Evening Star Newspaper, June 6, 1926, Page 7

FRERGH HARD AT BYDROP OF FRANC Nearly One-Third of Popula- tion Declared Facing Ex- treme Distress. BY WILLIAM BIRD. By Radio to The Star. PARIS, June 5.—Approximately 12,000,000 persons, or nearly one-third of the entire population of France, today are in a situation bordering on extreme distress. In some cases this situation is more threatening than actual, but those among this number who have not vet been over- taken by ruin are not far from it. Wage earners and their familles, and particularly white-collar wage carners, are for the most part, but one degree removed from starvation. Government employes, railwaymen and clerks are paid today salaries fre. quently lower than $20 a month, and rarely exceeding $40 a month. On this they are expected to maintain their families in respectable condi- tions. Intellectuals Hard Hit. College professors, teachers. and other intellectual workers seldom re- ceive, at tod: xchange rates, more than §500 a while the majority ching out a miser- at far below that n extreme max- imum. Indust workers, although rela- tively f te, are obliged to cut their livin e to the barest neces- sities in most cases. The maximum vages of skilled labor in Paris, where the highest scale prevalls, are less than $1.50 a day, while 30 francs is the prevailing scale in many indus- tries. In the provinces many labor- ers receive 50 cents a day and few more than $1. Distress, however, is nct confined to the salaried classes. In general all “creditors” are in dire straits owing to the debasement of the currency. Money lent when the franc repre- sented 20 cents in gold, now is draw- ing interest in paper, worth intrinsi- cally onl ents in gold, and in pur- chasing power one-fifth of its original value, Savings Count for Little. People who had saved all their lives in order to spend their last years in com le security are drawing in- come$ which leave them dependent on relatives, or on such work as they are yet able to perform. Even the trading classes—although those in “big business” are making money rapidly—are for the most part hard hit. Small merchants, not com- prehending the meaning of the fall in are retailing their lower than replace- t costs at wholesale. Business is brisk, but their stocks are being rapidly depleted and they will awake some not distant morning to find they have exchanged their goods for paper with which no goods can be purchased to restock their shelves. For this class, whether inflation and depreciation continue, or stabilization is achieved, ruin is practically certain, because either way the wide gap be- tween the franc's international value and its internal purchasing power must somehow be closed up. Today, although the franc has only one-tenth of its pre-war purchasing power in the international markets, it still will buy one-fifth as many goods in France as before the war. In other words, the same money will buy twice as much at home as abroad. When this gap closes, as all such gaps tend to do, those with franc incomes will be twice as badly off as they are today and ruin for these classes will be com- plete. (Copyright, 1926.) WAR VETERANS’ CLUB WILL VISIT-CAVERNS Motor Caravan Being Arranged for June 26-27—Other Cities May Form Units. outin; Shenandoah Veterans' u’ A meeting Friday night. President Fred B. Ryons ap- pointed the following committee of arrangements: Lieut. Curtis W. ley, chairma: sollel, vice Lieut. “F W Lieut. Howard S. Fisk, Sergt. Thompson, Capt. . C. Lowe, Hill, Ralph A. Cusick, G. ) ] Thomas Fravel, H. W. Lucas, Norman Deveney, Ed- ward A. Niel, t. Raymond M. Merle Spillan, . ¥ tingly will be the hosts of the club. Lieut. Charles Riemer, secretary of the club, presented with a gold watch in appreciation of his work since the organization of the club sev- eral months 0. The presentation speech was made by Madison L. Hill. President Ryons presented with a framed photogr of the recent banquet held at the M lower Hotel. As a result of requests from vet- erans in other cities, who desire to form clubs there, for copies of the constitution and by-laws, it was de- cided to re-edit them for the purpose of establishing a tional institution of the American W Veterans' Club, with national headquarters in the Dis. trict of Columbia. A committee was Madison L. Freeman, Representative J. J. Me- Swain, Representative Morgan G. Sanders, Jonas M. Smith, Judge Isaac R. Hitt and Judge Robert E. Mat- tingly. FOOT-MOUTH FIGHT ENDS. Live Stock Quarantine for This Disease to Be Lifted June 10. All domestic quarantine regulations imposed by the Department of Agri- culture because of foot-and-mouth disease in llve stock have been re- voked, effective June 10. The announcement of the depart- ment said the action applied particu- larly to California, “in which certain | areas have been kept under super- vision as a precautionary measure.” June 10 marks the elapse of ex- actly a year since the last infection in California was found and destroy- ed. Texas was freed from quarantine April 1. —— Ordered to Hospital. Capt. Francis G. Bishop, Infantry, at_Camp_ Meade, Md., and Warrant Officer Lawrence K. Kiefer, at Chicago, have been ordered to_this city for treatment at Walter Reed General Hospital, THE SUNDAY NTAR, WASHINGTON, D. U, JUNE 6, 192%6—PART Y. ome day YOU, too “will buy here We started without a single customer—but now thousands of thrifty buyers are on our books. Because, those who have already bought at Kaufmann’s are spreading the news that here are the greatest Values. Now you can buy better furniture — Character Furniture — at prices usually charged for the ordinary kind. And, if SAVINGS and SERVICE interest you—if you come to Kaufmann’s and see the amazing Values we offer—YOU, too, will become a customer and a “Kaufmann Booster.” We invite you to open a Charge Account on the convenient BUDGET PLAN $10 delivers Any Suite —and the balance on divided payments over a long period. Please do not confuse this fine Furniture with the class of ordinary Furniture usually sold on low terms. The Kaufmann Budget Plan is merely a matter of Banking—dignified CREDIT that adds nothing to your cost. Bargain Basement OPENS TOMORROW Floor samples, discontinued patterns, odd lots—all of these sold at drastic reductions, regardless of former selling prices. Come and see! And you can buy these also on The Budget Plan Here Are a Few BARGAIN BASEMENT SPECIALS—Picked at Random 9-Pc. Dining Room Suite. 897 Floor sample. Attractive and durable. Amer- jcan Walnut veneer. Extension Table, Buffet, closed China Closet and six Chairs with seats of genuine leather. BB N0 Covered with fine Baker cut Velour. Mahogany and cane ends. Opens into full bed. It's the famous Pullman make. An unusual bargain. - Walnut § 47.50 Dresser. Part of fine suite; other pieces to match. Of Huguenot and American Walnut, panelled with Maple. Dust-proof drawers; mahogany interior. Bedroom § 1 29 Suite. . . . A discontinued pattern—made to sell for much more. Expertly constructed of Ameri- can Walnut veneer. Full-size Bow-end Bed, triple Vanity, Dresser and Chifforette. Sever.. RO Antiquated Walnut—hi-lighted finish. Twodor cabinet. Spani Rennaisance design. An attractive addition to the best dining room. Serving $1.29 Tray. ... 1 A dainty nickeled tray with glass bottom decorated with painted design. It's a typical Bargain Basement value! | Cheieeof 5695 An opportunity to get a beautiful Bridge Lamp at a low price! Choose from a fine assortment. Attractive shades and orna- mented stands. Your pick for $6.95. Fine Dining $1 79 Room Suite. . Greatly reduced. Queen Anne design of American Walnut veneer. Closed China Closet with glass door, extension Table. large Buffet and Cabinet Server. Host and five Side Chairs—leather seats.