102.8102 Taxation/3: / France Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Herrick)

142. Department informed by Department of Commerce that Kelly, Canty and Green, Trade Commissioners in Paris, are being required to pay income, personal and local taxes and that failure to pay local taxes would subject them to supertax.

Please bring matter immediately to the personal attention of the appropriate French official stating that this Government would be gratified if the French authorities concerned will postpone action in these cases and that of O’Neill, Customs Attaché, in order that the whole question of taxation of American Government officials in France may be discussed with French Government. You may point out that officials of foreign governments in the United States are exempt from the payment of Federal income tax on compensation paid to them for services rendered in connection with exercise of essential governmental function of the state or political subdivision.

Cable briefly result of your representations and submit report by mail after conferring with Commercial Attaché.

Kellogg