The sun., 1916-12-17

HlIIIut0 II DToIlIocu W ~
scarce. Coal had doubled In price. but
that was believed to be due to dinicul.
ties Of transport, which In time would
be solved.
About the time tho new orders were
issued an electric light and power com
pany on which n suburb depended
to close for a day or vs. from lack OF
coal and at the same time an accident
(hre in a station) deprived a section OF
Paris of its electric light. Mr.. Asquith
dined at the British Embassy BY the
light Of oil lamps and Mr.. Lloyd George
and Albert Thomas used candles at the
Hotel de Crillon cit was during an allied
council Mt Paris). And these incidents,
although one was due to an accident.
brought home the possibilities to people.
Many began to regret their gibes at
the Germans and their witticirms about
police regulated existence. XXX bread
and meat and other cards, all OF Which,
seemed loominS In the near distance.
But competent authorities declare that
France Is far from having reached the
need Of such minute regulations as TO
what Il consumes. Her live stock has
been diminished by 80 per cent. since
| tho war. and the consumption OF meat
| has greatly increased to feed the army.
, but the resources hat remain arc suf-
ficient for the civil population. There
Is plenty Of beef. for example. but NUT
ton Ia scarcer.
Early Restrictions Planned.
/ The Cabinet has decided on a series
OF measures in connection with the FOOD
supply. but has not yet announced them.
Among them will he restricted supplies
| OF gasolcne for automobiles. the suppress
sion of any form Of fancy bread. only
-- .. l~.r Ahta mas MI
ready the rule in theory. but practically
every form was o%btainable outside Paris.
and In Paris almost every kind could he
got, although bakers refrained from
placing many In the windows), no fresh
pastry liz to be made-that Is. no pastry
that will not keep for at least four
days-retined sugar will he prohibited
and only crystallized authorized. and
butchers shops will be closed two days
n week. one to be Friday.
1t IL evident that TO close butchers
shops one day a week would not lessen
the consumption by one-seventh a week.
as It should do theoretically. as people
would buy n double supply the day be-
fore. although restaurants could be
stopped providing any meat on one day.
But It remains TO be seen how effectively
the sale of meat can be lessened by pre-
venting the sale rather than 10y prevent
ing the purchase, as In done In GermRny
BY the use of meat cards, which doubtless
the French Government wishes to avoid.
Much spent ~ Finery.
A fair Parisienne complained bitterly
70 THE SUNS correspondent about th'
new regulations. W have been recon-
mended TO buy things. even II they wcr'
not necessary. to help trade and revive
commerce and find employment for peo
pie. and now all at once We are told no
10 spend n coin except on necessities
What has changed
II Is thanks to her and her friends tina
France has imported ti,600.o00 worth o.
feathers and 81, 200. 200 worth OF Jcwclry
with $500, 900 worth Of tortoise shell dur
ing the first nine months Of 1915. Thes'
figures arc far below the normal. bu
doubtless the Economies Council Will re
duce them greatly for the future.
The gas supply of Paris belongs 10 TIL
city. which charges the low rate OF =
csn,imes a cubic meter. 1ts account
showed n profit In 1912 Of g.. 400, 900. an'
In 1918 $4,000. 900; then with the va
during half Of 1914 he profits dropped q
$500, 600. while In 1918 a loss Of $4,000.
! 600 was incurred. This loss wiped OF
more than half the profits of the thre'
! previous years. and this year undoubt
; eddy will wipe on the valance. as coal ha
Increased In cost u shows no sign o
decreasing.