Evening star., 1922-10-28
"Our American Adventure"
Comforts Of American Hotels and Convenience of
Cafeterias Complimented by Author of Sherlock
Holmes, Who Pays Visit to Detroit on Tour.
BY SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.

the cause which needs educated advo-
we in England mainly connect the
prosperity Of Detroit with the genius
Of Henry Ford, but there are. as a
matter Of fact. many other industries.
and even among the motor firms there
are others. such as Dodge Brothers,
two brothers had worked up from
obscurity and had established a
splendid business. finally building
two grand houses at Crosse Pointe'
where they were to enjoy the leisure
that they had earned. Each Of them,
spective houses were completed-an
example, If one were needed, OF the
futility of human ambitions. 1t 10
likely that they took something more
permanent out OF their hard-working
lives. for there Is much virtue in
these self-made men.
Absurdity Of Peace Voyage.
l have always thought that Henry
Ford's peace voyage during the war
was a very noble attempt; all the
more SO for its pathetic absurdity.
The man who will venture something
in a big cause. even II he utterly
fails. is the man who rises above ordi-
nary human stature, and surely the
difficult failure is more honorable
than the facile success. The humble
manufacturer Of Detroit rushing in
to separate the warning kings and
kaisers was a comic relief at the
time. but 1t is notable thing to look
back upon.
Under the kind guidance OF Mr.. and
Mrs. Charles Larned We drove around
the beautiful Island Park. which was
once a wilderness of rattlesnakes
which could only be exterminated by
the aid Of droves Of hogs: Now it is
one Of the most beautiful popular
pleasure grounds in the world. with
all those conveniences for picnic par
ties which are usual in such places
In America-tables. seats and even
little stoves or ovens. When I see
all these amenities Of life my heart
yearns over our own poor north coun-
try towns. which seem to me to stand
in a class by themselves for ugliness
and discomfort. Think Of the huge
waste grounds. with their Uttered
garbage, and the prim, unhomely tidi-
ness Of such parks as exist.
I suppose that the root reason lies
In the age Of these towns. and that
they were laid out before modern
ideas prevailed. but their citizens
should cast of their self-contentment
and strive for better things-above
all, the wealthy men should take a
pride in the place from which they
themselves to adorn it. There should
be no place in the universe for the
kind Of town which es common in
northern England. where slatternly
folk who seem to have lost all per-
sonal self-respect, beshawled women
and ill,clad men live In dull. smoke.
covered brick streets with cindered
paths leading to their daily toll.
This world is hell" said Bernard
shaw. and there are places where the
thought seems natural.
Praises American Hotels.
No patriotism can possibly conceal
from the travelling Briton the fact that
our hotels have a great deal to learn
from those in America. l write these
words In the Statler Hotel of Detroit
The bedroom Is furnished with the well
equipped writing table which / am
using. with paper and pens always
ready and in order. Beside me lies a
card with request that the occupant
be not disturbed. This I can fas,en on
my door. On the dressing table are
pincushion. with a black button, a white
button and sewing materials for emer-
gencies. A telephone by the bed and a
fully furnished bathroom are matters OF
course, as is deep cupboard. beloved
Of ladies'. and the thermos bottle of iced
water.
On the other hand, the waiting is
much quicker in our hotels. and with
the set courses one has not all the trou-
Bile of selection and the tedium Of from
quarter OF an hour to twenty minutes
delay while you sit at the empty table
In most modern hotels, however they
have what Is called a cafeteria, which
Is really a splendid arrangement, by
which you pick what you want, carry it
OFF on small tray, and have no waiting
whatever. This is so entirely simple
and satisfactory that I think 1t Is des-
tined to have very general use. and
the only objection. as in every i'm
provement. is that it would certainly
throw great number of walters out of
employment
Even in the smaller American towns,
such as Toledo, the hotels are extraordi-
rarily good. Londoners may be sur
prised to hear 1t. but the Hotel Secor In
hat city has finer hall and vestibule
han any In London. Its dead gold ard
white marble. with innumerable really
comfortable armchairs. makes it a
dream for the weary traveller. On the
other hand. we may say for the old
country that our provincial inns. half
curiosity shop and half home. stand by
themselves in the whole world.
Copyright by Sir Arthur Conan pov,e, la.o.
for United States and Great Britain.
Continued in Tomcrrow's StarD