Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-24
IN PARIS
WHAT SOME OFFICIALS THINK OF
THEIR FOREIGN POST.
The French ncapitai Admired, but Its
Customs iand People Criticized
-AmHricStn Ingenuity.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

A1SAS, FIdLcc, august 40, low
A typical American and most anabie
parsonage Is Consul General John K Gowdy.
He received me I'D his private office in a
| truly American style, without any OF the
formalities and the effervescence Of dignity
| that accompanies all French officials. The
| fact that was from the United States was
sufficient guarantee for my passport. Every
thing around me seemed so thoroughly
American that I truly felt at home. or
course President Mckinley was In evidence,
| as well as our dear flag, while pictures OF
the national departments Of government and
well-known officials also adorned the walls:
The Paris Sunday.
We discussed America and France MAX
ing comparisons and contrasts, and reach
ing the conclusion that the United States
was the only free republic. You OBJ
| serve" said the consul general, that in
many ways. Sunday here seems no differ
ent from the other days of the week. The
vendors are on the streets, as usual. many
OF the stores are open and, above all. the
races go on just the same. This last sport
shocks many of our American friends, but
let me tell you something about these races
They are supported and encouraged by the
French government, because 20 per cent OF
the proceeds goes to the government,
which In turn gives this amount for chart
table purposes. Yes France is good to her
poor and laboring class. Another evidence
of this is exhibited in the fact that since
sunday is what might be called a free day
among the working class, most all amuse-
| ments are open on that day and all ad1nis-
sion fees are reduced to one-half the usual
price: This is most noticeable at the ex-
position
A Labyrinth of Streets.
II must confess" said the consul gen.
eral, II have not yet been able to get
around intelligently in Paris. These zig
gag streets are the most ingenious puzzles
| have ever met. Washington, with all its
confusing avenues. is easy when compared
with Paris. Streets seem to run at tan
gents, angles and curves to each other.
Ny daughter, however, appears to have no
difficulty. She takes her map, looks at 1t
and goes to her destination and returns
without any trouble, but, you know, some
people born genii.
Yes, society cuts great figure in Paris.
where form and formally among her
chief considerations. Friday night is the
social night at the exposition, when at
least four tickets are required for entrance.
regardless of the price of the tickets. This
| Is swell night as we should call 1t in
America, when all the big bugs and high
steppers are in evidence"
When asked what the consul general
| thought of the Partisan capital, he replied:
Il like Paris and its beauties, but l am
not an admirer of all the customs Of its
people. They have not the push that Amer
leans have, and, let me tell you, it Is the
Americans in Paris who are giving the sup
port TO most on the large enterprises here.
Bogus Americans.
/ left the consul general to call upon Mr..
]. Ellison-Bowen. the consul generals
deputy. That official was found in his office.
He is a very Jovial Individual, and made
my visit quite enjoyable. You would be
surprised he said, ito see the people and
lain hat
selves to me almost daily. 1t is usually
man whose accent Immediately convicts
him OF being Of some other nationality be-
side American who tells me in plaintive
tone that he wants to go to America. 1 in
form him have no objection, and he re-
plies In a still more weeping voice that he
has lost his money, and has come to me to
give him the amount necessary to take
him to the United States OF course he
has long story to tell about how he was
swtndled here and there, and that his
family at home Ia in a starving condition;
when the fact is he has squandered his
money and thinks Uncle Sam should send
MIN nome. That is not our purpose here.
and yet these are frequent occurrences
However" he remarked, amusingly II
manage to get a great deal of enjoyment
out Of these visitors"
Visit to Commissioner General Peck.
The stars and stripes Haunting from
the windows Of 20 Avenue Rapp as
sured me that I had arrived at the head
quarters OF the United States commission
to the Paris exposition. was cordially re-
ceived by Mr.. Ferdinand Peck, who. al
though pressed for time, allowed me a
short interview. Here also President Nc
Kinley, "Old Glory" and buildings and
scenes from America, were in evidence.
America is creditably represented at the
enterprise is the United States Publishers
building, an annex to the department of
liberal arts and chemical industries. When
l surveyed the space assigned for the
ance had been made for a publishers dis
play. The United States must be repre-
scented in this line said to my colleagues.
and at once we traversed the entire ex-
position grounds. at last determining upon
a site just outside the building devoted to
decorations, furniture and various indus
tries. where the exposition borders Rue
Fahert. We made application for this
place. but as the French authorities
thought 1t would necessitate cutting down
the trees, they refused us. Not a tree
l replied. The authorities looked wonder
ingly at us, but gave us the desired permits
sion. I know you Frenchmen could not do
anything with this ground. but nothing Is
impossible for Americans / replied, in an
swer to their bewildered expression.
American Ingenuity.
Nothing but American ingenuity and
pluck could have made out of this site the
building have placed there. With the
assistance Of Director Capehart, Mr.. Chas.
H. Semmes, who has charge of the build
ing, and Mr. Oahx we conceived the idea
of tncasing the trees in hollow columns,
which should support the building. This
was done, and we have the most novel edi-
flee in the grounds. The foliage of the
trees is set at liberty above the roof Of
the structure. presenting as a result a
printing Office in the midst Of nature.
Society at the United States Pavilion.
1.-THE United States pavilion is the scene
Of many social and official functions. We
have just organized weekly concerts. which
will be supported by the best American
talent. interspersed by few French art
lists. 1t is oyr plan to have our gather
ings American These are under the d.
rection Of Mrs Jenkins Harris OF Wash
ington, D. c..Sswho has many of the lead
ing social women IN Paris as patronesses
An afternoon promenade concert will also
be a weekly feature"
Mr.. Charles Richards Dodge, who has
the care Of the. agricultural exhibits, refer
ring to the prizes awarded the United
States said: ssBes3des the medal received
l rH~1