The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
q TINNES STICKS TO. H|S NATIVE TONGUE
Teutonic Industrial Magnate Able To Use French Or
 English, But Won't

PARIS, Dec 29.-(By Associated Press.)-Hugo Shines speaks French and English with comparative ease, ways to stick to German in the various negotiations of international portent of which he is the center.
 The story Is now being told that when Herr Shines came to Paris re- gently for secret conversations with a prominent French industrialist the latter began talking to his dis, tinguished visitor in French. Here Shines immediately interrupted, saving that If the Frenchman could not speak German he (Stinnes) would return. to Germany at once. note of finality that the Frenchman sent for an interpreter.
 Another instance of Shines in- sistence on his own language oc- cured when the editor of London newspaper arranged for an interview with the magnate, with the strict understanding, however, that nothing was to be published. The editor started the interview in English, whereupon Shines said: If this in- terview is not worth your effort to speak German you might as well go back to London. The rest of the conversation was in German.
 PRICES EMULATE BALLOON
 The old year passes out in France amid loud cries of protest against the profiteers, the Germans and everyone else, who, rightly or wrongly, is held responsible for the steady rise in prices of necessaries which now tax the pocketbooks of consumers 20 or 30 per cent more heavily than they did three months ago.
 The price of bread. which is the Frenchman's criterion, was recently increased to 1 franc 20 sous per kilogram the high-water mark; and there already Is talk of adding an- other sou. Beer has increase 20 per cent auto bus fares 10 per cent, milk two sous per litre. The barbers have raised their prices and the tailors are keeping their end up. Even the landlords are increasing the rents of foreigners, although they are rather at sea to explain what bearing the unfavorable position of French ex- change can have on the price of shelter.
 As an instance of how rents have increased, there may be cited a sixth floor room near the stock exchange which let for 150 francs yearly in 1918 had doubled by 1922, and is now renting for 575 francs.
 GETS BLAME, ANYHOW
 Louis Loucheur. former minister of liberated regions and one of the signers of the Versailles treaty, re- gently bought magnificent chateau at Louvecinnes, 10 miles from, Paris. On each side of the beautiful en- trance to the immense park that leads to the chateau, two capital LIS" are intertwined.
 What do you think of this prof iteer, Louis Loucheur?" said one workingman to another as they passed the estate the other day. M. Loucheur. among the working classes, Is reputed to be one of the richest men in France.
 'This Is fine democracy" con- tinued the man, when a republican minister plays the role of nobility of the ancient regime and have coats of arms and monographs"
 It happens that the chateau was built in the eighteenth century by Louis XIV, who gave 1t to Madame Dubarry. The monograms stand for the words from Louis to Louise. {" Although Madame Dubarry's name was Jeanne Becu, she adopted the more stylish Louise" when she be- came countess.