Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16
ON AMERICAN PLAN
Railway in France to Be. Put
in Prime Condition.
GOVERNMENT IN CHARGE
Travel Over the Line Heretofore At
tended by Grave Danger.
M. BRAND RETURNS TO PARIS
Retired Commandant Prominent in
House of Deputies-Prefect Of
Police to Retire.
M. BRAND RETURNS TO PARIS
By George Dufresne.


Special Cablegram to The Star.
PARIS, April 15.-American tourists ar
irving here via Cherbourg, OF from Eng
land via Dieppe, and travelling over the
Western state railroad, have little idea
of the dangers that threaten them on
this comparatively short trip. because OF
the miserable condition of the roadbed,
the rails, the signal system, as we'll as
the rolling stock Of this company. The
French government took over the road
from q concern that for years had
neglected all Improvements and repairs.
because it was known that the state was
determined to buy the road. Innumerable
have been the accidents that have taken
place on this line during the last six
months, but now the end Is in sight, and,
after spending the enormous amount Of
1O0.OO0,OO0 francs on improvements the
new minister of public works, M. Charles
Dumont, hopes to transform the system
into one Of the safest, fastest and most
up-to-date railroads in Europe.
NJ. Dumont, who has an extensive
knowledge of railroading. as well as OF
engineering, has just laid an elaborate
clared itself satisfied. and passed a motion
expressing full confidence in the minis
ter's ability to carry out his plans.
American Plan Adopted.
The Western state railroad will, when
the improvements have been completed
be the most American road in Europe
The automatic block system will be
Identical with the one used on the Penn
sylvania and Few York Central systems.
the rails will be of the same pattern and
weight, the main line will be thoroughly
-ballasted and Oil will be used for
sprinkling to prevent dust. while heavy
engines built after American models Will
be brought into use as fast as the road
machine shops can turn them out. 1t Is
expected that all the other railroads OF
Europe will have to follow the example
set by the state, and Americans Will be
able to travel through France with all
the comfort to which they are used to
at home.
Former Premier in Paris.
After a three-week yachting cruise in
the Mediterranean. NJ. BRAND. the ex-
prime minister, is back again and is
spending his Easter holidays in lovely
Brittany.
So far nothing is known about his fu-
ture plans. He refused a tempting offer
to lecture in several European capitals
and in the new world. 1t is understood
that the terms were even better than
those given to his predecessor in the
Office of premier, NJ. Clemenceau, whose
lecture tour in South Africa was entirely
successful. BRAND does not possess the
personality of Clemenceau, but he is an
acceptable speaker, and given topics con-
genial to himself and Of general public
interest he would undoubtedly have at
tracted large houses.
1t is suggested that there was a reason
for his refusal The new ministerial
combination is not expected to work very
we'll. There are forecasts. indeed, of an
which case Clemenceau and BRAND
might be called upon to lend a hand in
forming it.
New Figure in Spotlight.
A few weeks ago it was NJ. BRAND
whose appearance in the tribune was the
signal for an uprOar in the chamber. 1t
is now M Driant. He is retired COM
mandant, who left the army rather than
to take part in the inventories. A very
popular figure in eastern France, he was
elected deputy for Nancy at the general
election. He seems to revel in setting.
everybody to fighting. He withstands the
president of the chamber, he Withstands
the minister of war and he mOcks at the
radical majority. They try to drown his
NOICc, Out he HOlOS NTnl ana says what
he wants to say. So irritated was the
minister Of war few days ago that he
consulted his friends as to whether he
should not challenge the soldier deputy to
a duel.
Driant is getting on in years. He fought
in the war Of 1870 and he was Gen Bou-
hangers orderly for two years at the min
istry Of war. He is detested in the cham
Der because he founded a military league
against Free Masonry in the army The
members OF the league are ex-officers
who. for the most part, had to quit their
careers because of the f1ches. They num-
erals. Driant says he will have 1000 at
his back by the next general election.
The leagues mission is to warn the
messrooms every time new chum is a
Free Mason. The consequence already is
that the spirit Of comradeship among
French officers has pretty nearly disap-
peared
Napoleon's Idea of City Improvement
Paris is a beautiful city, but it is not so
beautiful as 1t would be If Napoleon rs
IDEAS had been carried into effect
In 1908 the emperor proposed to continue
to Vincennes the magnificent route that
embraces the Arcade Triomphe at one
palace of the French kings would thus
grandeur.
The lecture given the other day by NJ.
Augustine Rey. whose official position at
the ministry of labor gives special value
to hts studies as an architect proposed a
scheme of reconstruction that Is striking