The New York herald., 1921-06-19
AMERICANS DESERT
PARIS IN GAYEST OF
SEASONS SINCE 1910
Hotel Men Say Bugaboo Of
High Prices Is Not JUS
titled by Facts.
PLENTY OF ROOM NOW
Many Brilliant Events Com
ing, Some With Flavor of
Old Time Pomp.
PLENTY OF ROOM NOW

Special Gable TO THE NEW YORK HERALp
Copyright, 1921, bJ THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Paris, June Is.
Although the social season here this
year is considered the most brilliant
Paris has known since 1910, with the
races. balls and innumerable dinners
and receptions to visitors, it has been
remarked frequently that this city was
never so much deserted by Americans
as it is to-day.
At not one of the big hotels here
which are frequented by wealthy and
well to do Americans is it impossible
to get plenty of accommodation at
rates which are more reasonable than
those charged last year, but American
tourists have so far failed to arrive
here In anything like the invasion
which was prophesied by optimistic
steamship and travel agencies.
1T Is not our fault" one hotel man
ager told THE NEW YORK HERALD corre-
spondent here to-day I'VE remodelled
our rooms to suit our pre-war trade. but
the impression is had by Americans that
II they came to France while the ex-
change rate caused high prices they
would be robbed. This impression is
absolutely wrong. but we are powerless
to change It. The fact is that even with
to-day's prices hotel rates here. like
everything else in France, are cheaper
than in the United States. exchange
rates considered, but Americans have
been so used TO finding the cost of living
here In pre-war days about one-third OF
what II was in New York and Chicago
that when they arrive here now and find
the prices changed they are not satisfied
They forget that what they find high
prices means to the French an increase
of between 600 and 700 per cent"
Big Events Coming.
Hotel managers here complain that
since the war the cost of repairing
their places and the refurnishing of
their hotels. along with the constantly
increasing cost Of labor. prevents a Gu.
in prices sufficient to attract their pre-
war patrons.
However, by staying away from
Paris American tourists are missing
many features of French life they prob
ably will not be able to see next sea-
son. There has been a series of balls
to aid devastated Rheims, which were
given by Marquise dc Polignac, which
established a precedent for the wealth
displayed. These are to be followed
next week by the Grand Prix ball at
the Opera on the eve of the Grand
Prix, the racing event of the French
turf. AS IN previous years. masks will
be worn at this ball until midnight.
when the real gayety will commence.
The greatest French artists and de-
signers have combined to work out the
color scheme for the ball, which prom
ses to be an exceedingly brilliant
affair. No less than 5000 persons will
attend II.
The Grand Prix Itself will provide a
wonderful climax for the Paris season.
All the embassies and legations here
will be represented at it and President
Millerand and most of the members
OF the BRAND Cabinet will attend.
stately Ceremonies Promised.
To Americans who are not accus-
toned to seeing the panoply and pomp
of the European nations, these events
in themselves would be a revelation.
as the arrival of the diplomatists at
these affairs will be marked by all the
ceremony customary on official occa-
sions.
After the running OF the Grand Prix
there will be dances and dinners at
the Jockey Club and many OF the lead
Ing hotels and cafes. Many of the
Americans here have already reserved
tables at the Claridge. the Ritz and
other well known hotels and restau-
rants. Nearly all the dancing estab-
lishments will feature American music
in the final week before Paris makes lts
way to Deauville to pass the summer
away from the heat OF the city