Nikola Tesla FBI Files - Page 85

March 18, 1964   

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Dear [REDUCTED]

        Your letter of March 10th has been received.

        In response to your inquiry, I would like to point out that the effects of Dr. Nikola Tesla were impounded, after his death, by the Office of Alien Property of the Department of Justice and not the FBI. Since we did not participate in the handling of Dr. Tesla's effects, I am unable to supply the information you desire.

                                                       Sincerely yours,

                                                       John Edgar Hoover
                                                          Director

NOTE: No record could be located in Bufiles identifiable with correspondent. Bufile 100-2237 reflects that Dr. Tesla was a world-famous electrical inventor, and at the time of his death, all of his personal papers and effects were believed dangerous to the country's security if they fell into unauthorized hands. The book, "Prodigal Genius," by John J. O'Neil, alleges that the FBI took over a certain safe and opened it, appropriating his property. Bufiles clearly indicate that it was the Office of Alien Property of the Department which did so, and the above reply is forwarded in answer to related inquiries.

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