The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-14
$4,000 POUNDS STERLING IN 1919 AND IN 1920


The fact that the French Government is
beginning to tax the people heavily, making
up for moderation in this direction during
the war, is already being felt by the con
sumner. Eventually this may make living
considerably higher here than in New York,
for France must bear the financial brunt of
the war for at least fifteen years.
study of the budget of an ordinary
American couple in France shows that with
an income of $4,000 year, calculated at the
rate of twelve francs to the dollar-the aver
age of the last six months-there is practi-
caly nothing left in the family treasury for
emergencies or savings.
The rent of a modern apartment in the
Passy or Boulevard Haussmann districts,
the Partisan equivalent of upper Broadway
homes, requires an outlay of at least $4,000
fr0cs ($1250) a year. Flats may be- OBJ
tafned in other districts at cheaper rates,
but they are without the little comforts
such as central heating, gas, electricity and
bathrooms, which Indispensable to
Americans, and would be in districts not fire.
quented by the American colony. This price
applies, moreover, to furnished apartments:
unfurnished flats are very scarce and to
furnish them would require an initial outlay
of at least a years salary. even We're suit
able rooms available.
Add to this IT'S francs a month for a
general servant ($175 a year in American
money!, the minimum pourboire of 10
francs a month $50 year, for the con-
cier0e and 400 francs ($35 year, for
electricity and gas for cooking, and the in
come is already reduced by more than one
fourth.
Madame will require at least four robes
year, at an average outlay of 1000 francs
each. with 500 francs additional for hats,
1900 francs for lingerie, 500 francs for
footwear 200 francs for gloves, 400 francs
for hosiery--and another 600 francs can
be deducted. or s55S.33 Maintenance of
the family table cannot possibly he assured
for less than fifty francs "a day, n total of
$l,437.5O year. and even this will not per-
NIT indulgence in anything but the ordinary
wines and leaves no margin for extensive
entertaining.
Monsieur will need at least three suits
of clothing. estimated at $50 each. with 500
for shoes, SAL for linen, SIC for gloves and
neckties and the ridiculous minimum of IS
for shoe laces. tooth brushes. shoe polish
and clothing repairs.
Car Fare and Taxis Take 81 a Day.
Not less than dollar day must be al
lowed for taxis, subway and street car
fares, which have been doubled during the
last six months, and 500 for recreation
purposes would only permit an American
couple 10 VISIT PARTISAN theatres ABOUT once
every three weeks. In addition, Partisan
winters are no warmer than those Of New
York, and coats for both Madame and Mon
sieur would take another $3.50 from the
family purse. Allow another $3.50 for
fortnights vacation during the summer and
$50 for medical advice and treatment, and
only about 1900 francs or $3.50 would remain
at the end of the year for the payment of
taxes and unforeseen incidental expenses.
II will thus be seen that with an income
Of $4,000 the American couple could live
comfortably, but not luxurously and would
have TO watch very carefully every detail of
expense in order to get along. If of thrifty
character there would have to be a cutting
of expense all along the line. and in some
departments this would be exceedingly difn-