New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-20
PARIS BOYCOTTS
BUYER OF GOWNS
FOR MRS. GAIT
KurzmanD One of Two
German-Americans Put
on Blacklist.
VICTIM WILL ASK
DIPLOMATIC HELP
Dressmakers Say They Would
Be Glad TO Present TrOusseau
to Presidents Fiancee.

Paris, Nov. 19.-One of two American
customers Of German origin blacklissed
by the Paris dressmakers' syndicate IS
Charles Kurzmann, reputed TO have
been commissioned to buy gowns for
Mrs. Norman Gait, who is TO be the
bride of President Wilson, according TO
Gustave Tery's newspaper, "BGuvrs."
The newspaper AYERS that Kurzmann
has threatened TO raise a diplomatic
question because Of the modiste's re-
fusal to accept orders from him.
"L'Guvre" declares, however, that each
house from which he ordered gowns has
offered to supply them, with it's compli-
ments. to Mrs. Gait without having
them pass through the hands of an In
termediary.
Determined to Bar Germans.
Paul Poiret's confidential secretary
confirmed the statement that Kurzmann
had threatened to invoke diplomatic aid.
"You may declare that no member OF
our syndicate will deliver gowns TO
Kurzmann, or through Kurzmann, or
any other German house" said the Sec
rotary. At the same time each or every
member OF the syndicate would be proud
TO be honored with commission 10
make a gown for President Wilson's
fancee, and would be most happy II
permitted TO present il with its compii-
ments."
Rue de la Paix and other leading
houses refuse TO state whether or not
they have had orders for gowns for the
Presidents fiancee. Some OF them say,
however, that they have had orders
from Kurzmsnn, which they are unable
20 ill in consequence OF the decision OF
the syndicate.
All express regret that such an incl
dent has arisen. and state that tney
hope il will cause no annoyance 10 fres-
dent Wilson. They are endeavoring 10
dispose Of the matter without too much
publicity, but declare that they cannot
overturn the decision of their repre-
sentative body.
Mrs. Gait Must Get New Agent.
The Dressmakers' Association met
to-day at a session presided over by
NJ. Poiret. its president, and took OF
fetal action regarding the dresses or,
dered for Mrs. Gait. II was directed
that no member Of the association
should deliver the dresses TO GER
tain house in America, whose proprie-
tor was a German, naturalized In the
United States.
II appears that only this man and one
other proprietor of German origin mas
been blacklisted by the association
Some time ago it was found that
large number Of dress importers IN
New York and elsewhere were OF Ger
man origin. The association, II was
explained, decided as a matter OF prin"
ciple TO refuse TO sell TO only two
houses. The names Of these houses
were drawn by lot, it was said, and
one OF them was that OF the person
ordering gowns for Mrs. Gait
A Paris dispatch early this month
said that Charles Kurzmann. OF Nav
York. was there to select gowns for
the wedding of President Wilson and
Mrs. Gait. He was quoted as saying
that. while il would be indiscreet 70
talk about clothes ordered by the
Wilson family before obtaining per
mission from the White House. he
felt that Washington can look for
ward to q brilliant social season after
the wedding"