The Coolidge Examiner

Agrarian Claims to Be Adjudicated

The House of Representatives on April 4 passed a bill, which had already passed the Senate, providing for the participation of the United States in a settlement of claims by American citizens against Mexico according to an agreement made in November 1939, which claims arose on account of expropriation of agrarian properties since August 30, 1927. It is to be hoped that this agency, together with the work of the claims commission, will give a full accounting of the real damage done to American property in our neighboring Republic.

Some opposition was voiced in the House to the wide latitude given the representative of this government with regard to expenses to the indefinite time limit on his work, and also to the assumed fact that whatever Mexico paid would be paid in silver. However these arguments of the opposition were not sufficient to prevent the passage of the bill. Congressman Murdock of Arizona favored the enactment of this measure as a matter of justice to American citizens and in keeping with the good neighbor policy.