Evening journal., 1922-04-10
LENGTHY REPORT
BY COL. MILLER
tcontlnued fro.n Flrst Paxe.l

(Continued from First Page)
and dates OF service. Amounts paid
for auditing. accounting and ap-
praising are shown in detail as well
as the money spent on advertising,
and the newspapers so favored. One
accounting bill alone OF s173,7b7.50
was paid 10 an accounting firm out
OF the Congressional appropriation
for a report which covered the vari-
GUS operations OF the custodian s
offlce to August. 1919. but which
was not completed and delivered
until April 1921.
The conduct OF the AFFAIRS Of the
alien property Gust todian in the
Philippine Islands under the direc-
ton OF former Governor General
Harrison IS reported in full. COM
plete list is given OF the 5000 claims
for the return Of property under the
amendments to the act. giving the
name Of the attorneys representing
these claims and the action thereon
All litigation in which the alien
property custodian appears is de-
scribed. together with the names OF
att torneys representing the custod-
ian and the fees paid. A complete
list is given in addition 10 the cor
porations sold. OF all sales OF miecel-
laneous stocks, bonds, real estate
and merchandise sold since seizure
as we'll az detailed description OF all
patents seized and their disposition.
The property administered by the
custodian's Office today consists OF
a
senting property scattered from the
Philippine Islands and Hawaii. and
located in almost every state and ter
ritory in the United States. Gen
orally speaking. the property consists
OF industrial plants, suoh as chemi-
cal and wollen mills, steamship lines,
banks. land and cattle companies
salmon factories, gold. silver and
other precious mines OF metal and
other miscellaneous industrial plants,
as well as thousands OF parcels OF
real estate and trusts represented by
securities and liquid assets The
approximate value OF this property
amounts to about $3.50. 900. 100000.
The final disposition OF this property
will undoubtedly have direct bear
ing on the economic relations be-
tween this country and Europe, with
particular reference to the late en-
emy powers. The sequestered prop
erty win also have a bearing on the
question OF the settlement of Ameri-
can claims against Germany.
The KnoxPorter peace resolution
specifically referred to American
claims, Indicating tnat It was the de-
sire OF Congress at that time that
this property should be retained by
the United States, and no disposi-
ton made OF It until such time as
the German government shall have
made suitable provision for the sat
isfaction OF all claims against that
government. by Americans who have
suffered through any OF the acts OF
the German governments or It's
agents. Conhscation OF private prop
erty is repugnant. and is not being
considered. II II Is the intention OF
Congress TO proceed as indicated In
the Knox-Porter peace resolution.
some plan must be evolved whereby
American claims against Germany
may be adjudicated by some proper
/ tribunal. to be created by law.
There are several Glasses OF claims
against Germany, as for instance
those OF Americans whose cash wa
seized by the German custodian. and
who are now being offered the re-
turn OF their money at the depre-
ciated value OF the mark, which to-
day Is valued at one-third OF cen
for each mark or a reduction OF 72C
This proposition amounts to prao-
tlcal conhscation on the part Of IN,
German government. There are alsC
claims on file with the State De.
partment for the loss OF property
and life at sea. growing out OF sub.
marine sinkings previous to April 8
1917.
II the German property were re-
turned today without any conditions
the tax laws in force IN Germany
would require German nationals OF
other people under the Jurisdiction
OF the German government. whose
property was returned 10 them. "a
give up in taxes to the German gov
ernment a major portion OF the
funds returned. One OF the taxes
assessed is known as the Empire
Need Tax. the revenues Of which are
utilized by the German government
for its own nationals, and a second
tax as the indemnity tax. the pro-
ceeds of which are paid into re-
parations going TO our late allies. II
has been suggested that the amount
Of money which the German gov
ernment would realize from such
taxation, might form the basis Of a
fund to be left in this country, the
same 10 be applied for the satlsfac-
ton OF claims Of American citizens
against Germany, when these claims
are adjudicated.