RED TAPE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 96, 30 April 1913, Page 3

RED TAPE.

An amusing example of official red tape is furnished by a dispute between a State Department and ex-President Fallieres about the poultry yard which Mine. Fallieres kept at the Presidential chateau of Rambouillet. Mine. Fallieres found when she took up residence (says the “Paris Journal”) a very inferior breed of poultry to that which she boasted at her country home in Lot-et-Garonne. She imported thirty-four of her best poultry, and the State Department of Domains added two black Houdan cockerels. Now that she has left the official residence, Mme. Fallieres proposes to take hpr poultry with her. But tho Department has intervened. “Mme. Fallieres took thirty-four fowls to Rambouillet,’ ’said the Department. “Mme. Fallieres is at liberty to take away thirty-four fowls—no more.” The ex-President’s wife protested energetically that in seven years the original fowls had multiplied considerably. The Department replied that in that case tho imported hens had taken the place of the original number which Mme. Fallieres found on arrival, and that they consequently did not belong to her. “Moreover,” proceeded the Department, “if the number has increased so greatly., the poultry must be the descendants of the two State cockerels.’ Mme. Falliere’s replied that tho State cockerels died long ago. ‘G'arntod/’ said the Department; “then the cockerels which are there now take the place of those so generously provided by the State.” There the dispute stands at present.