The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current, March 21, 1920, SECTION THREE, Image 60

The Sunday Oregonian., March 21, 1920, SECTION THREE, Page 12, Image 60

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Newspaper Page Text' f - i i . i ... ". -' 1 '.. .1 . . . 13 TIIE SUNDAY OREGOXIAX, PORTLAND, 3IARCII 21, 1920 SILVER COIN WORKS WONDERS IN LAND OF SWISS, IN BUYING GERMAN GOODS If One Can Get Across the Frontier From France $400 Wwrth of French Franc Pieces Will Buy a Forty Thousand Francs German Automobile. .9 WJiBtln Ordmsry rxtnesWouZd 2e r A? Cent JCore. i BOiS7 DE 50 CENTIMES ft I 7. " i.U, 44 ygr r"TO:yr uuuwyj JSC ZJ 1- k s Cui-rency of Chambrx-.of Commerce . Ten fofrs or JVu2Tipls of Ten. one of rr2y yTofea, Zssurefzn Jerri- Jssued toy Cnamber of commerce ofSeZfor. ' 7JieZ9feJt Idw "JfegionaT 'Currency Jbfes. Transof Issued by cnsmber- of M Commerce of Entire frencft Zepffrfnenf. BY STKRLIXG HE1LIG. P.RIS, Feb. 1. If you can get across th Franco-Swiss frontier with a bug of silver coin, say J400 worth of French fanc pieces, you can buy a 40.000-francs German aiito- in England, even the gold and sil ver market of the world! At the re cent new record price of 8214 pence ier ounce to which silver jumped In London, the silver in a shilling be comes worth something more than 1 shilling:, i pence and the silver in half mobile of the best make. And fur- a crown worth 3 shilling-9 li pence. niture, toys, fancy goods, etc., at the same figure. The way it is done is this: Tour worth" means, of course, an American check for J400 sold in Paris for 10 francs per dollar (it has been much higher), and it thus produces you 4000 francs in current French money i. e., French banknotes and fractional silver. Now you must change all the banknotes to silver, put it in the bag and get across with it to Geneva. In Geneva, where the mark is current at 1 centimes, you can ect 10 marks' worth of Ucrman-maile merchandise for your Swiss . ur; and your French silver passes ai p;ir, and there you are. If you have a chauffeur's license you can drive your new 40,000-marks motor car to the hotel immediately. Proba bly you can buy marks cheaper from your New York broker; but, for this transaction, don't. The bargains are in Swiss money or Iatin-Union silver coin. Why. your $400 American check, sold at its present small premium in a Geneva bank, is worth only 2200 francs of Swiss money: so it will buy only half of that scrumptious German-made car or parlor set or silver ware looted in North Italy or rugs stolen in Belgium. A Frenchman, with his banknotes or checks, when he gets into the oc cupied territory, can purchase (by conventional fixed rate) only 18,180 marks' worth of German autos. drugs or furs pillaged in Russia for his 4000 frar.cs and we the same, if we go via French exchange; while Geneva current French exchange gives slightly better, say 2000 francs Swiss money, which, as I explained before, will buy 20,000 marks' worth of ersatz. So, there Is no getting away from it you need the bag. And to fill it with French coin requires so much hustling or expense that, before the bag is filled, you are liable to get drunk and be run over by a motor truck or have your clothes torn in assault and battery or land in jail, like those 14 men in London, on a charge of maneuvering against the security of the realm. Of course you may get oft but-the profits would be eaten into by lawyers" fees, stamped paper and cost of restaurant meals sent into your cell while awaiting bail. The danger of drink comes from changing your French banknotes in cafes. The waiters wlli always give you silver, nickel and copper change to make up S francs and the rest in 5-francs banknotes. The fight comes when you firmly refuse postage stamps in shops or try to buy up