Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-02-05
PARKER DEFENDS
SALES SURPLUS
WAR MATERIALS
Ex-Chairman of Liquidation
Commission Says Policy
Adopted in Europe Was
UnqueStiOnabIy Wise.
nv Tho Associated Press

Washington, Feb 4,-Stauneh
defense of the work Accomplished
by the American liquidation COM
mission in disposing Of millions of
dollars of war supplies to France
and other European governments
after the armistice was made today
by Edwin b. Parker, New York
lawyer, former chairman of the
board, in testifying before the house
committee investigating the con-
duct of the war.
Mr.. Parker declared the policy
adopted in disposing of the great
bulk of supplies in Europe was I'M
questionably wise. and cited figures
TO prove that if the same ma
terials were on hand today they
would not bring the prices, either
in Europe or the United States,
that the government obtained when
the bulk sales were made in 1919.
His examination was conducted
principally by Representative Flood
of Virginia, democratic member OF
the committee. with occasional
questioning by Chairman Johnson
of South Dakota and Representa-
tive Bland Of Indiana, republican
members.
May Call Pershing.
Discussion arose among the COM
mitteemen over the question of
calling other witnesses. Represent
alive Flood insisting that General
Pershing be summoned to answer
criticisms. 1t was finally agreed
that Mr.. Flood should request the
general to testify Monday if he de-
sired.
The committee also agreed to end
the investigation next Wednesday.
Mr.. Parker told the committee
that his commission disposed of
stores netting the government
$822,923,220, as compared with a
cost value which he estimated at
Sits, 100000. France bought
stores to the amount of 1852, OO0,-
600, he said, and agreed in the con-
tract TO relieve the United States
of all claims of damage. including
those of 100000 property owners
against the American army. He
explained that the sale also had the
advantage of relieving the United
States of about $3.50, 100000 Gus,
toms duties which would have mad
to be paid had the materials been
sold to other European govern
ments.
Got Full Value, Claims
"All things considered" Mr.
Parker declared. eve got full value
for the goods sold to France.
Asked if the commission delayed
the sales in order that protiteerS
could take advantage of them. Mr.
Parker said such actions were EN-
tirely foreign to the policy of the
commission"
eve believe we exercised the
very greatest possible diligence,
he added. "in disposing of supplies
and getting them in the hands OF
those who needed them most. The
government may congratulate IT.
self in that it disposed of its goods
and did not wait to realize better
prices later.
Sales Were Specded Up.
There was one obvious thing tC
do, to speed up disposition OF
claims and sales in order to let the
10000 boys come home. The
ueople would not have permitted
the men who enlisted to fight the
battles to be kept there to guard
the stores until they were sold al
retail. AS result Of our policy
can say that not a man was held IN
France because he was needed tt
guard or sell American property.
IF we had waited our Crane
children would have had to settle
these claims. Much of the supplies
in France could not have been solo
in the United States"
Protested ut High Price.
The witness said Herbert Hoover
in charge of the American relief
work, bought a large quantity OF
the army supplies but protested te
the commission at the high prices
asked for them. He added that
Mr.. Hoover cancelled one big order
OF bacon, saying he could get ii
cheaper in the United States.