Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-27
NEW YORK AND PARIS.
Contrasts Between the Two Cities a. Seen
by French Eyes.

Contrasts Between the Two Cities a. Seen
by French Eyes.
At the Wednesday lecture on the course in
modern languages Prof. Fontaine Wednesday
compared the two capitals. New York and Paris
both in humorous and serious vein. He found
many things to admire in the hustle and energy
Of American life, Of which New York is the
epitome; some things to criticise in the
entire subordination of the artistic to the utii-
tartan, and cause for the most severe censure
in the character of our municipal governments,
with their gigantic opportunities for corruption
and ineficiency.
A resume of the sources Of income for the
French capital, the lecturer thought, suggests
by comparison the possibilities Of better city
government. not only in American cities in
general but also in Washington, the best
governed city in this country, where foreign
methods are better known and incor-
porated to some extent in our
own systems. II is with extreme difficulty that
sufficient revenue is secured by the present sys-
tenn of taxation and equal government appro-
priation. and the method so successful in Paris
suggests point for consideration Of District
lobbyists and legislators.
BUSINESS AND BEAUTY.
The professor said: "New York is a city in
which business has the right Of way; Paris q
city in which beauty is the first consideration.
The windows of all New York are guillotine-
those of Paris swing from side hinges like the
leaves of double door. New York is built OF
brick, Paris of white stone or marble. Both
facts are elements in the artistic comparison Of
the two cities.
sin New York the street cars, omnibuses and
elevated trains are never full, which has caused
PRO bono publico' and other protesting
American writer's to the papers to fill many a
column with comparisons favorable to the
Enrnnaan
Strangely enough the professor prefers the
American system. with all its inconven-
fences, making droll illusions to the infuri-
ated Partisan standing upon the curb. while
from three to dozen 'complet" omnibuses
passed serenely by.
In New York, he continued, convenience
and utility are of supreme consideration. In
Paris the establishment Of the city stands pre-
eminent"
What are the sources Of the immense sums
which are expended by the Partisan city
fathers!
1t receives its share Of income from licenses
wine, liquors, &c.-and from taxes upon real
estate; but in addition all corporations and mo-
nopohes pay the city in direct proportion to
their receipts. Street railways. companies for
gas, telephone, electric lighting, all pay back
to the city large sums for their franchises.
The city charters the various companies,
with this universal condition, that the divi-
dend above six 90 per cent shall be divided
stockholders, the other the city of Paris In
1888 La Compagnie du Gag alone paid 10. 000, 900
francs 60, 900 ,0O0) into the city treasury.
THE ATRocIoUs OVERHEAD WIRES.
The atrocious overhead wire came in for Sc
we're scoring. The sewers of Paris, containing
all pneumatic tubes, telegraph wires, gas pipes,
&C., received their mead of praise.
New York beats the world for rapid transit
''but what a horror the elevated road is to
every sense but the utilitarian." The subter-
ranean system of London is better. The postal
service OF New York is almost perfection.
Summing up the professor said:
Each city has its advantage, and its disad-
vantages and for a man of colossal fortune who
can live on Fifth avenue New York is the most
agreeable place in the world-but it is necessary
TO have gold; always and forever" gold
gold-gold. II you are in the condition Of the
rich-live in Paris or Washington.
Vive Washington.