AIRY MILLIONS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 71, 17 December 1919, Page 7

AIRY MILLIONS

MR, P. J. KEIRAN'S PROJECTS.

Mr. P. .T. Keiran, the alleged trishAmerican "millionaire" who promised some months ago to invest .£150,000,000 in Irish ihousing, has not yet produced the first million demanded by Dublin Corporation as an evidence of good faith. This is by no means tho first airy offer of millions which has conic from Mr. Keiran, who is a bluff, suave man of 55, born in County Monaghan, and brought up in thp United States. Mr. Keiran, according to the London "Daily Mail," is, or has been, onflaged in ihe following projects, all involving many millions', since he came to England in 1915.

1915.—An offer to the Treasury to raise a. "war loan" of .£'5,000,000 in tha United States. Tho proposal was severely "turned down."

191G.—A proposal to sell ,£5,000,000 of Chinese bonds and float a company with tho Chinese Government as partners; nothing eamo of this. .1917— A proposal to form a. corporation with the title of the Reconstruction and Fcdcraion of British Industry, with a capital of ,£1,000,000,000. This was started by Hue formation of a syndicate with a capital of .£250 in Is. sliares. 1918.—A definite offer to the Ecuador Government of a loan of .010,000,000 and a. National Bank with a capital of .£'2,000,000. The Finance Minister of Ecuador has recently been cabling to his Consul-General in London asking vhy (bis promiss has not been carrieil out.

191!).—The Irish bousing scheme, with its offer of JHoO.OOO.MO, which, so far 'has not resulted in. anything.

A scheme for tho purchase of Zeebvugge Harbour and docks a.nd the investment of .£50,000,000 in Belgium.

A proposal to buy .£10,000.000 worth of British goods for tho "reconstruction" of Rumania.

In connection with the' Zecbrugge 6chemo Mr. -Keiran, who was refused a passport on manv-occasions during tho war, was .allowed a passport to go to Brussels. Ko was accompanied by Mr. Tan Robertson, of Brooklyn, Dollar, Scotland, who is the. alleged representative of <a "trust" which, according to. Mr. TCeiran, is going to find the millions for ■Irish housing.

■ On'his return 3tr. Keiran slated that bp went to "buy Zeebnipgo" with "Treasury sanction," a"d hi« passport was obtained .it "the instigation of the Treasury." At the Treasury nothing is known of Mr. Keiran's proposal, and no assistance has been given or promised (o him.