The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-09-18
WILL STUDY AMERICAN RAILWAY METHODS

When u Alfred Picard was director
general OF the Paris Exposition he earned
q reputation for having wonderful mem
or. and for being an indefatigabis and
Industrious workman and organizer.
It was said that Of the 1900 work
pien who were employed as laborers and
IN other capacities "a the preliminary
work. N Picard had speaking anquaint-
anos with nearly all OF them. and knew
the names OF moro than oue-half OF them
, When he arrived IN 81. Louis Monday
- envoy TO the Louisiana Purchase tx
position from the French Government he
used tie same tactics. and to-day. fl fact.
the day after his arrival. he was On
friendly terms with al OF the French ex-
sdbitors and employees, from n Geo
Gerald and NJ. Felix I.amy. president and
secretary OF the French Commission down
70 Jean. LEAGUE and Pierre. the gardeners
who sprinkle, the lawns and keep the
green plots q the French Government
building. making IL one Of the most at
tractive places in the Fair grounds
Il Picard Is wonderful man Fifty
ssven years old. his lie has been one OF
active usefulness since his school days
Now he Is the President Of a section OF
the French Council Of State. and rated
as one Of the highest Official heads OF that
Government He-was a personal appoint
tee OF the French President to the Ex
Dosition- The appointment was an honor
10 him. because OF his work at the French
<Eatr, and the appointment was siSi@i
honor to the United states, because II 3
the first time IN French history tilat an
envoy has been sent TO an exposition
HIS POWER RECOGNIZED.
In politics Republican. II Picard was
recognized as a powerful person by Cas-
amir-Perier, and appointed to the Cabinet
Since then he has maintained his position
of influence and as departmental head or
che French railway systems be has an ex-
traordinanly large amount OF work Tor one
man French railroads are under Govern.
ment control. and as there are many OF
them with many employees, q comparison
OF IL Picard's duties might be made ey
saying that his office handles about as
much work as does those OF Presidents
ingalls,. Cassatc and Wincheil. Of the Big
-Four, Pennsylvania and Rock Island rail-
way systems
II picard devotes some time 10 his ou-
ties. He arises at o'clock in the morn
sug HIS three secretaries. De!aunay,
Belleyille and Huteau, say he quits WORK
At IL the morning bat at an any M IA 'i lime ne
and his official position is ths oniy re-
oI,irement that makes him attend bats.
operas and other functions that in Paris
Not to say that NJ Picard does not Ike
TO be amused
He likes pictures ana books an. nu -,
Grand opera pleases him greatly but
three hours at the opera is a big loss OF
time. and It is only on state occasions tnat
he is TO be found in his box At that Il
NAV he expected that a book of some kind
will be found with him.
For NJ Picard is still a student. and with
O versatile mind and adaptable character;
he is a master in engineering. still and
crafty in diplomacy.
To talk 10 him Is to discover him. He
s. q listener = believer IN me m 1Ss,nl
ing than talking he Is an attentive list
ener. His replies are pointed ano inteLi-
feers little Information, but his whole
manner Is that OF a man who is about 10
tmpart all Of his secrets TO his auditor.
Frequently provincials who visit Paris
to find out things about the plans for the
railroads OF France talk TO VI. PICARD.
His manner Is one Of complete confidence
will tell them all the knows when they
have tired OF talking and cease question
.frlg But when they leave they find tina.
[(of the subject under discussion. and they
lave found out nothing which viii tell
EN- what his recommendations are 10 be
fypicai OF the French diplomacy and abii-
ity that was well exemplifed by Talley-
rand Colbert, Richelieu and Others OF his
torical fame. His education in 1t dates
HE FOOLED THE GERMANS
His first coup was during the progress
Of the Franco-German War. n. Picard was
q student in the Ecole Polytechnique
His entrance as a student was an honor
able one. he having been the nrst graou-
ate OF class examined from prepare
tory school. During the war PERIODS many
OF the students at the school volunteered
for service, n. Picard among them.
i The fortunes of war were against am,
however. and he was captured by the
Germans. Confined In military prison, he
became sick. II showed In the pallor OF ais
face and In his bent figure That he had
pneumonia was plain. The garrison COM
mander learned OF 1t and Picard. a broken
soldier, was paroieo to go home to die
He did not go home. He took service
again with his army and signaily dis
0neuished himself before the wars closs.
The pallor is still with him II is his nat
Wal complexion
He Sc a tall man. bent in form, and. al
Hpugh but 81 years old. would readily be
Ken for g. His niustache Is gray and bis
80 . pale. Punched and wrinkled. II looks
NJ that Of An old man. His hair Is thin
paae& - RsitA N So.ex. Il Is 20 thin