Evening star., 1942-01-04
By JACQUES FUTRELLE, Jr.
Travel lditor

ny JACQUES FUThELLE, Jfs
Travel 1ditor.
At the peak Of the winter season
In peacetime, Florida hotel proprie-
tors would do their best to accom-
modate stray arrivals-the happy
go-lucky, no-reservation kind-even
to the point Of hanging them under
the caves. Or, SO the stories used to
go, and the alternative was no shell
ter at all. Tourists and hotel mana
gers will be spared that condition
this winter, II the outlook as of to-
day eventuates. but the sun-tanned
finger of land that dips toward the
tropics will not be q flop. either
again. according to present indica-
tionS.
Florida, along with other resort
areas, but perhaps little more sin
cerely because of its reputation as
sunny port in winter storm, be-
lieves it has something that the
citizens should buy-a pleasant men
tai and physical conditioner to for
tify the human machine in inten-
sive times and give the worker his
second wind. England, more blitzed
than America, has come to that
solution and, in not only permitting
but encouraging vacations, has
taken the view that people cannot
sleep, eat and work war for So weeks
a year. Some recreation is necessary
and to millions of Americans, travel
is their favorite.
The executive vice president Of
Florida State Chamber of Com
merce. Harold Colee, sums up the
resortland's attitude this way:
"Our first and most important
job is to win the war. and while the
tourist business is the outstanding
factor in Florida's economy we don't
want any person engaged in vital
defense work to neglect it to enjoy
our winter climate and recreational
facilities.
I'VE must, however, keep in mind
that wholesome and healthful rec
reation is invaluable in counter
acting the strain war places on our
nervous systems, and Florida volun-
teers its tremendous recreational
facilities for that purpose. This Is
one phase of the national defense
program in which Florida probably
can excel all other States"
Living under the guns of the Cap
itaPs mighty war effort, potential
travellers in Washington and its
Metropolitan Area are likely to be
bit gun shy as periodic shots from
the wars nerve center seem to tear
away sections of the recreational
travel picture. Late last summer it
was the gasoline shortage that ap-
peared to shatter prospects of vaca-
ton trips. The resourceful motorist
took the situation in his stride, elm
mating the need of night time re-
fueling and perhaps adjusting his
itinerary. Even at that time the
more glamorous cruise ships had
about faded from the scene and last
month eliminated the surviving
name" ship, the Kungsholm, and
curtailed coastwise steamer travel,
but even today one may take an
ocean voyage.
A mild case of jitters struck mo-
torists early in December when q
temporary suspension in the sale of
auto tires was decreed. During the
holidays this developed into strict
rationing system. Even before they
could adjust their views to this sit
uation the latest blow was deliv-
ered-announcemen that automo-
bile production would be stopped
abruptly. Seemingly the greater part
of recreational travel this time was
doomed. The immediate reaction of
the public was to be even more wary,
to nurse along their cars and tires
for the scarce duration" ahead.
Dreams of lolling on the Miami
shore, Of fishing in the Gulf Stream
and playing shuffleboard at St. Pc
tersburg went pfffft. Trains cannot
begin to carry the army of winter
vacationists to the popular points
in Florida and train passengers
alone cannot begin to fill the blocks
and blocks of hotels, apartments
and bungalows. And even before
the start of the new year ripened
southland'S winter season to peak,
reservations were necessary a week
or more in advance to get train &C
commodations.
But people will travel this year,
the same as last. Vacation trips for
1912 will be shorter, for long dis
tance journeys will be definitely cur
tailed. Americans, though, won't
stop travelling"
The statement came from Elmer
Jenkins, manager Of national tour
ing for the American Automobile
Association, and was made yester-
day when Americans, particularly
Washingtonians, were wondering to
what extent they should hoard the
mileAge in their tires and cars.
Overlooking individual cases for
q broad picture Of the stamina still
harnessed in the present, going crop
Of cars, Mr.. Jenkins pointed to three
travel factors:
Halt Of the Nations 27.000 900
automobiles are good for between
one and two years.
The public is conscious Of the need