The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-02
MEN WHO OBSERVE FASHIONS.
Representatives of Syndicate Trading
Company Here.

Three representatives of the Syndicate
Trading Company are in the city, at the
New York store. One is Charles dHar-
menon of Paris, one is Mr. c.. ID. Foster of
London, and the third Mr.. c. ]. Dietrich of
Germany. The three men have been visit
ing the houses, with which they are con-
nected, in Providence, Rochester, Buffalo,
Worcester and Indianapolis. Mr.. dHar-
menon imports novelties, dress goods,
gloves, perfumes and hosiery. In regard to
the new tariff he said that the French i'm
portations wotild not be greatly affected by
it. Novelties, which are always in fashion,
are the things to have and people will buy
them. Some lines of goods will be dropped
entirely from the importers list. Fine
goods are not so much, hurt by this as the
lesser qualities. 1T is the endeavor of the
French manufacturers to make articles that
will meet the tariff. Business in the East
ern cities, which have been visited, is good.
1t has been found that merchants are TAX
ing money from their pockets and spending
it. Solid colors and fine materials are being
bought. In regard to the outlook for
fashion Mr. dHarmenon said: I'VE are
coming to a great lace season. The laces
will be for dresses and trimmings. These
materials from the French looms are more
famous than from any other, and whatever
the French say III regard to fashion usually
follows in this country. Mr.. Foster noted
a marked improvement in the general state
of trade in this country. 1t seems more
settled In regard to the tariff as it affects
goods from England 1T is difficult to de-
termine results On cotton handkerchiefs,
for instance and wooden goods where weight
has to be considered, there will be a differ
ence. Linens hove to be imported and
there is not enough difference between past
and present duty to stop the Importation.
Fancy goods and laceS show no difference.
Even an expert cannot tell per cent.
difference in price With the present law
it will require the service of three or four
expert bOokkeeperS to compute the duties
which must be paid. To further elucidate
Mr. Foster took out book of duties on inn
ports, and cited the example OF simple cot
ton handkerchief, which nave TO be con-
sidered under the head OF cotton cloth, and
then under hundred and one different
heads of cotton handkerchiefS, the special
kind has to be found, the explanation go
ing SO far as to the counting OF certain
number of threads to the square inch. 1t
is a complicated regulation intended TO stop
differentiation. I'VE cannot tell how the
new tariff will work" said Mr.. Foster,
until several shipments have come in. We
find the orders are more numerous, In spite
of the tariff.
Mr.. Dietrich, in the lines of woolens and
plain dress goods, finds that the tariff has
featured here The market, he finds, is adj
vancing and more orders are being placed.
There are also some orders in cheaper goods,
which it had been thought would be out
altogether. Mr.. Dietrich is of the opinion
that If is the style that makes the price.
Each Of the men was aSSuredly or the
opinion that there is a general Improvement
in trade in this country Ihe men nave
lines and can note the difference between
this and other years.