The New York herald., 1922-01-27
KERN SEES A GERMAN
PLOT IN BOSCH CASE
Declares Sale Was Open and
Price Not Very Lou.

Special Cabs 10 THE New YORK HBRAtp.
Copyright, Ieeg, by THE New YoaK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris, Jan. 20.
"The whole proceeding with reference
to the sale of the Bosch Magnetic Com
pany to mo Is only the continuation OF
a propaganda campaign that has been
carried on for tho last two years in an
effort to get tho company back Into the
control OF the Germans and German
Americans who held the stock solely as
tools OF Robert Bosch.
'..Sot only have / received threats
from the agents of these people that the
matter would be brought up in Congress
with the demand that the company be
restored to them but they have also
threatened to attack me personally. So
far they have not dared to do so, and
l am ready for them at any time they
want to start
In these words Martin Il. Kern, who
purchased the Bosch Magnetic Company
after It was seized by the Alien Prop
erty Custodian. explained his position
this afternoon to the representative of
THE NEW YORK HERALD. He added that
he had authorized his lawyers, Root &;
Buckner. by cable. to bring suit for
persons who besmirched either mis- repu-
tation or the reputation of tho Ameri-
can Bosch Magnetic Company In the
newspapers.
Mr.. Kern said that the flrs- .a,ima-
tion he had that his opponents intended
to take advantage of his absence I'm Eu-
rope to reopen their fight came to him
the night before his departure. when
he was informed that the Attorney
General had asked the Bosch company
officials to produce the company records
relating to certain contracts for avia-
tion supplies.
''The sale of the Bosch company to
me after 1t had been seized by the Gov
ornment,' said Mr.. Kern. twas abso-
1utely legal, as II was held openly and
there were several bidders"
He then reviewed the incidents follow
ing tho sale and the taking charge OF
the plant by Arthur L. Murray after the
managers OF the old concern had refused
to turn out the company's product un-
less they received a guaranty that those
products would not be used against Ger
many. He recalled that the sale took
place at Springfield and that a group
OF bankers backed Murray and himself.
The financial limit had been set at
s4,25O,00o. The principal other bidder.
Fisk, of the Fisk Tire Company. Mr..
Kern said, dropped out after bidding
S4.000,000, and the group OF bankers
raised that bid $4,000 and obtained
possession OF the property.
lit Is foolish talk to say the property
was worth s7.000.O00." said Mr.. Kern.
1T is not worth a penny more than II
brought. as the property had greatly de-
Perforated during the incumbency of the
old managers. who refused to keep up
production. Moreover. the stock market
value of its 100000 shares to-day Is
only $3,50O. .000s'
Kern intends TO remain In France
for two weeks. and will then probably
visit Germany and Switzerland In con-
ncction with credit extension scheme
in which he has the support of impor-
tant financial and Government. interests.
He called to-day on Commercial Attache
Huntington. and ia to see Ambassador
Herrick tomorrow. He has with him
letters from the Department of Com
merce authorizing Government officials
abroad to give him the fullest assist
ancc. even going 10 the extent of fur
nishing him with desk room In embas.
sizes and legations. should he desire II.