Evening star., 1951-10-21
II. S. Cautions
Lavish Junket
lnnpresurios
By Horoce Sutton

The State Department has is
sued a friendly warning to tour
operators who sent q small group
of well-oied Americans high
balling through Europe and Africa
last summer at a cost of $400 q
day per person. Announcement OF
a new series Of similar luxury
caravans. with costs pegged as
high as $22.50 per person, prompt
ed the State Department to call
the travel people to Washington
for an advisory conference.
Last summers trip which offer
ed a 37-day excursion to selected
individuals at a cost of $14,850
each, stirred Congress. The fight
against steering this luxury parade
across the face of Europe. in the
teeth Of foreign austerity pro-
grams was led by Representative
James Fulton. Republican, of
Pennsylvania, who called for the
cancellation Of the visas and pass
ports of everybody involved.
Saw Security Endangered
Mr.. Fulton added that the cara
van. which was led by Temple
Fielding. author of a guidebook to
Europe was "endangering the Sc
curity of the Nation because of the
false impression given of American
life"
For the silk-lined summer jun
ket. Mr.. Fielding had issued a
brochure describing the forthcom-
ing trip as "disgraceful, sinful,
delightful surrender to comforts
of the flesh. 1t is nonausterity at
its highest. most slothful, most
frivolous level" the booklet went
on. 1T is exactly the sort of thing
which overthrew Russian Cars,
dissolved the Roman Empire, and
caused the French Revolution -
but for once in our hard hard
working lives. u's hell Of a lot
Of fun. and nuts to the Comm
tern"
Admittedly a publicity gambit
as well as commercial endeavor,
Fielding's Caravan drew over o.
600 clippings from newspapers
and magazines. One hundred and
seventy inquiries arrived at the
New York Offices Of Time Travel,
Inc. travel agency which spon-
sored the trip with Mr.. Fielding,
and 81 people filled out applica-
tionS.
Go the Route.
Nine fortunates passed the en-
trance requirements-prima DON
mas. bores and nouveaux riches
were specifically excluded - and
II people finally covered the full
route.
The prospectus called for the
presence of a travelling secretary
and valet. drinks on the house,
engraved stationery. private car
and chauffeur at each stop, all
the caviar one could eat. and "18
luscious belly dancers in a tent
on the Nubian desert near the
pyramids"
While Mr.. Fulton shouted that
it was "disgraceful for Americans
to be conducting themselves in
such manner" ECA Administra-
tor William Foster opposed Full
tons views. He said Europe could
use the money.
1t is known that a number of
remarks were dropped
abroad by members of the party
or the staff. frequently in front
Of the sensitive foreign press. The
hrst caravan raised enough eye
orows both here and abroad toI
send the State Department scurry-
ng into action when Time Travel
made its recent announcement of
new and even more expensive
caravans.
s22,500 Per Person.
OF the new trips, three have
been planned for millionaire fish
srmen. taking the anglers into
waters from Madagascar to Ice
and. A fourth is q round-the-
world winter caravan scheduled !
'or December, 1852, with the rates
oegged from $1,000 to $22, 500
per person.
Seven days are scheduled in
India. where the tour members
will be guests Of a maharajah.
During five days in Japan, each
traveller will be assigned a geisha
girl. A fantastic japanese dinner
IS being planned, which is expected
to last all night and cost $500 a !
plate. The tour will land on For
mosa for luncheon with Chang
Kai-shek. and, conditions permit
ting, a one-day visit will be made
to Korea.
At a meeting held in Washing
ton late last month, the State
Department allegedly told the
travel agency that it would not
interfere with private enterprise,
but it warned of the effects of a
free-spending. high-riding mil
lionaire American caravan in
Asia. where many people make
less than 500 a year. 1t urged
that future brochures be written
in better taste and it arranged for
trained public relations personnel,
assigned by the airlines, to &C
company the world tour, leg byI
leg.
The State Department is said to
have expressed itself in favor of
avYHoocityn o,,or,orc 10