New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-02

ECoRDS lust complied by the gov
eminent show that Americas de-
IN nand for the luxuries of life has
not diminished. The cost of necessities go
ing I'D has not hurt the importatons OF
champagne or Glass l manufactured cIoth-
ing. Articles listed as 'luxuries" imported
into this country during the fiscal year
ending next month will exceed in value
500 900 900. and in many of the import d.
visions records will be established. Lux
Uries or articles of voluntary use Include
diamonds, works Of art, laces and en-
hroideries. wine. tobacco ostrich feathers
TOYS. perfumeries and cosmetics and Jew
ery.
Works of art. according TO a statement
irst issued by the Bureau or STATISTICS OF
the Commerce and Labor Department VIII
show for the nine months ended with
March a total exceeding by so per cent the
highest records of any previous year, and
will approximate $4,000 600 in value Tor the
fun wear. compared with $22.500OO0 in 1911.
Cbampagne. for nine months shows i'm
,.ortations valued at &.l3. 7l2. instead Of
s257s.679 for the same period last year, or
an increase Of more than So per cent.
II NAV be argued by some that cham
racne is a necessity. but It is not so CLASH
fed bv the customs authorities. Neither is
brandy. of which during the nine months
mentioned 3aIa per cent more has been I'M
norted than for the same period in 1911.
D;amonds and other precious stones show
O total Of S30.JO0OO0 for the ninth months
indicating total of about s41 100000 for the
YEAR. thus exceeding any earlier years eX-
oept 1910 and 1907.
Many persons view the aeroplane as
luYury. There were s52.O42 worth of for
e,en flying machines brought in by wealthy
Americans. as against no importations a
year ago.
Pushes velvets and velveteens have in
,reased 20 per cent: furs and fur skins. I'M
dressed. 70 per cent: automobiles, 30 per
rant. tobacco leaf suitable for cigar wrap
ners from Cuba, 1H per cent. and, If you
are inclined to the opinion that molasses.
although a tasty product. can be elimi-
mated without serious inconvenience 10 a
reople. then II should be stated in passing
that our importations In that commodity
have increased 26 per cent
SECRETS OF THE INCREASE.
And 60 il goes. The question may be
ra,sed whether the people are accustoming
themselves to champagne and automobiles
With fur coats for their chauffeurs and
nearls for the women who ride behind u
such an extent that they blame the slaugh-
Ter house owners for the price Of steak and
fail TO critcise their own tendency toward
n higher plane of living.
Or Is IL that when the owner OF slaugn
fer house imports Rembrandt he feels
that he must accelerate the price of chuck
steak?
However the philosophers and statistician'
may deal with these matters, increased Inn
nortations mean more work for the APP
praiser of Merchandise Of the Port of New
York. It is, therefore, good time TO take
a squint at the kind Of work that Is being
done by Francis w. Bird. the Appraiser
whose first year in Office has just beer
rounded out.
Mr. Bird is a lawyer. and although he IL
only thirty-one years old his career since
the day he left Harvard has been active In
important undertakings.
There is something about him as III
rises to greet you in his Office in Washing
ton street that makes you know there
would be a sweet hum of industry in any
plant, legal or lay. charged with his per
sonallty There is something in his make
I'D that prohibits the prosaic. He is az
active young man, with well defined ideai
about the way things should be done. AnC
In whatever he is concerned he sees TO i
that things are done In his way.
Mr. Bird had been Appraiser only shor
time when things began TO happen. He wa
criticised outside and inside the department