sil ver in bulk from street car conduc tors, market women or cashiers or bill collectors. Jail lurks with it. You see all these fellows have their own private customers for all the fractional silver they can lay hands on. or else are realy-truly patriots. Which being the case, it would be a waste of science to tell you how to get across the French frontier into Switzerland (or into Spain) with the bag. The bag would be empty. But if you should manage to have a lot of silver coin in it, they would sure take it away from you! Nobody can get across the Frencn frontier with silver coin. At nearby French resorts, like Di vonne. natives and sanitarium board ers obtain "frontier cards," good for a two days' trip into Switzerland and permitting the bearer to carry in his (or her) pockets 10 francs' worth of change in silver and 100 francs in French banknotes. Parties of sight- sera linger around the posts to see automobile parties and entire train loads searched for "the excedent" anything over. The eternal feminine hides it down eternally in the eternal safe deposit bulge of femininity. They spot it. Selah. Tourists with a passport have a right to take out of France 20 francs in silver coin and lwou rrancs in French banknotes. Now you see one reason why siiver coin is so scarce in France and just as scarce everywhere else in Europe except in Switzerland. Spain and a few like sponges of humanity. (It is not the Swiss, you understand, who search you.) he Bank of France can print banknotes advantageously. But to coin a silver dollar (which is likely to immediately disappear) today costs $1.30 In France and about the sam These values cannot, of course, be legally realized, because the laws in the various countries prevent the sil ver coinage from being melted down or exported. So it has to be done illegally. Every day, in both France and Eng land, they are catching parties ped dling and fences accepting silver bul lion so imperfectly melted down that outlines, dates, letters and devices of coins are visible, here and there, on this or that surface. It takes a lot of heat to make silver as liquid as molasses. Only the competent and well-provided should attempt it. They get there, O. K. Please do not think that these things happen in bleeding France alone. The bloody boche has none to melt I mean in circulation. As foi us Americans, the recent decision of the United States treasury to melt up 70,000,000 silver dollars and use the ingots for settling trade balances in China has brought to light the fact that the American dollar is at a dis count in several Oriental countries as it was, up to recently, in Switzer land and Spain including China and India. This astonishing condition (in the general disruption of exchange) is brought about by immense trade balances in favor of China and India which have piled up in the United States and in Europe. The demand has been for payment in silver, and the price of that metal has advanced gradually to a point which makes the amount of pure silver in an American dollar worth considerably more than the face value of the coin. You see. We ourselves the United States treasury have begun to melt lt4to merchantable bullion. Why hand a coined bonus to the Chinese equal to 70,000,000 times ... 