Evening Star Newspaper, May 18, 1930, Page 91

THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, MAY 18, 1930. ‘Women Who Tell and Get Paid to Tell How the Parisian e, IS - S P Salesgirls and Hotel Maids Have T'urned Informers Against American S{zopperszlbroad' to Reap Rich Re- wards for Tipping Off Customs Agents Concerning Unde- clared Purchases. New York pier looks skeptically at the home-coming million= airess and her 18 trunks. ~I think that I have listed everything I ”» s § 1 ii g IEEE i g i i ¥ : i : i L i ; 7 i | | The mail, ‘would greet 3;‘1' 53;i§§ Ei 4 K gt k l}g 8 H Jater the newspapers carry a brief item, some- thing like the following: . The United States Customs Service has re- eeived $100,000 from Mrs. Jones, Tepre- senting the duty and fine on undeclared jewelry $10,000 on her declaration form. Information from Paris, however, léd to the detention of her baggage at the New York custom house, A complete inspection of her 18 trunks revealed a diamond ring, two ruby bracelets, a Russian sable coat, 15 dresses, 70 pairs of silk stockings, 40 pairs of gloves, 18 handbags and a number of other souvenirs of her trip. “Why did that customs man pick on me when every woman on the ship was smuggling in something?” the lady angrily demanded of her husband afterward, and puzzled over this mystery for months, although the answer was as obvious as the nose on her face. In all probability the saleswoman who sold shopgirl. If the girls in the shops fail to report expensive purchases, the hotel concierges or porters surely will, information passed on by the valets. many expensive purchases, which the sales. girl reports to the United States Treasury agent is the French capital. Many of the purchases which traveling Americans seek to smuggle through the customs on their return home are pur- chased at the smart shops and dressmaking establishments located in this Parisian shopping cenzer. help %0 expose attempled smuggling into America?” naive visitors here ask in astonish- ment. “Does it actually mean that no matter how fine and honest a shop we deal with our pur- chases will be immediately reported by the saleswomen?” i It amounts to just that. Although some high- (2) A maid at the hotel watches the American miss pack her newly acquired treasures and also notifies the Treasury agent. : grade shops, particularly jewelry stores that bave had the same American clients for many years, take extraordinary precautions to avoid the news of sales leaking out even to their clerks, a very great number of establishments are simply helpless against this inside espionage. ‘The managers see excellent buyers, whom they imports, t out, and allow individuals to smuggle quantities of stuft without paying any- file from day to day. A dozen informers may Teport her and condemn her afterward if she it often breaks down because in many expensive shops the proprietor himself serves his good American clients and, wishing o shield them, waiter in a smart tea shop or hotel restaurant will prick up his ears at once when he hears several American women gossiping about the things they have bought. “Yes, I ordered a dozen afternoon frocks, my dear, and I am wondering how I can get them through the customs without paying duty,” one confides. . “Why don’t you wear them until they are mushed up and then swear you bought them at home?” demands the other. . “I have.a friend who tried that, but. the customs _people simply. lsughed at her and informer often corroborating and supplementing Sonhmhn&udemm&em of asking the hotel concierge for advice about shipping their purchases into America minus duty. The average concierge who handles keys, letters, railway and theater tickets and. bs and is often more important than ~