New-York tribune., 1921-05-18
Robbed Of Ship
I'm Receiver
Plot. He Says
Action Forced So Delaney
Nicoll Jr. and A. G.. Car
son Might Get Attorney
Fees, Asserts Il. r. Yaselli
Asks Probe by Congress
Shipping Board Inquiry ON
Graft Charges Starts
Here To-day i'm Secret

Il. Paul Haselli, president of the
Italian Star Line, yesterday made pub
lie letter he wrete to Senator Will
liam NJ. Calder urging Congress to in
vestigate charges that the government
has lost millions of dollars through
the appointment of receiverships for
various marine corporations which
bought ships on the nstallment plan
from the United States Shipping Board.
Mr., Yaselli charged that his company
was forced into receivership in order
that attorney fees might be paid to A.
c. Carson and De Lancey Nicoll jr., al
though it had paid $15S,0O0 as first
installment of 10 per cent on $1,5S4000
for the steamship Liberty Land an
was in 3 position to liqudate the bal
ance. Mr. Carson is brother-in-law OF
w. Davis Conrad, assistant admiralty
counsel in New York, against whom the
charges arc directed.
Committee Inquiry Opens To-day
Meantime an investigation ordered
by Admiral w. S. Benson, chairman of
the Shipping Board, will begin to-day
at the boards Offices, Is Broadway.
Charles Sutter, chairman of the COM
mittee, said yesterday that the hear
ings will be private and that all in
formation concerning the evidence will
be withheld until the committee makes
its report in Washington, probably in
week
The Yasclli charges are based on af-
fdavts filed with the Shipping Board
by r. W. Henderson and C. C. Hoff-
pauir, assistant counsel to the board.
An order for the dismissa of Mr.. Hen
dcrSon was issued, but was withdrawn
pending the outcome of the hearing.
The allegations are that at least nine
corporations were thrown into receiv-
orships, although they were solvent and
SO per cent of their assets were ships
the title to which was held by the
Shipping Board; that lawyers fees
causing that much loss to the govern
ment, and that in consequence of the
receiverships the government has had
to expend several million of dollars
which it is not likely to recover.
Mr. Yaselli appealed to Senator
Calder for Congressional investiga-
ton, because, he asserted, an inquiry
b. the Shipping Board would be secret
and insufficient. Senator Calder am
nounced in Washington that if there
was any whitewashing he would ask
that committee of Congress be ap-
pointed.
The Liberty Land, 7soO-ton vessel.
was bought by the Italian Star Line in
April, 1920 Mr. Yaselli declared that
he tried to make further payments.
but Mr.. Conrad insisted that the yes
sci either should GO into a receivership
or be taken back by the Shipping Board.
Terms Cause Indictment
Mr., Yasell &aid that in December he
chose a receivership rather than lose
the company's first payment. A few
months ago he said, he was indicted
through the efforts of Guy D. Gof, an
Assistant Attorney General. on a
charge of having obtained the vessel
for So ton less than he should have
paid. George F.. McCann, disbursing
officer of the Shipping Board, was made
receiver.
This is case that either should
be Investigated by a Congressional
committee or, better, yet referred to q
g-and jury" said Mr.. Yaseli in his
letter to Senator Calder. 'T alone
have sufiicient evidence which would
Justify, such body in finding indict
mcnts."