The Arizona copper camp., 1919-03-22
GOVT. WILL SELL
GERMAN-MADE
TOYS NEXT MAY

NEW YORK, March 21-The ship
ment of German made toys, entered
here several months ago in the name
of Butler Bros. and abandoned by tha
firm, will be sold by the government,
probably some time in May, it was
stated yesterday at the custom house.
at the next public auction of un-
claimed and abandoned goods.
In connection with the discussion
in import circles recently, regarding
a resumption of trade with Germany,
the question arose as to the disposi-
tion OF these German toys. which were
the subject of much comment at the
time they were entered here last Oc-
tober. 1t, was suggested then by cer-
tain patriotic organizations that the
merchandise should be destroyed The
law provides, however that all I'M
ported merchandise, unclaimed or
abandoned, shall be sold at public auc-
tion by the customs collector. Unless
Z. =
congress or the treasury department
should direct otherwise, a course
which is viewed in import circles as
improbable, the customs officials are
compelled to follow the provisions in
the law. ~
Toys Have Long History
The toys abandoned by Butler Bros,
were part of a shipment brought from
Rotterdam, Holland, following extend
ed. negotiations between the Ameri1
can state department and the British
foreign office They had been held
at Rotterdam for many months due
to the British order in council issued
in March, 1915. Repeated efforts were
made to secure the release of the mer-
chandise, all of which was purchased
and paid, for prior to Americas en-
trance into the world conflict. Finally.
after the war trade board and other
government agencies had consented
to their release, the toys were put
aboard the Holland-America liner
Nieuw Amsterdam and shipped 10
New York
They were consigned to more than
a dozen importers in this city, includ-
ing Butler Bros, which Il firm was
among the first to make official entry
at the custom house. Later, after
publicity announcing their intention
to refuse the goods, Butler Bros.
abandoned the toys, thereby placing
them in the custody of the collectors
office.
So far as could be ascertained at
the time, the remaining importers, in
cluding a number of the largest toy
houses in the country, accepted their
respective assignments. Pledges were
obtained from many retail dealers
throughout the country to the effect
that they would refuse to offer for
sale goods made in Germany. On the
other hand, certain representative i'm
porters justified the acceptance OF
these toys on the ground that they
were American owned, bought and
paid for prior to this country's en-
trance into the war and that American
importers should not be expected TO
lose their investment in this mer-
chandise simply because of the fact
that Great Britain had delayed their
shipment for many months.
The statement which appeared sey'
eral days ago to the effect that GER
tain importing houses in this city
were preparing to resume their for
mer connections with German houses
has brought forth much discussion
There is a certain class of business
men which holds to the opinion that
the American buying public will scru
tinize with great care all imported
merchandise with view to reject the
same if of German origin. This e!e
ment is of the view that importers
who attempt to bring German goods
into the country, even with Official
sanction, will '"go broke" On the
other hand, there are those business
men, not interested directly in impor'
trade, who reason that Germany must
be permitted to resume her trade re
lations with the world if the allies Ak
pect her to pay large indemnltles anf
that, With regard to imports, 1t Nigh
be just as we'll to view them as com
ing from "new Germany and no
the Germany that committed such ter
rible atrocities during the war.
The situation is one that the future
will probably take care of. 1t is rea
sonably certain that German goods
will be imported here within. com
paratively short period. How the!
will be received remains to be decides
by the buying public.
RAY CONSOLIDATED COPPER co