The Wrangell sentinel., 1943-11-05

| AANA Gaeeu da H9Al ao AAE Neah bA AAh ing generally. Many eases have a. risen where the owners of vessels had offers of purchase at 1941 pric- es but turned their vessels over to 1 the Government instead from patri- otic motives. IL is reported that the difference on he average between l 1889 and 1941 prices is about 35 %. While it is likely that as a matter of law the War Shipping Admins tration is authorized to pay the fair value of the vessels despite the opinion of the Comptroller Gener- al, it has hesitated to do so.
 Recently, in order to attempt to settle the questions involved, the l President appointed a board consist | ing of Judge Learned Hand, Judge | John J. Parker and Judge Joseph C. l Hutcheson, Jr., all eminent Judges of the United States Courts of Ap- peals to establish fair and equit- able standards, rules, and formulae of general applicability for the l guidance of the War Shipping Ad- ministration in determining the just compensation to be paid for all vessels reuuisitioned, Burchas d, chartered or insured by the Admin isration." It is understood that this board will act promptly and that final decisions with respect to all vessels may be expected within three months. In the meantime any owner of a vessel, if he does not care to await the decision of the
 board may accept 75go of the value heretofore assigned to his vessel by
 the War Shipping Administration under the Comptroller Generals de- cision, and bring suit for the bal ance, in the District Court if the value of the vessel is under S1O,O00, but in the Court of Claims if the value of the vessel is above S10,- 900. Of course, the courts are not bound by the opinions or decisions of the special board of judges a. bove named. It seems certain that this board of judges is bound to fol- low the constitutional provision en- braced in the Fifth Amendment re- quiring payment of Just compen
 sation" for property requisitioned by the Government. In practically all the judicial opinions heretofore rendered, this constitutional pro vision has been held to require pay ment of the fair market value of the property requisitioned at the time of taking. In view of these de- cisions, it does not seem possible that the opinion of the Comptroller General will be followed by the 1 Courts. The War Shipping Admin | istration has announced that in making payments it will abide by the decisions of the special board of judges"
 X% # &
 We are not advised whether it is an Enhancement Clause which is 1 holding up the payment of claims ] to Alaska merchants under their war risk policies, but the merchants are holding the sack for a great many thousands of dollars in claims which the transportation companies can't pay because the War Ship ping Administration won't let them. Doubtless VISA and the Comptroller General will get together on it ul- timately. Meanwhile Territorial Chamber has been asked to do a lit tie prodding.
 Republican skies frightened this week with victories in New York with Lieutenant Governor and a Governor elected in New Jersay and Pennsylvania and possibly Ken lucky. Democratic National Chair man Frank P Walker dismissed the COP cheers with the pronounce ment the elections were simply the outcome of campaigns fought on state issues without showing any national trend. "The administration didn't take any active part in a single contest nor was the issue of national party politics clearly drawn anywhere" Walker said Meanwhile, the COP still has what appears, after the Mackinaw pow WOW, to be the major thorn in the flesh-Wendell Wi1lkie. Potent MT. Willkie doesn't sit well with the old guard, but he has an i'm. mense following, which gives the. old-line GOPers continual headache as to how to defeat him for the nomination, and still find a man who can capture hte national cleo. tion next year for the presidency In the Democratic camp it contin-