Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-02-02

bourgeoisie, the famous reserve into
which France could always dip in
time of need, are disappearing rap
idly, Colonies in the French Army
receive $4,000 francs ($11O a month.
Such people generally have fami-
lies. In order to make ends meet
they are forced to sell their jewelry
or furniture piecemeal.
A public prosecutor, who has spent
at least Is years. in the legal pro-
fession, receives only 5000 francs
(s134.50) a month, which is less than
the price of suit of clothes or
three pairs of shoes. Most of these
thrifty and dignified bourgeoisie
already have spent their savings and
are now disposing of the few valu-
ables they still possess to provide
their families with the barest ne
cessities of life.
Real Estate q Headache.
The owners of houses or apartment
buildings are trying in vain to dis
pose of them. At best, town real
estate yields only one-half of l per
cent. Rents are controlled at prices
established in 1919.
Landlords are compelled to do all
repair work and prices of materials
and labor have increased about
1000 per <cent since the last rent
ceilings. were established. The
owner of building which yields
$4,000 francs a year was recently
compelled to make some major roof
repairs which cost him 238, 900
francs.
Those who placed their savings
In town real estate because they
considered 1t safe investment are
unable to dispose of their proper
ties, unless they want to sell them
at give-away prices. How long these
people will be able to continue their
present hand-to-mouth existence is
a big question.
Workers, who are supposed to be
favorite wards of the government
are not much better OF, unless they
become trusted Communist Party
members, In which case they gel
special advantages In buying fooc
and c1otfing through the various
Communist co-operatives. Tht
minimum wage demanded by the
CGT Confederation Generate de
TravaiD, which corresponds in g
general way to the AFL, is $1,000
francs a year. The skimpiest n1ea'
in a cheap hashhouse, or at home
costs at least 400 francs per person
Shot in the Arm Helped.
That present conditions cannot
last indefinitely, while the politicos
play their game, is evident to every
body.
During Leon Blum's short regime
the government ordered per cent
reduction in the cost of living. Al
though it was very little, since il
cannot be applied to the black mar
ket which controls the sale of prac-
tically all necessities of life, it die
act as a shot in the arm and for
a while the French people became
more optimistic. The hard-rressed
French people reacted to this psy-
Geological stimulus and the gov
eminent propagandists said France
was on the way to recovery. But
the effects have now worn off.
Political leaders will not admit
that anything drastic is in the
ofing. They blame the Allies, who
prevent them from obtaining the
bulk of the Ruhr coal, for some OF
their country's misfortunes, but
maintain that the present difficulties
are purely temporary and inevitable
after a disastrous war.
Most French political observers
are convinced that sooner or later
there will be a showdown between
the Communists and Rightists. They
believe that before the end of the
year a large, part Of the French
people will favor q Communist die
tatorship, which may be opposed by
a Rightist movement led by Gen.
Charles de Gaulle.
De Gaulle Bides His Time.
big Charlie" Is politically dead
duck. But that means nothing in
this country, where discarded poll
ticians frequently come back to
life with a vengeance. And this
may be the case with their chief,
say Gen. de Gaulle's few followers,
If present trends continue.
Gen. de Gaulle lives in retirement
in a modest house some $50 miles
from Paris. He attends mass regu-
larry and reads history. He has no
party. The Popular Republican
Movement of Foreign Minister
Georges BidauIt, which at one time