The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-01
TIGER Of FRANCE
LIKE SCHO0LB0Y
" A.-ytw.-ys.w vss,Tx y Z.
by jay Jeromc WilIian,s.

by cay 1CIOUuC " utIUNtSh
Paris. March 31-A gloomy six-
the Rue Franklin, and as common
place in it's exterior appearance as
thousands OF other similar structures
In Paris. is the home OF Georges
Clemenceau, the eeventy-seven-y year
old ''youngster" who Is known as the
Tiger OF Franco"
For twenty-five years, through all
the ups and downs Of his tremendous
ly busy career, Premier Clemenceau's
apartment, at No. Rue Franklin. has
been his home. And 1t is home in
every sense of the word, for he keeps
it's precinct sacred, save for occa-
sional visits from only the most init
mate of friends.
The concierge of the building-and
the concierge of every apartment
house in Paris is the major domo as
far as the f1teside destinies and COM
forts of the occupants are concerned
lis a stolid Frenchman, with brist-
ling mustachios, whose chief duty
seens to be to stand in gaping as
constituent at the sight of his chief
tenant. For the chief tenant. despite
his years, enters the building like a
gale of wind from the North. and de-
parts with the speed of a Kansas
all the time, to hear the concierge tell
about it. and that gentleman, provfd-
ing he knew American slang. would
probably explain NJ. Clemenceau's
lightning pedestrian activities in
this manner;
Hes always going hell bent for
election
AS 1t is. however, the following
liberal translation is the official ex-
PLANTATION of NJ. Clemenceaus goings
and comings at No. s Rue Franklin:
He leaves at 10 o'clock In the
morning with one OF his two secre-
taries He comes back at / o'clock
for his luncheon. after which he
rests for half hour. No one can see
him at that time. He will not permit
it At night he returns for dinner
but leaves again at s o'clock. and
later he comes back for sleep. When ?"
An impressive shrug OF shoulders
follows. when? Ten O'Clock, II
o'clock. 10 o'clock. o'clock, O'Clock
any time!"
Possibly more of Frances history
of the past ten years has been made
at No. s Rue Franklin than at any
other place in Paris But this fact
does not efface the plain exterior OF
the dwelling house of the premier,
nor prevent the changing of the street
car, which every so often destroys
the calm OF the neighborhood by rat
thing past the house on a single
stretch of track.
In the morning. though, when the
times approaches For the Tiger" TO
leave his home 81 group OF the Curl
Gus always congregates. There are
old men, mindful Of their former
strength. who look in amazement at
the fire and vigor OF the Tiger
probably their senior in years--as he
leaps into "A waiting motor car. There
are nursemaids with little children.
who in hushed tones point out
Frances greatest man for the benefit
OF their charges.
The neighborhood that reioices in
the presence of H. Clemenceau was
once known as the town OF Passy.
and was at one time suburb OF
Paris. 1t was here that Benjamin
Franklin. our first ambassador tn
France. came TO take the baths and
also to spend the summer season.
There is quite an American atmos-
phere to the place, for Franklin is
rehen hered by statues and tablets,
while not far distan, from tho home
Of the prime minister Is the statue
Of George Washington and also the
Avenue du President Wilson.