STARTED OFF WITH ELASTIC BRACES

Chronicle (Levin), 8 March 1947, Page 6

STARTED OFF WITH ELASTIC BRACES

'LONDON, Mar. 6. The remark by the Ilome Secretary (Mr. Chuter Ede) in the House of Commons that one Pole had' made £10,000 in thiee months has aroused some curiosity as to how it was done. Aeeording to the Daily Herald, the Pole was a deserter speaking several languages who went " underground ' ' in Londoh and borrowed £20. With that surn he bought elastie bra'ces and sold them at a proiit whieh allowed him to pay back the loan and keep £50. With this he bought more braces and other easy-to-sell goods, and sold them chiefly to- Americans. He extended his dealings to curreney 'transactions and then bought a share in a small West End Club. By black marketing and lending inoney on big-profit and quickreturn terms to fellow Poles, he was able to sell his share in the club after one month for £3000. With that he bought another club, and, making a cjuick resale, gained £10,000. He also earned himself a prison sentence. He is now in Paris with his English wife and has an interest in a gown business. The Labour back-benchers are reported to be a good deal disturbed by the revelation that there are between 70,000 and 80,000 Poles who have refused to enter the Polish Resettlement Corps and are still maintaiued in legal forru as the Polish armed forces. Both the legal position of these forces, who are hostile to the Government in Poland, and the liability of these Poles to income tax are to be raised in the House of Commons next week. It is felt that the major "racket" of these forces is being paid for by the British taxpayer. The Poles in them get higher pay than in the Besettle ment Corps, do no work, pay no incbme tax and get full army rations. There have been several public outbursts about the Poles from time to time, and the latest revelation is not likely to make the Poles any more popular in Britain.