Prisoner of War mail, by Rosario Invidiata, to Price, Waterhouse & Co, Oct. 28, 1940 - solo in inglese

This handwritten prisoner of war mail was sent by Rosario Invidiata, and is addressed to the Price, Waterhouse & Co., October 28, 1940.

Price, Waterhouse & Co. were the CEP agents in Invidiata's case. The Custodian of Enemy Property (CEP) was a branch of the Canadian government that 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. Each accounting firm hired by the CEP would bill an internee for administrative costs even though internees did not ask for the CEP to be involved. 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.

In this case, Invidiata requests that the agents send inspectors to his home to ensure the safety and wellbeing of his children -- as his wife is mentally ill and had been hospitalized. He also asks to use $60/month from his account for their living expenses.