Letter from Crowell, Balcom, & Co., to Custodian, October 11, 1940

This typewritten letter from Crowell, Balcom, & Co., is addressed to the Custodian, Department of the Secretary of State, Ottawa, ON. Written on October 11, 1940, the letter pertains to the families of internees in Cape Breton, N.S. -- noting Giovanni Dal Bello by name and 22 others.

The Custodian of Enemy Property (CEP), a branch of the Canadian government, oversaw the administration of assets belonging to internees and other enemy aliens. This government office served a dual function. Acting as a trustee for the internee/enemy alien, the office and its agents also protected the interests of the creditors. The CEP would pay off an internee’s debts by selling his or her property or businesses. It also collected money owed to internees by others. Families of internees often did not have access to the husband's assets and bank accounts. As a result, families often had to negotiate with the CEP for stipends for daily subsistence or use of assets like an automobile. In some cases, where assets were lacking, the CEP divested itself of any interest and left the families to fend for themselves.

Here, the CEP agents, Crowell, Balcom, & Co., note that they approve of relief requests for ca. 8-9 of the families (suggesting the CEP will have no further interests in their affairs). They also recommend that several of the Italian families have access to funds in bank accounts. However, with the exception of the Favretto family, they argue against allowing the families access to any vehicles, noting -- "There was considerable feeling in New Waterford against these "foreigners"."

Also see LDICEA2012.0017.0028 and LDICEA2012.0017.0029.a-b.