Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-16
TOURISTS VISIT FRANCE
Estimate Made on lumber by Count
ing Triptiques Issued.

"B AEAptA4ucb ASbueus
NEW YORK., Jan. l5.-The proposal of
the French government to levy a tax on
automobiles brought into the country for
touring purposes has led to a study Of the
subject of automobile touring in France. So
many ways of getting into France exist,
however, that is impossible to compile
complete figures; in fact. tourists from
only two countries, Great Britain and
America, were taken into consideration.
The Royal Automobile club of Great
Britain has issued, or expects to issue
shortly, 90S triptiques to American and
English Automobiles visiting France.
The Motor union will issue 200. The Asso-
citation Generate Automobile, either d-
rectly or through its English branch, also
will issue 200; the automobile association
stimate its number at 652; the Touring
Club Of France, in addition to the trip
tiques issued to some of the above-men-
toned societies, has sent 100 triptiques di-
rect to American automobilists. These
clubs and associations nave together is
sued 1900 trlptiques in one year to Ameri-
can and English automobilists visiting
France only, for these figures do not cover
triptiques issued for other European coun-
tries.
A further idea of the Importance OF the
touring movement can be gathered from
the fact that the Touring Club of France
issued 300 triptiques for the year which
closed October /, and that it has deposited
1851, 1B7 francs with the customs authorities
as guarantees for these trlptiques. w, s.
Hogan, the European representative of
the Automobile Club of America, says
that the number Of applications for trip
tiques was greater last year than ever
before.
on a very moderate estimate, the 1900
triptiques issued to American and English
Automobiles last year represent not more
than so per cent of those coming from
these two countries for touring in France.
1t is safe to say that the number Of visit
ing automobiles was not less than 1000
for the year. AS the average number of
passengers is six this makes a total OF
1900 visitors who have sped over the high
ways of France on autos last year.
1t is not always realized what a valuable
asset the American and English automo-
bilists is to France. The average auto
mobilist remains one month. The Amerl-
can rarely stops less than six weeks, while
the Englishman is satisfied to run over"
for a much better period. TIL minimum
expenditure Of a party of touring automo-
DiliSts Is " francs q uay lor edch person.
this sum representing hotel accommoda-
ton, food, upkeep of the automobile and
incidentals, but ignoring amounts spent on
works Of art, presents and other items.
On such a basis the 24.OOO visitors intro
duced into France last year by the auto
mobile must have left behind no less than
SO, OOO, 900 francs. In view OF such a train
Of gold. the proposal OF the French gov-
ernnent to impose a tax on visiting auto
mobilists appears to be unsound policy.
A feature Of the development Of foreign
touring is the number of Americans who
now visit Europe in American automobiles.
Everything has been made so simple by
the various touring associations that the
American automobilist plans for a tour
through Europe with as little fear Of
difficulties as II he were about to make
a run through the Berkshires.