The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-25
IMPORTATION OF LUXURIES EVER
 ON INCREASE

Luxuries are the one class of arti- cles among those imported into the big fall off in value in the fiscal year just ended. Manufacturing material as a whole shows a fall of 17 per cent. in the fiscal year 1922 as compared with the fiscal year 1921; manufac- turers as a whole a fall of 22 per cent, and foodstuffs a fall of over 50 per cent. when we compare the inn port values fthe fiscal year ending June 30. 1922, with those of the fis- cal year immediately preceding, but luXuriets show an increase.
 While a statement by the Trade Record of the National City Bank of New York at the end of 1921 showed a material decline in the importation of luxuries, the figures at the end of crease in the value, and big increase in the quantity of luxuries imported, when compared with the same period one year earlier. Taking 25 principal imports in the fiscal year 1922 to- tailed in round terms $250,000,00O against S240,ooo,oOO in the imnedi- ately preceding year. while if we in- clude tobacco, which by some is con- sidered a necessity rather than a lux ury, tho total for the fiscal year 1922 would be S35,000,000 against $308,- 900, 900 in the preceding year. Dia- monds and other precious stones show for 1922 46.0O0,000 value against S42,- 900 against S27,OOO,O0 photographic goods, chiefly motion picture films, 1-2 million dollars against 1-2 mil lion; art works 22 1-2 million dollars against 23 million a year ago, and furs s52,0OO,O0O against $42, ,0OO, 900. Tobacco, however. does show a slight decline. standing at S5S,00O,00O against S,O0O.00O Q year ago, while cigars also show marked decline in value as compared with a year ago.
 In quantities, however, the imports an the fiscal year 1922 show a greater n Tn, pie, the quantity imported in the II months ending with May, 1922, was 3S,OOO,Oo0 yards against 17,000,O0O a year ago; hand made lace S,OOO,OOO laces 330,000.000 yards against 167,- OoO,OOO one year earlier; feathers and downs including ostrich feathers, 3 1-2 million yards against ? 3-4 million in the same months of the preceding year; undressed furs SS,0OO,00O pieces agairst 5S,000,0O0 in the same months but not set 3o0,OOO carats in the 1 months of the fiscal year 1922 against 197.ooO in the same months of last year; motion picture films in the Il asainst 12O, 100000 in the correspond ing period of last year; silk ribbon yer S.000,000 yards against 1000, 900; and mother of pearl shells 1-2 mil ion pounds aainst a little over 3,00O,- 900 in the same months of last year.
 Even if we include tobacco under the IIlIe4 Ol We ma the total in the II months of the fiscal year of 1922 of 60.O0O,OCO pounds against 55,- 100000 in the same months of the preceding year. although the value in the 1922 psriod i- only s51,o0O.OOO against $64,OOO.OOO in the same
 months ot last year.
 It is quite clear. adds the Trade Record in reviewing these figures when compared with those of a half year ago. that there is distinct up- ward movement in the quantity i'm ported of the classes of materials usually designated as 1uxuries, while
 in the closing months of 1921 the fig
 ures showed reduction when com pared with 1920.