Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-26

and are not noticeable unless one IS espe-
cially looking for them.
THE trees of Paris are famous: but 1t Is
interesting to note that in this city nearly
ten times the size of Washington, there are
but about S. 200 trees on the streets, where
as We have here about $500. The trees OF
Paris are confined to certain streets, the
monumental streets, as they are called.
boulevards. etc. Much more money than
We allow is spent on the trees, and they are
watered almost daily. They are in better
condition than ours perhaps. but then IL
must be remembered that Paris is not
growing Washington grows, and there is
little necessity for planting new trees; they
simply confine their attentions to caring
for the old trees and this they do to a
nicely.
Building Regulations.
Col. Biddle was naturally interested to a
great extent in the building regulations OF
Paris, which are very strict.
with the exception OF the principal
boulevards or monumental streets, how
ever" he said. in speaking of this feature.
they are inclined to be more liberal in
Paris In the way of projections to buildings
than has been the case heretofore. On the
monumental streets the style of architec-
ture Is practically the same, and the prop
erty owners are not allowed to change the
fronts of their houses at all. They may
make any desired alterations to the Interior
or in the rear. but on these streets the
fronts must remain the same. 1t must not
be surmised from this, however. that the
houses of Paris are monotoDouS. They are
not. The architects pay great attention to
details and it is in this way the houses
differ The general aspect is very pleasing.
The sky line Is not SO uniform as to be
tiresome, either, there being differences OF
from ten to fifteen feet here and there.
The average height of buildings is seventy
feet.
Each year In Paris six prizes are Of
fered for the best designed houses. There
is usually & very keen competition and A
commission Is appointed to pass upon the
plans or the finished building as the case
| may be. The prizes are In the nature of
tax conce ssions. Each house in Paris has
to be thoroughly cleaned on its exterior at
least once every ten years. This rule APP
plies to government structures as well as to
private houses. Around the monuments,
and especially the Arch of Triumph, the re-
strictions as to buildings are more severe
than elsewhere. Around the arch, for In
stance, the property owners were required
to maintain pretty gardens, with certain
kind of fence inclosing them. The style of
architecture is also presc. ibed. Op the mon
umental streets there is no such thing as an
overhanging signs or displays of any kind.
/ noticed. however, that in London and in
Paris on most of the thoroughfares the
allowances for signs and displays, area
ways, etc, are quite liberal, even more so
than in Washington. There are no post
awnings allowed. however. All must swing
from the building, just as We require now
in this city.
Underground Railway.
1.-The: underground railroad in Paris is all
ways a delight to me- and is to all Ameri-
can people. There is nothing on the sur
face but a railing ana an ornamental sign
with one word on it. The crowds go DOWN
stairs. and there underground is fine sta
ton The trains. running by electricity,
move swiftly. The equipment is fine and
the fare is but three cents for the second
class Goa ches, where practically every one
rides. 1t is delightful contradistinction to
the smoky.-grimy, cid underground of Lon
don: The so-called 'tu'penny tube In Lon
don. however. is a fine underground system,
taking Its name from the two-pence fare
which Is charged. The absence of street
cars In London Is most noticeable to an
Anne rican. and is due to the fact that the
Engliskmen do not care to have their
streets torn up.
THE trans of Paris and Berlin are de-
lightful. particularly because of the seats
ON the Roofs of the cars. The ride out into
the country on top the caDs is most enjoy
able, and 1 don't see why the railroads in
this city. and country do not adopt some
such style of vehicle.
Reasons for Superiority.
There are a great many reasons why the
streets and public works abroad should ex-
Gel those in America, and particularly in
Washington, but they do SO only in very
few particulars. For instance, a much
greater amount of money is annually spent
on the works and the people are conse-
.quently taxed great deal heavier than
here In Paris and Berlin. and London too,
for that matter. the abutting property
/ owner is required to pay practically the en-
tire original cost Of the laying Of street
pavements and pays absolutely the total
cost OF sidewalks. In Washington the peo-
pie pay nothing for the street pavements
and only one-half the cost of the sidewalk.
Abroad the municipality keeps the street in
repair once the pavement is laid.
fC Taking everything into consideration, 1
think Washington and the people residing
/ here are to be congratulated on the appear
ance of the city. 1t is worthy OF their
i prfde"3
|. TE-usaads of situations have been OBJ
xained through the want columns OF The