ECHOES
from everywhere

SMOKERS SMOKE LESS
Last January and February, the Régie sold 20,375,000 francs less tobacco than in January and February 1924. This figure will certainly be counted as a deficit in budget forecasts, for which, when it comes to revenue, capital gains are always considered. What is the reason for this difference? Had smokers stocked up and wanted to use up new ones? Or was it some kind of protest against the excessively high price of cigars and cigarettes? And against the poor quality of tobacco? We don't know. In any case, these missing 201,375,000 francs will encourage the tax authorities to find them elsewhere. On what subject will they focus their inexorable hand?

SOLIDARITY
This happened the other day at a boys' school in a district near the Bastille in Paris.
The day before, five children had missed class.
So you were sick? asked the teacher.
No, sir, replied the oldest of the children, but we saw in the newspapers that there was a school strike.
"In Alsace, not here!" observed the teacher.
"Whether it's here or in Alsace," retorted the group's speaker, "it was you, sir, who told us last week that the proletarians of all countries must stick together."