30 cents? We'd feel like it ourselves. If this sort of thing continues the governments of Europe (and doubt less our own) may be constrained to call in the entire silver circulation before that of gold is released; and (as the poet would with fate conspire to grasp the sorry scheme of things entire) they'll . . . shatter It to bits and then Remould it nearer to the heart's de sire? Put less silver in 'em, you know. Ah, moon of my delight who know'st no wane, if it could onlv be done all round! Gosh! to be reissued, pure, cheap, at a profit . . . for the boss! French silver dollars ceased to run the streets about November, 1914. Bu just rare, nothing more. Cashing some American checks at Geneva in January, 1915, I obtained, for the asking, 250 silver dollars, at par, which I lugged into France, with labor, two valises, a passport and the hope of gain. Nobody searched me. Nobody re lieved me. Nobody offered me a bo nus; and, in Paris, little by little, those silver plunks were frittered away paying rent and grocery. (Had I stood them off moratorium! could have 50 per cent reduction to day, like the wise guys. Instead, the landlord tried to double our rent at armistice.) I don't know what he did with the silver; but I'll bet he would have "sweated" it by patient shaking in a horsehair bag, had he known how. before it disappeared. "French peasants have patriotically given their gold to the government,' it was generally understood, "and as they've got to hoard something, they are loading the woollen stocking with silver dollars." Fractional silver began to grow less plentiful at the same time, but much slower. Around 1918, in Tours, it was a real inconvenience. "It's the peasants," sneered the cashier lady at Felix Potin's. "They come Into town twith eggs and cabbages and clean up all the fractional silver take it with them. Influenza Attacks Fish, De clares Warden. Waahlnirton Official Telia of Lou of Trout From Pneumonia. " OLVILLE, Wash., March 20. (Spe- clal.) Do nsh have the influ enza? "They surely do," says C. J. Rhodes, superintendent of the Stevens county fish hatcnery and game farm. "Not only that, but they have pneu monia just like people and they die of it, too. This winter we lost many thousands of trout fry just before we removed our last run and cleaned up for the spring run. It was a mys tery to us what caused so many losses in the trays, but a microscope dis covered in some that were yet alive that they were suffering from un usually red and inflamed gills. We saved many by using a moderate solu tion of salt. The deer in our zoo were also af flicted with the influenza and we sustained a loss of a few pheasants and quail. Italian Sailors to Meet. GENOA. The sailors' conference, which is to be held in connection with the international labor body constituted under the league of na tions, is to take place on June 15. i The perfection of style, fit and (1 I design combined with first-class ,1 HI finish and wearing value V 'wV O'Donnell Shoe Co. J Vl 3 Saint Paul, Minn. 1 l vlr& vfl JoM by the Better Shoe J'tores 1 1 A i ' PrinClpal QtieS i Write fbr Catalog 11 See Also Our Regular Advertisement on Page 1, Society Section "Restgood" Mattresses We are exclusive Portland agents for the famous "Rest good?' Mattresses. Filled with sanitary curled hair. On display Furniture Dept., Fourth Floor. The Standard Store of the Northwest 01ds,Wortman GfKmg Reliable Merchandise Reliable Methods Sweeper-Vac Cleaners Do your Spring Clraninir with a Sweeper-Vac Sold n Easy Pay Plan $. down and $." per month. Demonstration in the Rug Department, Third Floor. March Sale of Room -Size Rugs 3d Floor Offering Thousands of Dollars' Worth of Floor Coverings at Great Savings Hi mnrTTTf Monday morning: we launch our Annual March Sale of Room-size Rugs. This has come to be an event of great importance to home-keepers and this season we are going to give our customers values such as have not been offered in Portland for many a day. If you need a new Rug, don't fail to take advantage of this opportunity to buy it at a substantial reduction. The Rug Sale of the Year $44.50 $35.00 Brussels Rugs; fl?0l OK size 9x11.6 priced special D'Ot) ?45.0O Brussels Rugs; ?Or7 tZfi size 9x12 ft nrired snecial I OVJ $50.00 Velvet Rugs; size 9x12 ft., in the sale; only ?65.00 Odd size (8x12 (PPQ OC ft.) Wilton Veet