Evening star. [volume], December 19, 1947, Page A-18, Image 18

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
| Money Black Market
In Italy Hard Hit by
Lira Devaluation
ROME, Dec. 19 (CDN >.—It looks';
like a bleak Christmas for Rome's;
I erstwhile high-riding money black
marketeers.
1 They still haven't straightened
j themselves out of the tailspin into
| which they were tossed two weeks
ago when the Italian government
[devalued the lira from about 475
to the dollar to 585.
This meant that the legitimate
price of the lira was about 20 lire j
better than that on the black mar-!
ket curb. It is still so.
Unlike past devaluations, when
the government successively raised j
I the dollar value of the lira from
100 to 225, then to 475, the black
market price this time hasn't even
caught up now, let alone jumped
another 100 to 150 lire ahead of the
official rate as of yore.
The result has been to channel
off the flow of literally thousands of
dollars which used to change hands
daily in Rome in illegal street cor
ner and backroom exchanges.
Dealings Decline.
Black marketers, who used to be
quick to pull a $100 or $1,000 street;
corner transaction at the drop of a i
hat, apparently can't figure their i
way out of this one.
Most of the money-changing gen
try have disappeared from their ac
customed haunts^ around Piazza
Barberini and Piazza Colonna. The
few who remain voice their “Change
money, mista,” in subdued voices, j
When asked for a price, they
quote a rate about 20 lire less than
the change? could get simply by
walking into the nearest bank and ■
changing his dollars or travelers'!
checks legally over the counter. Ap-1
parently, they go on the theory they ;
may catch some innocent and unin-:
formed tourist who will assume he's
getting a bargain because it’s an
under-the-counter transaction.
However, the boys are so broken
spirited now that when the wiser
ones laugh loudly in their faces they
only shuffle sadly away.
Lose Social Caste.
Curbstone capitalists, also, have j
lost social caste. Bar-owners, who
used to be glad to have them com
plete their transactions with cus-1
tomers in the back room, now frown
forbiddingly and shoo them off.
Underwater writing, nonrefilling,
everlasting fountain pens have taken
the place of money as a commodity
of trade for some. However, profits
aren’t as big and hearts aren’t really
in it when they sidle up to inquire
"wanna buy a fountain pen, mista?”
A few of the erstwhile big-money
boys have turned to the compara
tively legitmate racket of peddling
camebs and mosaics from sidewalk
trays.
There's a rumor—entirely uncon
firmed—that a couple of them have
even gone to work.
Legion Auxiliary to Dance
The District Department of the
American Legion Auxiliary will hold
its annual benefit ball at 10 o’clock
tonight in the Burlington Hotel.
Mrs. Lillian M Judff is general
chairman. The public is invited.
Finnish Soprano Plans
Tea for Opera Company
Margo Sederholm, Finnish opera
soprano, will give a tea for the re- >
| cently organized National Civic
Opera Company from 7 to 5 p.m.
| tomorrow in her home, 1710 Con
necticut avenue N.W.
, Members of the board of the new
organization will be present. Plans (
are underway to present a double
bill at the first performance which!
is planned for early spring._ I
SPORT CENTER • 8th & D • Make this a Sporting Christmas
Regular 10.00
HUGHES-GIHON ||
Canvas
PGOLF I
/BAGS 1
/ 7.85 I
Durable duck can
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per convertible
hood, zipper ball
Louisville Grand Slam
LADIES' STEEL SHAFT
WOODS
Regular 12 00 each
8.85..
Set of 3 Pieces
Yes, in actual ladies' weights and
lengths, genuine persimmon heads;
with contrasting plastic inserts,
chrome finished steel shafts, full
grain leather grips. Driver, brassie
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Louisville Grand Slam
LADIES' STEEL SHAFT
IRONS
Regular 8.50 each
Set of 6 Pieces
5.05
Compact chrome finished blades,
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leather grips. Numbers 2, 4, 5, 7,
9 and putter.
Genuine Leather
VOLLEY
BALLS
4.95
The longest lasting basket ball and
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Reg. 6.50 Regulation
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FOOTBALLS
3.95
Official high school football, vul
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An item that's hard to beat for
Christmas giving at a harder-to
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Kegu/or 75.00 1
English , Pen fold I j
GOtF 1
balls I
9.9^5 d0I. JJ
£S*s r^T-* 1
tolS "3^;t loo 3”oe »*« B
]
\
SPoJIy J
SHIRT$ 1
»^*^5 m
™r‘RUtiful r UPS
ate-aw#. >„, fa
KssVSff/® Af
Pre-Inventory Sale
PROFESSIONAL AND
AMATEUR MOVIE EQUIPMENT
Bargains in used Cameras -and Projectors,
both Sound and Silent, 8 and 16-mm.,
while they last.
See our new Stereo-Realist Cameras in
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We suggest a Filmosound Pro
jector for home or church use as
3n ideal Christmas gift.
Our Large Religious Film Rental
snde master Library will enrich your Christ
still projector # • i 7
mas festival.
Store open until 7:30 P.M. during Christmas rush
PAUL L. BRAND & SON
2153 K Street N.W., Washington 7, D. C.
Near Washington Circle, Telephone REpublic 1803, L
" ■
Fine
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Work
Since 1919
Floors Sanded. Cleaned. Polished
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I THHMOMETB.
c
First and most important reason is that when you select your
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Delivery for Christmas. Deferred peyments, if you wish.
lee A ess
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Platinum walnut lowboy
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