The Washington herald., 1916-08-17
SEEN AND HEARD
BY GEORGE MINER

New York, Aug. I6.-An agent OF steam
ship line running to Central American ports
and around the gulf told me yesterday that he
had just bought the diamonds of the wife OF
former wcll-known and wealthy Mexican official
whom the revolution had forced out of the
country. They were beautiful collection of
jewels, he said, and he got them for a song al
most.
When this former official left Mexico he
supposed to have taken a great deal OF money
with him. He certainly spent it as though there
was no limit to his bank roll but. unfortunately
Tor him, he did figure on the revolution
being a success and he expected to be back
where money flowed to him freely long before
tins lie mlscucd, and now he is selling his
wifc's jewels.
1t IS not alone from Mexico that diamonds
and other jewels arc pouring into this country.
A flood OF them from Europe is deluging the
country. This is the diamond age for the United
States. The official reports show that importa-
tons OF precious stones and works OF art during
the last SIX months have very largely increased
over the previous years records. Diamonds
coming IN at. the rate OF 100000 a month,
which IS three times their former figure
At valuation of $Ioo per carat this would
be sufficient to supply 10000 persons per month
with a good-siZcd sparkIcr or 100000 persons
per year, with large additional reserve corps
wearing chips and glass ones
Following the stream OF European gold flow
ing across the Atlantic, come these caskcts OF
jewels and works OF art. Ncwy-madc million
aires arc busy scrambling for them. Other folks
would be if they had the money. That we are
rushing into an age OF luxury nobody can ques-
ton. Preachers and moraliss have always de
nounccd luxury, but it is as popular as ever.
England has been made to pay we'll for mu-
ntlons from Schwab, du Pont and other Amcri-
can manufacturers, but her family jewels and old
masters sent to New York fetching fancy
prices to help countcrbalancc the cost OF war
There arc compcn>ations in all things.
In the pawnshops in Mexico City there are
wonderful bargains in jewels to be picked up
by any one with gold in his pockets. OF course
this condition will not last long, for as soon as
the country is thoroughly settled those jewels
will be swoopcd down upon by Mcxicans them
selves. They won't wait for any foreigners to
come in. And those Mcxcans have very
pretty taste in jewels
The other nirht, had the pleasure of sup
ping with Mr.. Reginald De Kovcn in Brownies
clubhouse. He told why he was going to
revive 1.-THE Hghwaymdn" The real reason is
because he thinks it is the best opera he ever
wrote. Naturally, Mr.. De kOvcn's famous song
10 Promise Me-" was mentioned Like every
one else, had supposed that the composer had
made fortune out OF it, and to satisfy nv
curiosity asked him bunty how much he had
got for it.
Not much as you think" he replied
Il know there hundreds OF thousands
OF copies printed l said, 50 you must have
got something like $4,000"
81 got just $40" answered Mr. De Koven,
with smile, and more than $4,000 was
made off the song in this country alone That's
from the sales OF copies only. You see. I
wrote It several years before l wrote Robin
Hood and sold it a ballad for $40 Then
when the opera brought out it was put in.
The publishers glad to let me nut it in
bfcausc the song alone had not made a hit.
and they were glad to have it given the ad-
'crt'>'ng it would get by being sung in an opera.
don't know but that | could have bought it
back from them for $40 at that time They
didn't think they had any great bargain.
However, in London did get some real
money tor the song, | received more than
$4,000 in English royalties ior it. SO, YOU see.
after all it did net me something"
In talking with famous authority on ath
IeucS and sporting matters, ! was informed that
the oIdtimc athletic figure has conc out Of
faSh'on. hnotty arms and pout,r iccun chests
no longer indicate strength