Army Sales Abroad Were $822,000,000
Title
Army Sales Abroad Were $822,000,000
Creator
Unknown
Identifier
WWP16310
Date
1920 October 25
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
ARMY SALES ABROAD WERE $822,000,000
_____________________
EB Parker Denies Story that France Got Property Worth a Billion for $4,000,000
______________
Most of Other Purchases Went to
Other Nations—$10,000,000
Worth to Red Cross.
_____________
Special to The New York Times.
WASHINGTON, —Denial that all of the surplus army property in France was sold to France for $4,000,000, or even for $400,000,000, is contained in a letter given to the public tonight by the War Department from Edwin B. Parker of New York, Chairman of the United States Liquidation Committee. Mr. Parker’s letter states that the sales of surplus army materials in Europe amount to $822,923,225.82, that of this amount $737,372,000 was realized from stocks located “in” France, and that the stocks sold to France aggregated approximately $582,500,000.
Chairman Parker’s letter to the Secretary of War reads:
“New York, Oct. 21, 1920.“My Dear Mr. Secretary:“I hand you herewith an article featured in the first page of The New York Herald this morning and call your particular attention to the paragraph I have marked in blue pencil, in which you will note the statement is made that ‘Property which had cost this country $1,390,989,302 was disposed of to the French Government for $4,000,000, payable in ten years.’
“I assume that the reporter furnishing the copy lost a couple of ciphers somewhere en route from his mind to the pressroom, and that he intended to print $400,000,000 instead of $4,000,000; but a small matter like a couple of ciphers, even where they should precede six other ciphers, is, of course, of no moment to an ambitous reporter during the closing days of a national political campaign.
“But, be that as it may, had $400,000,000 been used instead of $4,000,000, the figures would still be erroneous.“The sales of surplus materials in Europe aggregated $822,923,225.82. Of these total sales, stocks located in France sold for approximately $737,372,000.
“Stocks sold to France aggregated approximately $532,500,000.
“It seems impossible to get these figures straight in the minds of our critics, some of whom, at least, do not want the facts. They seem to have the impression that all of the surplus stocks and property located in France were sold to France for $400,000,000.
“It should, of course, be borne in mind that supplies and equipment of the estimated value of $672,000,000 were returned to the United States, and stocks of the value of $10,000,000 were given to the Red Cross. In addition to this, as part of the purchase price for the ‘bulk sale,’ France waived claims for taxes and customs duties on property imported into France and sold since April 6, 1917, estimated at approximately $150,000,000, and also assumed the payment of rents and claims, approximately 150,000 in number, arising out of American occupation and use of installations and lands.
"Yours very truyly,
"EDWIN B. PARKER."
_____________________
EB Parker Denies Story that France Got Property Worth a Billion for $4,000,000
______________
Most of Other Purchases Went to
Other Nations—$10,000,000
Worth to Red Cross.
_____________
Special to The New York Times.
WASHINGTON, —Denial that all of the surplus army property in France was sold to France for $4,000,000, or even for $400,000,000, is contained in a letter given to the public tonight by the War Department from Edwin B. Parker of New York, Chairman of the United States Liquidation Committee. Mr. Parker’s letter states that the sales of surplus army materials in Europe amount to $822,923,225.82, that of this amount $737,372,000 was realized from stocks located “in” France, and that the stocks sold to France aggregated approximately $582,500,000.
Chairman Parker’s letter to the Secretary of War reads:
“New York, Oct. 21, 1920.“My Dear Mr. Secretary:“I hand you herewith an article featured in the first page of The New York Herald this morning and call your particular attention to the paragraph I have marked in blue pencil, in which you will note the statement is made that ‘Property which had cost this country $1,390,989,302 was disposed of to the French Government for $4,000,000, payable in ten years.’
“I assume that the reporter furnishing the copy lost a couple of ciphers somewhere en route from his mind to the pressroom, and that he intended to print $400,000,000 instead of $4,000,000; but a small matter like a couple of ciphers, even where they should precede six other ciphers, is, of course, of no moment to an ambitous reporter during the closing days of a national political campaign.
“But, be that as it may, had $400,000,000 been used instead of $4,000,000, the figures would still be erroneous.“The sales of surplus materials in Europe aggregated $822,923,225.82. Of these total sales, stocks located in France sold for approximately $737,372,000.
“Stocks sold to France aggregated approximately $532,500,000.
“It seems impossible to get these figures straight in the minds of our critics, some of whom, at least, do not want the facts. They seem to have the impression that all of the surplus stocks and property located in France were sold to France for $400,000,000.
“It should, of course, be borne in mind that supplies and equipment of the estimated value of $672,000,000 were returned to the United States, and stocks of the value of $10,000,000 were given to the Red Cross. In addition to this, as part of the purchase price for the ‘bulk sale,’ France waived claims for taxes and customs duties on property imported into France and sold since April 6, 1917, estimated at approximately $150,000,000, and also assumed the payment of rents and claims, approximately 150,000 in number, arising out of American occupation and use of installations and lands.
"Yours very truyly,
"EDWIN B. PARKER."
Original Format
Article
Files
Collection
Citation
Unknown, “Army Sales Abroad Were $822,000,000,” 1920 October 25, WWP16310, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.