The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-11-07
Hard Earned Gold Of the French
People Comes in Handy
When Call is
Made.
THE POOR MANS BANK
Nearly Everybody Had a Gold Piece
or TWO Saved Up and
This Was Freely
Offered.
fBy William Philip sinrns. United /

fgy William Philip simms, United
Press Staff Correspondent
PARIS, Sept. l. CBy mail-J-It was
"woolen sock bank" whose hard
earned gold saved France swhen she
faced the five million franc Prussian
war indemnity nearly half century
ago. Il is to this poor mans bank
TePlenished through years of toll ii
the sweat of many brows, that France
turns in the present financial crisis.
II the poor had not contributed their
mite; If the widow, the small trades
man, the laborer, the plain living man.
in-the-street had not come forward,
each with twenty, or forty, or a few
pitiful francs of their savings, France
couldn't have gotten her share of the
half billion American loan. At least,
this is highly probable.
Before the present war began the
gold secreted in the WOODEN sock was
the secret Joy and boast of every
family in France. Today IL is the
banks emptiness that makes the head
Of the French family proud.
There is not e piece of gold to be
found in my house today is the boast
Of the rich, the bourgeois and the
peasant alike. He shows with glow
ing satisfaction the little receipt is
sued to him by the Bank of France,
showing that he has turned In for the
national defense his little hoard OF
gold and willingly accepted in ex-
change the fimsy French bank notes
which look like cigaret papers
July 1, this year. Minister OF
Finances Ribot pointed out that II the
French families would turn in to the
Bank OF France the gold they had
hidden away, il would enable France
to negotiate all the loans necessary
for the conduct Of the war without
fmpoyerishing the country BY the en-
portation OF the country's reserve
gold. No request vas made; merely
the suggestion.
Within two months thereafter the
people OF France had emptied their
WOODEN socks to the extent OF 50o,-
100000 francs OF gold. The golden
stream is still pouring in. 1t is con-
fidently expected the total will reach
the billion mark.
Some philosopher who knew French
life. thoroughly, declared that the
French family has but two passions
its only son and its hoard Of gold
When the war came, France pile
her SONS on the altar Of national de-
Tense without murmur.
When the wickets Of the Bank o.
France opened the first day for the
reception OF gold offerings, there were
but two persons in line. One brought
500 francs in gold: the other forty. An
hour later sixty persons were in limo.
Two hours after that a hurried phone
call was sent TO the police for guards
TO come and keep the line in order.
During the first week the bank s
president received this letter:
Papa, when he left for the war
gave mamma three Napoleons 90
francs each in gold, telling her to
guard them carefully. We know moth
ing more about poor papa, ut we ara
sure that he would be well content 70
have us give our three pieces TO the
government which has asked for them
! am sure, too, that that would bring
US good fortune low does one do,
Monsieur le President. TO send them %
The great bulk Of the gold offerings
consist Of only two or three twenty
franc gold pices. II IA the average
hoard for the working man in Franco
Thousands bring merely q ten franc
gold coin.
The largest contribution from ar
individual was made il the early day,
OF the offerings, or precisely on July
&c. The patriot was an old man o.
the most dignifed French type rs
came to the bank with his valet fol
lowing at a respectful distance Tn;
valet staggered under heavy vaIis;
which he at last succeeded in deposit
ing at the bank window. 1t contained
100000 francs. $40 000) gold.
A typical French peasant woman
after waiting patiently in line he
turn. finally arrived at the wicket
Laying down ner two twenty fran
gold pieces with sigh OF relief sh
hurried away.
But Madame. Madame" the cler
called, you haven't got your bill
yet
The woman turned in stupefie
amazement.
What" she exclaimed you Civ
money in return?"
She had merely understood the
the "patrie" needed gold and she ha
brought hers.
For nearly a month now there ha
been an almost universal demand
France that the government accel
gold jewels. So far this has bee
granted only to the extent of gol
medals.
In the mail box in the Rue de 1
vrilliere. a woman dropped her go
marriage ring with the following no.
attached
81 have no other gold because
gave all had to my husband when
left for the trenches, l beg to be g
cused for not offering more than II
Emarriage ring, but little as 1t is,
hope that Monsieur lie Directeur de