Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1900-12-27
LEVY ON AMERICAN
EXHIBIT AT PARIS
Goods Belonging to the United
States Held on Account Of
Claims.
REPRESENTATIVES ARE ARRESTED
Ambassadors From the United States Makes
Vigorous Protcst-lsad Tansle
Sequel to the EXPOSE
tion.

IariS, Dec. 2I.-Thirty cars, forming
part of the United States government
exhibit at the recent Paris exposition,
We're suddenly laid under embargo yes
terday at HaNre, the railroad company
declining to surrender them, pending
payment of a claim of 5,710 francs. This
extraordinary action, seriously delay
ing the departure of the United States
auxiliary cruiser Prairie from HaNre
for New York With the government ex-
hibits, was made the subject of a form
al protest to the French government
by United States Ambassador Porter.
The company bases its claim on de-.
murrage on freight in the cars when
the goods We're brought to the eXposi
ton for installations. Some time ago
the claim was suntted and tlajor
Bracket, secretary OF the American
committee, Investigated it and con-
oluded that it had no foundation, as
some of the cars charged against the
American government never contained
official exhibits, while the others We're
cars utilized by private exhibitors, and
not therefore, charseahlc to the United
States Major Bracket thereupon en-
deavored to secure a settlement. but
without avail. The matter dragged
along through the summer, the sccrc-
tary of the American commission re-
peatedly expressing his willingness to
settle any Just claim against the Unit
ed States. The company left the case
in an unsatisfactory condition, and
finally embargoed the cans.
To sue for Damages.
When Major Bracket was informed
by the United States agent at Havre
he wired him Instructions to pay to the
company 500 francs in the presence of
the legal authorities, and at the same
time to enter claim against the COM
pany for 10000 francs as damages for
obstruction and delay.
Last summer the company submit
ted a bill of $3.50 francs for freight
charges against the commissions, he
said today, and pressed for payment.
Pending an explanation OF certain
items. l paid $4,000 francs ON account,
at the same time asking for details.
When these We're furnished 1 discov-
cred that the commission had been
charged 4,1S3 francs which should have
been charged to the Compagnie Gem
erale Trans-At,antique while Alto
francs should have been charged to pri
waite exhibitors. The company is there
fore Obliged to make a rebate"
Today being a holiday there will be
no loading of the Prairie The cars
will he released by the payment of the
SEQ francs Should "Wednesday not
bring satisfactory solution. Major
Bracket will probably pay the rest of
the claim under protest in order not
Prairie. AT the same time he will en-
ter an additional claim for damages.
Some trouble also arose With Philip
Lazes, the contractor who built the
national pavilion. He wrote the
American commission December 1e.
saying that the last letter from Com
missioner General Peck was not salts
factory, and asking When the building
would be turned over to him for demo-
lition. Two days later he nottlea the
commission that he intended to take
possession and begin destruction inn
mediateiy. He in turn Was informed
that the building would be placed UNI
der his control December 20, and at q
formal meeting lie was notified that
the commission would receive certain
furnishings not supplied by him, a
proposition to which his representa-
tive did not object.
Custodian and Helpers Arrested.
Saturday night while the American
custodian of the building, assisted by
two workmen, was removing material
belonging to the United States, a force
of police arrived and arrested all three
on the ground that they We're taking
goods which did not belong to them,
1t is said that NJ Lazies brought about
the arrests
Major Bracket secured their release
yesterday. M. Lazies served him with
Il legal notice that he would not ac-
cept the pavilion IN it's present shape
and would demand damages for delay.
The French,nan will now be held to
the strict terms of the contract. which
included demolition. and Il counter
claim will he entered of forfeit of 2eO
francs daily from March Is, the date
when the contract called for compile
ton, and June %. together with Il
claim OF 1000 francs for defective CON
struction. as the roof leaked and GER
tam furnishings We're ruined More
than this, there will be q special claim
OF 1000 francs il IL can be proved that
NJ. Lazies brought about the arrests.
making total of 26.SOO francs. An
other bone of contention may be the
settlement of the restaurant conces-
sion i'm the American pavilion, which
has not Eeen paid for.