The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-24
TAKES GROGF0R WATER
Premier Forced To Use Stimu- lant During Arduous Speech
 To Deputies .5

PARIS, Feb. S3.--( BysT AsSoclated Press. )--Premier Poincare, who praises French wines but drinks water, recent ly fell off the waterwason in the Cham Der. of Deputies. The premier's attack of grippe, which finally sent him to bed for day during his fight to drive his tax measures through Parliament, had worn him down greatly. His phy- sician and friends, realizing his weak ness, instructed attendants to put a glass of hot punch, "grog Afnsricdine, before him while he was speaking, in- stead of the traditional slass of sweet the beverage every few minutes, the glass frequently being replaced when the liquid began fo grow cold gwith another steaming hot one This was kept up, during the entire twd,s and one-half hours, which it took hin sto deliver his speech. 's''f4'' , '''N |'
 Dawes Makes Hit
 After a month under the influence of the unfailing affable smile of Brig. Gen. Charles c. Dawes, Ameriean, expert on the committee, which is trying to as- certain Germany's economic and finan- cial situation, the French newspRper re- porters and camera men say they have come to the conclusion that his reputa- tion for brusqueness is unmerited.,
 When General Dawes first arrived, the photographers, having read of his alleged grabbed methods with newspa- permen, sneaked up to take his picture, as if they thought their cameras would beyruthlessly smashed. They were much taken back by the mild manner, in which they were received. Now they have enough courage to walk right up to General Dawes and ask him if he would mind posing for picture. =
 This does not mean, however, that the chairman of the first experts com mittee has lost his usual firmness, when he considers firmness necessary. Scores of would-be entertainers can testify that General Dawes, notwithstanding hundreds of importunate Invitations, has consistently stuck to his original resolution against accepting entertain ment until the committee's work has
 The latest proposed function, which was politely, but firmly, declined by General Dawes, was luncheon Louis Barthou, president of the reparation commission, desired to arrange for the experts so that they might meet promi- hent French industrialists. General Dawes said he saw no reason why his committee should alter its general rule against such functions until the, work was finished.
 Franc Keeps Accountants Busy
 The brokers and their clerks on the Paris bourse are burning the midnight oil these nights, trying to keep their ac- counts abreast of transactions. Every curb, as well as every official stock broker, is being Overrun with orders, the public seeming to be feyerishly anxious to get rid of bank notes, in ex- change with some stocks, in which there Is q chance to make something.
 Gambling in stocks has assummed about the same proportion as gambling on the horse races 15> years ago, when there was book being made on the races in every cafe and tobacco store. The bourse steps are crowded to the limit during business hours. All sorts of clerks are being pressed into serv- ice to deal with orders. The brokers usually finish their accounts within an hour or two after the closing of the bourse, but now they work we'll into the night to clear their sheets. :. 7''.',. .,..
 Dressmakers Raise Prices
 French dressmakers are watching the exchange market closely. Their prices already have jumped from 25 to 90 per cent at the opening of spring fashion shows and good customers are being told that they should buy now because another boost in prices is imminent. A half dozen of the better class houses in Paris are getting from 1900 to 5000 francs for afternoon dresses. These prices represent double those of year ago. TailOr-made suits are being sold at from 2,5O0 to 1000 francs. while the prices of evening coats and evening gowns run around 1000 to 5000 francs These prices are for simple things" often ma'gnificient in design but of standnrd materials, which are made by few specialists. These materials do not appear in the open market. but are held exclusively for dressmakers for perhaps q year after their first showing, so that the women purchasers will not see too many gowns made of the same goods as their own.
 The cost of these goods seldom ex- ceeds 400 or 300 francs, with the addi- tion of like amount for trimming the more elaborate c0stOms. Therefore, there is large profit in 5000 franc dress, as the cost of labor has increased but slightly. The dressmakers, how ever, contend that they remain "a la mode" for only four or five years and, therefore, must make their fortunes while. they can.
 = I,v,a A s.w