Tariff Enacted

Over the edge of the towering rostrum of the Chamber of Deputies there dangled for a few moments last week a pale green rubberized corset, a rose silk brassiere, and two other diaphanous feminine whatnots.

The occasion was a solemn debate upon the tariff bill of 1,200 items. From the rostrum Deputy Victor La Sache was urging protection for one item, feminine unmentionables. Holding up the corset by its dainty garters, he cried: "These are French products, made in French factories by French workers and worn by French women. Are they not lovely? Have you ever seen anything imported from abroad so really beautiful, and at the same time so serviceable? . . . La France demands protection for this industry!"

The Deputies, though diverted by this escapade, did not impose a higher duty upon netherthings, but rushed the tariff bill through in approximately its original form (TIME, Feb. 27). It was also passed by the Senate last week. The bill is chiefly significant as a pre-election bid for the farmer vote. Thus the duty upon farm machinery is reduced, while higher tariffs are levied upon all important food stuffs.