Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-26

ton of two estates Priority Of death
meant a great deal to the heirs, and the
consul was called upon to determine the
exact minute when the bandits had
waylaid the Americans. The astI;te
envoy uncovered the desired irlfornia-
| ton and the estates we're administered
in accordance with his recommended
tons.
| AN American scientist once made a
| collection Of rare technical books
and left them in the custody of friend
in foreign country. The bibliophIe
died while visiting America. The books
were turned over to the American
consul, who. in this case, could exei.
else no authority, because death had
taken place outside the country to
which he was assigned. Nevertheless,
ne took charge, because there were no
legal claimants. The library was sent
10 the State Department, which as
signed trust to an administrator, who
hnally assumed ownership CT the prop
| erty.
American residents abroad are prone
10. open their hearts to new friendships
which frequently gain such strength
tnat comrades are treated in wills to
| speclf1c requests. Such legacies are car
REQ out to the letter by the consuls
Bat snags often arise when American
Claimants contest the validity Of such
causes. the State Department Is
called upon to settle the matter.
Where heirs do not make thenselvs.
known. the consul is required to retain
| custody OF the estate for a year. After
| mat ne discharges his responsibility bv
IIs0rWarding all the personal property to
| Inc State Department sets its vast
machinery into motion and USUALLY finds
the legal heirs. If the department will
entertain none of the claims. for lacI
OF evidence. the estate descends To fhe
bureau of Dead Mems Shoes and the
| treasury. The Federal Governments
oecedent trust fund is a financial ac-
Cout,t tnat now would command respect
IA wal street. The ultimate DISPOSE
ions OF accounts that probably will
never be claimed is a moot question
Ihey are being handed down year after
year. without the slightest indication
tqat Uncle Sam will ever relax his tight
uses. "''-0-
Uncle Sam must look to the Bureau
OF Dead Mems Shoes for a problem
that needs, but lacks a solution. Must
mat agency Of the Nation keep guard
over sKlilets. diShpanS and caSt-off
Clotning? Right now the personal eff
iects room has on hand two trunks flIll
OF such articles which were sent IN
washington by South American con-
sui "A special act CT Congress would be
required to authorize their removal.
Inese pots and other kitchen utensils
must De accorded the same treatment
mat is given to valued rings watches
and personal letters.
The only time Congress ever author
! lzed disposal OF dead mems effects by
otner than ordinary means was in 1911.
an auction was held, and pens. watches.
trmKets. cameras and keepsakes that
cluttered the shelves were offered Ia
the highest bidders. Hammers pounded
| sou OUT OF this sale. The nominal
value OF such stuff may have been a
| billion dollars. but the par value at
| auction sank TO level almost of de-
| spair, Who among the bidders cared
| whether Capt. John Jones had worn a
| signet ring into the Battle of Bull Run?
VINO cared whether the ring had been
kissed by his sweetheart? Who cared
whether he had kissed ii as he lay
dying?
Besides. the man was dead and his
| tory didn't record his deeds. The bar
| gain hunters desired to know how MANY
carats of gold the band contained.
Inere lay its value-in carats, not
kisses. And In this, as In other things.
bargain hunters are human.
X
20 IL Is not amisS to venture the be-
lief that the contents of the whole
Bureau OF Dead Mems Shoes. II auction
ed on on commercial value solely, would
net the Treasury probably less than
$4,000: Throw together all the tat
tered photographs. the old coins. bronze
medals decorations and letters. and
there wouldn't be single ankle sprain-
ed or a leg broken in the rush Of
BUYERS.
The annual cost OF administering the
business OF the bureau is probably far
IN excess Of the commercial value Of
all these estates.