The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1927-03-09
CAPT. APPLETON
FINDS LONDON IS
STILL GROWING
REDWOOD FALLS MAN RETURNS
FROM VISIT TO ENGLAND AND
THE CONTINENT, PARIS UN-
CHANGED SINCE VAR

Captain S. A. Appleton of Redwood
Falls recently visited his mother in
England, returning from there only
last week. While abroad Mr.. Apple
ton also visited Paris and other con-
tiental cities, making several trips
across the channel by the air route.
Since he is native Britisher Mr.. APP
pleton is in a position to understand
the trend Of conditions in England.
Also because of his long service dur
ing the World War he was interest
ed in noting the changes on the Con-
tinent since leaving there at the wars
close. He has kindly given the Ga
zette the following brief impressions
of his trip.
II noted many changes in England
since the close of the war in 1919
when l last saw that land. The only
military reminder was incident to
the departure of about six thousand
men-Cold Stream guards-who were
rushed to China for an indefinite per-
iod of duty there.
''The winter sea storms have been
unusually severe this winter and elev-
en- day on S. S. Albert Ballin were
required to ride out the storm going
over. Returning on the Aquatania,
which is one of the largest and finest
steamers afioat, weather proved more
favorable and only five and one-half
days were required. However, the
quivering of the larger boat was less
conductive to comfortable sailing. The
Aquitania is 900 feet long and 100
feet wide. Within this boat all the
comforts of a complete wealthy mod
ern city are provided.
England is suffering through the
Dole System which fosters unemploy-
ment, especially among the laboring
classes. By this system, each man
receives, when not working, cash and
certain rations from the government.
Consequently these classes do not
care to work and the outcome is
hardship on the middle classes whose
taxes are necessarily large to meet
these payments. Housing conditions
are acute and the government is
building constantly to house the peo-
pie. No one owning property can
force tenants to move if they do not
wish to, because of government re-
structure. The growth and constant
merging of suburbs into London is
amazing and one wonders how such
throngs can increase and be housed
and fed.
"Travel in London is easier than in !
any other large city because of the
very complete bus system with its two
cent fair. These busses, which are
numbered and take one to any part
of the city, are so numerous they av
erage twenty busscs to each private
car in city block. They are handl-
ed by experienced drivers which re-
duces accidents to a minimum. Few
American makes of cars are seen in
comparison to European makes,
scarcely one in a hundred, Fords in
cluded. The use of American cars
is held down because of the tax sys-
TEN which is one English pound Tap
proximately 5000 for each horse
power.
"Air routes are we'll developed and
permit rapid trips to the continent
Paris appears as dirty and unchanged
as ever with no marked growth such
as one sees in London. The war front
appears vastly different. Belgium in
dicates fair conditions.
Meeting Russians one hears them
voice protest against the Soviet sys- /
tenn. This condition is brought be-
cause funds are being used to stir up !
strife in other countries instead of for /
the improvement and development of
Russia"