The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-13

singers now-for a more dismal, de- pleted, place I have never seen. It is really pitiful, the once gay Aus trian capital is now a mere echol Money is so low-that it means noth- ing l wanted a million marks which at that time meant about s2.S00 in American money--and it was so heavy and made such a. big package l had to get a taxi to take it to my hotel, and yet when l got there after all it was very littlel
 In Vienna an apartment may be rented for four dollars year; in fact, l have relatives who rent one for this price and, then rent out a room Tor dollar year, making the rent only three dollars year.
 Budapest Is likewise a dead city; millions of people are herded togeth- CT like cattle; no building is going on; there is no progress; everything Is absolutely dead. We secured two elegant rooms at the best hotel in Budapest for s2.50 day. The con- gestion is so great that people are forced to sleep in railroad cars in or der to give the soldiers room.
 0berammergau and Carlsbad
 ''The shops were simply beautiful in Vienna, Berlin, and, of course, in 1 Paris, and the ladies of my party sI ent their time looking at the Leau- tiful things and buying until now and then I had to say that the bank was closedi
 From Budapest we went to Ober- ammergau again co see the Passion Play and we were fortunate in strik- ing the most glorious weather; the little 5000 seating capacity audito- rum where the Passion Play is given was simply filled to overflowing and the performance was beautiful in ev- cry way.
 We took an automobile to Munich after the Passion Play and then went up into Switzerland -t to Interlaken 1 and Luzerne, among the most beauti- full spots in the world. Then to CarIs- bad, where We had a nice rest after our strenuous travels. There. as ev anywhere else, we found thousands and thousands of Americans. In fact, it is said that there are 100000 Amer jeans abroad this summer and that already they have spent over bill- ion dollars.
 Sunny Italy
 "Our trip through Italy was simply wonderful. In Rome we were accord ed an audience with the Pope, who is one of the most gracious and kind people I have ever seen. He has a very gentle face and our little Fer dinand Well was one of three chill dren in the vast crowds to whom he spoke. It takes hours to get into the Vatican, a great deal of red tape and pomp and ceremony with bishops and cardinals. sisters of mercys~-all very imposing. We were supposed to see the Pope at 12 o'clock, noon; instead it was 3:30. The Pope asked little Ferdinand if he was an American and told him he was very glad to meet him. We received the Pope,s bless ing, which was the finale to our au- dience.
 Naples and Venice
 "Always I have been interested in seeing Venice and Naples, and I was not disappointed in either. Venice. with it's graceful gondolas, and Ma ples, with its superb blue grottoes, art galleries, It's many historical points of interest, was a revelation of great beauty. Our trip was a genu- inc joy to us, but we were all happy when we turned our faces toward our beloved America. am glad to be at home once more, among my friends and relatives, and think America is the greatest country 1 have ever seen."