The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-02
III IMPROPERLY
RE-. URN IS
PR0BED
Wheeler. RFookhart Committee
Hoars American Metals
Was Owned BY Swiss

81 s. ~ANteAt-NNNNA+A
The WhOeler-B rcnIshaFt committee
resumed itg investigation today OF
the return Of the assets OF the
American Metals Company. which
were seized during the war BY the
aiion property custodian.
Adha n. Johnson, special as
sistAnt attorney general in charge
OF alien property cases, told the
committee the assets were returned
in 1922 when u, was represented TO
the department that IS per cent OF
the stockholders were citizens OF
Switzerland, neutral country, and
not Germany.
Francis p. OArvaH. formerly alien
property custodian. previously test
He'd that - per cent Of the Oto6k
was seized because Il was German
Garvan said, brought $500, 900,
which was turned into the Treasury.
Swiss Acquired Stock.
johnson explained that, although
the president o. the Metals Com.
pany rADOr&Nd the German owner
ship, which was the basis Tor the
geiSure by the alien property GUS
todian, q subsequent examination OF
the records showed. he raid, that
the Swiss had acquired the stock
before the war;"
Johpson repeatedly said, II don't
know" or II can't remember"
when pressed by Senator Wheeler
CD Of Montana Tor details % the
teaAga0ticn returning the s6,S00.0O0
assets.
"There were 1000 cases AMI I
can't remember the details" John.
son asserted.
Dangherty Investigated.
Former Attorney General Harry
N. Daugherty worked tor six
weeks on the case hefere accept
ing the FecoEnnndation Of the Allen
Property Custodian to return the
property. said johnson.
Richard Merton. whom Wheeler
charged was Of British origin but
Of German nationality was the
chief representative Of the company
in the claim Tor tho $1,000, 900. John.
son declared.
"Did you examine any evidence
except that brought 70 you by Mer.
ton?" asked Wheeler.
mo, didn't think there were
any other records Of the stock
ownership" replied johnson.
johnson admitted that he first
told Merton he didn't believe there
was sufficient evidence to allow
the claim" but later, when addi.
tional evidence was submitted.
passed favorably upon the claim.
what was the additional evi.
dence?'
''f can't tell you. I know there
was some, and sufficient 70 allow
the claim. I've tried TO tell you
I've handled 1000 cases and I can't
remember the details" said John.
4. L. Fink. Of Buffalo, N. Y. who
was ordered out Of the committee
room Saturday after demanding an
opportunity to testify. was perrna.
hentiy released from a committee
su6pOana today.
George p. KOagsl. who said he
was EtRk's attorney, appeared be.
fore the committee and demanded
that his client be heard or dis.
missed.
I'VE are through with Fink; we
don't want him." Senator Brook.
Rrt tRepJ Of Iowa, chairman told
HOQgel.
The committee had started its
HoOwi0n whom Koegel jumped out Of
q seat in the audience and rushed
up to BPOokhart.
II am attorney for q man who
has bean under subpoena here for
weeks he said.
Through with Case.
"Who are your" demanded Brook.
hart. "Are you with this Fink? II
you are, we are through with that
case
MY name is Koegel and ! repre-.
sent Alexander--"
Before Koogel couid finian, Soma.
tor Wheeler Oenn.l Of Montana, in.
tOrrupted:
"Fink'a claim that he Is under
subpoena 10 only a pretense," Aid
Wheeler. "He has been excused for
weeks"
my client II exouaed?''
Certainly, We don't want him"
kOegol then executed a snaDpy
about-faca and saying "I thank
you, gentlemen" In q booming voice.
hurried from the room.