Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-17
CARAVAN AND HIS DYES

'NliE German dye monopoly Of the pre-. war
L period was 4 combination of financial
scientific and Government interests of II
type peculiar TO The Germany Of the Hohen-
zolIorns. Nothing like it ever existed any
wh"r" else in the world. Its efficiency was
due to subsidies provided by the Cavern.
mcnt. 10 the facilities of German UNIVERSE
tics mobiized in its interest and 10 the
ability of the controlling minds 10 merge n
hundred various forces for common end
The German Dye Trust was conscience.
less, powerful and enormously rich. 1t was
almost dcifcd at Berlin II is said by some
that there were certain colors which it. and
It alone. could supply in satisfactory Quan-
titles and qualities. The processes used BY
III" trust were covered by some thousands Of
patents in the United States and elsewhere
These patents We're seized by the Govern.
m"nt Of the United States at ne time Of our
entrance into the war and given over 70 the
care of the Alien Property Custodian. 4.
Mitchell Palmer. No one knows even now
how valuable these patents wcrc. They are
admittedly of enormous value. In time
Francis A. Garvan succeeded Mr. Palmer
and then things began 10 happen.
Normally. when country at war seizcs
the property Of enemy aliens. or even an
enemy nation. such property ts held in trust.
the owners in accordance with completed
terms Of peace and the war settlements.
Mr. Garvan made new rule. He appears
70 have recognized neither Tho right ~ the
United States Government nor the right Of
the former owners to obtain such benefits
MS might accrue to the owners uf tho Ger.
man dy" patents. II" organized the
Chemical Foundation, OF III" foundation
he himself was president. The foundation
bought the German dye patcnt>-or at lcnst
about 400 Of the patents covering tho com.
mOner processes Of making the most needed
dycs-for an insignificant sum. Thus Gar.
van, Alien Property Custodian. sold to
Garvan head Of the ChemiraI Foundation
property which rightly should have been
disposed Of at later time for the benefit
either OF the Federal Govornmcnt or tho
former owners This IS what tho present
row between Mr.. Garvsn and the Attorney
Generals office Is about
Under orders Of President HARDING A.
tornoy General Daughcrty has begun urtion
to bring the dye patents back into tho hands
Of the Government. No ono takes Mr., Gor-
van seriously when he loudly talks Of pro
German>m in the White House. I'nIcS. tbo
Government were to be careless of i,y own
reputation and Of all the rules Of RIGHT II
could not permit the Garyan deal 70 %
unQueStiOned.
II is rumOrcd in Washington thnt prouns
anxious to establish dye monopoly in mis-
| coulAry have invested many millions in tbe
! Chemical Foundation. Whether this is true
or not, the fact remains thar the country
ut large would be foolish to expect auy
benefits from II system Of dye control surh
as Mr., Gpryan seems TO have had in mind
But most" important of all is the fnct thai
the alien property custodian ignored an es .
sential rule Of civilized procedure between
opposing peoples. We entered the war IN
| crush the Germans. We didn't fight in
order that We might rife the pockets OF IN
J enemy while he was down. a