The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-25
BUSINESS WAYS IN PARIS.
Despite Its Reputation for LiveIiness, 1t
Is Very LeisureIy Town.

From the Boston Herald.
The last two decades have marked
the growth of not a few large CONNER
cial undertakings in France Some of
these employ thousands of men, have
agencies throughout all the provinces
of the country and are even represent
ed in every large foreign city in Chris
tendon: but it is a curious fact that
the larger any establishment grows
here the more leisure has everybody
connected with it. The young French
clerk or bookeeper would throw up his
position, even though such an act
meant bread and water for years to
come, IL his employer dared to import
what are becoming known on the con-
tinent as American methods" He
wants to come down to his work GER
tainly not earlier than o'clock-it Is
oftener 10 that finds him before his desk
and If his two hours at noon are
abridged by the smallest quarter hour
sullSiness and surliness are the sequel.
In positions just a grade above his, the
incumbents stroll in at 10. lunch from
noon to any hour they please and never
stay later than o'clock at their offices.
This accounts for what is so often OBJ
served with establishment by Americans
sojoufning abroad. They wonder that
THE cafes are full. at all hours of the
day, with prosperous men whose con-
Versation shows them to be engaged in
what even the blue blooded Frenchman
is beginning to mention respectfully as
la commerce" The explanation is nov
evident; these merchants every bus
mess man here is a merchant
inmate over their affairs in the shade of
cafe awning instead of behind the
forbdding railing of private Office.
Every one of them might be a literary
| lounger as far as his appearance is cea-
cerned. Immaculate boots. spotless
| linen and highly polished top hat-all
/ proclaim that they do not by any means
give all their time to business, and
that if all is hurry and industrial fer
| yor at their Offices, they al least VIII
not stoop to become a part of it FOR
more than four or five hours a day.
| As for the proprietor himself, he is
| oftener than not true rara avs at the
establishment. His head clerks and
| confidential men come to him in his
| pleasant country villa or city palace
when he desires information. He pays
wages of superintendent and has for
! gotten. If he ever knew. the name Ct
his bookkeeper.
/ have so many large Paris establish
| ments in my mind while writing this
| that mentioning one or two would pc ii
| no use. But i'm one of the largest SOAP
| and perfumery houses in the world, thai
| fairyland of color and fragrance tnai
| looks out upon the Place de la Made.
| ieine, one of the severe reminders to tht
/ employees consists Of a sign hanging
| near the door. ''Messieurs the clerk.
| are prayed TO recall that not more thar
| two hours can be allowed during tins
| summer for sdejeuner." And even il
| the large department stores. which tnt
| French believe To be unequaled for siz-
| and convenience by any others in -
| world. such thing as a clerk worl y,
| overtime or curtailing his midday T
| for any purpose whatsoever. has = ~
| am assured. heen heard of. "
| store clerks and accountants are
| "a To attend II their m3noton.ol.
neEer-hurried duties. The
certain gong strikes trey donmuslln, c
for the courtly length RI
| bouievards. and immedie
| faKorita restaurant ar cNerS and W2f