The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-24
Conditions in Europe Better
Than in America.
Topekan Returns From Trip
Thru War Districts.
TOURIST GIVEN CONSIDERATION
France Especially Anxious to
Serve Travellers of Z. s.
First Tour Out of Topeka June
IL, r. P. Willis Says.

Reports Of congestion in Europe and
the ina bility of tourists to get accom-
modations there are untrue. it is de-
clared by r. Z. Willis. of Topeka, who
recently returned from overseas. The
French are putting forth extra ordi-
nary efforts to provide for American
tourists. in the interest of restoring
the devastated country, Willis de-
clares.
The Touring club Of France has
been organized in Paris to encourage
the visits of Americans TO that coun-
try. Willis points out that the money
spent by tourists assists in the upbuild-
ing of that war-torn nation and the
French. realizing it. are taking advan-
tage of the natural inclination of tour
lists to visit the famous battle fields
and other historic spots.
At the present time the cost of lIv
ing in France is much lower than
America. in addition to which the
American tourist gets the advantage
of the high exchange value of his
money Francs are now worth only
six to seven cents. whereas in normal
times they are worth twenty. The
congestion on this side of the water is
far worse than on the other side, VIII
lis declares
The average hotel rates in Europe
are so per cent lower~than in New
York The worst trouble for persons
going abroad IS getting steamship
reservations.
willis. who is president Of the Uni
versal Tours company, with headquar-
ters at 704 Kansas avenue, went over
seas and made an investigation of con-
ditions there before he incorporated
his concern. The company has pur-
chased blocks in steamships, hotel
reservations and will have every de-
sired accommodation ready for the
traveller
First Tour June II.
The first tour will leave June u for
a trip to the British Isles and the bat
tie fields of France and Belgium This
is called the short tour and is de-
signed more for the relatives Of sol
wish to visit the battle fields on which
they fell and the cemeteries in which
they are buried.
Two longer tours. including the
British Isles. France, Belgium, the
Piave front and Italy, will leave June
10 and %, respectively The first
short tour will be conducted by Miss
Ethel Aldrich of Topeka a teacher
Of history in the high school. This
will make her eighth season abroad.
The Tours company has arranged
for a. tour around the world. starting
from London August II. Bookings for
the two long tours are coming in rap
idly. There are still few vacancies
in the short tour company.
THE trip this year will cost less
than next year" Willis declared today.
We have every accommodation
ready and there is no reason why those
people who want to visit Europe
should not do so. I regard this talk
of poor travelling conditions in Europe
as German propa ganda, designed to
keep from France and Belgium the
money that will naturally be spent
with them by tourists. The only diff
ficulty is in obtaining steamship reser-
vations and we have plenty of them
already purchased"
The Universal Tours company,
which was incorporated few weeks
ago for $4,000 is the only company
between the east and west coasts of
America, with the exception OF
branch office in Chicago The Off
GERS are: r. E Willis. president: Il
T. Thatcher, vice president; Glenn E.
Tilton. secretary, and J. @ Palmer.
treasurer.