Nikola Tesla FBI Files - Page 12

JOHN EDGAR HOOVER
     DIRECTOR

Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Department of Justice
Washington, D. C.

EAT:DS

January 12, 1943

MEMORANDUM FOR MR. LADD

On Friday, January 8th, Mr. L. M. C. Smith called me in connection with the death of Nikola Tesla. He advised me that he was concerned about the possibility of enemy agents confiscating some of the trunks of Tesla, who had died on January 7th. He understood at that the War Department was interested in this matter and that apparently the Alien Property Custodian's office was taking some action. He desired to know whether the Bureau would take some steps to refrain relatives of Tesla from taking the contents of his trunks and whether the Bureau would seize possession of the trunks. Mr. Smith indicated that he was talking to the Alien Property Custodian along the same lines. I told him that in view of the fact he was going to handle the matter with the Alien Property Custodian's office, there did not appear to be any action which the Bureau could or should take.

                                                    Very truly yours,

                                                    Edw. A. Tamm