Rugs at DOO00 $64.50 Wilton Velvet fiJCQ OK Rugs; size 8x11.6; special fDUOmOO $60.00 Wilton Velvet CM 7 Rugs; size 9x12 ft.; only I .Dei $62.50 Axminster Rugs; J?CK Oft size 9x12 .ft.; priced only DJJ.UU $67.50 Axminster Rugs, CCQ Cf size 9x12 ft. special at DOO0J $72.50 Axminster Rugs, CJ?C (( size 9x12 ft. special at tDOO. UU $90.00 Axminster Rugs, (jJ7'7 FTfl size 9x12 ft., special at & I OV $115 Wilton Rugs, Special $95 Third Floor Fringed Wilton Rugs of splendid quality. Size 9x12 ft. and beautiful rich patterns. Regular price $115 now S95.00 0 Equip Your Home With the Celebrated Draperies Underpriced hrenlm H B mm nmm mmm. ut mi 4fw UNFILLED WindowShades Brenlin Window Shades will wear twice as long as the ordinary kind. Made from a material that resists the constant strains of daily use a material that will not crack or spot. We are exclusive Portland agents for Brenlin Window Shades. Third Floor Spring house-cleaning reveals the need of new Draperies. Here's an opportunity to buy them at a saving worth while. 65c Marquisettes 54c Yard Third Floor Colored Marquis ettes in many beautiful designs for curtains and draper- tZA n ies. 65c grade yard CURTAIN Voiles with taped edge. Very strong and durable for any style of curtain OQ or drape. Special, yard STRIPED Drapery Silks in beautiful colorings. Very desir able for windows. 50 tl1 nt inches wide. $2 grade DJ.U COLORED MADRAS in many beautiful patterns. 50 flJO A fir inches wide. $3 grade D&i0 $1.35 Colored Madras 98 yd. Sale of Small Rugs $10.00 Rugs at $8.75 $12.00 Rugs at $9.90 Royal Wilton Rugs in several beautiful patterns. Nice size for hall or living room. (JQ P7ft 27x54 inches. Special tDO.lt -Royal Wilton Rugs, size 27x54 inches. Choice assortment of pat terns to select from. PQ Qfk Regular $12.00 grade 0JJ Reversible Fiber Rugs At Splendid Savings Third FJoor Reversible Fiber Rugs are very durable and arc much used for bedrooms and dining rooms. Heavy grade. See them. $13.75 Reversible (J- 1 Qft I $21.00 Reversible Ii Q OfJ Fiber Rugs, 6x9 ft. wll.JU Fiber Rugs. 8.3x10.6 OlO.OU $22.50 Reversible CJ1 Q Kft Fiber Rugs, 9x12 ft. $18.00 Reversible (PIT QP Fiber Rugs, 9x9 ft. Dd.Ot) Spring Sales in the Housewares Store, 3d Floor Imp o r t ed D inn er war e Easter Showing VVT-J I NEW DINNER SETS large shipment just received in time for Easter. These sets contain 99 pieces and are of fine quality. Dinner Sets with green and rose colored spray design. Set contains 99 pieces. S40.00 L Third Floor We show the larg est and most complete stock of Dinner Ware in the Northwest. Recent shipments have added greatly to our fine collection. SPECIAIi Decorated Nippon China Dinner Sets of 43 pieces very attractive. (IJOQ Priced special at DAJ I O SPECIAL 60-piece Sets of Decorated Nippon fljfl 7 China special at D4:l. I J SPECIAL Tea Sets of Nip pon China in dainty (flO Art decorations. Priced D J-."l Priced at a Set Dinner Sets with Dresden roses, forget-me-nots and green leaves. 99 pieces. fl?Trt fift Priced at a Set OUV.UU Dinner Sets with pink garland border decoration. (PIC (f 99 pieces to the set tDrtUU Dinner Sets in conventional design in delft (CIIH Oft. blue. 99 pieces D-LJ-U.UU Dinner Sets Greek key bor der with gold edge, hairline and gold handles. Of- (PI ( ff fered at the Set 0i-U.UU MINTON'S English Bone China Tea Pots, Salad Bowls, Chocolate Pots, Sherbet Cups odd lines on sale at 1-5 OFF. Carpet Sweepers At $3.25 Third Floor Standard Carpet Sweepers with full size brush. Oak or mahogany finish. Nickel plated -ends, cap and PO Off bail. Priced special at DOLiV 3-Piece Tea Sets $9.95 Third Floor Quadruple plated 3 piece Tea Sets as illustrated above. Bright finish and beautiful design. Limited number of sets Sale of Paints HOUSE TAINTS in several de sirable colors. This is a