San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-27
Attitude Of u. 5. Causes
Retaliation on the Part
of Other Nations.
BY WILLIAM IVY.

Paris, April 26.-Word comes from
London that the British government
is preparing to issue passports to its
subjects, good for five years, at the
price of about $1.7J, which can be
renewed for five years for the modest
sum of S125. This makes the pass
port cost about 80 cents year, over
ten-year period.
This one act alone ought to make
the Macdonald ministry more popular
than anything else, including reduc-
ton of the income tax. if any. For
there is 10 form of taxation that is
more annoying than that concerned
with passports and yisas.
One could almost wish for n Labor
government in America. if it would
bring us this boon. For the American
passport, for some inexplicable rea-
son, still costs $40, and is good for
only two years at maximum. The
American passport also carries with
it the privilege of paying $40 visa
fee to almost every foreign country
that the holder visits. And inasmuch
as most Americans who travel at all,
visit three or more countries at least,
the upshot of 1t is that in order TO
collect so from its citizens, the
| United States government compels
them to pay $50 into foreign treas
uries. That doesn't seem like good
business.
Passports Not Needed.
The writer has just been looking
over some Of his old cancelled pass
ports, which are covered with all man
ner Of strange stamps and seals and
more or less legihle inscriptions in q
dozen languages. 1t appears that dur
years he has disbursed. TO the United
governments, for visas. $40. In other
case received just one-eighth of the
swag.
The action Of the British govern
ment is one that will appeal to all
travellers, but at the same time it must
means go the whole way. Before the
war, passports were not needed at all
| in Europe. except in Russia and in
Turkey. Those two backward, semi.
civilized. archaic, Oriental nations al.
hcred to this ridiculous institution
long after the wide-awake nations of
thc W COT rdfc II up.
Its an Easy Tax.
Indeed, there are now countries in
Europe where one can travel quite
freely without documents. even if one
As an American. There Is Switzerland.
| for instance. And il one isn't an
American. one can so considerably
further, thanks to reciprocal arrange
ments between different countries. Blu,
thara, l., Al,c.,a1a 60 lo;p
away with passports altogether, name
ly the obstinacy of the American gov
ernment in adhering to its SO visa
for mulcting American travellers BIZ
arc going to give it up until we do.
But Washington seems loath TO
abandon the passport. Ii is said to b.
Congress fault. Congressman. when
they travel in Europe, don't have to
pay the fees. it's said. It's great
pleasure to be treated a little better
than the common run of mankind.
and no doubt congressman feels i'm
portant when the consul of foreign
land stamps his passport and says.
mo charge to you. your excellency."
1t wouldn't be half so much fun if
the common citizen had the same priv
ilege.
Supposed to Be Rich.
And then, of course, it's good bust
ness in Congress to soak the rich.
Everybody who travels abroad is, by
definition. rich. The college professor
who spends his summer vacation
studying old manuscripts in the Vati-
can library. he's rich. The architecture
al student in Athens. the art student
in Paris. the music student in Ger
many-they're rich. Soak 'em. The
family who came to France TO see just
where il was that the other member
(who isn't with them) got his (posth-
umous) citation for bravery-they're
rich, too. always.
In short. it's luxury tax. IL any
American can save up, say. 5000 for
a little flying trip around Europe, Is
there any reason on earth why he
shouldn't contribute $50 of it in pass