The herald., 1895-08-07
WHY AMERICANS GO ABROAD

We frequently see estimates made OF the
amount vi money spent abroad by Amer
ican tourists. The amount rolls way up
into the millions and when we see the
figures it is quite natural that we should
lament tnat this vast sum is not spent in
sightseeing in our own county. and fur
thermore, as natural sequence. we con-
template what the result would be if these
millions were kept in circulation among
our people instead of its being con-
tributed to tho support of European re.
sorts.
There is a certain class of ultra fashion
able Americans who will always look
upon an annual trip abroad as necessary
to their existence. With this class the
question of finances does not enter into
their calculations. They would go any
way, no matter how high or how low the
cost of travel. While this class of people
contribute largely to the vast sum of
money spent abroad by our people, when
it comes to question OF numbers they
are in the minority. The great majority
OF Americans who go abroad are of the
we'll to-do class and who 60 solely for the
sake of All outing.
With this class of people the question of
finances and cost of travel is very i'm
portant item. Every inducement and at
traction is offered in favor of a trip to
Europe as against tour of the Pacific
coast. A return ticket from New York to
Liverpool can be had for $12O. This in
cludss state'oom, four meals day and
allowing an extra S. for use of steamer
chair and tips bring the amount to Sl25.
A two weeks stay in England will use
up $l00 ore, making the cost of four
weeks trip not to exceed $225. This is for
frst-class accom- m odations. and while
the trip can be made to cost great deal
moro it can also be made a good deal
cheaper. For instance, the slow lines,
such AS the State line. will give a first
class stateroom and board included on q
return ticket at $75.
: Suppose the tourist looked into the cost
of trip to Southern California. He
would find that tirst-cass return ticket
from New York to Los Angeles would
cost about $40. Pullman fares $40 more,
with an extra $40 for meals. This brings
his travelling expenses up to S22o. two
weeks tour or Southern California will
cost another 500. This makes his four
weeks vacation cost 1920, or about 500
more expensive than the outing in Eng
land, and for the same length OF time.
1t is true that a railroad cannot be ex-
pecred to carry passengers as cheapy as
can steamship line. However, the
tourist does not take that into consdera-
tion. With him it is merely a question
of two and two make four, and the line
which offers the most for the money gees
his patronage.
The bulk OF the European travel is dur-
ing the summer months and at Just the
season of the year when an outing ia Cal.
ifornia is most desirable. However, few
eastern people understand this. On the
other hand. they are if anything preju.
diced against a trip to California during
what they think is our hot season. Much
could be done toward diverting travel
from Europe to California by the wios
distribution OF literature setting forth the
advantages of California as a summer re-
sort. However. the question OF rates still
stands against us. This the railroads can
remedy to some extent. return ticket
from New York to Los Angeles at an
even 500 would stimulate travel quite in
proportion to the $3 rate to San Diego
which proved 50 successful. Even II for
one season the railroads carried passen-
gers from the east to Southern California
at loss, 1t would in the end prove pay
ing inve stment. More people would be-.
come familiar with our delightful climate
and the grand scenic features of the trip.
The stories told by these tourists would
induce others TO come. But where we
ba /.
In the great numbers who would come
here as investors. The more rapidly this
country develops the sooner will there be
OH amount of local travel and freight to
reward the railroads.