New-York tribune., 1918-02-19
Fewer Luxuries
Imported in 1917
Nationwide Economy In
dicated by Smaller Pur-
chases of Such Goods

Willingness Of tho American people
to cconomize is indicated by the
marked reduction in imports of lux
uries. Last year imports Of many ar
ticles which are regarded as being in
the luxury class were from 20 to 80 per
cent below those of tho earlier years of
the war, although in most cases such
articles sold at higher prices than
formerly.
The list Of imported luxurics which
the people Of this country have been
wont to buy, compilation by the Ma
tional City Bank shows. is Il long one.
1t includes many articles Of food, cloth
ing and personal adornment, and
economies in most Of these lines arc
quite apparent on comparison of the
figures Of imports of the year 1917
with those of 1916, 1916 and even 1914.
While in few instances the fall-of
may be due to the lack of transporta
tion or the reduction Of available sup
lilies in the countries at war, the re-
duction in quantities imported, the
bank says, has been so general as to
indicate a growing disposition to mini
miZe unnecessary expenditures in the
classes of articles Of this character
brought into the country.
Laces, Diamonds and Pearls
Imports OF diamonds, pearls, laccs,
pushes, ribbons, hats, bonnets, fcath-
crs, jcwelry, glove leather, fruits,
olives, olive oil, cheese, macaroni
cream and confectionery showed a
marked falling off last year. Precious
stones showed a reduction Of $S,O00,000
compared with the importations of
1916. Art works showed fall Of about
$3,000,0 600 compared with 1916 and ap-
proximately s4,O0O,000 compared with
1914. Cotton laces imported in 1917
were valued nearly s7,000,0o0 below
those of 1916 and s14,000,000 below
those of 1914. In silk laces the value
of imports Of 1917 was but little more
less than one half that of 1914 and silk
ribbons in 1917 only about 10 per cent
of the 1915 imports. Hats and bonnets
imported in 1917 were slightly less in
value than in earlier years, despite the
higher prices, and this is true of Jew
ery, platinum, musical Instruments,
automobiles, glove leather, tanned goat
skins and many other articles Of this
class. Feathers imported in 1917
amounted to about $3,OO0,000 in value
compared with more than $4,000 900 in
1915 and more than $G,000.O00 in 1914,
while in ostrich feathers alone the i'm
ports Of 1917 were less than 100000,
against $2,500,000 in 1915. Dressed
furs and manufactures of furs show a
decline, but undressed fur an increase
Food Imports Drop Sharply
In foods of the character usually CON
sidcred luXuries the falling of is dis
tinctly marked. Imports of cheese,
chiefly brought from France, Italy and
Switzerland, for 1917 were but 5000 600
pounds, against 2S,000,OOO pounds in
1916, 100000 pounds in 1915 and
oo.O0O,0O0 pounds in 1914.
Only 100000 gallons of olives were
imported in 1917, chiefly from Italy and
Spain, compared with 6,50O,OOO gallons
in 1915, while the value Of olive oil
shows a decline Of over $1,000, 900,
compared with 1915. Imports Of malt
liquors We're 10000 gallons, com
pared with 5,5oO, 900 in 1914; those of
gin were $4,000 gallons, compared with
nearly 100000 gallons in 1914, and
champagne 10000 dozen quarts, COM
pared with 239.0OO dozen quarts in 1915