The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-24
DUTY ON personal BAGGAGE.
Eur Opeans DenOunce 1T Because 1t
Injuries Their business.
Washington Letter in Chicago Times-Her-

aid.
1t is gratifying to every American who
returns to the United States from Europe
to note the spirit with which his country
men as rule accept the S100 limit as TO i'm
portation of personal effects. Almost with
out exception American passengers aboard
the big transatlantic steamers praise the
law and are willing enough to conform to
ing everything that can be done to build up
our own country and its prosperity is the
way these returning travellers almost in
Variably talk. I'VE hear the American tar
if denounced wherever we go in Europe
All the shopkeepers and manufacturers
grumble bitterly, and that is one reason
why we know it is a good thing for our
people. IF the foreign shopkeepers do not
like 1t our own tradesmen must be
pleased with it, and we are for home in
piggish. They not only want US to visit
their countries. to spend our good money in
their hotels on their railways and steam
ships and everywhere, but they think it a
great shame if we don't buy $500 or 81 900
worth of. goods apiece 10 take home with
us They want both ends and the middle
When Europeans by the thousand travel
in the United States. scattering their gold
right and left as we do all over their coun-
tries. then it will be time enough for them
to complain"
This is the way nine Americans out of ten
talk The women rule are a little more
prone than the men to think they should
be permitted to buy where they like and as
much as they like and to take everything
in duty free. But with the women it is the
bargain spirit more than anything else.
They go crazy over the shopping oppor-
tunities presented by the Paris and London
emporums, and it hurts their pride to think
that after they have paid duties on their
purchases their good bargains have disap-
peared. Women go more desperate lengths
than men in trying to get ahead of the Gus
toms inspectors. They do not declare goods
which they know to be dutiable, trusting to
luck and TO their sex to get through with
out paying duty / venture the opinion,
based on personal observation that four
women out Of five returning from Europe
hpn in YNan ,f
dresses, millinery gloves and such articles
Apart from this penchant of the women
tourists for showing their folks at home
what good bargains they secured abroad
il is the pride in this rather than real de-
sire to save money that actuates most of
them-American travellers almost UNIVERSAL
ly recognize the equity of the 800 limit OF
the steamship New York one of these tx
claimed in the smoking room:
This Dingley limit is an outrage upon
American citizenship
You believe in the protective tariff for
promoting home industries and their pros
perity. do you not?" asked another passen-
ger
And you want that tariff equitabIe?"
Certainly"
'sThen why should YOU and l. who are
able to go abroad. be allowed TO bring our
clothing, gloves and all such things in free
of duty while the farmer and mechanic
who is not able to visit Europe is compelled
to pay duty on every imported article he
buys for himself and his family2 He earns
his moeey and spends ii at home. We earn
ours at home and spend II abroad. Why
should We have advantages which he does
not enjoy?"