New-York tribune., 1901-01-06
PARIS.
BAD SANITATION IN FRENCH THEATRES
A DIsoUIETrNG REPORT BY GOVERN
MENT EXPERT-TAXES on
AUTOMOBILES

Copyright: 1901: By Tn. New-York Tribune
IBT CABLE TO THE TRIBUSEI
Paris, Jan. 5.-Thanks TO bright crisp. sunny
weather New Year and twentieth century fes
tivities are still prolonged with unprecedented
activity. The Bois de Boulogne and the boule-
wards are thronged with holiday making public.
AT Montmartre the hero Of the hour is face
tious poet who arrested after mid
night on New Years morning for uproarious
revelry. One Of his escapades a fall through
the shop window of a pork butcher. When he
examined before the police magistrates on
Thursday the poet presented his own defence IN
hexameters and in the wittiest terms described
himself as the first drunkard of the twentieth
century-that is TO say, the first intoxicated man
arrested IN Paris on the opening of the new era.
He secured remission of Imprisonment with
merely nominal penalty.
There is a great deal OF gayety among the
American residents; seldom has there been such
profusion Of delightful little dinner parties Of
eight ten, followed by impromptu music and
dancing Among the most successful entertain
ments Of this description those given by
Miss Fanny Reed. Mrs. John whitcomb Cotton
Mrs. George Howland. Mrs. Spaulding de Gar
mendia, Countess Rene de Coetlogon, who has
slso resumed her Saturday musicals, and by
Mrs. Henry Drake There is also more than
the usual social gayety at the Elysees Palace.
President Loubet, who is an expert whip, may
be seen daily In the Bois de Boulogne in a smart
phaeton driving a well matched and spirited
pair OF black horses. Prince Minister the Ger
man Ambassador, who, by the way, has signi-
fed his intention Of publishing after his retire
ment his personal memoirs, which will cover .he
period Of his embassy TO Paris. also appears fire.
quently IN the Bois de Boulogne.
Legal proceedings instituted by a Chicago
man against NJ Edmond Rostand for the lat
ter's alleged plagiarism In "Cyrano de Berge-
rae'' have caused ripple Of excitement at
Cembo les Bains in the Basque country, near
Biarritz, where the author of IL Aiglon" is now
slowly recovering from severe nervous prostra-
tion, aggravated by attack OF pneumonia. 1t
appears that the irrepressible Chicago play
wright-Gross, by name-pushed matters so far
es 10 seek evidence among Rostand's
wants and notably from one OF his maids; but
these steps, which are regarded here as an un-
warrantable Intrusion into the privacy OF the
Rostand household, were energetically resented
and application to NJ. Cochefort, of the Paris
Police Department resulted In NJ. Rostand be-
ing protected by squad Of detectives from
further annoyance. He is now strong enough to
make occasional outdoor excursions with his
wife. He devotes the long winter evenings to
studying the Basque language
All the exhibition pictures have now been
moved from the Grand Palais OF the Champs
Elysees. but good deal OF statuary is still
there. IL must be taken away on Monday, as the
palace is required for the motor show, which
Will open the middle OF the month Thus Paris
motor will have the distinction of organz-
ing the first special show OF the Grand Palais
After the cars will come cattle for the sxhibi-
tion known the Concours Agricole is timed
for February %. This will lead UP TO the Horse
Show OF the early spring. On April 10 the pal
ace Will be given over to painters and sculptors
for the annual Salon, which will open May
and close June 30.
The motor men have for rejoicing
over the new measures OF taxation which came
into force On the first day Of the twentieth CEN
tury. The reduction Of the duties on wines
having produced a deficit Of several millions in
The city Of Paris budget, which the increase of
octroi dues spirits not sufficient TO bal
ance, the Municipal Council has, among other
new enactments, doubled the tax on auto
mobiles. Cars seating two and four persons will