Evening star., 1929-06-30
BY H. CLIFFORD BROKAW,

Automobile Iechnlcal ADVISER.
"See America First is a good slogan
for motorists. But many of them have
seen a good deal of the United States
so nobody can blame them for wishing
to experience the delights of motoring
in foreign countries. This sort of pas
time is becoming more popular each
year. Probably this Summer will End
thousands of Americans using their
cars in distant lands and getting plenty
of thrills out of such vacation.
Travel in foreign countries introduces
those who take advantage of this sort
of recreation to quaint villages, hun
dreds of years old and entirely away
from railroad connections. 1t intro
duces these travellers to hedged and
we'll kept roads, picturesque scenery
and opportunity to talk with the real
people of these countries, provided one
is able to speak their language. In any
event, they are usually assured Of q
warm welcome, since inhabitants of
these foreign countries are noted for
their courtesy and their interest in
pleasing visitors.
Touring in a foreign country, espe-
cially in the European nations, where
most of the American people go, is not
by any means an expensive way to pass
vacation. One can take ones own
automobile or hire one after crossing
the ocean. Travellers will find plenty of
American-made automobiles in all of
these overseas countries. Some people
perfer the method of buying car in
Europe, and either selling it before re-
turning or bringing it back.
If a person intends to take his own
car to Europe, the precaution should be
taken of engaging space on the steam
ship at an early date, because space OF
this sort is somewhat limited. Also,
| automobiles carried as baggage must go
on the same ship with the owner. Most
of the ships which are now engaged in
transatlantic service, even those going
to Mediterranean ports, permit pas
sengers TO take their automobiles along
as part of their baggage.
If ones car Is to be taken along 1t
should be driven to the pier where the
steamer is tied up and left with the
proper person, receiving a check as re-
ceipt. One need not be particular
about having the gas tank full, since
employees of the steamship company
will drain this fuel out before the car
Is hoisted into a special hold OF the
ship for exclusive carrying of motor
| vehicles. They will also drain the
water from the radiator. In this ex-
| elusive hold the car will be carefully
| fastened so as to avoid being tossed
about in case a heavy sea comes on.
Furthermore, the car will be protected
by a cloth covering.
AS soon as the vessel arrives at what
ever European port is designated this
automobile will be hoisted to the pier,
European number plates will be at
| tached, gasoline and water supplied,
and it will be delivered to the owner
when he presents his receipt check, at
which time the automobile will be ready
for setting out on tour. The cost of
shipping a car across the ocean runs in
the neighborhood of $3.50, depending
somewhat upon the size and weight of
the machine. Round-trip fares are
| somewhat less than twice the one-way
expense.
Whatever the rates are, they include
the cost of United States customs regis
tration, loading and unloading, port
charges, washing and polishing, foreign
| registration, plates, driving license and
international customs pass. This last
mentioned item is said to be valid for
the British Isles, France. Belgium, Hol-
| land, Germany, Austria, Switzerland