Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-31
CLAUDEL ASSA|LS
LUXUR|ES TARIFF
Ambassador Declares Fine
Jewels, Perfume and
Silks Necessary.
Special Dispatch to The star.

necessity for an immediate tariff re-
vision by the American Government on
French importations in order to bal
ance the present disputes between the
two countries and to avoid further anx-
iety and aggravation was emphasized
by Paul Claudel, French Ambassador
10 the United States, in his address
before 400 members of the French
Chamber of Commerce Of New York at
the annual dinner on the French liner
lie de France last night.
M. Claudel charged in substance that
the tariff regulations of the United
States in respect to French importa-
lions were unjust, and could not be
cEnsidered on a parity even with the
reciprocal tariff regulations existing be-
tween France and Germany.
Hits Luxury Levies.
He stressed particularly the decline
In French exports to the United States
and spoke of the increased commodities
being shipped from this country to
France, urging that there be reclassi-
fication of French luXuries with sub
Requent reduction In taxes.
He intimated that there should be o
great reduction in American duties on
such French importations as silks, jew
elry, glassware and other commodities
designated under a high American tariff
as Injuries, but which, he said, should
be taxed no higher than books, paint
ingS and statues.
The Ambassador asserted that the
latest statistics on the United States
tariff have shown to French citizens
1.-The aggravation of situation which
has existed for some time"
France not only receives her principal
supplies from America, from whom she
received her raw materials but Is also
dependent upon the United States for
manufactured goods and food products
in eyer-increasing quantities, said the
Ambassador. He contraSted this situa-
ton with the fact that the exports from
France to America showed a great de-
cline last year.
Says France Lacks Relief.
America has benefited automatical-
~ without her tariff system having al
lowed her to grant to us anything In
exchange for the tariff advantages
which we had conceded to Germany in
consideration of equal advantages, "
continued M. Claudel.
Much more, the French government
by its engagements of 1927. Is going to
find itself led, through the coming en-
forcement of certain tariff reductions
provided in the recent Franco-Austrian
and Franco CZechoSlovakian agree
ments, to proceed to new adjustments
in favor of the United States. During
this time France has obtained no re-
lief of any kind, but, furthermore, goods
which interest us particularly, such as
polished glass, have just been taxed by
q considerable tariff.
There is, therefore. between the two
countries an inequality of fact and OF
right which probably will only become
more pronounced and which has not
failed to awaken certain anxieties.
Relies on French Spirit.
"Al that I can tell you, revertins
again TO the metaphor which used
last year, Is that hope that the French
spirit will be able to soar sufficiently
high to overleap all barriers"
In commenting on the great volume
OF articles de luxe" exported from
France to America and other countries
M. Claudel made the following unusual
challenge as to the justification for the
high duties on French merchandise des-
1gnated as luxuries;
Luxury, by definition, Is thing, the
need of which is not indispensable; ii
Is therefore on this side that economics
seem indicated and that fiscal restric-
tons turn of themselves. This is true
but a comparison comes to my mind
which I admit perplexes me.
do not the reasons which initiate
de luxe articles also initiate against all
products of the intellect. against all
those objects where intellect occupies
he oil
are not necessary, pictures, statues and
music are not necessary. Why not tax
them as heavily as jewels, perfumes, and
silks? Who, however, would dare tc
prescribe books and pictures? Far from
1mpover1Shing a country, they enrich
1t, on the contrary. They bring to II
more than their value in banknotes.
Sees Intellect at Work.
We'll, what is true of a picture by
WILLARD, a book by Colette or Pau
Morand, is also true of glass by Lalique
q Rodier tissue, or an ornament BY
Cartier, and for so many other similar
and charming articles which Paris in
vents daily and where intellect, which
Is the principal factor, smilingly defles
the scale and the thread counter.
Evidently, certain products will al.
ways succeed in overlapping the bar.
rterS which endeavor to limit intellect
or. IN any case, to punish it.
France may perhaps succeed in send.
ing 10 certain countries, very needleSSly
alarmed, models of which a small mum.
Der of clients will exploit the novelty
ana the style. Can one say that those
countries will benefit much from thi:
parsimonious system from this prohi.
bitinn of luxury, which is essentially &
prohibition of the intellect4
i. believe that intellect is like ligh
and air, there can never be too muct
of 1t.
Benefit to America Seen.
Il believe that intellect is not one
OF those nefariouS germs the contagior
OF which can be stopped by any kind Of
means. believe that country has
finally, an interest in allowing beautiful
and pleasing things to awaken the sensi
bility and intelligence of the larges
possible number of men and women anc
encourage them, not to servile imitation
but to beneficial emulation"
The Ambassador then spoke of Ameri
can architectural students who studied
IN France and who returned to The
United States to develop the presen
architectural achievements from plan.
evolved through their research Of
French architecture. He cited thu
modern architectural masterpieces o.
the principal cities of the United State.
as compared with the American struc
lures of 80 years ago.
Optimism that the committee of ex.
perts, who will meet in Paris in the
near future, will establish the definite
exterior revenues which France may
expect to receive over a definite period
of years was also expressed by the Am.
bassador. He expressed the hope tha
their conclusions would show achieve.
ments as excellent as did the Dave.
committee.