The Great American Coal Deluge also precipitated a flood of miserable
titled ladies all selling coal for "well known American companies." Most
of them were clever American women, married, or thinking they were
married, to Italian or French noblemen. Their chief effort was to get a
cash advance payment to bind the contract. Such details as price,
transportation, credit, and other essentials were unimportant.

Here is a little story which shows how these women did business and
undid American good will.

One day last August, the telephone rang in the office of the General
Manager of a long established American concern in Paris. A woman was at
the other end.

"Is this Mr. Blank?"

"Yes."

"I am Countess A. and I have a letter of introduction for you."

"Yes."

"I represent several large American coal companies and have secured a
large order for Italy."

"Yes."

"Can you tell me how I can get the coal to Italy?"