Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-21
THE OMNIBUS SYSTEM OF PARIS

THE OMNIBUS SYSTEM OF PARIS
Is nothing like as comprehensive or as satisfac-
tory as that of London. In the former city a
seat on or in an omnibus can be secured with
out delay at any time or place. In Paris. how
ever. during the day 1t Is next to impossible to
BOARD one except at the regular omnibus sta
tons, where every applicant takes his turn
and as soon as the vehicle is full it moves off,
Seats can only be obtained between stations as
passengers may have reached their destina-
tons and vacated their seats. 1t would be a
satisfaction to have no stand-up fares if there
were a sufficient number of vehicles TO accom-
modate the public. All the lines, however. are
under the control OF one company, which has
heid the Charter for many years and has sue
cess1ulIy prevented rival companies from Sc
curing charter. This company will not main
tam more omnlbuses than will run full pearly
all the time and it has such influence behind it
that 1t can afford to ignore the demands OF the
travelling public. One reason for this is that
each vehicle is taxed 1,500 francs per year and
therefore the ''buses" are made as commodious
as possible, each one carrying forty five pass
engers Each is drawn by three magnificent
Pereheron horses, driven abreat, which are
not too clumsy to trot with ease. The whole
transit subject Is so intimately connected
WIN the taxation system that one can
not be reorganized without the other
The government receives in the neighborhood
OF three hundred million francs annually from
the octrol taxes which are imposed upon all
the feed and food supplies which are brought
Wlthln the fortlf1cations of Paris. Should IA pid
transit De introduced many business people
now residing within the city would take adj
vantage OF the opportunity to reside in the
suburbs. This would greatly reduce the octroi
income, and the deficit would have to be made
up IN some other way, probably by increased
taxation OF real estate which is now very small,
and which is paid by the tenants. Conse-
quently the real estate owners are said to be
the hackers OF the omnibus company which
furnishes inadequate facilities. They foresee
increased taxation and tenantless houses. New
ertheless the Partisan public has been clamor-
ing for rapid transit Tor some time past, but
agreed to let the matter rest until after the eX-
position. The subject will come up again this
winter without doubt, and it is among the pos
slDllltles that another year will the aboli-
ton OF the Octroi system, the introduction of
rapid transit and an entire change in real es-
tate taxation.
THE CUSTOM OF ADVERTISING
by means of dodgers is carried on more
extensively in Paris than in any city l have
ever visited. Wherever you go a hand bill is
trust in front of you and the result is that the
pavements are continually Uttered with flying
paper. About the most disconsolate looking
characters about Paris. now that the exposition
crowds are scattered, are the guides. They in
test all the public places OF interest and be-
seech visitors to allow them to point out the
various points of interest. They are generally
very intelligent men, but their personal APP
pearance, as a rule, shows that either business
Is not good or that their habits are more ex-
pensIye than their incomes warrant. l ran
across one at Versailles last week who could
speak English, French. German, Spanish and
Italian. He said that his business was that of
professor of languages. but that circum-
stances were such that he was compelled to
guide" temporarily. He knew all about
everything in the palace, and dates and names
were at his tongues end. lie said it only took
him three or four days to fit himself for a
guide. for he had visited the palace more than
hundred times before he ever thought OF
offering his services to visitors. In two or
three months he expected to be III Paris What
would he do there? Oh. he expected to enter
into journalism. He might do for a French
paper. but his knowledge of history and his
linguistic ability would not be the sole requi1
sites as a news hunter on hustling American
daily.
JUDGE MACKEY AND NIECE IN PARIS.
There are said to be about 25, 600 American
residents in Paris, and among them is one who
a comparatively short time ago figured quite
prominently before the American public, but
whose whereabouts for some time past have been
unknown He is none other than Judge L. J.
Mackey of Washington, who was conspicuous
In connection with the Wtherbee scandal, first
as the legal counsel of the lady in the case, and
where they travelled together as uncle and
niece. ran acros the judge in Brentano's to-
day. He looked exactly as if he had dropped
in from the city hall at Washington. His bear
ing was just as dignlfed, he wore the same fur
collared overcoat, the same silk hat, carried
the same cane, and, what looked like the same
cigar stump, as when he was a familiar figure
On the streets of Washington. His mustache
was little grayer, but his voice was just as
deep and impressive ever. His compan-
ion was gray-haired lady, probably
chaperone. for his niece is said to be with
him still. When he asked for copy OF Totcn
Topics he informed her in a deep voice that it
was the journal which contained all the Ameri-
can gossip and scandals. His residence here
is not generally known to Americans in Paris,
but his identity is known to at least one young
man in Brentanos, who, after tipping me the
wink. informed me that he has been in Paris
nearly year. The first time the Judge visited
the store he was accompanied by the comely
niece. She was recognized and does not come
In any more. but generally, SO l was told, warts
outside in a cab. His companion on this occa-
sion was not known to the young man. The
judge and his fair companion are said to reside
In the outskirts of Paris, but the judge never
has his purchases sent home but always takes
them with him. RK.