Artless Dodgers

In the time-honored French sport of tax-as-tax-can, the government has historically been a heavy loser. But eight months ago, as part of a campaign called "Operation Embarrassment," French Finance Minister Antoine Pinay opened the nation's previously secret tax records to public scrutiny, was soon inundated by anonymous letters from citizens who wondered how their neighbors could afford a new car on an income of $600 a year. Last week came the payoff: picking up their evening papers, three French businessmen and an elderly widow found themselves the subjects of headline stories branding them as consistent tax evaders.

Selected at random, the hapless four were the first of "several hundreds" whom the Finance Ministry plans to expose to publicity's unwelcome glare. But shrewd Antoine Pinay knew his compatriots too well to rely on shame alone: under new Finance Ministry regulations, police mounted guard over the homes of the four artless dodgers, prevented them from going to work, and withdrew their drivers' licenses. "They can appeal," said a Finance Ministry spokesman. "But we are refusing all settlement out of court. And they are all liable to at least six months in prison, plus fine, plus back taxes."

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