Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-27

American Automobile Association has
prepared to meet the demand for safe
guarding the Journeys Of its member
ship to foreign lands. During the year
just ended there was a tremendous In
crease in tourist travel and a remark
able advance In the number who took
their automobiles with them to see the
countries beyond the seas. Between
5000 and 1000 cars were. transported
to these distant touring grounds.
From the time an A. A. A. member
begins to plan his trip abroad by motor
car until he has reached home again.
his numerous needs are cared for by
the associations foreign department.
Scattered throughout Europe are %
port agents who meet all A. A. A. men,
bers on notification from Washington,
which is the clearing house for the
members local club. They are prepared
to assist them through the customs and
start them on their journey.
Agreements With rs Countries.
The association has agreements with
Is countries for the issuance of trip
tyques, which are customs passports for
cars. 1t is the American member OF
the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme,
composed of the leading touring clubs
of the world and constituting the largest
organized body of motoriStS-some
1000, 000-on the globe. In co-opera-
ton with the A. I. r., as 1t is called. the
fishes q conversation manual in six Ian
guages to expedite further the travels
of its members in foreign countries.
To add to the pleasure Of those men,
bers who see Europe in their own auto
mobiles, the A. A. A. publishes the only
standard booklet on motoring abroad.
This Is revised yearly and explains the
documents necessary for travel from one
country to another, the customs duties
to be paid, traffic rules OF every Euro
pean country, and, in addition to this
information, the booklet contains articles
dealing with the attractions Of the vaft.
Gus countries which the traveller should
see. These articles are written by lead
ing authorities on the points Of interest
in the countries about which they write.
AS further expansion Of its foreign
service, the American Automobile AsSo-
citation is giving special attention to
tourist, traff1c into Cuba. The United
States Government at the request Of the
association amended the customs laws
extended only to Canada and
Mexico has been granted to all the gov
etfimentS of the world. In return, Presi-
dent Machado of Cuba has extended the
same reciprocity to American motorists
Cuban Privileges Obtained.
Because of the successful use of its
good offlces, the A. A. A. has made II
possible for the American motoriSt to
visit Cuba with his car without placing
bond and with his own license plates
and operators permit and to remain
there 80 days.
Motor tourist travel to Cuba is only
beginning, but the A. A. A. Is equipping
itself to offer the same comprehensive
service to the members who visit that
neighboring country as 1t does for the
traveller in Europe.
Here again the A. A. A. Is living up
to its standard of service when and
where the motorist most needs it. It
IS not content to leave him at the
steamship pier any more than it wiz
forsake him when his car swerveS from
the road in the next county.
Only by extending its activities
wherever possible and in any direction
can organized motordom live up to its
promise OF complete service for the
motorist. The American Automobile
Association has very definitely given this
promise and it is determined to live up
TO its pledge.