well-known make that will give sat- (J0 isfaction. Special, gallon DO.t Outside and Inside White $:t.."0 WHITK KNAMF.L for interior woodwork, walla and furniture. Produces a hard, lasting finii-h, Supply your needs at once at this low price pint at iO FLOOR AND LINOLEUM VARNISH SPECIAL QUART $I.OO Boilers at $2.75 Third Floor Large size Wash Boilers with metallic bottom. These are (?0 nr worth far more money. Special I O Family Scales, weighing to 24 lbs. .f.H.I Good quality Oregon-made Brooms 1S( TH' 71! j in the sale each only S9.95 Sandwich Trays At $3.19 Third Floor Silver-plated Sand wich Trays in a large assortment of patterns. These are from lines selling formerly at $3.85 to $4.60. While they fl0 1 Q last special at only tDO.Xi $7.50 Casseroles At $4.95 Third Floor Silver-plated Cas seroles with Guernsey lining. Choice of two different sizes. Regular $6.50 and (Pi QP $7.50 values. Special DiWil Wm. Rogers Silverware Special Easter Sale 3d Floor Wm. Rogers high-grade silver-plated Table Ware in the beautiful Chippendale pattern, as illustrated, on sale at very special prices Monday, Tues day and Wednesday. Guaranteed 10 years. Special Sale prices do not include war tax. Sets of Six Medium Knives $2.95 Medium Forks $2.66 Tea Spoons for $1.33 Table Spoons $2.66 Dessert Spoons $2.48 Soup Spoons at $2.66 Ind. Salad Fork $3.24 Oyster Forks $2.79 Butter Spreads $2.86 Single Pieces Berry Spoons $1.50 Gravy Ladles $1.14 Cream Ladles at 76c Pie Servers at $1.99 Sugar Spoons at 58c Butter Knives at 58c Pickle Forks at 76c Cold Meat Forks 95c NOTE We show a complete stock of high grade Table Silver in best makes. Detroit Jewel Gas Range Special $41.75 ml. This is a splendid Range for the average family. Takes up very lit tle space. Equipped with gas-saving burners, easy to clean and sanitary. Made of high-grade materials and workmanship of the beRt. A Perfect IJaker Has tha famous Detroit Jewel Oven with double construction. Left or right styles to suit your kitchen arrangement. We would be pleased to have you inspect this wonderful range. For a limited time $ 1 1.75 All Stoves and Ranges Sold on Easy Pay Plan Silver-Plated Novelties, $1.25, $1.49 Third Floor Silver-plated May onnaise Dish in footed style with silver-plated ladle. Regular $1.75 value $1.49 Third Floor Glass Butter Dish with silver-plated top. Pleasing design. This is a regu- I" OpT Iar $1.75 value. Special DJ-t) f irv ji AM I Great 6-Day Drive On Electric Washing Machines This week we shall feature a special demonstration of Electric Washing Machines. As a special induce ment to those who contemplate purchasing an Electric Washer we will give 1000 Trading Stamps with each machine purchased during the next six days. If you wish to pay cash you will get 1000 stamps in addition to the regular stamps if you purchase on the installment plan you will receive 1000 stamps. One-Minute Electric Washers, $2.00 down, $2.00 week 1900 Cataract Washers, $10.00 down and $3.75 week Gainaday Electric Washers, $10.00 down, $3.00 week Simplex Electric Ironers, $15.00 down, $3.75 week Housewares Store, 3d Floor Full Line of Garden Tools and Lawn Needs Third Floor Our new Spring stock of Garden Tools and Lawn Needs is now com plete in every detail. Make out your list and bring it to this store. Reasonable prices. Suggestions Combination Hoe and Rake priced 80 One-Prong Cultivators priced only (iT? Three-Prong Cultivators priced .$1.00 Hand Sprayers priced at only 7." Reversible Lawn Rakes priced at Long or ahort bpade. priced at only $1.80 Long or Short Handle . Spading Forks at $1.60 5-spring Cultivators priced special at $1.25 Garden Rakes 50 up Hoes at 50 to $1.25 Grass Shears only 05 Grass Hooks 50 to$l Garden Trowels 15 up Headquarters for Lawn Mowers And Garden Hose r. . i I. .. . . - ' : . - ; t r .