Docket No. 273.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
on behalf of
Alexander H. Trumbull, Administrator of the Estate of Isaac B. Trumbull, Deceased, Bertha V. Trumbull, and Priscilla C. Trumbull by her Guardian,
Claimants,
v.
GERMANY.
PARKER, Umpire, rendered the decision of the Commission.
This case is before the Umpire for decision on a certificate of the American Commissioner and the German Commissioner[a] certifying their disagreement. A brief statement of facts as disclosed by the record as follows:
Isaac B. Trumbull, an American national, aged 33, was a passenger on and went down with the Lusitania. He was survived by a widow, Bertha V. Trumbull, and a daughter, Priscilla C. Trumbull, 32 and 13 years of age respectively, both of whom then were and have since remained American nationals. The decedent resided in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and at the time of his death and for many years prior thereto was treasurer of both the Connecticut Electric Manufacturing Company and the Trumbull Motor Car Company, receiving an annual salary of $10,000 from each company. His stock holdings in both companies were substantial, neither of which paid dividends; the surplus earnings, if any, were employed in the business expansion. The evidence indicates that the electric company was prosperous while the motor car company was in an experimental stage. The decedent was physically strong, active in business, his habits were good, and he enjoyed the confidence of his business associates. He provided his wife and daughter, to whom he was devoted, with all reasonable comforts and conveniences, the expenses of the household amounting to something more than $6,000 per annum.
No claim is put forward for the value of the personal property lost with the decedent of the Lusitania.
Applying the rules announced in the Lusitania Opinion to the facts disclosed by the record, the Commission decrees that under the Treaty of Berlin of August 25, 1921, and in accordance with the terms of the Government of Germany is obligated to pay to the Government of the United States on behalf of (1) Mrs. Bertha V. Trumbull the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) and (2) Priscilla C. Trumbull the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00), with interest on each of said sums at the rate of five per cent per annum from November 1, 1923.
Done at Washington February 21, 1924.
EDWIN B. PARKER
Umpire.
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[a] Dated February 14, 1924.
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