New-York tribune., 1913-05-18
French Merchants KeenIy In
tereSted in Effect of Tariff
on Paris SpeCiaItieS.
LOOK F0RCHEAP INVITATIONS
They Believe, However, Styles
and Taste of France Cannot
Be Successfully Planted
in Strange Soil
lBy Gable to The Tribune

! interest In French mercantile quarters.
The effect Of these changes has elected
various comments here. so far as they
may touch French trade. for the details
are likely to have considerable infu-
ence on many French industries
Those Industries special 10 Paris are
sure to feel the consequences Of the
new schedules applicable to them. The
! numberless trade interests in the form
OF small manufactures will feel the
weight OF heavier duties on the "bibe-
/ lots and artistic inventions Of the
Paris workshops. This special trade
may he summed up in the name Of
articles de Paris" The creators Of
! the feminine fashions OF the world at
large are awake TO the dangers that
/ threaten their virtual world monopoly.
/ Some, Indeed. think that If customs
dues should become too onerous they
may be driven TO establish local houses
| in the United States. The work then
would be executed on the spot. but the
conceptions would stfI come from
| Paris.
American women of wealth buy their
/ finery I'm this capital. and the French
/ industrial community does not wish 10
see its clientele go elsewhere. They
say that Paris creates and can alvavs
command It's prices with the rich few.
| but there is likewise the larger field
which could readily he conquered by
| traders without scruple and by other
! competitors selling goods at lower
prices, but copied from French models.
on the Paris Bourse diamonds fell
/ several points lately in consequence
! Of an expected further customs duty
| OF 10 per cent-a matter which mostly
/ affects holders Of South African dia-
! mond securities. because those who buy
/ precious stones can easily afford TO
: pay a higher duty.
! France exports few raw materials TO
/ the United states. except high class
wines. silks, leather and olive oil
/ Many have said: THE Americans are
/ our best customers in articles forming
! the staples Of elegance and novel Paris
speCialtes apart from nece3saries." q"
| MANY business men say that the new
tariff will chiefly affect American Gus
/ toners who can afford TO pay for high
/ class goods. ana those who I'm the fut-
ure seek Injuries will know that they
will have 10 pay more for them. II
.
| the customer will pay the difference
! But thousands women and working
girls depend o their nimble fingers for
their living in the immense bee hives
where the Paris fashions are made. and
/ If the work should be carried across the
Atlantic TO avoid prohibitive duties
many workers OF both sexes would feel
the loss Of employment
Supreme in Style and Taste.
IT is believed In some quarters where
: the art sentiment is dominant that
( French styles and taste which have re-
/ ouired the inherited traditions Of
! twenty centuries OF artistic culture to
produce could not be advantageously
| transplanted TO strange soil and thrive.
| IL is. indeed. doubtful II such trans
plantation could be profitable In the
near future to the customer America
might become the mart Of cheap and
shoddv limitations Of French inventive
genius and deft workmanship II rela-
lively low priced wares were more
favored by the new bill. American
speak on this point with authority. In
all those industries requiring natural
GOOD taste and an artistic temperament
the French remain supreme, and all
cheap copies OF French originals. It is
declared. can only be a loss 10 the GUS
toner. II not to the custom house
The President of the Paris Cham
her of Commerce has already called the
attention OF the French Minister of
/ Commerce TO these questions and
meanwhile the customs committee Of
tho Paris Chamber Is studying the
matter from the several points of view
OF the various industries. with the OBJ
feet OF filing protest.
The President remarked to cor
respondent that the removal Of duties
from several articles de luxe not
manufactured in America was an ex-
ceIlent measure, and that 1t was fully
rocopnjzed In France that Americans
ro,,st protect themselves against for
eipn importations. but he trusted the
new law would show such revision OF
the tariff as might be advantageous
~ the customer as we'll as the importer.
Urge Better Protection.
one Of the points on which manu-
| ~ nunonin M.