The St. Louis Republic., 1902-11-30

0oSFhheLko/
Special Correspondence OF The Sunday Republic
Lucerne, Switzerland, Nov. III heard 6
striking American invasion proposition the
other day.
Its enunciator was Adolph Frankenthal
our Consul at Berne.
He made it In Jest. but 1t might lead &c
matters of earnest.
1t is that our trust magnates should
monopolize Switzerland for money-makine
purposes
Frankenthal says they could turn the
country into sightseeing park and drain
the pockets OF the worlds travelling
public.
They could buy the water powers and
thus concentrate its industries.
Indeed. the tourist business might easily
be controlled by trust and with it this
enormous hotel industry, which now an
nually brings in many millions.
All that would be necessary would be to
buy the best of the hotels which control
the most beautiful views.
Then system could be organized by
which cut-and-dried coupon tickets could
be furnished, taking the traveller from his
home In Europe or the United States, and
returning him there after his tour at q
dxed price.
He could thus know to . cent what his
trip. was to cost.
The tips, which now emount to about Is
per cent OF ones expenses. could bs cui
on. and tho increase in comfort would be
enormous.
This is the stst Of Consul Eranksnthsrs
proposition.
Since then have looked further into the
matter, and can give you some facts az to
ths foreigners.
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
INVESTED IN HoTELA
The hatA husiness In this country is
enormous. = i.,..----- = e.
swifkeriand Is Just twice the eize Of
houne8 are crowded into q compass OF less
tnau hslf its area
Nevertheless, it has 1,soo hotels, and It is
estimated that there is s120.oo0,00o invested
in the business.
The hotels now take in about $50, 900 a
year. sad q large percentage OF this is
About half Of them are open all the year
round. and during the summer all are
crowded
Trayesers to ths number Of almost three
millions swarm into Switzerland from all
parts OF the world
They wander about from hotsl to hotel
and from one yiew to another. dropping
their money It every turn.
Indeed, the receipts of tine hotels during
good years are more than the receipts OF
the 0ovsIpmsnt, and their army of en-
~s2st the beginning Of the spanish-Ameri-
ca9 war.
There ere about 5000 men and women
employed in them. and of these 1000 are
1snnalea
A trust could materially cut down the
cost Of running these hotels. for 1t would
buy things In quantities.
A ts Is nov IL is estimated that more
than tseoe.ooe year V spent for provisions
and hslp.
which In one season consume $4,000 worth
Of cheese. $4,000 worth Of tea. 100000 worth
OF coffee and more than S1Da0o0 worth OF
sugar.
It costs the hotels every season at least
S2,0O,000 for bread, 100000 for butter and
ta50o,00o for vegetables and jams.
Al these things are bought in drtblets,
each hotel paying fer its own
Ths trust could run central supply sta
tton. and make divfaends out Of its savings
In purchases alone
TRAY YELLING EXPENSES
EXCEED IS A DAY.
A general impression prevails In the
United States that travelling In Switzerland
- cheap.
do not dnd It 60
The ratss at ths better class hotels are
not far from the rates at similar hotsls In
tho United States.
Nena Of the Lo00 hotels have referred to
charge less than 81 day. and the or
diuary traveller finds that his expenses run
Up 70 more than s.
You pay % much for your room, and then,
like rs not. something moro for attendance
and light
III YOU breakfast In your bedroom an
extra charge u made, and the best table
d'hots dinnar now costs q dollar and up
ward
Everything extra must be paid for, and
Soma Of the hosts are little less than high
way robbers. whose victims are travelling
foreigners
do not know that the railroads Of Swift
xeriand could be acquired by any trust, but
they are certainly profitable.
In 1880 they paid a net profit Of over
600, and their travel II increasing ev-
cry year.
Only four years ago the Government de
cldsd to buy them. and ihe transfer Of the
lines from private parties 10 the State Is
now under way.
Eae roads. Including the tramways, have
length of about $500 miles. and there are
many rack and cable lines running up
the sides Of the mountains to give access
to the beautiful views.
Mark Twain says, Every Alp has now a
ladder I'D its back like pair Of suspend
ere"
One of the incest things Of the Govern
nent railway system. is its general season
tickets or passes. which include all Switz-
eriand.
The railroad companies will sell you a
ticket for two weeks. a month. quarter
or year which you can use for that time
on all the railroads and steamboats, of
Switzerland.
These tickets are sold at fixed prices, and
they have to be ordered at least two hours
before leaving time.
You must furnish an unmounted photo
graph of yourself. which is pasted on the
ticket.
CARS ARE ABOUT THE
SAME AS OURS.
two weeks ticket over all the Swiss
/ to sl2 and a monthly ticket from $40 to $50.
III you travel third class the price is SO;
3ps>ond class. s4. or first class. so.