Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-30
0RATORY WINNERS
TO HAVE WIDE TOUR
ON EUROPEAN TRIP
Varied itinerary to ACquaint
Students With Sections
Little Known.
VESSEL BEARING PARTY
WILL CARRY u. S. FLAG
Finalists in Contest to Sail From
New York July 16-Return
in September Planned.

TIE winners in the National Ora
torical Contest this year will be given,
as in the past, a really comprehensive
European tour, and will travel, as here
tofore, on ships flying the United States
flag, according to Randolph Leigh, di-
rector general of the National Oratorlcal
Contest and the International Oratorical
Contest
I'VE have held to two basic ideas in
connection with these trips" Mr.. Leigh
said in discussing plans for the prize
tours today. In the first place, we
have given genuine European tours. Lead
ing we'll into the heart of the continent,
and never merely popping into and out
of one or two countries on the Western
edge of Europe. In the second place,
we use ships flying the United States
nag for transporting United States VIM
ners in the contest.
Tours Slightly Varied.
"These basic ideas seem to me to be
Of particular Importance in connection
with prize tours for students. traveller
and particularly a youthful traveller,
gets a very inadequate idea OIL europe
If he sees only one or two OF the ma
tions with which, through their hlgh
school training, American students are
already more or less familiar. we,
therefore, 60 well into Central Europe,
in addition to devoting considerable
time to England and France.
Each year We vary the tours some
what. For 1891 the chief emphasis,
outside of visits to England and France,
will be placed on Italy and Switzerland,
with additional stops in Holland and
Belgium. The italian portion OF the
tour is particularly noteworthy. Last
year the party used comfortable char
tered motor bus for its entire tour OF
Italy, and the experiment proved so
satisfactory that the plan Will be re-
peated this year. Particular emphasis
in the italian portion of the tour will be
placed on Florence, Milan and, above
all, Rome, that bedrock Of European
history.
Itinerary Is Diverse.
"Of course, the usual French and
English trips, always delightful ano IN,
structive. will be included. In England
the students will be taken to the lake
district the Shakespeare country, OK
ford, etc, with other side trips from
London. which will be the headquarters
OF the party in England. In France,
Paris. the inevitable and fascinating,
will be the base of the party, with side
trips to the Chateaux County, Fontaine-
bleu, Versailles. the battlehelds, etc.
There will, thereafter be a trip to the
south Of France. Avignon, Cannes
Nice etc.
S'The prize tour win differ from the
ordinary sightseeing party in many re-
spects. One Of these is the arrange
ment whereby. except for a few basic
stops, the itinerary is kept flexible. II
some particular village proves espe-
cially enchanting to the party. the stay
there may be heightened. II 1t de-
velops that more points can be VISITED
for which most tourists have not the
strength-the itinerary may be expanded
accordingly.
"In short. it is more like q tour by
a family or a group Of friends than by
clients Of a travel bureau. No tour de-
tails are Entrusted to such an agency,
everything being provided Tor by the
director of the tour. with view to the
needs and interests OF the party itself.
U. S. Ships Thought Best.
when we began giving these foreign
tours to United States students as prizes
for patriotic orations. it seemed obvious
that the winners in this country should
travel on ships flying the United States
nag. That was particularly evident, IN
view Of the Governments praiseWortny
efforts to educate its citizens to support
the American merchant marine.
Furthermore, the responsibility OF
safeguarding young students made the
United States ships all the more desira-
bic for these tours, in view OF the fact
that they are the only ones that 90
not serve liquor. Whatever ones per-
sonal tastes may be as an adult, 1t is
obvious that there Is much less ike
hhood of difficulty with youthful group
Arrv a
the long ocean voyage.
Incidentally. we have found that
United States students, particularly on
the return trip, prefer to be on an
American ship. Most Of them are aware
of the importance Of shipping In
nations development. and they take q
pride in being under their own flag
On entering foreign port they Away:
show keen interest in comparing tht
number OF American and foreign ships
in the harbor.
"The students also like American
service and apparently have not sue
cumbed to the propaganda which
would make an American believe that
once on the high seas he is already
in Europe and must have an European
atmosphere. as II there could be such
q thing in midocean!
Orators Sail July 1S.
But, the fact that the winners lik'
10 travel under their own flag has no
been the determining factor in the Sc
lection OF ships for the party. We hav'
selected the vessels Of the United State
lines for the past six years becaus
they have seemed to be the best from
Y the standpoint of the welfare OF tn
student as well as from the patriots
standpoint.
"Of course, when the winners II
other nations are sent TO this countr
for the International Contest by for
eign governments or groups, we expec
and encourage them TO use ships flynn
their respective flags. The German gov
eminent, for instance, sends its speak
ers TO this country on a German yes
sel-naturally and properly"
The seven finalists in the Nations
Oratorical Contest will sail from NeV
York on July 16 on the America O
the United States lines. The return
in September. will be on the Georg
,4F