New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-30
TAX ON FAT PERSONS
French Town Adopts Novel Plan
to Increase Its Revenue.
WOMEN MOST AFFECTED
Motor Car Bandits Kidnap Able
and Steal Money Belonging
to Church.
rFrom The rribune's corr..pondent,

tFrom The Tribune's Correspondent
Paris. June "a small French town in
the Pyrenees district has struck a novel
way to increase revenue from taxation.
The ordinary channels not bringing enough
to carry out certain projected improve
ments. the Municipal Council decided TO
place a tax on the physical weight OF the
citizens. arranging the following scheme
Below 1873 pounds, no tax; from 135 to 200
pounds. IL shillings annually Is demanded
from 200 to 20 pounds. IS shillings. and for
all weights above this figure the tax in
creases at the rate of "a shilings for each
~ pounds. Trouble came when the local
authorities tried to collect the tribute Most
Of tho fat people formed a committee TO
appeal to the project, who represents the
federal authority in the district. Thus q
stay was gained. But 1t appears probable
that the town could put into execution the
new law If 1t should fight the case in the
courts. Most OF the opposition came from
the women, who held meetings and torch
light professions 10 signify their opposition
10 the measure, which struck them harder
than their husbands.
New motor car bandits are exciting the
people of France. Their most notable ex-
plot is the kidnapping Of an able and
the theft from the abbey Of money and
valuabes worth nearly $1,000. For nearly
a week the disappearance Of Able Piton,
Of Anglers. exercised the French police. He
has now reappeared at Lyons, 300 miles
away. with a dismal story to tell.
A Kidnapped Cleric.
Il am the Able Piton." he said walking
into the Paiais Of Justice at Lyons last
Wednesday. Last Saturday night at An
gers I was kidnapped by some men in
motor car, and II was not until last night
that I was set down in this city" The
able was accompanied by a monk belong
ing 10 a monastery in Lyons, who con-
firmed his story.
Experiments have been made with a new
instrument, with the result that the Mar
seillaise," played at Algiers, could be heard
in Toulon by means of wireless telegraphy
A curious situation has arisen in Almeria.
For many months the inhabitants have So
licited monetary help from the government
for the purpose Of remedying the persistent
drouth by the construction OF irrigation
canals The funds have been actually voted
for relieving the distressful situation OF
agriculture but the money never reached
Almeria. Now the whole population. tired
OF awaiting ministerial charity. has pro-
| tested I'm disgust. The Mayor and the whole
Of the city councillors have resigned, and
! there Is a general strike Of all Industries
] Commercial men refuse to pay taxes un-
less the demands OF the province receive
attention. The presidents Of the Chamber
OF Commerce and the Mercantile Club have
absolutely declined to discuss the situation
with the minister.
New Attraction In Paris.
1t will be OF interest TO visitors TO Paris
TO learn that the public is now allowed
admission TO the donjon, or keep, Of the
/ Chateau OF Nincennes, which Is about l6C
! feet IN height. and the walls Of which are
nearly ten feet in thickness A winding
staircase, with twenty-seven steps leads w
| the FIVE stories TO the platform, from which
a magnificent view is to be obtained, but II
is. of course, the historic feature OF this
ancient building which is the great attrac-
ton.
II was az far back as Il6 that Louis VII
conceived the project OF building "A royal
residence at Vincennes, In the wood OF
which the earlier monarchs often hunted.
Philippe Auguste and his SUCCESSORS Inn
proyed and enlarged tho chateau, in when
many OF them dwet. II was afterward uti-
liZed as state prison, and In lI+O the
norcelain factory which was removed TO