New-York tribune., 1920-05-31
Bulgarian Monarch
Displays Democracy
In Engineers Carb
King Boris Exhibits Pride
in His Private Railroad
by Repairing Locomotive;
Hopes to Visit America

SOFIA, May (By The Associated
Prcss) (Delayed) king Boris of Bull
garia is noted among his people for his
democracy, simplicity in taste and af-
liability, and these personal qualities
stood out strongly in a talk the cor
respondent had with him to-day at the
royal summer palace, just outside of
Sofia.
The young King, dressed in overals
and jumper, was found adjusting the
driving mechanism of little locomo-
tive which stood on a narrow gauge
track near the entrance of the palace
grounds.
"Ycu will have to excuse me for look
ing so shabby" exclaimed the King,
but 1 have been repairing one of these
engines. 1t is dirty job, but | enjoy
H. You see, we use this narrow gauge
palace, and this is one of the few loco
motives that survived the war"
The little railway is eleven miles
long, and connects with the main pas
senger line from Sofia. 1t was butt
expressly for the King.
"From childhood,' said King Boris,
who speaks excellent English, Il have
always wanted to run locomotive and
own a real steam railway. Now | have
my wish. This little narrow gauge af-
fair must seem strange and amusing
to an American, but to me it is a source
OF great interest and pleasure
My interest in locomotives began
when one of your generous Americans,
Charles r. Crane, Of Chicago, made me
a Christmas gift of d toy steam engine
That was when | was five years old.
am now twentysX and my Fascination
for locomotives and mechanical things
of all kinds has never ceased.
"lt were not a King | should want
to be an engineer. There are less re-
sponsibiities in running an engine
than in ruling d country"
The Kings mechanical trend of mind
was lnanifested strongly III another
way just at this juncture when an
peared at the palace and ask the
young monarch to pose for the movies
The King had the photographer demon
strate the working mechanism of his
entire apparatus and then insisted on
operating the machine himself while
Nj. Stambuliwsky, his Prime Minister,
stood in front of the camera. The
King turned the crank of the camera
two revolutions a second, as the Ameri
can photographer had directed, until
many feet of film had been run by.
The King moved from the scene If
the moving picture episode to a small
room in the palace, where his me
chanical laboratory is located. On a
shelf in corner was miniature
locomotive. "That," said the King, to
the corresp spondent, dis the toy engine
which Mr.. Crane gave me twenty
one years ago. 1t is still in fine
order"
in a room adjoining is research
laboratory, whore the youthful
monarch makes study of the insects
which are injurious to plant life. He
is an expert in zoology and botany,
and knows every species of flower and
tree. He is thoroughly versed in
agriculture and takes an active in
terest in such matters as soil values
and stock raising. He is also a great
lover of animals and possesses a con-
siderable collection in a menagerie at
tached to the palace.
1t is the hope of the king to visit
the United States as soon as Bul-
garja RECEIVERS fully from the war and
regains her normal footing.
at has been one Of the most
cherished wishes Of my life to visit
America and sec her great industries
railroads, buildings, bridges and pub
lie institutions" said he" l am look
ing forward to that time with very
keen interest and pleasure"