The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-07-24

New York. July 23-Paul Morton, presi-
dent Of the Equitable Life Insurance
Company, returned from d trip to Europe
to-day on the Lusitania. Mr.. Morton said
that 4. n Hartman is not training as
strenuously and divorcing himself from
everyday work as has been reported from
Bad Gastein.
Mr.. Hartman is doing quite lot OF
work by cable" said Mr.. Morton, and
is BY no means out OF touch with busi-
ness affairs in America. lie is a wonder
ful man. His energy VIII not allow him
TO rest as his physicians have advised
MIN.
4 spent whole day with him at Sem
mering. I thought he looked very we'll
He told me he was so constituted that
he could not quit work even If he tried.
Generally speaking. business conditions
IN European countries are improving"
said Mr.. Morton.
Spain Is Heavily Taxed.
In Spain particularly Is this the case.
There they seem 10 have almost entirely
recovered from the effects Of the war
with this country, and. although taxa
ton is very heavy. almost every com
modify In Spain being taxed. il is the
natural condition there and the people are
apparently satisfied.
In France l found a far different con-
dition OF affairs. While commercial and
financial conditions seem TO be all right.
there is a great deal OF unrest, grumbling.
and dissatisfaction among the people on
account OF the increased taxation. Re
Sarding the recent attempt 10 have United
States Steel common listed on the Paris
bourse. 1 have this 10 say:
Some very strange suggestions were
made 10 me during my visit to Paris. A
number Of prominent French bankers sug-
gested that # might be an easy matter
10 get American securities listed Tor trad
ing on the French exchanges If America
would make some tariff concessions for
French imports.
Makes Surprising Oher.
These suggestions surprised me a lit
tie; but the genuine surprise came when
a gentleman high in governmental official
rank came 10 me with a tentative propo-
sition 10 the effect that If the United
States government would make some
preferential tariff arrangements for
French imports. ne could suggest a plan
whereby the listing Of American securi-
ties on the Paris bourse would be almost
assured.
MY reply 10 this proposition was in
the first place diplomatic. bat afterward
threw diplomacy and pOHteness TO the
winds and used some language which I
viii not now repeat I told him that I
could not speak for the United States
government. but that I was very sure
that no such arrangement could be made.
nor any such proposition entertained FOR
one moment by our government
For myself I said, so far as I am con-
CeTned I would let the French people
severely alone. may have used some
stronger language 7 told him that the
great majority Of the 100000 Americans
cared very little whether American Sc
curities were listed IN Paris or not: that
our farmers and the people generally are
becoming so prosperous that very soon
we VIII not require to 80 abroad with
any securities for sale
Personally, 7 think II IS time 10 teach
France a lesson. Americans are very
broad, long suffering. and liberal; but
unless France awakens 20 the realization
Of the fact that we are among her best
customers something ike q boycott on
French goods ought 70 be instituted.
Would Grant No Favorr.
1T is monstrous TO think for one mo-
ment that the United States government
could be Induced 70 enter into any inter
national arrangement affecting the duties
on imports In favor OF one country. and
to the disadvantage Of all others for ac-
cording favors TO a private corporation
or for any consideration They may be
able to do those things IN other coun-
tries, but they cannot be done in this
republic
while In London I expressed myself as
being in favor of starting an American
movement 20 boycott for French goods
II IS high time 10 restrict the purchase by
Americans Of French goods. anyhow. Citi-
zens Of this country comprise three
fourths OF the guests al French hotels in
the summer months. and was informed
that but for the custom and trade OF
Americans many Of the Paris shops would
have 20 close up. II would be a good
idea, too, II a movement We're started .
induce our citizens to travel az home 20
SEQ and learn something more Of their
own country before visiting France and
other European countries In that way
a great deal OF American money which
is squandered IN Europe might be clrcu-
lated ct home.
This might be accomplished II It were
nee ssary for Americans TO obtain pass
ports before visiting France II such tao
tics were adopted by this country and
aided by the travelling public and the pur-
chasers OF French costumes and milli-
merry I don't think It would take long to
bring France to a proper way OF thinking
- a. Nu-rH Na.H