Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-25
Billions Involved
In Claims Cases

Washington, Oct. "a CA. P.)-The
Court of Claims has reconvened with
a calendar of cases for the winter
term which, in the aggregate amount
claimed and the novelty and import
ance of the issues involved, exceeds
all litigation ever before pending
against the government at any one
time. The amount involved in the
cases now pending is approximately
81, 500, 100000, mostly arising out of
the world war.
Claims filed against all depart
ments of the government, among
which are a large number that never
have reached the Court, include the
following: the War Department, in
which claimants have filed claims in
volving approximately $5,000,000,0 900;
the Bureau of Internal Revenue,
which has before it claims for re-
bates and refunds aggregating many
millions; the Shipping Board, where
the amount of cancellations alone
amounted to over $S50,000,0 900;
claims for patent infringement esti-
mated by the Department of Justice
at SS00.000,00 claims made by the
railroads which as filed with the
l
approximately S2,250,O00,0 1000; claims
proportionately large arise from the
Housing Corporation, War Risk Bu-
| reau, Food and Fuel Administrations.
| and there are also a large number of
claims of a miscellaneous character.
The variety of the claims is almost
| unlimited. They include actions for
requisitioning of ships and railroads,
transportation of troops, ammunition
and supplies. infringement of patents
| for high explosives, submarine boats
and torpedoes, wireless and radio ap-
paratus; contracts for anti-aircraft
engines and guns, military and naval
supplies and ammunition, appropria-
ton of camp sites and naval bases,
together with contracts for manufac
turing and acts of communicating Of
almost endless diversity.
Many novel and interesting ques-
tions are raised in the court, espec-
tally in suits for infringement of pat
ents. The petition of one inventor
claims $1,O0O,000 for the little pocket
books of stamps which are sold at
every post office. Another claims
that as early as 1906 he invented a
gliding machine involving the princi-
pies upon which every airplane OPP
structed, and if successful he may re-
cover $10,OO0000. The sum of $685.
900 is asked for infringement in the
manufacture of torpedocs, and about
100000, 900 for radio apparatus.
One test case is brought by a saw
ings bank to determine the liability
OF the government for stolen govern
ment bonds and coupons, and if sue
cessful will result in other suits
which, it is estimated, will swell the
governments liability to S150.000,000.
Claims are made for injuries to
person and property by mail trucks.
and reimbursement Is claimed by
farmers for destruction of lands and
crops by alighting mail planes. Own
ers of intoxicat ting liquors whose
supplies have been confscated by
prohibition enforcement agents seek
indemnity in money damages.
In preparation for the disposition
of such tremendous accession of
new business the Court of Claims has
SO cleared it's dockets. that not only
pending suits. but actions based upon
these war claims. are receiving i'm
mediate attention. All cases are dis
posed of as rapidly as they are pre-
pared and presented by counsel.