The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-03-31
CERMAN-U. S. TRADE
(Coutinusd from Page ons)


! states government always has been that
. individuals should not be made 20 sut-
+ fer for thc acts OF war of their govern
mcnt but If the United States we're l"
return tomorrow without condition All
! The property seized from Germans TIC
, allied governments and citizens of allied
countries ,yuuld Immediately De benefit
ted whilst (iCrEin owners would ne
+ hurt. rs wnyil American citizens "hoSe
! claims against Germany are likely 10
remain unpaid Indefinitely so far as
! Germany Is concerned.
: The German Tax Law.
: The working OF the German tax law IS
unique. 81. property or capital hr"nGht
| into Germany is subject 10 two separate
! taNc>---onc ann Umpire need tax.
! which goes to pay allied PREPARATIONS
1 and the other q general capital tax ioT
! government expenses. In one case Inc
| value Of the mark IS taken at thirteen
marks per dollar as OF Ju,y. 1919. and III
! the other 10 marks 10 the dollar as or
| December. 1919.
! TO explain actually how the system
! WORKS. II may he supposed for instance
| that n.Gn0 worth Of Germany property
was seized b% the American government
| and he'd during tho War tn" differ
cnce between $4,000 valncd AZ IS marks
to the dollar or i3n.n00 marks and Slo.-
| ono valued to-day at tho present r";c
| Of exchange which is 500 marks to the
dollar, or 100000 marks wound he
! ASSOC marks. Now examining the
tax schedule Of tho GermapS under the
| first tax we find that all amounts above
| 100000 marks arc TO be given 10 the
German government as the tax ratcc is
| 100 per cont. This would mean that
! tho German owner would 10 entitled 20
| keen only moo marks or at tho pres
ert rate Of exchange Of 500 marks 10 the
| dollar he would have approximately ."
| cents out Of his original $4,000.
This absurd conclusion il admitted by
| German officials. some or whom have
/ discussed tho situation with tie Cnitc'!
States government. The Germans say
they Co"'d change their tax laws bur
they could not. OF course make thcnt
| Apply 10 all German property and could
| hardly change tho severe rates or en-
! change so that in the end tho bulk OF
| ths property held in America would find
| its way into the hands of tho German
government and be used for !ts OK
| pcnses or be paid IN rcparation 10 the
! allies.
Another Phase.
4 lhers n, moreover, anOtlCF phase OF
! the matter. American claimants against
! Germany realize that tho German gov
eminent will not soon pay them and un-
| less the United States treasury Is TO &c
asked 10 pay claims which Germany
herself should pay, the only tangible
assets which can be used at all to salts.
fy the claims are embraced in the Ger
| man property held in America Tho
! American government knows that tu
pursue general policy of applying the
| equivalent Of the German tax laws on
! this side q, the Atlantic would mean
| hardship o.>>many small owners. So the
! alien property custodian has suggested
that a division could be made on the
| basis OF estates or trusts valued at $40,
600 or under. Tho official figures show
that there arc approximately o9,G06
trusts valued under $4,000. This is So
per cent OF all the trusts held by the
/ American government. Tho remaining
per cent are about 1000 IN All hut they
represent a total value OF }296,000, 900