The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-29
POLISH REPUB[|CIMARSHA[ FOCH |S ||S SIXTH AMONG WEARING TOP HAT EUR0PE'S PEOPLES AND PARIS GASPS
Meeting Of Academy Furnish eS Chance To See Notable
 Men
IS. April 2s.-(BX Associated

PARIS, April 2s.-(By Associated Press.)-"The marshal is wearing a top hat! Just lok at Marshal Foch with a topper on, was the irrever- ert, surprised but subdued murmur that ran through large crowd standing in front of the French academies on their way to elect suc- cessors to the seats of three of their fellow "immortals" who had died.
 Premier Uoincare had just saun tered by. his little derby hat set at jaunty angle.
 Tt was a great relief to him to discard his top hat when he relin- quished the presidency of the repub- lic," said a well-informed spectator as Poincare passed.
 Then came Anatole Frame with a wide-brimmed Umbrero that the late Buffalo Bill might have envied, followed by Maurice Barres in pea green fedora, Paul Bourg' wearing a cowboys headgear and Henri Bergson, the philosopher, his brainy appearing head adorned with a gray felt.
 "The top hat is doomed" was the verdict of the spectators after watching a score more of the mem- bers of the academy enter the insti- tute, all wearing so-s felt hats and various sizes, shapes and colors. Then as the clock was about to strike, an- other top hat was seen approaching over the railing of the Pont des Artes. Briskly crossing tho institute square a stout gentleman with military bearing entered with mili- tary punctuality just as the meeting was about to be called to order. As he passed the crowd cheered. It was Marshal Joffre.
 The top hats worn by the two marshals were dis-similar in char acter as were the two men. Marshal Fochs was low crowned and narrow brimmed while that of the hero of the Marne was high and wide. Both were decidedly out of style.
 Twenty years ago, it would have been heresy for any academician to attend plenary session of the aca- denny without wearing top hat.
 SHOE STYLES VARIED
 Styles in shoes are occupying the French feminine mind to greater extent than in former years. The styles are becoming more intricate, not only in the matter of design but in the blending of different kinds and grades of leather. Bronze after noon and evening slippers are just now very popular in Paris. The eve ming slippers continue to be cut away at the side. leaving little of the foot
 
 out in many of tle shoes for day wear, but In a more conservative manner.
 Brocade to match the gown, or brilliant stuff of some shade blend ing with the jewel ornSmentation of the gown, is used on many slip pers for evening wear and there is always an attempt strike a har- monious note betwen costume and slippers.
 ono of the latest things the fad dists are indulging ir IS a monogram slipper. with the letters made in eye lets on the vamp or outside. This is new wrinkle and rapidly be- coming the vogue for tie summer.
 PLAYWRIGHT IN JAIL
 Playwrights have many times ner- vously awaited the verdict of a first night audience in the wings offstage; others sit In cafes across the street from the theatre where the premiere is given. while some have been known to spend the hectic hours in nearby motion picture houses, but one French dramatic author recently had the unusual experience of passing the dreaded first night" in Jail, where he was informed that his play was q huge success.
 Brutus Mercereau wrote and staged play called Claude Voinet." but while he was conducting the last dress rehearsal. policemen, entered the theatre, arrested him and lodged him in La Sante prison. The cause was an article M Mercereau had written for newspaper, the govern ment considering it seditious.
 LIMIT RACE
 The 2,500- meter dash is too severe race for women to engage in, the French Feminine Athletic federation has ruled and no woman athlete af- filiated with the federation will henceforth be allowed to race this distance. On the other hand, the 1,000meter run will be retained. The decision Is the result of tests made at both distances in which the ath- letes taking part were examined by physicians for their heart and lung action.
 Mime. Milliat president of the Inter- national Federation of Feminine Ath- letes, told the correspondent after the recent games at Monte Carlo: "The 1,000-meter run is the standard ong-distance race for women. It has already given superb results in the development of our women athletes. There is no question, of course, of allowing any and every young woman compete who desires to run. There must for this event, as for all others, be serious preparation."
 The French women athletes have proven themselves supreme at 1000 meters in the international games thus far held. There are 10 or 12 girls who can do it in better than 8 minutes 20 seconds, and at least three are capable of beating Lucille Bre- ards record of minutes 12 seconds made at the Pershing stadium in tho games of August. 1922.
 FEUDAL DAYS RECALLED
 Feudal days are recalled by a little ceremony which has just occurred at Perpignan, where delegation of mountaineers solemnly brought in the sum of 960 francs as their annual feudal tribute to the head of the French government. The latter shares with the Spanish bishop of Urgel sort of suzernainty over the