Imperial Valley press., 1917-08-27
LUXURY USE
ON DECREASE
IMPORTATION OF SO-CALLED
LUXURIES REDUCED BY WAR
PRICES A DIV A N c E
DIAMONDS INCREASE IN VALUE
OVER 80 PER CENT
More Substantial Articles of ImpOrta-
ton are Being Received by Nation
During the War

tiOn are Being Received by Nation
During the War
+ Importation of luxuries into the
United States has been materially re-
duced by the war. A compilation by
the National City Bank of New York
shows that the quantities now being
imported of the articles usually
classed as luxuries" are materially
/ below those of the corresponding dates
preceding the war. The values of the
total of luxuries imported in the fis-
cal year 1917 is somewhat less than
in the fiscal year 1914, and as prices
have been greatly advanced it is quite
apparent that the quantity being i'm
ported is much below that of the pre-
war period. Measured by values alone
the articles usually classed as "lux-
uries" fell below $3O0,00,000 in the
fiscal year 1917, while in 1911 the
value of the same articles imported
aggregated 1913, 100000 and as in
many cases the prices are now from
33 per cent to so per cent higher than
! in 1914 it will be seen that the guam
/ titles have been materially reduced
''Luxuries" Numerous
The imported articles which may be
classed as "luxuries" are extremely
numerous, scores of important articles
and hundreds of the minor classes,
/ but there are few important classes
or groups which are readily recog-
nized. Laces and embroideries, for
example, imported in 1917 are but
about one-half in value of those i'm
! ported in 1914. In cotton laces alone
| the value imported in 1914 was $685.
! S66, 900 and in 1917 $I6,297 900, while
in laces of silk and fibers the 1917
! value is also below that of 1914. Art
! works, as another example, which
aomunted to over S35,O00O0O in 1914
! imports were in 1917 below $23, ,000,-
/ 600. Tobacco in it's various forms to-
tailed S40,O00,OO0 in 1914, and but
/ $30,000,000 in 1917. In many others
! of smaller totals the proportionate de-
crease is equally apparent.
Prices Higher
These decreases have occurred in
spite of the fact that prices per unit
of quantity are much higher than be-
I fore the war. Diaomnds, for instance,
have advanced Approximately 80 per
cent in value per carat of correspond
ing quality; pearls which are espe-
cially popular at this moment show
an even greater advance. Laces,
which we are no longer able to OBJ
tain from Germany ana which France
has now little time to manufacture,
are much higher than in the pre-war
period; leaf tobacco for wrappers Of
cigars has advanced from $1.32 per
pound in May, 1914, to $1.75 in May,
1917. Mating, perhaps not conSid-
cred a luxury, but not an absolute
necessity in time such as this, shows
in official reports an average value
in May, 1917, imports of IA cents
per square yard, against 8 cents per
yard in May, 1914. Macaroni imports
of February and March, 1917, We're
valued at 81 cents per pound again
4 Y cents in the corresponding months
Of 1914. Currants imported in MAJ,
1915, came at l5.5 cents per pound,
against SO per pound in May, 191 Il;
figs 7.6 cents per pound against 3i
cents in the same month of 1914; st;,l
wine in casks S5,S cetns per gallon,
against 557 cents three years ago.
Carpets and rugs, woven whole, iIl-
ported in May, 1917, averaged 500
per square yard against 1921 in Al
gust, 1915, the first month in whi h
they were separately stated by the
Department of Commerce recorGs.
Woolen dress goods imported in April,
1917, $1.i6 per pound against 30 cen Is
in May, 1914,
Purchase Less
1t is thus apparent from the above
,t.l,;,l, ip1; Il