VISITING REIMS

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 71, 24 March 1920, Page 2

VISITING REIMS

THE WRONG METHOD AMERICANS' DEMAND FOR ( LUXURY, A' well-known woman has been-sent to France, these days, as investigator. She investigates tourist conditions, and on her return to America, she will talk to women's clubs. Sho went to ChateauThierry^ and Reims ori the American Express Company trip. In the grand new American Women's Club of Paris, I overheard her furious discontent, writes Sterling Hellig, in the Springfield Republican. She. would tell anybody what she. thought of the company! "They took us to Reims to a hotel that had candles! There was no steam heat in the building! The sheets were slimy-cold! Oh, no, not damp," she,- admitted. (She meant the magnificent linen sheets of France, and she preferred cotton.) "Yes, I know, it is the devastated regions; but it was tKo cold dampness of reconstruction! Of course, it was clean; but candles—think of candles!" This is a mentality which tourists, rushing in, ought not to bring, because it spoils their pleasure. In Reims, every house is down; and that is why she went to Reims—to see the ruins. For a long time they hesitated whether "thoy 6hould attempt to rebuild the city, or just leave it as a ruin. And the worst is, she will go home scolding, before all those women's clubs ; Sho was beautifully dressed, in expensive ' furs, and lacked no personal equipment. ■ . Another ill thing was the impression which such luxury makes on the devastate cd natives. No. her tact was perfect. She did not complain much, but just\ honestly investigated, handing out good money — like- tho other tourists. The unhappy natives don't want money. They want steam heat, just as sho did. They want* furs, glass windows, canned goods, carpets, floors and _ ceilings, cook-stoves, tools, agricultural implements. They livein lamentable cabins, or in patched up! walls. iThoy have no coal. The French Government offers them heavy oils (mazout); but they must buy a. 20-dollar burner and learn how to use it. No houses, no hearths, and mazout to warm the ruins! Reconstruction is » gigantic thing. Tho French Government has sent them "administrators"—who prefer to live in Paris. Their Deputies (Congressmen) stay equally snug in Paris. "Why don't they help us organise?" conjploin tho natives, "just one thing is organised —the tourist service. In luxurious carryalls and private cars! Yes, crowds of snobs in limousines and lap-robes! Beautiful ladies in furs! They inspect our misery in every comfort!" Both sides exaggerate. So, as this sort of thing is liable to continue until next July (and after), there will be no harm for each tourist to bring a mind prepared for any fate and a hand holding, say, atm of Hawaiian pineapple, box of marshmallows, silk-covered air-pillow, or 12 panes of window glass—just for good feeling. You don't need to give, they will gladly buy.' . .