New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-07
AN AMERICAN WORTH.
MERCHANTS WONDERING WHICH STORE
WILL BE THE PREFERRED ONE.
WOMEN RErJ RNING FROM PARIS DECLARE THAT
THEY ARE NOW READY TO Buy THEIR

WOMEN RErJ RNING FROM PARIS DECLARE THAT
THEY ARE NOW READY TO Buy THEIR
DRESSES AT HOME.
For the first time In the history Of the Amer
lean continent. 1t looks II there were chance
for on American Worth to make his appearance"
declared a United States official as he stood watch
Ing the examination Of baggage on the landing OF
the steamship Augusta Victoria. Europe being
the favorte vacation ground of wealthy Americans
and Paris the headquarters of fashion, with prices
much lower than those at home, how was it to
be expected that my lady would buy her gowns
anywhere but in Paris. when she could bring them
back without paying d cent of duty on them
Few women own that they have patriotism enough
to disregard such opportunities as this. and so
my lady improved her time during her jaunts
abroad by shopping for herself and her family and
few Of her relatives. and came back with
dozens Of trunks and enough purple and fine linen
to make large number of people Independent OF
home industry for year at least.
But 1t Is all changed and one woman cam
not bring back with her from Europe more than
800 worth Of wearing apparel and articles OF
personal adornment, unless she wants to pay bo
per cent duty on them. Articles that did not come
under this head were always dutiabe. though
intended for personal use.
THE result is that the Paris storekeepers are in
a panic. the American ores rejoicing. the Amer
lean customs officers greatly pleased to have their
work essened and my lady herself not at all dis
pleased"
The newspapers have educated them up to seeing
the wisdom Of the law" remarked Daniel T.. Dow
ling, Deputy Surveyor OF the Port, when asked
how the women seemed to like the arrangement
1--WE have much less trouble with the new law
than with the old People won't take the
trouble to shop for their friends, and those
that buy anything for themselves send 1t home by
express so as to avoid the trouble of having II
examined on the dock. II the women bring any
thing In their trunks, they are generally ready 10
declare &C. All this vast amount "
trouble and labor. and we would bless the new III"
for that, II for no other reason. ,.....
Women who used to bring fourteen or Htteen
trunks are nos satisfied with two or three, ana
those who used to have forty or nifty have nan d
dozen" 80 -
Tribune reporter noticed few women with more
than couple Of trunks and two or tnree pirces ot
about half dozen trunks To "A parry, DeSin'S
yaliscs hathoAes. etc There was consld-Tap ie con-
versaion on the dock about the new order OK Things
ana made any objection TO H.
II have come back utterly destitute. remarked
young woman rs she sat on trunk surround.
20 come and sci her free "Wnen I went over
never thought Of ANYTHING but Of replenlsnins my
wardrobe IN Paris hut what's the use OF doing that
can get lust as good dresses at home, think. ior
unless you pay enormous prices in Paris YOU never
know how thing ~ going 10 turn our. 30 nave
come back with only one new gown ,..
Some sensational reports about spies helng Sent
to tho docks by the Merchants ana Manuiacturers
Board Of Trade 10 soc that the customs ofhcers 90
their duty. and Of consequent over-yiSiance on me
par; OF the latter. have found their way into the
II " DerS, could he fOund IN the Gus
IONS Iiepartnen, who had anything Of the
spies and none OF the passengers OF the Augusta
Victoria appeared 10 be In the least dissatisfied with
their treatment.
After one has been in the hands OF few Euro
poan customs officers one woman said. II Is noth,
ing but a pleasure to have ones baggage examined
by an American official"
several merchants were seen and asked what they