New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-05
Animosity May Cost APP
preparation for Panama
Exposition.
MERCHANTS OBJECT
TO OPENING BOOKS
Say Information Is Often Given
to French and American
Competitors.
fRy Gable 10 The Tribune ]

Paris, July 4.--The bitter animosity
of the Paris Chamber Of Commerce
and tradesmen against custom house
methods in the United States IS EAR
from subsding. VI. Thomson, Minister
of Commerce. who is guest tonight
at the Fourth Of July banquet OF the
American Chamber Of Commerce, IS
doing his best to carry out the wishes
Of the Vivian Cabinet TO insure the
French governments participation in
the San Francisco exhibition The Min
lister of Commences bill. asking for a
100000 appropriation. is already be-
fore the Chamber Of Deputies, with
the strong support Of the Cabinet, in
spite of the violent opposition of the
Paris Chamber and the business com
munity.
NJ. Tilman, appointed by the Bar
thou ministry commissioner general o.
the French exhibit at San Francisco.
is making every effort possible to calm
the agitation, but the opposition is now
so powerful, since the revelations
made during the legal proceedings in
which the Messrs Munroe demanded
the withdrawal OF the injunction
forbidding the disclosure OF Miss
Dolan's bank account, that it has be-
come doubtful whether the Chamber
will vote the San Francisco appropria-
ton demanded by the Minister OF
Commerce.
The feeling is all the stronger be-
cause Paris business men are organic
ing a campaign against the fiscal IN
quisition" or the part of their own
government, in view Of the French in
cone tax. On the other hand, l.. u.
Rowland. confidential agent here Of
the United States Treasury, continues
categorical denials that refusals 10
his demands 70 examine the books OF
the French tradesmen were followed
I'D. as far rs he was concerned, by
rcprisals OF the customs authorities in
holding up goods exported TO tho
United States BY French firms that de-
clined 10 show their books TO him.
4 thorough investigation of the mat
ter seems certain, as many undervalua-
20 be established that firms who re-
fuse 20 show their books 20 American
Treasury agents here have met diff
culties in clearing goods through the
custom houses at New York and Boston.
What practically happens in many in
stances is this: Some enterprising
American woman will 90 to a Paris
dressmaker. for instance. ami say:
"What's the price Of this gown? - The
dressmaker says: Two hundred dol
lars" The American woman will reply:
well. that's more than can afford to
pay. because the duties OF entry into
the United States bring the price over
$500" Then the Paris dressmaker will
remark: "Why not invoice the gown
at lower fgure?' The American
woman sometimes agrees, and thus
marked down invoice is sworn TO IN
New York or some other port of entry
But what gets on the nerves Of the
French merchants and what srouscs
their indignation against the alleged
United States customs spies" in Paris
Is the method, attributed to the custom
house agents, of compelling French
firms to open their books, thus OBJ
tanning. it is claimed. Illicit informa-
ton as 20 their business which they
assert is often communicated 10 their
French or American competitors.
It is the principle OF the inviolability
OF their books from inspection that the
French business community asserts,
and asks whether under similar condi-
tions firms IN the United States would
open their books or accounts TO French
or other foreign treasury agents in
New York, Chicago, Boston or other
cities in the United States.