NO CREDITS IN AMERICA

Evening Star, Issue 23354, 25 August 1939, Page 7

NO CREDITS IN AMERICA

SUPPLY OF BOOKS ENDANGERED UNIVERSITY TEXT BOOKS INCLUDED “ Yes, that is a very definite problem,” said an executive of an importing firm this morning, when questioned regarding the difficulty of obtaining American publications. “No credits at all are obtainable in America, and l , in fact, we have received instructions from head office to forward no orders in the meantime.” Questioned regarding certain University text books, he said that these, too, were unobtainable meanwhile. Even if arrangements were made to obtain them it seemed probable that their arrival would be delayed. The position is that while, most EngIsh firms are probably willing to arrange long-term credits for their wellknown customers, American houses are evidently not willing to take the risk. It amounts to a compulsory ban on certain classes of reading matter, and the fact that text books are_ included with the rest gives some indication of the loss to the reading ocmmunity. American magazines include not only the pulp variety and the popular picture weeklies, but such sound publications as the ‘ Saturday Evening Post ’ and the ‘ Atlantic Weekly.' “ I don’t know how I shall manage to get along without my ‘ Post,’ said one lady who is a prominent figure in educational circles. She had just been refused a license to remit money overseas for this publication, and while copies are still to be had from booksellers, there is no indication of how long supplies will be obtainable. Some idea of the value of these periodicals to the thinking public can be gleaned from the fact that a few months ago articles ■in the . ‘ Saturday Evening Post ’ forecasted the strong possibility of the Russo-German alliance. The local branch of another firm dealing extensively in American magazines had had no word of the difficulty, but it seems more than probable that it will apply over the whole of the country. Executives are hopeful that arrangements will be concluded to ensure a constant supply, but in the meantime there is some anxiety.