Evening star., 1937-06-27
BY ALFRED E. SMITH.
ONDON. June 26.-I arrived IN

Paris Sunday morning and the
party went from the railroad
IL station to church. After break
fast we started out to see Paris. View
ing it as whole, it is just another
big city, and comes nearer to looking
like New York than any other city
50 far visited. It's wide boulevards
and large trees are pleasing sight.
but. of course. you are constantly
reminded of the fact that you are not
in New York because Of the absence
OF tall buildings and the large num-
Der and the size of outdoor restau-
rants.
The first thing Monday morning
I called on the American Ambassador
in company with the men OF our party
and he spent quite some time with us
and we unanimously declared him to
be A real fellow. We in the United
States have abundant reason to be
very proud OF our foreign representa-
tives. whether in the embassies or
the consular service.
l had the pleasure Of an interview
with President Lebrun. very pleas
ing personality, and he was glad to
see me. He expressed his gratitude
for my attention to his family on
the dav Of their visit to the Empire
State Building.
Misses Premier.
During our week in Paris the po-
litical pot was boiling over and I
was denied the pleasure of meeting
Premier Blum. as he was called be-
fore the Senate to defend his financia!
policy at the very hour set for our
conference. A few hours later ne
was no longer premier.
I was the guest of honor at
luncheon OF the American Club of
Paris. the president Of which is an
old-time friend of mine and was
secretary to Mayor Mitchell 20 years
ago. He Is now resident manager
Of the Paris branch OF the Guaranty
Trust Co. The American Club was
founded by Benjamin Franklin in
1777. It was the outgrowth of
series of dinners that he used to give
at his home when he was acting as the
first diplomatic representative in
France of the l3 American Colonies
1t is the largest organization Of
American citizens outside of the
United States.
OF course it would take long time
to see Paris properly, 50 we were COM
PEELED to be satisfied with touching
the high spots. The Cathedral OF
Notre Dame, to my way OF thinking,
is the outsta nding attraction. The
cornerstone was laid in 1853 and it
was finished in 1915. The tomb of
Napoleon Is quite sight. His re-
mains are in \ huge marble casket
in the center of the structure.
Around the sides are the last re-
mains Of many Of his generals. The
last burial was that of Marshal Foch.
Dinner at Maxim's.
We had dinner one night at Max
inns. an outstanding restaurant that
boasts Of 100 years Of existence at
the same spot.
A very interesting day was had by
our visit to Versailles. We saw the
room where the Treaty OF Peace was
signed by the representatives of the
allied powers at the close Of the
World War.
The palace was erected during the
reign OF King Louis XIV. Nobody
can describe it, but this may give you
an idea of its si5e. In order to visit
every room you would have to walk
hve miles and spend two and 4 half
hours doing 1t. This fact is ascer-
tanned by the experience OF night
watchmen who make the rounds OF
the palace in the course OF their
duties. At Versailles our party was
the guest Of Henry Haye. the mayor
Of the city. At luncheon we were
joined by several OF the city officials
and the former prime minister Of
France, Laval. met him on his re-
cent visit to New York, and he re-
membered the Empire State Building.
The thing about New York that i'm
pressed him was the great amount Of
water around the city. 4 told him
that whereas We may have had pro-
hibition by law, New York was al
ways wet.
I also had = pleasant visit with
Cardinal Verdier. the archbishop of
Paris, = delightful man whom I met
when he visited the United States.
Twenty Mayors Of Paris.
We think We have a top-heavy form
OF government in New York City. and
complaint has been made about dupli-
cation OF positions and consequent
cost to the taxpayer. Here Is one
for you In Paris t4ere ars 20 mayors.