Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-05-18

These are principles which wero de-
clared Immediately before the war. In
France, and are being repeated now
that the war is over and Paris. brill
liant capital, is facing the problems
Of life again. They are serious prin-
,ciples touching commerce and ma
tional prestige, and they gain particu-
lar interest from the repeated meet
ings Of Nine. Poincare and Mrs. Will
son.
X X 4 X
French labor syndicates fixed at
$50. 900 per year the sum which the
presidents wife should spend on
dresa This was just before the war
(when nobody in France dreamed OF
war). and the Poincares. coming In,
had begun to honestly spend the
100000 annual allowance made to
the French president for Expenses OF
represe ntation"-i. e., to worthily
maintain his position. 1t is in addi-
ton to his $4,000 per year salary.
and as 1t was said on all sides that
Raymond Poincare was not the man
to save a personal fortune out OF
the two annual sums in his seven
year tenure" there was not silk
weaver in Lyon, nor wool spinner in
Roubaix. nor a sewing girl in the Rue
de la Paix who had not confidence
that the presidents elegant wife
would do her duty.
They set it at $4,000 for dress
$4,000 out Of $4,000 Expenses of
representation"
Prices have gone up.
Paris commerce now thinks that
$4,000 per year. at least, is the sum
which Nine. Poincare should spend
on her toilets. 1t was all very well.
during the war. to set an example of
economy, and to contribute the saw.
ing, more or less. to war works and
charities. The Poincares contributed
continually. But now they say that
charity begins at home-the home OF
every little artificial flower maker. fur
sewer and hand embroiderer in France,
not to mention the dressmakers' asso-
citation and the devastated lace and linen
industries. The presidents wife has
sacred duty to boost trade and illus
trate the republic. What's that?
What does that mean? It means
brilliant Paris. 1t means tourists. 1t
means the illustrated papers. 1t
means center for the pageant Of life
the capital.
X X X X
Nine. Poincare and Mrs. Wilson
were talking conhdentially together
on these subjects, with all the great
needs of the world open before them.
1T is SO hard to know what is
right" she said.
(which"
Guess"
Six months before the war there was
no doubt in France. The Paris papers
told exactly how the presidents wife
would spend her $4,000 of the repre-
sentation money on clothes. All
France approved. Roughly, it ran as
follows:
70 evening dresses, at an average Of
500 (some more. some less; and
there was supposed to be leeway here
for some trifing accessories). 400
Il street suits for each season (fancy
tailored and half tailored. a. they
balu DeIOre tne Warls Iot out00Ot cete-
monies, unwilling Of monuments, re-
ceptions Of delegations, inaugurations,
flower shows. etc.. at an average Of
$50 each. the four seasons. ........ 3,84
B afternoon costumes per season, at
$40 each Observation-Disclosures. 2,4O
3 afternoon reception gowns per season.
~ $UO ...................... ~
20 blouses per year. say an average Of
$50 each (which might leave leeway
for small extras) Observation-Disclosures. $50
Hats Observation-Disclosures. $50
Lingerie, gloves, shoes and accessories. 800
Furs average per year, in and out, for
years. Observation-Disclosures. 300
iotal ............ .................. vi a.
This estimate was. doubtless. mad
in the Rue de la Paix: but, as doubt
less. they had got nicely started. TIL
war stopped 1t. but in the first wee
after he had technically entered offic
as president Of the French republ
M. and Nine. Poincare appeared 8
three balls. The most brilliant wa
that of the St. Cyr students. as
President and Mrs. Wilson shout
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