The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1922-07-18
Lovely PIumage Is Making Its
Last Appearance in Millinery
Shops, Due to Law.
PROHIBITED BY new TARIFF
importation Prohibited. Under Law Of
1913, but Omission Of Restrictions
on Sale Left Chance for
SmuqqIers.


ed, 1t will have completely disap-
peared, because by that time 1t is go
ing to be dangerous to sell it. Conse-
quently nearly every hat-shop window
in the city now contains a gorgeous
display Of paradise plumes, marked
down to bargain prices.
The new tariff law, however, con-
tains the necessary restrictions in an
amendment which puts on the dealer
the burden Of proving his stock Of
feathers was in this country on or be-
fore 1913. Hence the present intense
anxiety of dealers to dispose Of their
paradise feathers before the act is put
into effect.
Under the old law, it was the gov
eminent that had to supply the proof,
which was impractical. About the
only way the federal authorities could
obtain conviction was to catch a
smuggler In the act Of bringing para
disc feathers into the country. Once
they were here, they were as safe as
If they had been formally passed by
the customs officials.
No Shortage Of PIumes.
Thus the smuggling of paradise
feathers into this country has been
proceeding briskly for the last nine
years, during which time the millinery
market has never been annoyed by a
shortage The demand for the plumes,
according to one dealer, is "as steady
as that for diamonds" so that snug
glers have always been able to dis
pose Of their goods promptly. Most
of the smuggling has been carried on
ships from the Mediterranean, who
usually conceal the feathers under
their clothing.
Lean seamen," one official tells
US, have waddled off their ships swol-
len and pulled like Falstaffs by layers
upon layers of plumes strapped to
their limbs and trunks. On some lines
customs inspectors first take glimpse
at the neck and then at the waist of
the seamen. If they observe No. IA
neck springing out of a 6O-inch torso
they make an arrest and usually re-
cover a few thousand dollars worth
Of feathers"
All of the confscated plumes as
specified in the 1913 law, have been
turned over to the National Associa-
ton of Audubon societies, which has
formed them into exhibits and dis
tributed them among 60 different mu-
seums throughout the country. About
$4,000 worth of plumes, 1t is said, are
to be found in these collections.
In spite Of these gratifying contri-
buttons to science, the Audubon so
cieties, under the leadership of their
president, T. Gilbert Pearson, have
never ceased to agitate for a more ef-
fective law, Their only fear has been
that It would come too late-after the
last Of the "Manukdewata" (birds Of
the gods), as they are called in East
Indian islands, had fallen victim to
feminine fashions.
The birds are found In Papua, New
Guinea and certain parts Of Africa
where they are easily slaughtered by
the natives during the mating season.
Male Bird Gorgeous.
"Only the full grown male bird has
the gorgeous spread Of feathers which
Is coveted by commerce." explains q
New York dealer, who Is something Of
an authority on the subject. "This Is
at it's best during the counting season,
when they hold their annual dancing
exhibits for the benefit of the less
gorgeous but highly priced females.
1T isn't necessary to kill the birds
In order to get their feathers, but it Is
usually more convenient. Lately, since
they have been growing so scarce,
they are frequently trapped and re-
leased after the feathers have been
cut, so that a new spread can be
grown.
Except at their dancing parties,
the birds of paradise are naturally
cautious and well able to protect them
selves. They have but few natural
enemies, but their families are small,
being limited usually to two offspring
a season, so that they Increase but
slowly. This is all the more reason
why they should be protected from
human depredations."
The new tariff law will provide this
protection, at least so far as this
country is concerned. According to
Mr.. Pearson, it will lend the 35-year
battle against the slaughter of wild
birds for millinery" A few feathers
will be smuggled in and peddled from
house to house, as aigrettes are at
present. But for practical purposes
the commerce in forbidden feathers