Evening star., 1922-05-27
PARIS PRICES Jar
AMERICAN TOURIST
Charges in French Capital
Still 800 Per Cent Above
Pre-War Levels.
BY PAUL SCOTT MOWRER.
By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News.
Copyright 1922.

By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily news.
Copyright, 1s22
PARIS, May 27.-The first really
great tourist season since the war
is now in full swing. Paris swarms
with American visitors and thousands
more are arriving every few days.
Most of these Americans have been
somewhat shocked by the prices pre-
vailing in France. which generally
are equal to or exceed American
prices and the outcry has been raised
that the French are overcharsing the
Americans.
Investigation by competent Ameri-
can authorities shows that this ac-
cusation cannot be sustained. While
prices in the United States have fall
en- to about $50 per cent of the pre-
war level and prices in Britain have
fallen off so per cent within the last
year. prices in France are still 800
to 400 per cent higher than before
the war and are fully as high for the
French people themselves as for
Americans.
o.. Tourists Not So Rich.
The fact that, American visitors are
bargaining much and buying little Is
attributed by the United State in
vestigators to these causes:
The tourists this year rae not rich,
but people of moderate means.
Americans have been warned
against over-charging and have be-
come exceedingly wary.
Many articles, especially women's s
clothing. can now be bought advan-
tageously in the United States even
as regards style.
Exchange. Last, but most important.
Before the war 81 was worth 5 francs.
To correspond with the thrice multi
piled French postwar prices the dol
lar would have to yield Is francs at
this time, but it is actually worth
only from 10 to IL.
Many travellers. misled by stories
of the debased currencies in eastern
Europe do not seem to realize the
relatively high value of the French
franc. the improvement of which in
relation to the dollar has been SO
considerable within the last year that
representatives in France of Amer
lean business firms now generally
complain of being cramped in their
mode of living.
French Blame Taxes.
To the American protests the French
reply that they cannot reduce prices
because of high taxes, wages and
sued show that while the average per
capita tax in the United States is SGT.
In France it is 81 francs (about $50.
Meanwhile efforts are being made
Europe " JdllfdCl amer
lean tourists. One American news
paper. published in Paris. carries the
following advertisement:
The Hungarian government cor
daily invites Americans TO visit
beautiful Budapest. Know the Mag
vars at home. Cultured people. low
ing freedom. art. music and poetry"
The French government tobacco
monopoly, breaking the tradition of
generation, advertises for the bene-
80 rrl@ yy;cifo
brand of cigarettes. named High
Life" made of Virginia tobacco. which
the French do not like and the Anglo.
Saxons do-ten for franc.
The greatest advertising campaign
addressed to Americans, however, is
that of the French Winegrowers' Asso-
citation. POLITICALLY extolling the virtues
of French wines, probably in the hope
of influencing the movement in the
United States in favor of light wines
and beer.
GIories of Rheims.
welcome" says one Of the associa-
tion's advertisements, ito the great
wine-producing regions Of France
Anjou. Bordeaux, Burgundy and Cotes
Gu Rhine" Under the heading Rheims
Cathedral" the advertisement con-
tinues:
Rheims is not only martyr city,
but the center of one of the most IA
nous wine-producing regions in the
world. Champagne-this word is
known to all civilization. A simple
word. but fraught with meaning and
suggestive of happy family gatherings,
Joyous occasions and sheer pleasure of
living Since the beginning of history
our cities and villages have been de-
stroyed many times. but the quality
OF our wines has proved to be imper-
ishable.
ITO you, our invited guests from
America, we extend a welcome. Pay a
visit to our province. Its marvellous
wine is said to contain imprisoned sun
light. You will be following the ex-
= ample of all the kings of France, of
, Joan of Arc, of Napoleon In all our
cities and throughout our entire wine-
growing region you will not meet a
drInkon