring Goehring withdrew in 1889.
Upon the death Of Schultz, in 1906, his
holdings were acquired by Ernest koert-
Ing, Of Hanover. Germany, and his in
tPreStS in this country We're looked after
BY Adclbert Fischer, his son in law.
When the United States entered the
war an effort was made, it is charged,
70 conceal the concerns ownership. Mrs.
kOerting giving note for the stock, in
amount of SlJ0,000, and payable in
1897.
Mr.. Palmer ordered seizure of the
L plant after hearing had developed that
the Schultz 4 Koerting Co. is owned
entirely by interests in Germany, and
that an effort to conceal from the United
States Government the enemy character
Of the property had been made through
this note for $50. 900, payable in 1897,
aud alleged as the price of common
stock in the company held by Mrs.
Fischer
MNlbcrt Fischer, son in law of
koerting and declared to have been at
one time n reserve officer in the German
army, was intcrned because of alleged
completely in the smuggling of Chronom
eters from two intcrned German raiders
" the Philadelphia Navy Yard.