The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-04
PARIS In 1900.
HOW TO GET THERE.
The Cheap Ocean Routes and What
1t Costs to Live in
Franco

II present appearances are not deceit
full, half the world is preparing to visit
Paris during the Exposition of 1900
w hatever harm the "Affaire Dreyfus"
may have done to commerce it certain
" has not tended to lessen the interest
th9f the nations of the world have taken
ii the great exhibition.
At one time during the late unpleas-
ahtness with Spain it looked very much
as II the American people would boycott
the ar; but this breath of hard feeling
mas entirely blown over, and, instead of
Delng the dog in the manger the United
States will be one of the largest and best
exhibitors on the grounds.
In other words, the mercantile and
manufacturing interests of the country
have realized the fact that this will be
an excellent opportunity to show the
world what a great people we are, and
they have determined to make the most
of it.
Already the officials who represent
this country have succeeded in securing
an allotment of 100000 square feet of
space, or Just twice much as was orig
lnaLy assigned for our exhibits. and not
a foot of this space viii 90 to waste.
So far as the French section is con-
cerned, the work is progressing rapidly,
ana some features are now nearing COM
pletOn- The foreign sections, however
are tar behind in their work, and in this
the United States is no exception to the
RUE, so that there viii have to be con-
siderable activity shown before very long
II the foreign exhibits are to be ready
at the time of opening the Exposition.
One of the most pleasing features in
the preliminary work is the evident in
tentIon of the management to provide
the best possible facilities in getting to
ana from the grounds. In order to do
lhls II has been necessary to extend two
railroad systems through the CITY.
As land IS too valuable to build rail
roads upon, the companies were required
10 go under ground, and, as the authori-
ues VIII not give a permit for open ex-
| caVauOns, it has been necessary TO do
all the work by tunneing 1t is dificnIt
| to realize what an herculean task this
has been.
In one place it was Necessary to depress
a sewer that was thirteen feet in diam
| eter, and again the engineers were com
| PEELED to pass directly under n massive
government building without disturbing
the structure in any respect All these
! obstacles have been overcome, however
| and the engineers are completing their
task most successfully, although it must
| be admitted that they have had their
hands full.
The various means of transportation
now under way include the construction
| of the Alexander III. bridge the extern
sion of the Orleans and the Western
] railroad systems, the construction of the
metropolitan underground road. the en-
! largement of the Care de Lyons of the
| Paris, Lyons and Mediterranean Rail-
way and the construction of the movable
| sidewalks.
Another problem that the French peo-
| pie are doing their best to solve is that
| of accommodating the vast army of peo-
| pie that will descend upon the capital
during the Exposition. Already the va
| riOus agents are receiving so many ap-
| pHcations for apartments that several
| PROVISIONAL hotels are under construc-
| ton, and many more will be prepared
/ before the end of the present year.
! OF course, the principal demand is for
| furnished apartments and pensions. those
! who wish to avoid the cares of house
! keeping preferring the latter. At pres
ent the rents of the furnished apartments
range from 800 to 1000 francs Der
month. The prices for private houses
are from 1900 to 1000 francs per
month, while the pensions cost from 3
| to 10 francs per day, according to the
| service required
| These, of course, are the prices that
| prevail at the present time, but during
the Exposition they viii probably be
/ from 90 to 100 per cent. higher. Many
private families are even now arranging
to leave the city, in order to let their