The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-05
LONDON TAILORS SAY
THEY GET OUR TRADE
Reduction in American Tariff
Helps Their Business.
They Assert.
'OUTFITTERS NOW DENY IT
Declare They Themselves Are
Busy and Only Travellers
Buy Abroad.
lOUTFITTERs NOW DENY IT
Special Cable Despatch 10 Tar srN

Special Cable Despatch TO Tar srS
LONDON, July 4.-London talors And
gentlemens outHtters have no complaint
TO make OF the present condition OF ther
business. They say that while the home
trade has fallen off considerably this sea
son American business has increased to a.
extent which will far more than compen-
safe them for the drop In the home trade.
This increase In the American business
of these caterers to the fashions OF men
has been caused, they say, by the reduc-
ton In the American tariff on goods made
BY them.
New York tallors were inclined yester-
day % believe that the London men are
"spoohng" bit. 1t was the consensus or
a number OF the big New York houses that
the American customers who are swelling
the English trade are nearly all travellers
who chance to need a suit OF clothes or
two while abroad. All agreed that there 10
no falling of in custom tailoring in this
country, and that the tariff reductions
have had almost no effect on the business
except to lower slightly the cost Of cloth
ing made OF imported goods.
Richard Bennett or lS9 Broadway said
to a SUN reporter
Undoubtedly the tariff has something
to do with helping the London tailors. but
It's reductions have certainly made 40
great difference in the trade. The Lon
don trade is not increasing. II has not
progressed in America In the last twenty
Ave years. know this to be true because
am in very close touch with several Lon
don houses. l know. for instance three
London agents who went through the
United States last winter to get business,
and all three obtained less than in pre-
vious seasons. One OF them went back To-
England four weeks ahead OF time simply
because he could rot get enough orders to
make 1t worth while to keep him over here
and pay travelling expenses.
Tailoring OF the highest quality is ex-
pensive, whether you seek II here, in Lon
don or anywhere else. / have made
close study of this sort OF thing. Now
Americans here or abroad are distinguished
as the best dressed persons In the world.
The Londoner or Partisan can tell an
American at n glance by his clothes. And
the London tailor Is unable to come over
here and get any big share OF the business
because he cannot compete with American
methods. workmanship. style or better
prices in America.
Casual Trade In London.
ut is only when the London tailor gets
the American over there In London that
he Is able to make any money out OF him.
The Londoner relies greatly upon the sea-
sonal business he gets from Americans
abroad for the summer. Ii Is this casual
business that is this year making up for
his home losses. the cable despatch to THE
SUN relates. AS for Americans in any
considerable number sending abroad to
| have their clothes made, the condition
doesn't exist"
AT James w Bell Son & Company, AT
Fifth avenue. practically the same view
was expressed.
THE tarifrs effect Is inconsiderable be-
cause II merely lowers the cost of woollen
| goods entering into tailor made clothing
! IL was explained. THE practical result IS
! that some suits OF clothes Of imported
goods costing $50 and upward are now "
| or SO less than they were a year ago
The other important factors In the cost
OF clothing are not affected Labor cost
Is not lowered By the new tarin, nor 10
the expense of silk Innings and other nm
ishngs. And rents are no less
"Our custom business Is constantly IN.
| creasing and we are lo-.ng no customers
| to London. OF course men abroad TOT
the summer who want suits OF clothes Tor
| their wardrobes while travelling have
! them made over there and many men lay
| in a stock OF clothes berore coming home
| But as for having all their clothes made
| over there they do not 10 ~ Inc cuS'
| Of first class clothing Is proportionately
| as much In London as 1t Is here. Careful
| study made by us would indicate that II
lis even slightly higher over there.
American Clothing Ii Best.
american made clothing is better than
can be obtained in London too. IT you
| take the best quality of imported goods
and have them made up In America, with
the style, cut and finish that can be OBJ
| tained in New York and only In New
York you will have clothes that beat
| London's best-and Americans know II.
| They may buy London clothes TO wear
| over there, but you won't find them wear
| ing them extensively AT home.
| There is absolutely no large buying
| by Americans of English clothes to save
| on cost The saving would be trivial and
1T the expense OF style and convenience.
American buying of English clothes Is de-
creasing and has been for some time
| Careful records show H."
| Rastable x Co. OF 1913 Fifth avenue, a
house which handles only imported goods.
| affirmed the statement that the tarifr re-
duction, amounting as II does to only
a few dollars on a suit OF clothes. n
| too little to change trade conditions, I'VE
have more custom trade than ever" was
this houses concise comment on the Lon
don despatch.
! The j. A. Abbot Company OF 262 Fifth
avenue, Charles A. Anderson OF 259 Firm
avenue and other Fifth avenue and
, Broadway tailors said that the London
tailors are getting only the trade OF Wis