New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-20

Dissatisfaction 5cith Trade Regula-
tioRS-COmmune Anniversary.

Especial to The Ne~-TOrk Tr.buHs By French cabie1
,Coryright. IsOsi BY The Tribune AssocatIonD
Paris. March "a.
The United States consular regulations en-
forced In France since February u with
the view Of preventing fraudulent undervalua-
tons Of products exported 10 the United
States have caused widespread commotion
and discomfort in the business community
The Chambers OF Commerce OF Paris. Lyons
MarseiIles. Havre and Bordeaux have formu-
lated their alleged grievances and submitted
them to the Ministry OF Foreign Affairs. IN
many instances retaliatory measures are
urgently demanded The Paris Chamber OF
Commerce IS IN communication with the Cham
bers Of Commerce OF London. Liverpool, Man
chester. Berlin. Frankfort, Geneva, Rome and
Vienna, with a view to common action to secure
by common diplomatic pressure a modification Of
what they claim 20 be vexatious requirements
mutually disastrous to trade between Europe
and the United States. The American Chamber
OF Commerce Of Paris, Is taking an active part
IN opposing the new regulations, and at a gem
eral meeting Of its members has petitoned the
State Department az Washington to suspend
the enforcement Of regulations which It says
seriously injure FrancO-American commerce,
and which 4 denounces as inp.acticable and
disorganizing to business. At the meeting yes
terday the American Chamber OF Commerce de-
cided TO send Its president. Henry Cachard. 70
Washington at the end Of March. provided with
documentary evidence OF the disadvantage and
irnpractica brity Of the new regulations fur
n!shed by all leading American and French firms
affected by them.
The particular clause OF the consular
order that ELECTS al this dissatisfaction and
protest is the requirement Of verified copies OF
original bills Of sale from the manufacturer or
~ no
cal working Of this Is unanimously regarded
here as vezatious and inquisitorial. and means
increasing fraudulent undervaluations instead
OF preventing them. n Lucien Derode, pTesi-
dent Of the French Chamber OF Commerce. Of
Paris. considers the new consular requirements
the source 81 irreparable injury to French trade
with America and mutually destructive TO the
interests OF both countries. In conversation
to-day N Derode said: The motive Of the
measures now enforced by the United States
consulates 10 prevent fraudulent undervalua-
tons is most laUdable. but. with the best In
tention IN the world the part OF the exporters
In many branches OF trade. it is absolutely i'm
possible 10 comply with them. owing to the
complex composition Of the products exported
from France TO the United States. and from the
nature OF the goods the application OF regula-
tons Is more veKatious In France than else
where. Moreover. the practical working has a
contrary effect from what was intended. for as
they now stand the regulations offer premium
on dishonesty. The impression In the business
community here is most deplorable. especially
at the moment Of the St. Louis exhibition.
Strong hopes. however, prevail that these regu-
lations VIII be modified their practi-
cal working. which completely discrepancies
Franco-AmerIcan trade. is duly appreciated"
The American jewelry houses doing the largest
business here declare that under the present
conditions Il is impossible 10 continue their ex-
portations 20 the United States owing. among
other reasons. TO the impossibility OF fulfilling
the requirements TO produce the original bills
OF sale. The jewellers say that pearls. diamonds
and other precious stones bought In large
lots, afterward assorted. matched one with an
ether. inferior stones weeded out, exchanged or
scld; then there often contracts extending
over number Of years. Take clock for eA-
ample: the works are made at one place the
bronze carving at another place, the haiO4e a.
another place. the artists designs also come IN |
making It lrnpracticable honestly to comply Win
the vexatious requirements, which moreover |
compel the disclosure 10 outsiders OF the secrets
Of the trade. The perfumers are in despair pc
cause they say. dozens Of items are comprlseu
in a single bottle OF scent: the glass comes from
one place the kid leather over the stopper from I
ano,rer. the six ribbon from another. the .
oolored label from another. the alcohol essence .
Of flowers. etc. from still others
IN the course OF interviews with leading houses /
In every branch of trade the only example
where there was no violent protestaton against
the new regulations was among the Dress
makers. This IS because ~ meeting OF me \
prominent firms IN tire Rue 1e ia Polk, convoked 4
.-ra.ts-,,. for tra rur5ose q; IVES decided thst (
drcssrnakers sho.ld consider themselves as origi-
nsl manufacturers, and a such were justified In
making their own valuations Not solitary