The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-12

railway and other transportation equipment, machinery and such heavy goods to reconstitute French industry SO that it can, as he says contribute It's full share to war por- duction. He orTers cash money on the barrelhead in payment,
 American importers, on the other hand arc interested in luxury items perfumes, essential oils for per- fumes to be made in America, wines champagnes, liquers and all the other supposedly best things of life. PROBLEM REARS HEAD
 Here matters begin to get Q little thick U. $. exports and imports arc under license control by the Foreign Economic Administration and the War Production Board There isn't any too much coal in this country, nor any too much transport or machinery. Yet If France is to be put back on n going concern basis, something will have to be set aside and spared for the good ally.
 Everything sold in the U, $, be- ing subject to OPA controls and ceilings, can French goods, produc- ed at their present inflated costs, be put on sale in America under OPA ceiingsp If m exchange rate cant be worked out to cover these trans actions, how does France get the money to keep on buying the addi- tonal stun she wants to buyP
 A little matter of competition rises between the Americans and their pals the British. Certain Bri- tish officials and trade papers have charged that U. $, businessmen were In France, disguised as Army officers, trying to grab of all the post-war business, As counter charge to that. however, 1t is known that there have been British ofii- cial economic survey missions oper- ating in France, to see what French industry could produce that tho British could buy and vice versa. PERFUME PINCH
 A good example is found in the perfume industry. U. $, Department of Commerce has just issued q re- port showing that the Grassc Inter ests, principal French brokers In rose, lavender and other floral oils for perfumes, will be able to deliver only about 10 to 50 per cent of normal U. s. requirements, due to lack of alcohol solvents, bottles, coal and female labor to pick flow CTS The American survey was made when U. s, periumers became alarmed at reports that British economic mission had already sur veyed the French perfume industry and was in position to gain some advantage over the trade in this country. Thus do international bus inessmcn battle for position in the high-tcst Stink-water trade while the war still rages.
 Even when it has been determin- ed that France and the United States or Great Britain can trade good black coal for eau dc awful, there still remains to be worked out how the deals will be closed and just who can sell or take delivery under Foreign Economic Adminis- Hation export and import license and war shipping restrictions, U, s. sentiment is all for turning the bus mess over to the private traders as fast as possible. The French at first leaned towards sale through gov crnment agencies, but may yet swing over to letting their private business interests do the dealing di- rect.
 If the deals have to be closed through government agencies, the American end of such business can be conducted by the U, S. Con- mercial Company In the Foreign Economic Administration. USCC could buy In France, ship to the United States, apportion Its pur- chaSes among established dealers and let them handle from there on It has already done some buying of that sort in liberated Italy but 1t wants to get out of this type of business as fast as 1t can, so as to give no appearances of competing against private traders,