Word: loucheur
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Dates: during 1920-1929
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...cause of this "buying panic"-which did not assume dangerous proportions-was twofold: 1) Finance Minister Loucheur had just presented the Chamber with the first draft of a new tax bill expected to raise eight billion additional francs per annum, by increasing the taxes on alcohol, business transactions and practically everything else; 2) The franc slipped down last week to 27 to the $1, a new low record for the year. The relative stability of numerous foreign currencies, prompted the harassed Jean to transfer his currency into pounds, gulden, Scandinavian kroner, U. S. dollars...
...Since M. Loucheur's bill is admittedly subject to extensive amendment, if indeed Premier Briand can railroad it through the Chamber at all, everyone turned for relief from the terrific squabble which is brewing over the measure to M. Marcel Cachin, fire-eating Communist Deputy, who created a loudly welcomed diversion by denouncing the nation which he feels to be responsible for most of France's financial ills...
With such sulphurous words safely expanding into ever thinner air, interest centred again directly upon M. Loucheur. When that notable millionaire-financial expert accepted the post of Finance Minister he declared ruefully. "I shall soon be the most unpopular man in France." His prophecy has proved true...
Observers noted that discussion of the proposed tax measures showed a persistent tendency to wander into mere personal attacks upon its author. For example, M. Loucheur's famed statement that during the War he gave all the "War profits" of his immense industrial holdings to the Government was openly questioned for the first time...
Article by article the bill was debated, while M. Loucheur, always at disadvantage in public, defended it point by point, for 14 hours, in his high pitched rather squeaky voice...