Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-07

in Southeastern France in 1s17. he was edu-
Gated nt the Ecole Polytecpnique and the
Ecole des Points ct Chaussees. When Napo-
leon Ill. and Baron Haussmann decided
that Paris should be transformed, they
worked out an ambitious plan, and Baron
Haussmann called NJ. Applaud to Paris as
director of streets and parks.
The task which NJ. Alphaud was asked to
undertake was to make the most magnificent
city in the world from town with all the
faults OF the middle ages, with cramped
streets, sans light, sans air. To accomplish
it he must tear down the city, relay and re-
build it, and all without seriously inter-
rupting traffic. He put himself to the work
with tremendous energy.
From 1854 to 1871 the end of the empire, be
conducted the Bois de Boulogne and the
Bois de Vincennes, those beautiful parks to
the west and east of the city, into either OF
hour at cost of or sous. Within the city
limits he utilized waste lands to make the
charming parks of Monceau, Montsouris and
Of the finest of the great boulevards and
avenues. The works were not only splendid
feats Of engineering, they were works of
art. Says one of N. Alphaud's admirers: ut
required poet to conceive them. He
handled not rhymes but trees, not syllables
but flowers. His epics were great parks, his
sonnets little squares" In this period NJ.
Applaud established fine system OF
nurseries and hot-houses, from which the
city is supplied with trees and the parks and
squares are ornamented the year around
with profusion Of flowers and shrubbery.
All Paris Under His Control.
In 1871 the empire fell. but NJ. Applaud had
become an indispensable man. Now he was
made director of public works. By 1875
everything pertaining to above-ground Paris
was in his hands. Three years later, on the
death of the engineer Of water works and
sewers, underground Paris was added.
All the changes made by NJ. Applaud have
been handled with q profound regard for
historic associations. But it has not been
the rebuilding OF Paris alone which has
made n. Applaud the idol of the Partisan
populace. NJ. Applaud was the prince of
fete and exposition makers. The success Of
the expositions of 1867 and 1878 was largely
credited to him. His browning piece of ex-
Of his life, was the exposition OF 1889
NJ. Applaud was 10 years old in 1877. The
French law requires that its servants retire
lister and announced his age, at the same
time begging that he be allowed to remain
in office. 81 know" he said to the Minister,
"that If you conform to the rules you will
compel me to retire; that is, you will
kill. I am accustomed to work. Inactivity
would be death to me. Besides I want to
manage the Exposition" The Minister
broke the rule and NJ: Applaud made the
Exposition to the delight not only of France,
but of the world.
Why He Succeeded So Well.
Tho faculty for directing great num-
ber of things at once characterized all
his work His tact in handling men was
rare, but his appearance no doubt contrib
uted to his power. He was tall and broad
shouldered, with piercing eyes and kindly
face almost benignant indeed OF late years.
because OF his white beard. The knowledge
Of the disinterestedness OF his service made
all who came in contact with him more obe-
dent to his wishes. No one believed that
M. Alphaud encouraged "Jobs'' or enriched
limited that he made more money from his
office than the $1,000 he received yearly as
salary.
that of his office. He had his honors, how
ever After the Exposition Of 1889 he was
given the grand cross or the Legion of
Honor-the only engineer to whom it was
ever given. And after tine death OF Baron
Academy of Fine Arts. The greatest public
recognition he ever received was the mag
nifcent funeral the city of Paris gave him.
And who will take NJ. Alphauds place?
Nobody probably. He was an absolute mon
arch and he was Jealous to q childish degree
of any interference with his power. Those
who worked under him were expected to
obey i'm mplicitly. Hewould noedivfGe power
or even attempt to fit men to work inde-
pendently in the departments. His kingdom
falls to pieces without him. He has estab-
lished no dynasty. 1t is as well that he did
not. One-Inan power does not exist without
abuses, They crept into NJ. Alphaud's ad-
ministtation, and the municipality loved
him too well to attempt reform while ne
lived. The press and most thoughtful peo-
pie believed that such concentration of
power as existed in his case was mistake.
but were silent because 1t was NJ. Alphaud.
solitary t figure in the history Of the Paris
without predecessors, without successors.
IDA NJ. TARBELL-