Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-04-11
MILLER SUBMITS
ACCOUNTING Of
ALIEN PROPERTY
Custodian Reports $780,
100000 Worth Held BY
Government in Report
Given to Senate Monday.
(By The Associated Press.)

washington, April IU.---An ac-
counting of the $3.50, 100000 worth
of enemy property held by the gov
eminent was given the senate to-
day in report, the first compiled
since February, 1919, filed by
Thomas J. Miller. alien property
custodian, in response to reso-
luton by Senator King, democrat,
Of Utah.
1.-THE final disposition of this
property" Mr., Miller said, will
undoubtedly have direct bearing
on the economic relations between
this country and Europe, with par
ticular reference to the late enemy
powers. The sequestered proper
ty will also have a bearing on the
question of the settlement of
American claims against Ger
many"
Discussing the s415,OOO,oOo of
American claims against Germany,
Mr.. Miller recalled the terms of
the KnoX-Porter peace resolution
indicating that no disposition
should be made of any enemy
property held by the United States
until the German government had
provided for the satisfaction of all
American claims. He asserted
that congress must evolve some
plan whereby American claims
against Germany may be adjudi-
Gated by some proper tribunal Gre
ated by law.
Several Classes OF Claims.
There are several classes OF
claims auoipct
Ter said, "as for instance, those Of
Americans whose cash was seized
by the German custodian, and who
are now being offered the return
of their money at the deprecated
value Of the mark, which today is
valued at one-third OF a cent for
each mark or a reduction of 720
per cent from the pre-war value.
This proposition amounts to prac-
teal confiscation on the part of
German government.
There are also claims on file
with the state department Gor the
loss Of property and life at sea,
growing out of submarine sinkings
previous to April 6, 1917.
IF the German property were
returned today without any condi-
lions, the tax laws in force in Ger
many would require German ma
tionals or other people under the
jurisdiction of the German govern
ment, whose property was returned
TO them. to give up in taxes to the
German government a major por-
ton Of the funds returned. One of
the taxes assessed is known as the
Il Nos I.T.
which are utilized by the German
government for its own nationals
and a second tax known as the in.
demnity tax, the proceeds of which
are paid into PREPARATIONS going to
our late allies.
1t has been suggested that the
OF money which the Ger
man government would realize from
such taxation, might form the
basis Of a fund TO be left in this
country, the same to be applied for
the satisfaction of claims of
citizens against Ger
many, when these claims are ad-
Indicated"
Mr.. Miller's report consisted of
thousands of typewriter pages CIV
ing the details of about $4,000
active trusts representing property
in every state and territory H. the
United States and the Philippine
islands and Hawaii, consisting Of
Industrial plants, steamship lines,
banks, land and cattle companies.
salmon factories, gold and silver
mines and thousands of parcels of
real estate and securities.
. Answering charges by Senator
King that property had been seized
since peace was concluded with
Germany last July, the report de-
clared that the last property seized
was that belonging to Grover Cleve-
land Bergdoll, which was seized
May 81, 1921.
Responding to inquiry for details
o. salaries and fees paid in con-
nection with the enemy property.
the report showed attorneys fees
paid prior to March 4. 1921, 3d.
1856; attorneys fees paid since
March 4, 1921, $116,469; salaries of
and directors of corpora
ton previous to March 4, 1921,
$1,574,017; salaries since March A,
1921. $l32,435.