Evening star., 1911-08-31
SUFFERERS BY FLOOD
REFUSE TO PAY TAXES
Trouble Caused by Parisians'
Who Did Not Get Money
Voted for Relief.
oreign Correspondence OF The Star.

Foreign Correspondence OF The Star.
PARIS. August 18. 1911.
At the time Of the foundations in this
city 50 many Of the industrial classes
were flooded out that the government
voted large sum to make good their
losses. Although this was eighteen months
ago. there are numerous victims who
never received a cent, and it is openly
stated that large portion of the money
voted and subscribed has disappeared,
and will never be heard OF again.
In these circumstances the sufferers by
the floods refuse point-blank to pay their
yearly taxes. and are supported by
committee which has been formed to de-
fend their interests There already have
been several demonstrations" In one
case. that OF the keeper Of q small res
taurant. the establishment was covered
with calico bands bearing inscriptions
such as: Victim Of the floods. / shall
be sold up for non payment OF my taxes
for 1910 Consequently the government
Is violating its word Of honor and tram
pling law and Justice under foot. II
had my share OF the 100000 I could
pay" etc.
Decide on Resistance.
At a meeting the other night it was re-
solved to resist the officers Of the law by
force. and. this being known a formi-
dable array Of mounted and foot gen.
darmes and police surrounded the res
taurant at 8 O'Clock the next morning,
this force being In turn hemmed in by an
angry crowd When the police commits
sary advanced to the door and summoned
the owner to open he was met by M.
Berry. q member Of the chamber OF depu-
ties, who replied: This is another viola
ton Of the promises made. and against
illegal force we affirm our rights" and
he Immediately shut himself inside. where
forty or fifty partisans had assembled to
Withstand q siege.
Locksmiths then were brought up to
force an entry, but the garrison kept
mailing planks across and affixing new
bolts as fast as the outside workers de-
molished them and. through the key
holes and cracks. maintained blasts Of
red pepper, insecticide and other intol-
erable powders in the faces OF the lock-
smiths At the same time men and wom-
en- kept appearing at the windows and
skylights on the roof. shouting, Thieves!
Burglars! Shame on you! Give us back
our money, you robbers!"
Police Rush In.
At the end of half an hour however,
the door was reduced to shreds. and the
police dashed In. only to be met again by
NJ. Berry and the president OF tho COM
mittee of defense. who repeated q SOL
emn protest. The commissary. however,
was in no mood to parley, and the inte-
rior Of the restaurant was being cleared
with scant ceremony when the deputy
again interviewed. and. saying that he was
not rich enough to pay the taxes OF all
the victims. took OF his hat and went
around for subscriptions. heading them
by dropping In $40 himself as 4 begin
ming.
The $50 required was soon made up.
the last two being given by the mayor.
who, girt swith his tricolored sash. was
seated behind the counter as spectator.
In nve minutes all the minions OF the
law had disappeared. and. as II by magic,
q plentiful breakfast appeared In the cafe
presided over by NJ. Berry. ana the incl
dents OF the brief scene were considered
As g. joke