Evening star., 1935-06-02

~ AN CQOIb W CuI LaAl VIC IdlCc
Of Americans that they were
"gypped" In French hotels. or
i by the taxi driver. the porter or
the waiter, the Department Of
Tourism In France has evolved sys-
tenn Of protecting the American
against overcharges.
The department, q highly-organized
governmental unit to draw travellers
to France, threatens to remove from
the approved list any French hotel
which arbitrarily charges more than
the rate quoted by authorized sources
in New York. After an inquiry into
the case, publication Of the violation
will be made If the proprietor is
found guilty. The department has
set up special machinery to enforce
this new regulation.
Conscious that q few "chiselers" in
the hotel business can spread a great
deal of ill-wil among the travelling
public, the department found prece-
dent for enforcing stable hotel rates
In the country Of its neighbor and
rival in the tourist business, Italy.
Mussolini long ago decided the visitor
from afar should not be caught be-
tween q shy purse and hotel charge
which ascended according to the in
crease demand for accommodations.
He instituted the regulation Of hotel
rates by law, fixing them for six
months at . time.
THE French New Deal" for the for
eigner also has eased the bete
noire of delay in obtaining and re-
newing sojourn permits. Americans
will be given special attention In this
phase Of the red tape. Instead of the
application Of the United States citi-
zen being thrown into hopper with
those of residents from other coun-
tries. those of Americans will be ex-
pedited by being handled separately.
These permits serve the French au-
thorities and the traveller as identifica-
ton cards. They are obtained at the
Maison de France, 1877 Avenue des
Champs Elysees, Paris.
INCREASED interest in travel in
= South America Is beginning TO be
reflected in improved train accommo-
dations and modern hotels. This is
especially true in the Vina del Mar
region, known as the Monte Carlo of
Chile. The O'Higgings (such sur
names are not uncommon in South
America) recently has been opened
With q bath for every room, with
lavish trappings and with each room
Individually decorated. the hotel Is
said to be one of the finest in Latin
America.
Plans for two other beautiful hotels,
one Of 800 rooms, in Santiago, Chile.
and another at Laguna Frias, in the
lovely lake region of Chile and Argen-
tina, also are maturing. Another will
rise at Bariloche.
High-speed Diesel powered trains
are making their appearance in South
as well as North America. New de
luxe Pullmans already are operating
between Valparaiso and Santiago.
Argentina and Brazil are among the
leaders in providing new American
standards in rail travel.
In the meantime, travel to South
America is about double that of last
year, according TO Cooks.
THE early Summer tourist. sailing
down the coast of South America,
enjoys the novelty of living in three
delightful seasons of the year in
rapid succession. Leaving a climate
Of early Summer. he reaches Summer
heat itself as he sails South, and
touches Fall farther down. It's Sum-
mer again when he gets back to his
home port.
WITH the American Summer resort
w season Just beginning, reser-
vations already show q gain Of 20 to
40 per cent. according to Douglas NAL
colin Of the American Express Co.